.webp)
Finnegan Award winner
Characterized by instructors and advisors as a scholar who demonstrated a rare combination of intellectual rigor, servant leadership, and moral purpose, Ryan Milligan is the recipient of the 2026 Edward H. Finnegan, S.J., Award as the graduating senior who best exemplifies Boston College鈥檚 motto, 鈥淓ver to Excel.鈥澛�
The Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences graduate was presented with the honor by University President William P. Leahy, S.J., at the University's Commencement Exercises on May 18.
鈥淚 know the caliber of students that Boston College produces, and being among the finalists for this award alone was an honor,鈥� said Milligan, interviewed last week. 鈥淓ach individual聽is incredibly accomplished and deserving聽in their own right, so it was deeply humbling to be selected as the winner.鈥澛�
Ryan Milligan after receiving the Finnegan Award at Commencement. (Caitlin Cunningham)
A political science major with minors in general business, and Religion and Public Life, Milligan earned a cumulative 3.95 GPA and ranked in the top 4.2 percent of his class. Selected as a member of the Political Science Honors Program, he was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society.
As a fellow in the Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy and the John Marshall Project, Milligan engaged deeply with the intellectual foundations of democracy, grappling with complex texts and contributing thoughtfully to discussions on democratic resilience and statesmanship, and contributed to the Clough Center鈥檚 journal focusing on democratic resilience, noted Morrissey College Associate Dean Thomas Mogan.
鈥淗is academic work has not been about merely mastering material, but also about applying knowledge in service of the common good,鈥� he said.
According to Mark Massa, S.J., outgoing director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, Milligan鈥檚 devotion to service and social justice is equally profound.
鈥淩yan is an extraordinarily dedicated and talented student who manifests the best characteristics of Jesuit education: a serious student who is deeply committed to community service,鈥� said Fr. Massa, who served as one of his nominators.
Celeste Wells, a professor of the practice in communication, noted that in her course on incarceration, Milligan was moved by the challenges facing previously imprisoned individuals.
鈥淒uring his sophomore year, he took that awareness to Jewish Vocational Services, where he worked with formerly jailed individuals, and those with substance disorders, to aid them in career development,鈥� she said.聽 鈥淲hen he sees a problem, he doesn鈥檛 just lament it; he acts on it.鈥�
Ironically, when he arrived at 天美传媒app as a freshman, Milligan鈥檚 original plan was to 鈥渟tep back鈥� from extracurricular activities after extensive involvement in high school.
鈥淥nce I got here, I found myself compelled to dig in,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hose commitments聽became my community, and I made my best friends聽at 天美传媒app by involving myself in them.鈥澛�
“ It鈥檚 the professors and staff who are in love with their work, the dining workers who remember your name, the friends that push you to achieve highly and celebrate with you when you do, the opportunities to be formed in community with peers of similar interests, the facilities workers who keep the Heights pristine, and more. I am proud to be a part of a community that is so thoroughly dedicated and selfless. ”
As a resident assistant, Milligan fostered inclusive environments where students feel supported and valued, skillfully navigating conflicts and promoting belonging, according to Mogan.
鈥淗is leadership extended into student governance, where he was elected twice as a senator, served as committee chair for the Academic Affairs Committee and later as chief of staff in the Undergraduate Government of Boston College. In this capacity, he oversaw a substantial budget and worked collaboratively with over 100 students, demonstrating organizational excellence and a commitment to responsible stewardship.鈥�
Milligan also represented the views of 天美传媒app students to the highest levels of University leadership. Selected as the sole student representative on the Provost Advisory Council, he provided thoughtful insight into academic policy and institutional priorities. Additionally, he articulated the value of a 天美传媒app education to donors at several events in support of the Soaring Higher campaign, representing the student body with clarity and conviction.
He referenced both Wells and Fr. Massa as mentors, along with Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Akua Sarr; Carroll School of Management Professor of the Practice Thomas Wesner; Assistant Professor of Political Science Hannes Kerber; Theology Professor Fr. James Weiss; and Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Professor of American Politics R. Shep Melnick.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure I鈥檓 missing some [mentors] because there are too many to count,鈥� he said.聽 鈥淥ne of the greatest blessings during my time here has been to find mentors who genuinely take an interest in the students they work with. They believed in me even when I was unsure of myself. They held a mirror up and helped me see myself more wholly and clearly. They cared.鈥�
Milligan noted that University President-elect聽John T. 鈥淛ack鈥� Butler, S.J., often says students 鈥渃ome through 天美传媒app鈥檚 door and walk out ours.鈥�
鈥淎fter my four years at 天美传媒app, I have witnessed the profound intentionality that goes into actualizing that aspiration,鈥� said Milligan, who will attend George Washington University Law School this fall. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the professors and staff who are in love with their work, the dining workers who remember your name, the friends that push you to achieve highly and celebrate with you when you do, the opportunities to be formed in community with peers of similar interests, the facilities workers who keep the Heights pristine, and more. I am proud to be a part of a community that is so thoroughly聽dedicated and selfless.鈥澛� 聽
鈥淩yan is a scholar, a leader, and a servant whose impact will endure far beyond his time at Boston College,鈥� said Mogan.聽 鈥淚n every aspect of his college experience, he has exemplified the motto of 鈥楨ver to Excel.鈥欌��
Finalists for the 2026 Finnegan Award
.webp)
Charles 鈥淐harlie鈥� Coughlin
Carroll School of Management
Major:聽Management, concentrations in Finance and Entrepreneurship
Dean鈥檚 List First Honors, Alpha Sigma Nu, Beta Gamma Sigma. Shea Center for Entrepreneurship:Start@Shea executive board; led the Accelerate@Shea program; Portico teaching assistant; president, club soccer; volunteer, St. Columbkille School; Emerging Leader Program; ran 130th Boston Marathon to raise money for the Boston Public Library.
(Photo: Matthew Healey)
Emily J. Wollan
Lynch School of Education and Human Development
Majors:聽Secondary Education, English
Minors: Theology; Teaching English Language Learners
Alpha Sigma Nu; Liturgy Arts Group Jojo David Spirit of the Community Award; president, Liturgy Arts Group; retreat leader for Kairos, Ignite, and 48Hours programs; Arrupe International Encounters Program (El Salvador); orientation coordinator, Office of First Year Experience; full-time student teacher at Boston College High School; mentor and small group leader, Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies: Ever to Excel; Lynch School teaching assistant for Experience, Reflection and Action; volunteer, Catholic Charities Boston.
(Photo: Matthew Healey)
Mary Kwamboka Nyangenya
Connell School of Nursing
Major: Nursing
Chemistry tutor for first-year students; pathophysiology tutor for sophomores; Admissions Office, military and veterans鈥� mentor; veteran women and nursing liaison, Alumni Office; leader for the sophomore formation retreat.聽
(Photo: Caitlin Cunningham)