Jenks Leadership Program
Sandy Jenks ’47 had a vision of a student leadership program that would help shape future leaders in the service of others. Jenks is that vision, named for the BC alumnus and administrator that worked tirelessly for the students.
About the Program
The Jenks Leadership Program (JLP) is the signature student leadership program of the Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics and the Boston College community. JLP, named forWeston “Sandy” Jenks ’47, identifies and prepares undergraduate men and women to take up leadership roles in the service of others and the common good. Strongly influenced by Robert Greenleaf’s work on Servant Leadership, JLP provides a solid foundation to enable its graduates to become responsible leaders in a global society. This complements Sandy Jenks’s original vision and fits the motto he developed, “Learning for Leadership, Leadership for Service.”
Semester Modules
Individual Leadership (Spring Semester I)
Module one will consist of a series ofworkshops that work on developing participants’ individual leadership skills.
Team Leadership(Fall Semester I)
Module two’s workshops will focus on the dynamics of team leadership with participants being grouped into small teams (4-5 members) and each team planning a service project.
Service Project(Spring Semester II)
During module three, the teams will execute theirservice projects.
Class of 2027
Module II
Sunday, September 20
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Moraine Farm
Project Adventure: Team Building
Saturday, October 3 - Sunday, October 4
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Cape Cod
Spring Retreat: Leadership Improv
Tuesday, October 6
5:30 PM– 7:00 PM, Fulton Honors Library
Brennan Symposium: From Self-Doubt to Authentic Leadership
Sunday,October 18
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Fulton 515
Leadership
Sunday, November 8
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Fulton 515
Conflict Transformation
Saturday, November 14
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, Via Zoom
Culturally Responsive Leadership
TBD
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM, Fulton 515
Crisis Management
Jenks 2025
Operation Thank You:To support veterans and active-duty military personnel by organizing care packages, letter-writing campaigns, and raising awareness about mental health, veteran suicide, and homelessness.
BC Builders:To build a sustainable and enriching garden space at the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School, promoting hands-on learning, environmental stewardship, and community connection.
Menstrual Rights for Incarcerated Women:To restore self-respect and dignity to incarcerated women by providing care packages of menstrual products to support them during their periods.
Admission Academy:To help make college more accessible for students at The English High School by offering current juniors a crash course guide to the Common Application and college essay writing process.
CuraCare Kits:To raise awareness about the challenges of caregiving and advocate for more inclusive support systems at the BC Campus School by providing self-care baskets that nurture the holistic well-being of families.
This program is open to all Boston College freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. The next application period will be in Spring 2027.
Selection Criteria:
- Commitment to and potential for leadership
- Strong commitment to service for others
- Ability to contribute to group learning
- Commitment to attend and participate in all program events
Meet the Jenks Class
Brianna Liu '27
Emma Rooney '27
Natalie Westermann '27
Suha Akil '27
Suha is from Kuwait City, Kuwait. She is an International Studies Major, concentrating in Cooperation and Conflict Studies, with a Minor in Sociology. At Boston College, Suha is an active executive of Boston College's Model United Nations and a Resident Assistant serving the Upper Campus Community. In her free time, Suha enjoys reading historical novels, exploring the City of Boston, and Museum Visits (and postcard collecting). Suha is more than excited to serve the Boston College community beyond her current activities and to learn and grow from these meaningful experiences, both while she is here and beyond graduation.
Natalie Binne '29
Natalie is studying Accounting and Finance in the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. She is from Newton, Massachusetts, and graduated from Newton North High School, where she was a rower and distance runner, completing her first marathon her senior year. She was heavily involved in DECA, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship, and volunteered with students in both writing and math. These experiences helped her develop strong leadership and communication skills. At Boston College, Natalie has continued to get involved in the community through the Emerging Leader Program, various consulting competitions, including the Klein Ethics Case Competition, Ascend, and the Women Innovators Network. She is incredibly excited to be a part of the Jenks Leadership Program and looks forward to continuing her growth as a leader while serving the BC community.
Noa Bloodworth '29
Noa is from Chicago, Illinois, and is studying Finance with a minor in History. She is involved in the Consulting Club Analyst Program and the Jenks Leadership Program. Noa serves as a leader for Ever to Excel, a faith-based program for high school students, and is an AMDG Beadle, where she helps support faith and community on campus and beyond. She also participates in service through Appalachia Volunteers and enjoys being part of a community that values leadership and service. In her free time, Noa loves walking around Boston, shopping, spending time with her two dogs when she’s home, and exploring new places with friends.
Gabe Bruno '29
Gabe is from South Jersey. He is studying Math and Finance. He enjoys playing tennis, volunteering, and watching movies with his friends. He's an active member of BCIC and volunteers through 4Boston.
Donghwan (Dylan) Cho '29
Donghwan is studying Economics with a minor in Finance. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, he is interested in applying economic insights to solve real-world social issues. Before coming to Boston College, Donghwan was actively involved in a national mental health initiative in Maine, where he contributed to a digital campaign and research focused on youth mental health. At BC, he works as an International Assistant, supporting programs for international students, and plays saxophone in the Boston College Marching Band. Through the Jenks Leadership Program, Donghwan hopes to grow as a leader while building meaningful relationships and contributing to the BC community centered on service for others.
Kayle Choi '29
Kayle is from New York City and is pursuing Economics, Marketing, and Philosophy. She enjoys watching movies, exploring new places, and spending time with her loved ones. At Boston College, she’s a Marketing Assistant at Campus Rec, involved in the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC), plays for Club Badminton, and is a participant of the Jenks Leadership Program. Through her multifaceted involvements, Kayle is passionate about using creative resources to make a social impact, something she hopes to continue through Jenks and the Winston Center.
KaceyCognevich '29
Kenneth "Kacey" Cognevich III, son of Katie and John Cognevich, is studying Finance and Pre-Med. A native New Orleanian and graduate of Jesuit High School of New Orleans, Kacey served as Junior and Senior Class President as well as Executive Director of Hams for Fams- a Christmas meal drive feeding over 300 underprivileged families in his home community. At Boston College, he is a Gabelli Presidential Scholar and a Junior Fellow at the Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy, while serving Boston's homeless and immigrant populations at Project Place and Catholic Charities' Laboure Center over the summer. Outside of academics, he enjoys spending time with family, being on the water, and traveling. He hopes to pursue a career at the intersection of business, medicine, and public service, and is proud to join the Jenks Leadership Program Class of 2027.
Matt De Fazio '27
Katie Hackett '28
Katie is a Secondary Education and History major at BC with a passion for serving students and advancing equity in education. She is originally from Boston, but grew up in New Jersey and now lives in South Carolina. Katie is actively involved in campus life through Chi Alpha, where she serves as a leader, as well as the Lynch Senate, APPA, and Project Sunshine. Outside her academic and extracurricular commitments, Katie enjoys baking, skiing, horseback riding, takinglong walks, and reading her Bible. She is excited to continue growing as a leader through the Jenks Leadership Program and to further her commitment to giving back to her community.
Jake Hazard '29
Jake is from Falmouth, Maine, studying Economics with a minor in Finance. He enjoys skiing, running, playing tennis, cooking, and exploring in his free time. On campus, he supports fundraising for the Coalition for the Homeless's network of student-run foot clinics throughout Boston. Previously, he has pursued nonprofit work centered on biotech investing and drug development economics, and has volunteered with homeless populations in Maine. Through Jenks, Jake hopes to expand his perspective, grow alongside others, and emerge a more thoughtful and capable leader.
Amy Hernandez '28
Maeve Hibbert '28
Ruby Levine '27
Ruby is a junior at Boston College from Quincy, Massachusetts, majoring in Communications with a marketing minor. She has gained experience in creative and data-driven marketing through internships with Kitchen Ink Publishing and Mustard Seed Communities, where she worked on content creation, campaign strategy, and analytics. At BC, she serves as Marketing Manager for Best Buddies and contributes to the creative and marketing teams for Gusto Journal. In her free time, she loves traveling, golfing, and spending time by the ocean. Ruby joined the Jenks Leadership Program to grow as a purpose-driven leader and make an impact through service and collaboration
Evy Linker '29
Evy is pursuing a degree in Economics and Political Science at Morrissey Collegeof Arts and Sciences at Boston College. During her first year on campus, she became actively involved with the Board of Student Organizations through OSI and participated in the Boston College Consulting Club’s Analyst Program for first-year students. In addition to her academic and professional interests, Evy values health and wellness and will serve as an Executive Board member of Boston College’s CHAARG women’s fitness chapter beginning in the fall of her sophomore year. Evy joined the Jenks Leadership Program to deepen her understanding of the Boston College community through the lens of servant leadershipwhile further developing the skills to become a more engaged community member and effective leader.
Francesco LoGrippo '29
Francesco is from Westfield, New Jersey, and is majoring in Finance. During his free time, he enjoys playing sports, spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and cooking. In high school, he helped lead his school's service and investment club while also playing Varsity Ice Hockey and Golf. During the summer, he enjoys traveling and running the golf business he founded,Simple Swing Golf Garage. He is excited to further develop his leadership skills through the Jenks Leadership Program.
Nicola Luz '29
Nicola is a Political Science major in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences at Boston College. Before BC, she attended Paramus Catholic High School, where she developed a strong foundation for her passion for service as the Founding President of the Service Club, creating opportunities for her peers to engage in service both on and off campus. She also served as a Senior Peer Leader in Campus Ministry, leading overnight retreats for her peers and day retreats for local Catholic elementary students. Outside of school, Nicola volunteers as a Faith Formation Instructor at her local parish and coaches tennis for young children. At Boston College, she serves as Media Chair for the Philippine Society of Boston College, is a Social Fellow for the Office of University Communications, and participates in Ever to Excel’s AMDG Program. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, reading novels, taking photographs, playing tennis, and spending time with her family. She is honored to be part of the Jenks community and hopes to continue strengthening her leadership skills while deepening her commitment to being a person for others.
Martin Martinetti '29
Martin is studying Pre-law and Political Science in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. Originally from Union City, New Jersey, Martin is actively involved in public service, volunteering at a young age. Driven by a lifelong commitment to public service and community leadership, Martin serves as the proud President of the Student Martial Arts Club, the Head of the Bellarmine Law Society Outreach Committee, and the Head of Content Creation for Eau de Boston, among other involvements. Beyond his campus involvements, Martin is an active entrepreneur, managing two ventures: MM Cards and Collectibles and MyUni.ai. In his free time, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family. Martin joined the Jenks Leadership Program because of its dedication to others through its service project, a cause he is extremely passionate about. Jenks has already begun to discover what it truly means to be a leader in the 21st century, and he looks forward to furthering this discovery.
RyanPasqualini '29
Ryan is a finance student at Boston College. He is from Burlington, Connecticut, and enjoys running, watching sports, and hiking. In high school, he was the captain of his cross country and track teams, and served as the Vice President of his class. At BC, Ryan is involved in several clubs, including Jenks, the Investment Club, and Freshmen League. Ryan looks forward to hearing differing perspectives on leadership and making a tangible impact on the community through his participation in the Jenks Leadership Program.
Armand Pierre '28
Ana Ramos Hinojosa '29
Ana is from Plano, Texas, and is majoring in Marketing and International Studies, as well as minoring in Catholic Studies. During her free time, she enjoys baking, volunteering, scrapbooking, and running. At Boston College, she is passionate about her involvements in BC Bigs, the Students Admissions Program, and the Liturgical Council. Ana is excited to further develop her leadership skills throughout her time in the Jenks Leadership Program.
Ahmed Sajanlal '27
SagarikaSriram '28
Jonathan Sterling '29
Stephen Tan '28
Stephen is pursuing a degree in Economics at Boston College. Originally from Shenzhen, China, he developed a strong commitment to service in high school as Vice President of the Red Cross Club, where he led first aid education initiatives and worked closely with a local welfare institution supporting children with disabilities. He also organized weekly mentorship programs connecting student volunteers with the community, experiences that shaped his interest in social impact. At Boston College, Stephen is involved in research on the informal economy, exploring how institutional and social factors influence economic behavior. He is particularly interested in economic policy, strategy, and broader social issues. Outside the classroom, he enjoys playing basketball and ultimate frisbee, and is a member of the Chinese International Student Association basketball team. Stephen values curiosity, thoughtful engagement, and a global perspective, and looks forward to growing alongside a community committed to meaningful impact.
Tim Treanor '29
Tim is studying Political Science and International Studies on the pre-law track. He is from Westchester, New York, where he volunteered and raised fundsat the Mt. Kisco Child Care Center. Here, he developed an interest in the policy inequities surrounding child care subsidies, which grew his passion for lawmaking. At Boston College, he has been involved in ministry and the Bellarmine Law Society, where he strives to continue learning about policy and the legal system.Outside of school, he spends his time playing guitar, skiing, instructing, and traveling to learn about the world and cultures around him. He is a big sports fan, devoted to the Knicks, Yankees, and Jets. Through Jenks, he hopes to further develop his leadership skills and make a lasting impact on the community around him.
Kristina Walker '27
Kristina is pursuing a degree in Business Analytics with minors in International Studies and Managing for Social Impact at Boston College. She is originally from Bainbridge Island, Washington, and attended Bainbridge High School, where she served as captain of the varsity girls' tennis and cross country teams and was involved as a Social Justice League officer, peer tutor, campus tour guide, and Model UN member.At Boston College, Kristina has found much fulfillment through service-oriented experiences, including APPA and PULSE, and is also involved with Women in Business and the REACH lab for Economic Research. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, playing tennis, dancing, traveling, and learning languages. She is thrilled to be a member of the Jenks Leadership Program and looks forward to developing her leadership skills, serving the Boston community, and growing alongside her fellow classmates.
Mason Wiegand '29
Wilson Wood '28
Wilson, originally from Annapolis, Maryland, is majoring in Human-Centered Engineering with a minor in Finance. Outside of Jenks, he has stayed involved at BC through the Emerging Leader Program, Sophomore+ Leadership Council (RHA), and AMDG Program. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, trying new foods, and spending quality time with friends. Through Jenks, Wilson looks forward to growing his network, developing his leadership skills, and making a meaningful impact on the BC community.
Class of 2026
Owen Amir-Arjomand‘28
Olivia Azevedo'27
Natalie Bly '28
Santiago Cervantes‘26
Bronwyn Chesner'26
Jigmey Dorgee'28
Sem Ferguson'28
Claire Fontenot'27
Ania Gradzki ‘26
EffieHatzopoulos ‘28
Madison Herrero'28
James Keenan ‘28
AlexanderLehman ‘27
Cara McKenna'28
Zayn Moselhy ‘28
AndrewNazarenus‘28
Trip Rizzo'28
Andrew Sears’26
Lauren Thomas’28
Fabian Ugalde'28
GraceVengco’28
Griffin Weiss '28
Elaine Zheng '26
Student Directors
Lynn Benali ‘26
Kyle Butler '26
Terrence King ’26
Class of 2025
Lynn Benali ‘26
Jason Dominguez‘27
Gavin Evans '25
Andre Ferreira‘26
Natalie Garayeva‘27
CurtisIdemudia‘26
Casey Johnston‘26
LailaKiwanuka’27
Cami Kulbieda‘26
Brianna Liu ‘27
Cristina Marban ‘27
Dan Nguyen ‘27
ChristineOnyia‘27
Angelina Orduña ‘25
Pratham Patel ‘27
Veronica Pierce ‘27
Ella Ramchand‘27
Jonah Renz ‘27
Emma Rooney’27
Allison Sen’26
Camille Shepherd ’25
LennoxSilvestro-Dias’27
BrettStievater’25
Connor Toronto’27
Natalie Westermann '27
Student Directors
Katherine Garrigan ‘25
Nicholas McDonald '25
Alexis Thomas ’25
Class of 2024
George Andary '26
Lillian Beagan '26
Elizabeth Birmingham '26
Michael Bowen ‘24
Kyle Butler ‘26
Dylan Carollo ‘25
Peter Coquillette ‘26
Luis Cordon ‘26
Sinead Doyle ‘26
Matthew Fioretti ’25
Julia Franco ’26
Elizaveta Frolova ’26
Katherine Garrigan ’25
Luke Gueriera ’26
Anna Jee '24
Andrew Kamionek '25
Caroline Kane '26
Terrence King '26
William Knowles '26
Brooke Leeman '24
Kelly Mach '25
Anthony Marie '26
Jordan Paul '26
Jessica Rose '24
Suhana Singh’24
Akhil Vennam ’26
Student Directors
Dylan Breen‘24
Meghan Heckelman’25
The Student Advisory and Networking Council
The Student Advisory and Networking Council was created for Jenks alumni who are still enrolled at Boston College. This is an opportunity for students to remain engaged in the Jenks program through graduation. Members of the council serve as ambassadors for the program and promote it to new students, serve as unofficial mentors to current Jenks students, and contribute overall to the program development.
Claire Fontenot '27
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
Brianna Liu '27
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
Ella Ramchand ’27(Alumni & Networking director)
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
Margaret Andersen, MCAS '19
Lily Beagan, CSOM '26
Andrew Cappel, CSOM ’21
Jack Carroll, MCAS '24
Chloe Chen, CSOM '24
Ryan Childs, CSOM '24
Jeesoo Chung, MCAS ’20
Aiden Clarke, MCAS ’19
Philip Collins, CSOM ’19
John Dempsey, MCAS '22
Tom DiBella, CSOM '18
Sinead Doyle, MCAS '26
Patrick Dunne, MCAS '18
Charlie Fackler, CSOM '23
Caitlin Ferris, CSOM '19
Meaghan Gallagher, MCAS '18
Ashton Gillespie, CSOM '18
Claire Greydanus, MCAS '21
Megan Harder, MCAS '23
Megan Henehan, MCAS '25
Kayla Hernandez, MCAS '23
Patrick Hunter, CSOM ’19
Caroline Kane, MCAS '26
Jason Kauper, MCAS '21
Michael Kim, CSOM '18
Julia Landwehr, MCAS '22
Annie Li, CSOM '23
Megan Li, MCAS '19
Anthony Marie '26
Daniel Martin, CSOM '19
Jeeval Mehta, MCAS '21
Maria Meyer, CSON '19
Shane Mullen, MCAS '23
Thomas O'Hare, CSOM ’20
Kevin Petriello, CSOM '23
Mikayla Sanchez, MCAS '23
Addison Schmidt, CSOM '25
Czar Sepe, MCAS '21
Isabella Sepulveda, MCAS ’25
Bijoy Shah, CSOM '22
Jasleen Singh, CSOM ’20
Tyler Smith, MCAS '20
James Tallis, MCAS '19
Lauren Wachtel, MCAS '22
Abigail White, MCAS '22
Elizabeth Wollan, MCAS '19
NIck Yustin, CSOM '24
Joseph G. Bonito Servant Leadership Award
TheJoseph G. Bonito Servant Leadership Awardis presented to a Jenks graduating student who is unanimously selected by the student directors as the person who best exemplifies the Jenks program's motto “learning for leadership and leadership for service.”
Joe Bonito
Joe Bonito '79 is the Senior Vice President, Learning & Leadership Development Executive at Bank of America. He holds a BA from Boston College, an MS from the University of Pennsylvania, and an Executive Masters in Human Resource Leadership from Rutgers University. Joe also holds a DBA from Temple University. As an undergraduate student, Joe participated in what was then the Paraprofessional Leader Group (PLG) and later served as a student director. Dubbed by Sandy Jenks as a "rough gem," Joe admired and emulated Sandy and, since he graduated from BC, has continued to give back to the program by leading workshops year after year. In the words of one student who benefited from Joe's tutelage, "Joe has been an invaluable foundation and glue to Jenks and the PLG before that. His unselfish commitment and service to this organization have been exemplary and in the true spirit of Sandy Jenks." Joe has given more than four decades of service to the Jenks Leadership Program, and when we marked the 50th anniversary of the Jenks program, the Joseph G. Bonito Servant Leadership Award was created in his honor.
Ania Gradzki '26 flanked by directors, Kyle Butler '26, Lynn Benali '26, and Terrence King '26
2026 Recipient
Ania Gradzki '26
Speech by Kyle Butler ’26, Jenks Student Director
The Joseph G. Bonito Servant Leadership Award is presented to a member of each year's graduating class who best exemplifies the program's motto of "learning for leadership and leadership for service." This year, Terrence, Lynn, and I are honored to present this award to Ania Gradzki from the class of 2026.
When we met Ania in the fall of 2024, we knew she had the drive, thoughtfulness, and tenacity to not just thrive in Jenks individually but also to help the rest of the class succeed. And we are fortunate to have been recipients and witnessesof her gifts and talents over the past three semesters.
Ania has been an active participant in all workshops and activities. She was never afraid to voice her opinion and continuously provided valuable insights and ideas that challenged the rest of the group to think deeply. She brought this same attitude to her group project, "Books Without Barriers," where she spearheaded her group's efforts to partner with Steve Tumolo '84 and other organizations and set up book drop-off boxes around campus. But more importantly, she always ensured that her fellow group members were involved and brought out the best in them, time and time again. You should be incredibly proud of the impact your project had.
Ania's outstanding leadership capabilities and passion for service will help her succeed well beyond the completion of the Jenks program. Whether it be during the year of service she plans to complete after graduation, in her longer-term pursuit of the legal field, or simply while around family and friends, we have no doubt that you will make a positive impact wherever you end up.
We can't thank you enough for your tremendous commitment to Jenks and are so excited to witness the impact you'll make in the future.
Congratulations Ania!
2025: Emma Rooney '27
2024: Dylan Carollo '25
2023: Isabella Sepulveda '25
2022: Mehdi Kayi '24
2021: Kayla Hernandez '23
2020: Jason Kauper '21
2019: Claire Greydanus '21
2018: Susan Kurtis '18
2017: Ashton Gillespie '18
Photo Gallery
Weston M. "Sandy" Jenks
Weston M. "Sandy" Jenks founded the Leadership Training Group in 1967 to prepare students for leadership roles in groups and organizations. This group was soon rebranded as the Paraprofessional Leader Group (PLG). Jenks was strongly influenced by the work of Robert Greenleaf (Servant Leadership) and John Gardner (author, presidential advisor, and founder of Common Cause). In 1992, on the occasion of the PLG's 25th anniversary, the program was renamed the Jenks Leadership Program in his honor. The focus today continues to be on leadership in service to others.
Jenks founded the Office of Counseling Services at Boston College and served as its Director for 21 years. He was a counselor and confidante to scores of Boston College students during a career that spanned 47 years, beginning when he arrived as a freshman at age 16, in 1941.
Farewell to a BC legend
Jack Thomas,The Boston Globe
June 2, 1988
The most passionate event is death, and the least emotional writing, ironically, is the obituary, so that when Weston Jenks died in his sleep of cancer a few weeks ago at 64, it was reported matter-of-factly that he was a native of Waterbury, Conn., that his 40-year career at Boston College had begun as a freshman at age 16, that he had earned three degrees, commanded an attack boat in the South Pacific during World War II, and returned to BC, where he taught poetry and composition and founded the College Writer's Workshop and a counseling office of 10 psychologists who help thousands of students each year.
But there was more to Jenks, or "Sandy," as he was known to friends and colleagues who gathered after his funeral at St. Ignatius Church, and than again a few days later to dedicate a library in his name at Gasson Hall, for he was, by unanimous agreement, an exceptional teacher of intellect, imagination, energy and, above all, compassion. He devoted most of his attention to students learning to write - among them George V. Higgins and Ed Hannibal - or those who were troubled emotionally. Oddly, he never wrote for publication, for although devoted to the written word, he found creative writing, even the composing of a memo, to be devilishly difficult. "He was so acutely aware of the weight of each word and the need to craft it," said a friend, Dr. David John Smith, "that he was sometimes not able to sit down and write a letter."
He loved literature, conversation, political cartoons, Noel Coward and E.B. White. He enjoyed the funny pages, vacations at Boothbay Harbor, browsing in bookstores or antique shops, and puns, which he considered a clever use of the language. He was a swimmer, sailor and sports fan, with season tickets to BC football, basketball and hockey. He was partial to Rob Roys, backyard barbecues and Athens Olympia restaurant.
In clothing, he was traditional, and, at Symphony Hall or a Celtics game, favored suits. In the '60s, when neckties were thought of as politically hostile, Sandy resisted a temptation to win the favor of students by dressing down, and it was common, even in rebellious years, to see him in a three-piece suit in conversation with a campus radical in hippie dress. Sandy was not a man to blow with the wind, and students buffeted by confusion and contradiction saw him as an anchor, particularly during the social hurricanes of the '60s.
He was never on time, and students who saw him racing across campus would laugh in knowledge Sandy was late again. Alumni who invited him home learned it was imprudent to begin cooking until he arrived. He lived longer than doctors expected, not as long as his friends hoped. He was a man of deep faith, and from diagnosis until death in May, he went through the denial, anger, and finally an acceptance of death, although never resignation. Told there was no point in further treatment, that it was time to go home and die, he said he was prepared, but not in a hurry, and when it came, it would be OK, because he had lived a full life.
Next September, students will have to find someone else to ease homesickness, interpret Yeats, explain Vivaldi, define gerunds and teach Midwesterners how to eat lobster. Someone else will have to straighten out resumes and applications for grad school, and students on drugs will have to look elsewhere for help, which is too bad, for Sandy Jenks would have made it easier.
