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The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University

The Daily Free Press

The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University.

The Daily Free Press

The Daily Free Press

Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn (left) and Former Boston University professor Don Gillis (right). Flynn’s tenure as mayor inspired Gillis to write his book, “The Battle for Boston: How Mayor Ray Flynn and Community Organizers Fought Racism and Downtown Power Brokers,” which will be published May 6. COURTESY OF DON GILLIS

‘It became one city’: Former BU professor’s book explores Mayor Ray Flynn’s impact on Boston

Lauren Albano April 7, 2025
From helping set up neighborhood kids with summer jobs to bringing “heroes” from the Boston Celtics to play basketball with them, Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn always leveraged his connections with significant community members to uplift others.
Posters of the films honored at the 2025 Redstone Film Festival. The annual festival is hosted by Boston University’s Department of Film and Television, sponsored by the Sumner Redstone Foundation and features BU student films. PHOTO BY TATE HAM

Meet the films honored at 2025 Redstone Film Festival and the students behind them

Tate Ham April 7, 2025
Audience members cheered their way through screenings of the films awarded as finalists at the annual Redstone Film Festival Friday. The student films depicted dynamic narratives ranging from identity, end of life, immigration and young adulthood. 
“Please Come to Boston” book cover. Boston University alum Gary Goldstein wrote this fictional story about Nicky DeMarco, a boy who is entering his first year at BU in 1975. COURTESY OF GARY GOLDSTEIN

‘It’s my love letter to BU’: Gary Goldstein revisits his time on Comm Ave. in newest novel

Kayla Baltazar April 4, 2025

Living on the first-ever co-ed floor of Warren Towers, formerly known as 700 dorm, going to class at the School of Public Communication and eating late-night meals at the Kenmore Deli Haus — all things...

Speakers at "The Weight of the World: Community journalists on covering high-profile tragedies in their own backyards" panel. Nearly 400 early-career students and seasoned journalism professionals came together at the George Sherman Union March 28-29 to discuss “repairing, restoring, reconnecting” through narrative, including focuses on the freedom of the press and the great achievements of legendary writers and reporters. CHLOE CRAMUTOLA/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

‘A worthy profession’: BU’s Power of Narrative Conference inspires hope for journalism during dark time

Ellen Dong April 2, 2025
At a time when the industry of journalism finds itself under scrutiny, Boston University’s Power of Narrative Conference offers solace to those navigating its uncertainties.
Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development. Wheelock community members are concerned about how Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education will affect public schools across the country. HOLLY GUSTAVSEN/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Wheelock College community members respond to Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education

Ada Sussman March 31, 2025
The push to dismantle the Department of Education is almost as old as the department itself. Republicans have pushed to dismantle it since its inception, calling it a “crazy quilt of wasteful programs” in an official party platform in 1980 and accused it of “meddling in our schools” in 1996.
The webpage for John Wilson’s exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. Wilson is a former Boston University professor and his exhibit includes memorabilia from BU’s Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center. HOLLY GUSTAVSEN/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BU joins MFA to honor legacy of artist, educator John Wilson

Jack Schwed March 31, 2025
John Wilson, born in Roxbury in 1922, was an artist whose work centered mostly around the challenges he faced as a Black American, depicting these issues through paintings, prints, sculptures and drawings.
African penguins in their new “retirement home” island at New England Aquarium. The aquarium created this exhibit to provide comfort and specialized care to African penguins, a “critically endangered” species, as they age beyond their expected lifespan. COURTESY OF NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM

Six pairs of happy feet hit new ‘retirement home’ for African penguins at New England Aquarium

Lauren Albano March 27, 2025
Humans aren’t the only species who need a retirement plan. But for African penguins, that plan doesn’t include a 401(k).
Paulette Jones, sister of Champion Honoree Raynya Simmons; Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts State Auditor;Pam Allara, Champion Honoree; Denella Clark, president and CEO of Boston Arts Academy Foundation at the BAA Foundation’s ninth annual Champions Reception. Raynya Simmons, a Boston University College of Communication alum, was honored at the reception March 20 as a person who has continuously given back to the community. COURTESY OF THE BOSTON ARTS ACADEMY FOUNDATION

BU alum honored at Boston Arts Academy Foundation Champions Reception

Elaina Fuzi March 27, 2025
Raynya Simmons, a 1990 Boston University College of Communication alum, was honored at the Boston Arts Academy Foundation March 20 as someone who has continuously given back to the community.
EmpowerBU slate members (left to right) Alara Baran, Natalie Reilly, Suraj Nellore and Bryce Thompson. EmpowerBU is running for Boston University Student Government and is focused on building a stronger campus through fostering community and representation. COURTESY OF JANELLE RAMOS/EMPOWERBU

‘A conduit for change’: StuGov slate EmpowerBU strives to adapt, include, mobilize

Austin Kittrell March 26, 2025

Suraj Nellore moved around a lot growing up — from the United Kingdom to France, India and Australia — and constantly found himself in a new place, not knowing anyone.  “I didn’t necessarily...

BridgeToBU slate members (left to right) Hanna Yilma, Matthew Feliciano, Zakiya Majeed-Landau and Tony Wu. BridgeToBU is running for Boston University Student Government and is focused on creating a platform for student voices.COURTESY OF MERRICK HWANG/BRIDGETOBU

Student voices, unity are at the ‘core’ of BridgeToBU StuGov campaign

Hannah Portman March 26, 2025
Core — a single word with many meanings. But for Boston University Student Government slate BridgeToBU, it spells out the four fundamental words fueling their mission: community, outreach, response and empowerment.
The 2025 Boston University College of Fine Arts Carnegie Hall showcase performers. The annual concert in New York City features BU School of Music student performers who are chosen through a rigorous competition and selection process. COURTESY OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS

BU musicians, singers take center stage at Carnegie Hall

Samantha Genzer March 25, 2025
The stage of Carnegie Hall in New York City has long been synonymous with musical excellence, and on Tuesday night, a select group of Boston University School of Music students will add their names to the prestigious roster of performers who have graced its halls. 
Preview of “The Black Dogs Project” by Fred Levy on The Quarto Group website. Determined to raise awareness while improving his photography work, Levy launched this book, featuring black dogs photographed against a black backdrop, in the fall of 2015. SARAH CRUZ/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

‘The Black Dogs Project’ shines a light on overlooked canines

Samantha Genzer March 25, 2025
For over three decades, Massachusetts-based animal portrait photographer Fred Levy has been capturing stunning portraits, but it wasn’t until he stumbled upon the phenomenon of “black dog syndrome” that his work took a new, purposeful direction.
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