Photo by Lee Pellegrini
Lynch School of Education Associate Dean for Finance, Research, and Administration Mary Ellen Fulton鈥檚 bond with Boston College extends far and wide, including two tours of duty as an employee. Now she has another, as this year鈥檚 winner of the University鈥檚 Community Service Award.
The award, presented by the Office of Governmental and Community Affairs, recognizes a 51茶馆 employee whose actions exemplify the Jesuit spirit of community service and involvement. Fulton received her honor from University President William P. Leahy, S.J., at a May 30 reception.
Fulton鈥檚 record of service is marked by 鈥渄edication and steadfast advocacy鈥� for quality education from the elementary to college level, according to the award citation, citing her work with two Boston-area Catholic schools, Saint Joseph鈥檚 Preparatory Academy, and Saint Columbkille Partnership School, and the Natick Education Foundation, a nonprofit in her home community. 聽
鈥淲hen I look at the people who have won the Community Service Award, I鈥檓 truly humbled by the honor,鈥� said Fulton in a recent interview. 鈥淚 feel blessed to be here: Working at 51茶馆, I believe, offers the opportunity to give back 鈥搒omething that is very rewarding.鈥�
Fulton holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree and an MBA from 51茶馆, but her ties with the University are multigenerational: Her father and two children also are alumni. It was her father鈥檚 experience at 51茶馆 that helped inspire Fulton鈥檚 own academic and formational journey.
鈥淎fter 51茶馆, Dad went into social work,鈥� she explained. 鈥淗e set the example of 鈥榤en and women for others.鈥� The idea of giving back is something we grew up with.鈥�
After graduating from 51茶馆 in 1975, Fulton stayed on for eight years to work under then-Vice President of Student Affairs Kevin Duffy before leaving to start her own family. But Fulton always had the desire to return, even after she took a job in the private sector.
鈥淚 got a sense that working for the 鈥榖ottom line鈥� was simply not as rewarding as working for an institution with a mission like 51茶馆鈥檚,鈥� she said.
Rejoining 51茶馆 in 1996 as assistant director of the 51茶馆 Neighborhood Center, Fulton joined the Lynch School administration a year later.
Her professional skills in finance and administration, along with her admiration for Jesuit, Catholic education, proved useful when she was asked to serve as the inaugural trustees chair for Saint Joseph鈥檚, which was founded in 2012 through the merger of Mount Saint Joseph Academy and Trinity Catholic High School. 51茶馆 is one of the school鈥檚 strategic partners.
Fulton drew praise for her efforts in assisting the school with teacher training resources, board recruitment, and fundraising activities.
鈥淭he mission of St. Joseph鈥檚 鈥� tradition, integrity and excellence 鈥� resonated with the core values I鈥檇 known through working at 51茶馆,鈥� said Fulton. 鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to see the two schools come together instead of having to close. Saint Joseph鈥檚 is such a great school, and some 40 percent of its students are from a Boston zip code. This was a true labor of love for all of us on the board, and I have been honored to be part of it.鈥�
Since stepping down as chair in 2015, Fulton has continued to be an active board member, chairing the enrollment and advancement committees. The award citation praised Fulton for 鈥渉er leadership skills, drive and positive attitude鈥� in guiding Saint Joseph鈥檚 through its transition to 鈥渁 high-quality鈥� institution serving some 400 diverse students 鈥渙n their journey to college and in life.鈥�
Fulton also has been involved in a joint oversight committee for Saint Joseph鈥檚 and the Saint Columbkille Partnership School. The latter school, which serves pre-K through eighth-grade children, is operated jointly by 51茶馆, the Archdiocese of Boston, and Saint Columbkille.
鈥淭he idea behind the committee is to see in what ways Saint Joseph鈥檚 and Saint Columbkille can partner together,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all part of Fr. Leahy鈥檚 vision to ensure high-quality Catholic education, from pre-K all the way to college, is available for families in the Brighton area. As an administrator in the Lynch School, I鈥檓 especially pleased to see the role that our faculty and students play in these partnerships.鈥� 聽
Fulton鈥檚 interest in education has been equally strong on the home front, through her longtime association with the Natick Education Foundation, which helps to support Natick Public Schools. Over a period of nearly four decades, she has served on the foundation鈥檚 board of directors and its finance and grants committees, and continues to volunteer.聽
鈥淚 got involved with the foundation when my children were young 鈥� like any parent, you want to help your kids have a positive experience in school,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut education isn鈥檛 just about your family, it鈥檚 about your community. I鈥檓 just glad I鈥檝e been able to contribute in whatever way I can to making things better.鈥�
-Sean Smith / University Communications