Bostonia is committed to telling the stories that reflect the intellectual life and vibrancy of the entire Boston University (BU) community and in ways that often are relevant to social, political, and scientific trends. The magazine offers intelligent, substantive, and expertly written and edited articles, as well as vivid photography and energetic design. In addition, Bostonia strives to foster an emotional connection between alumni and the university; demonstrate BU’s enduring value to our graduates; and engage alumni around the world with stories that inspire, inform, entertain, and spark pride. We took risks in 2023, publishing cover stories that were anything but traditional and that tackled some tough topics. The summer 2023 cover story took on the issue of gun ownership in the United States, with a unique feature on the AR-15 through the eyes of a BU scholar and alum who has studied gun culture for years. The winter–spring 2023 cover story profiled the new Boston police commissioner, BU alum Michael Cox. His ascension to that position is an astonishing narrative of an African American man who, while working as a plainclothes officer for the Boston police department in 1995, was beaten by fellow cops who mistook him for a suspect. Cox became a pariah but remained on the force; nearly 30 years later, he became its leader. We covered these subjects because they are important and timely. We believe they are examples of a magazine willing to take risks and push readers to think about sometimes uncomfortable topics, such as racism and gun violence.
From the Judges
A smart, engaging, edgy, and thought-provoking magazine marked by beautiful design and excellent audience engagement. We loved the diversity of people and articles represented in the magazine, which felt like a mass-market publication.
