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Karen Campbell Severin CSOM '80

The first mark of servanthood is the ability to put others ahead of yourself and personal desires. It is more than being willing to put your agenda on hold. It means intentionally being aware of your people’s needs, availability to help them, and able to accept their desires as important.

The above statement personified the late Karen Campbell Severin ’80. As an undergraduate in the Carroll School of Management, and later as an alumna, Karen gave unselfishly of her time to make a difference for others. Nowhere was that clearer than in the many roles she served: Board of Directors for the Boston College Alumni Association; ¼¯ÃÀÂ鶹Alumni Association 5-Year Strategic Planning Committee; Chair of the AHANA Chapter of the ¼¯ÃÀÂ鶹Alumni Association. Outside of Boston College, Karen was a member of the Board of Directors for the Urban League of Rochester and was active in the Greater Boston YMCA.

As Chair of the AHANA Chapter of the ¼¯ÃÀÂ鶹Alumni Association, Karen not only met with fellow alumni, she also met with university administrators to advocate for the well-being of AHANA undergraduates. Karen’s efforts as a member of the Alumni Association mirrored her commitment and the contributions she made as an undergraduate at Boston College: she faithfully served as a servant leader in organizations such as the Black Student Forum, the NAACP and the Voices of Imani.

Premier among Karen’s qualities was her capacity to bring joy to others. Those who knew her attest that her warm smile and ability to listen and empathize lightened up difficult situations. The Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center and the entire AHANA community have lost one of its strongest champions: our friend Karen Campbell Severin. Though no longer with us, Karen’s legacy lives on through an annual book award that will be given in her name.Ìý(Dr. Donald Brown)

Each fall and spring semester, the Karen Campbell Severin Book Award helps students by providing them with assistance to obtain their textbooks. Please note this is not a cash award. Applications will be reviewed by a commit