Return to Table of ContentsApril 1998
One Student's Vision One student's feeling of isolation was the catalyst for bringing the AIDS Memorial Quilt to UMass Boston. When Steve Cicirelli first came to campus, no one wanted to talk about HIV, the virus for which he tested positive 11 years ago, he said. Hired to run the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Center, Cicirelli made bringing the Quilt to campus a goal.
After speaking with the NAMES Project Foundation in San Francisco, Cicirelli refused to shy away from the hard work ahead. In April 1997, he convened a committee, now 20 members strong.
"I had to do a little bit of a sales job. I had to assure people that I thought it could be done," he said. "I found that after the first few people came on board, people were calling asking us if they can be on the committee," Cicirelli recalled.
"I think it's really unique in the sense that despite the differences people have, we're all together for this one event," he said.
For the graduating senior, bringing the Quilt to campus culminates Cicirelli's well-known campus service. "I couldn't imagine a better way to end my college career here at UMass Boston," he said.