Boston College’s Mayflower Celebration Honours Community, Alumni and Opportunity

Developed as part of the Boston Town Deal, the Mayflower has been made possible through significant government investment, alongside capital and revenue contributions from the College. The Catering and Hospitality facilities have also been supported by a grant from the Savoy Education Trust.

The evening marked a significant milestone for the Mayflower as a flagship centre for learning, skills and community engagement in Boston. Built on the former site of the Ingelow Centre on Rowley Road, the building represents a major investment in the town's future - bringing education, enterprise and community together under one roof.

The celebration brought to life how the Mayflower is already supporting young people and adults to gain the skills they need to move into employment, further study or business growth. It also showed the building's potential as a genuine community hub, with facilities designed to be open and accessible to everyone.

Speaking regarding the Celebration, Lynette Leith OBE, Boston College Principal and CEO said “We had a wonderful evening formally celebrating the Mayflower building. Stakeholders, staff and residents came together for what was a relaxed, vibrant and enjoyable evening of networking, connection and celebrating not only the building but our wonderful alumni. I feel a great sense of pride for the college, the town and what's to come as we develop Mayflowers contribution to the community”

Speaking on behalf of the Town Board, Claire Foster said, “It is fantastic to be able to celebrate this impressive and inspirational space which is already making a difference for learners in the town. The Board has been fully committed to supporting the development of this building as we know that supporting adults and young people in Boston to gain the skills, they need to realise their ambitions is so important. It is also brilliant that The Mayflower offers facilities that are open to the whole community, as well as being a place for new businesses to flourish, meaning it really is somewhere for everyone in Boston.”

Guests were invited to explore the Mayflower through guided tours and themed showcases, highlighting leadership and management training, apprenticeships and higher education opportunities, as well as the College’s digital and virtual reality facilities. The tours not only gave visitors a real sense of what the building offers, but also created valuable opportunities for employers, partners and community stakeholders to connect with one another.

A highlight of the evening was the Alumni Celebration and Awards, introduced by Lynette, with a speech from David Parnell, Boston College Vice Chair of  Governors. Certificates of Brilliance were then presented to former students who have gone on to excel across a wide range of industries and professions. The awards recognised not just professional success, but the positive contributions these alumni continue to make in their communities - a reminder of the lasting impact of education at Boston College and the many different paths available to its students.

Throughout the evening, students played a central role, gaining real-world experience across hospitality, catering, media production and photography. From front-of-house service and food preparation to capturing the night, the event was a reflection of the hands-on, industry-focused experience the College provides.

The Mayflower Celebration successfully brought together education, industry and community, highlighting Boston College’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, inclusive learning while playing a leading role in the social and economic development of Boston and the wider region.

The following alumni were recognised on the evening:

• David Parnell - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to community development and local enterprise.
• Neal Wheatley - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to local development and community growth.
• Katrina Pierce - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to regional skills development and enterprise support.
• Victoria Burden - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to local branding and business growth.
• Bradley Cross - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to culinary excellence and hospitality.
• Ben Tiffen - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to digital creativity and online culture.
• Katy Carr - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to midwifery within the local community.
• Dan Goodyear - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to visual storytelling and creative enterprise.
• Sheena Guhlke - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to local enterprise and community improvement.
• Josh Blue Majury - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to sporting excellence and mental health advocacy.
• Klaudia Janikowska - Certificate of Brilliance for their contribution to community engagement and local initiatives.

If you are interested in hiring a conference room or business space at the Mayflower, please visit our Mayflower Facilities page.