Associate Director of Admission Pete Caruso brought passion, warmth, and kindness to the Boston College community and beyond, encompassing all “the metrics of success,” according to David Weber.

“He had an incredible sense of humor, an amazing musical talent, so smart and strategic in the way that he can work within an organization,” said Weber, Caruso’s longtime friend and senior associate director of alumni regional engagement. “He really had all of the qualities that you would look at when you’re thinking about the metrics of success—not what is your salary or your social status, but what makes you an interesting, engaging, meaningful, dynamic person.”

Caruso, LGSOE ’98, died on April 7 following a sudden illness. He was 59. 

Senior Associate Director of Admission Steven Koo noted Caruso’s ability to connect with and understand students applying to the University.

“Being in leadership positions regionally and nationally, I feel like he had such a good finger on the pulse of the profession—what it’s like as a high school student to really embark upon this,” said Koo. 

Koo emphasized that Caruso had a talent for making prospective students and families feel welcome upon their first interaction.

“I think that one of the aspects of, we’ll say BC, is that you always think about being engaged with the person in front of you, being present,” said Koo. “And I feel like he’s an incredible example of that, because if you meet with him, you’re the only person that matters in that moment.”

Not only was Caruso able to connect with potential applicants, but Associate Director of Admission Chris O’Brien noted that he also had a deep impact on students already at BC. 

“I’m in charge of the Student Admissions Program, and he has such a strong connection to the students that would volunteer in our office, and he does that because he really appreciates their story and their willingness to come here and do all those things to make this community special,” said O’Brien.

Dean of Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid Grant Gosselin, BC ’97 and LGSOE ’02, also noted the outpouring of support after Caruso’s death. 

“When we celebrated him, at the wake and the funeral, it was remarkable how many people, and on Facebook, how many people around the region, around the country, reached out or showed up to show their support,” said Gosselin. 

Weber added that Caruso was passionate about “building connections and bridges” not only for BC students, but also for young professionals in admissions. 

“Pete is one that just really cares about the growth and development of young people,” said Weber.

Gosselin emphasized Caruso’s dedication to guiding young professionals.

“He was incredibly caring, incredibly empathetic,” said Gosselin. “He would serve as an informal mentor to others on staff, particularly those that were less experienced, but he also served in a formal way.”

Gosselin added that Caruso was heavily involved in the New England Association for College Admission Counseling, serving as the organization’s president and designing a national ethics code. 

“The proudest I’ve ever been of Pete is—and I wasn’t his supervisor at that point—but when he received the Harry Carroll Award at NEACAC, which is basically the lifetime achievement award,” Gosselin said. “We as a staff were just so excited for him and so proud that he was representing Boston College so well. To be acknowledged in that way by his peers, that is a memory I’ll never forget.”

Weber also underscored Caruso’s commitment to the University’s Jesuit mission of service through his inspiration of young professionals. 

“Pete was such an influence in the way that [admission counselors] first viewed this professional opportunity at Boston College—a way to connect good work with the mission of the University that really does service the greater purpose of improving human condition and access to education,” said Weber. 

Both Koo and Weber emphasized that Caruso was particularly focused on positively impacting those around him through his profession. 

“I don’t know what people’s impressions are of admission, but he made admission seem like a thing where it’s a community,” said Koo. “It is kind of lifting people up. It is thinking about access. It’s thinking about how can higher education impact someone?”

Weber noted that the decision to ask for donations to Messina College in place of flowers highlights Pete’s concern for others and commitment to support the next generation. 

“Messina is two years old, and to see that be where he and his family would want that focus to be, when you could donate to so many different things, I think says a lot about who Pete is,” said Weber. 

Caruso was not only passionate about his work in admissions—he also had a deep love for music. Caruso played the drums from a young age. In 2010, he and Weber started their band, The Lost Articles.

“He was a creative energy when it came to his professional work, as well as his art outside of work,” said Weber. 

The band of four included Caruso, Weber’s brother, and the pair’s friend Chris. Weber noted that from the onset, the band had “not just good musical chemistry,” but a close connection of friendship. 

“We all liked each other and would laugh with each other and enjoyed being around each other,” said Weber. 

Some of Weber’s favorite memories of Pete include their in-depth reviews of their performances in the office. 

“I think my favorite memory of Pete is the synergy that we would feel together as musicians when we knew that we were kind of in the zone together, and it was cool to be able to go into the office the next day, or after a weekend when we had a gig, and kind of reflect on how dynamic a particular portion of the gig was,” Weber said.

In addition to his musical talent, Caruso was skilled at impressions.

“He gave impressions of just about everybody alive,” said Gosselin. “Spot on impressions, right? And I think the way that he would just lighten the mood for the staff and help us realize that these friendships matter, and we’re not just here to do our jobs. We’re here to be a part of something bigger.”

Koo particularly emphasized Caruso’s commitment and love for his family, noting the joy Caruso carried for coaching his sons’ sports teams. 

“When he talked about coaching his sons, you could tell that was so special to him,” said Koo. 

Caruso is survived by his wife Nancy, as well as his sons John and Nick, all of whom Koo emphasized Caruso never stopped talking about.

“He makes you smile, thinking about how much he loved his family,” said Koo.

Nikita Osadchiy contributed to reporting.