As a teacher, Theodosios (“Theo”) Boulogiane ’51 taught his students to diagram a sentence, encouraged their creativity, and introduced them to some of his most admired writers, from Keats to Kerouac. The good he leaves behind endures, however, extending well beyond his classroom years and into the future.
Thanks to a gift from his sister-in-law, Ifigenia Boulogiane, many Saint Anselm students will be able to pursue their interest in English and potentially follow a career as an educator. In his memory, Mrs. Boulogiane established the Boulogiane Family Endowed Scholarship, directed to English majors, and in particular to those who want to teach.
Her decision to make this gift is an example of the powerful impact Saint Anselm College has on its alumni. Although neither she nor Theo’s brother, Jim, who passed away in 2020, attended the school, they were impressed by what they heard over the years.
“My brother-in-law had been happy at Saint Anselm,” says Mrs. Boulogiane. “He frequently spoke fondly about the college and the kind and helpful professors who mentored him. Theo was a bit of an introvert. Fortunately, he studied what he loved, received a good education, and wisely became a teacher of English. He was a very good teacher—supportive to students who needed extra help—with a wry humor that endeared him to his students. He had a happy, fulfilling career.
Theo (called “Teddy” by his family) grew up in Manchester with two siblings, Helen and Jim. He attended Manchester schools and was encouraged by his mother to write. After earning a master’s degree at the University of New Hampshire, serving in the Army in Germany, and working briefly in California, he returned to his hometown. He joined the faculty at Manchester Central High School and chaired the English Department for many years.
Ifigenia married Jim Boulogiane in 1958, and the family remained close throughout the couple’s many career-related moves and travels. “When I met him, Teddy was already beginning to write,” Mrs. Boulogiane says. Humble and private as he was, however, his family was not aware of how serious he was about writing poetry until after his death, when is sister-in-law found his voluminous body of work. She plans to donate some of his writings to the Humanities Institute at Saint Anselm College.
If he knew about her gift, Theo would likely be pleased but also surprised. He was a humble, private man, says Mrs. Boulogiane. “He was not a wealthy man, but he helped his parents and sister and left some money to us. I wanted Teddy and his family to be remembered, and established this fund so that he could continue to benefit others.”
Besides wishing to honor her brother- in-law as an educator, Mrs. Boulogiane’s views on the study of English may have influenced her decision. She holds several degrees, starting with an undergraduate double major in math and chemistry, and she worked in industry and finance in 19 countries. She is adamant about the importance of learning to write clearly and use proper grammar.
“Being able to write well is one of the best tools I had,” she says. “Being good in English helps you in everything. You need to be able to put on paper the equivalent of a drawing that shows what you mean and what has to be done. That is a hard skill to teach.”
Mrs. Boulogiane knows her brother- in-law was able to do it because she has heard from his former students. “In my career, I always did what fascinated me and therefore I had a happy, fulfilled life,” she says. “Teddy did the same and he succeeded by his measure of success.”
It’s what she hopes will follow for future Anselmian English grads.
Being good in English helps you in everything. You need to be able to put on paper the equivalent of a drawing that shows what you mean and what has to be done. That is a hard skill to teach.