In Memoriam: John M. Morawiec

As marketing services director in OUC, he oversaw strategic support for recruitment, brand management

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on November 27 for John M. Morawiec, former director of marketing services in the Boston College Office of University Communications (OUC), who died on November 22 after a valiant battle against ALS. He was 51.

 John Morawiec

John Morawiec

In his role as director, Mr. Morawiec oversaw the OUC marketing team’s strategic outreach to University partners, including BC’s schools and colleges and various divisions, offices, and departments, to support undergraduate and graduate student recruitment and brand management. In addition to leading the marketing team in OUC, he worked directly with the Office of Undergraduate Admission, the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, the Carroll School of Management, Irish Studies, and the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society, among other programs.

“John brought a level of expertise in marketing, student recruitment, and digital advertising that was needed at Boston College and worked tirelessly to support the University in meeting its strategic priorities,” said Associate Vice President for University Communications Jack Dunn.  “He was a talented person who challenged himself and his staff to promote BC, problem solve on behalf of the University and its schools and colleges, and produce work of the highest quality.”    

In 2021, Mr. Morawiec was diagnosed with ALS—also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease—a terminal neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor neurons controlling voluntary muscle movement and breathing. But he elected to stay at his job, keeping up with partners and coworkers on various projects for as long as he was able.

A native of Poland who grew up in Springfield, Mass., Mr. Morawiec received a bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University and an M.B.A. from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. After working at BU and the University of Southern California, he served as strategic marketing and communications manager at the University of Connecticut before joining BC.

Mr. Morawiec is survived by his wife, Amy; daughters Theresa, Christina, and Emily; his mother, Zenobia Morawiec; his siblings, Daniel, Ireneusz, Bernadette Nowakowski, Andrew, Anna Mansfield, and Katarzyna Jabbour; and 22 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Aleksander.

“John’s dedication to BC was exceeded only by his commitment to his family,” said Dunn.  “He loved his little girls and was grateful for the unwavering support he received from his wife, Amy, and his large family. He will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and worked with him.”

Memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, Mass. 02574 or ALS United Connecticut, 4 Oxford Road, Suite E4, Milford, Conn. 06460.