Hearts & Minds

Message from the President

Dear Friends of Rivier,

This issue of Rivier Today shows quite dramatically that the University is on the move. The cover highlights the inaugural year of men’s and women’s ice hockey—one of the fastest sports on earth. Raiders took the ice to a packed crowd at Conway Arena, and we were able to raise the roof. This issue also highlights long-standing, nationally acclaimed men’s and women’s volleyball coach, Craig Kolek, as he has now exceeded 1,000 career wins and was named GNAC Coach of the Year.

The University celebrates significant grant funding supporting STEM research awarded in the first year of the opening of the Science and Innovation Center and a $1.8 million federal grant to expand educational opportunities for behavioral health professionals. The Davis Educational Foundation has recognized excellent faculty leadership and is providing additional support for educational technology that will strengthen online learning and retention.

Rivier alumni and friends renewed old friendships and strengthened memories of past years during Alumni Reunion Weekend and the Golf Classic Fundraiser.

A feature on the Office of Campus Ministry highlights the University’s mission and campus engagement and reflects Blessed Anne Marie Rivier’s own words, “Your charity should shine forth in all your words and deeds: it should be the motivating force behind all you do.”

As we anticipate the Christmas season and look forward to 2022, may the blessings of family and good health be yours. Thank you for your support of our students and our mission of transforming hearts and minds to serve the world.

Sincerely,

Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM President

HM HEARTS & MINDS SERVING THE WORLD

Remembering Rivier Chaplain Brother Paul Demers

In recognition of the second anniversary of his passing, the Brother Paul Demers Memorial Scholarship was awarded this fall to two Rivier students. Created by his dear friend Dr. Ann McGreevy and devoted cousin Mrs. Claire Bilodeau in memory of his life and 30 years of faithful service to the Rivier University community, the scholarship serves as a tribute to his enduring friendships, commitment to service, and lifelong love of teaching and learning. This year’s recipients, Sara Court ’23 (pictured above, right) and Derek Labbe ’23, share Brother Paul’s love of learning and commitment to mission. As an elementary education major, Sarah student-teaches at the middle school level in Nashua and Derry and also works with children at a 21st-century afterschool program in Manchester, where she collaborates to foster an environment that supports their socialemotional learning. A nursing major and Global Honors Scholar, Derek aspires to work in the field of psychiatric nursing and to advocate for the mental health field and the important role of nursing. As an 11-year Scout, service has always been an important part of his life. He has worked with Nashua PAL to host a book drive for infants to high school students and conducted a service project to help the homeless youth population in the Nashua community by increasing access to services and shelters.

Share Your Story

How do you live the Rivier mission? Do you work or volunteer for an organization that’s making a difference? Send your story to us via email at alumni@rivier.edu so that we might share it with the Rivier community and encourage others to “shine forth.”

Rivier community lives the mission

In-person service this fall has highlighted the University’s unwavering focus on mission and Rivier’s role within the Greater Nashua community. From First-Year Students’ Day of Service to city- and campus-wide events, answering the call for hearts and minds to serve the world and the question ‘Who is my neighbor?’ has held center stage. As many alumni surely remember, First-Year Students’ Day of Service introduces freshmen to our local nonprofit partners in the Greater Nashua area. Longstanding relationships with Nashua PAL, the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, Boys & Girls Club, The PLUS Company, and many more organizations provide opportunities for new students to meet their neighbors and provide service to those in need. In addition to hours of deep cleaning inside and fall clean-up outside the organizations’ facilities, this year students worked on bunk beds for the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter’s new homeless shelter and painting at the Corpus Christi Food Pantry. They served breakfast to families and the elderly, and they built new garden beds at the Gateway City Community Garden. Students volunteer each month at the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter to prepare and serve meals. New this year, Campus Ministry connected a team of students, staff, faculty, and alumni with the Greater Nashua CROP Hunger Walk to raise awareness and funds to end hunger. Our annual Thanksgiving Basket Project and December Toy Drive continue to engage the campus community and alumni, reminding all that “it is in giving that we receive.”

Your charity should shine forth in all your words and deeds; it should be the motivating force behind all you do. " –Blessed Anne Marie Rivier