Portraits Magazine - Fall/Winter 2024 by Saint Anselm College

A HERO ON LAND AND AT SEA BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY PAINTING THE TOWN THE FRANCO-AMERICAN COLLECTIONS

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE With the opening of the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute and the groundbreaking for Grappone Hall, the new home for the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Saint Anselm College is embracing tomorrow, today. By Anna Brennan-Curry

A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY FOR WOMEN ON THE HILLTOP Saint Anselm College celebrates its 50th year of coeducation with a convocation, featuring alumna and internationally known scholar Emily Orlando, Ph.D. ’91. By Laura (Rossi) Lemire ’06

A HERO ON LAND AND AT SEA The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) named for distinguished alumni. By Laurie D. Morrissey

PAINTING THE TOWN When it comes to expressing herself through art, Jyl Dittbenner ’97 likes to think big. By Samantha Jette ’20

DEPARTMENTS 4

On the Hilltop

Scene on Campus

Focus on Faculty

Philanthropy

Alumni News

Milestones

End Note

On the cover: Distinguished alumni Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. ’62, H.D. ’04, U.S.M.C. (Ret.) in his home in Reston, Va. Photo by Christine Hochkeppel Inside cover: Students soak in the fall colors and seasonal temperatures between classes. Photo by Jason Kolnos This page: Photographs, posters, and buttons are just a sampling of the items which can be found in the Lavalliere Franco-American Collections. Visit the website at www.anselm.edu/portraits

THE FRANCO-AMERICAN COLLECTIONS: SPECIAL AND DISTINCTIVE With thanks to Manchester, N.H.-native, Richard Lavalliere, Saint Anselm College is home to a large and significant Franco-American collection of books and archival materials.

Portraits is published two times a year for the alumni, college community, and friends of Saint Anselm College. The magazine is produced by the Office of College Communications and Marketing (603-641-7240) and published by Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, N.H. 03102-1310. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and (except for editorials) do not necessarily reflect the position of the college or the editors. Email: magazine@anselm.edu

By Keith P. Chevalier PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

Portraits THE MAGAZINE OF SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Volume 26 Number 1 Fall/Winter 2024

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS:

Paul J. Pronovost ’91

Katelyn Arnold ’23 Anna Brennan-Curry Matthew Broderick ’96 Kim Casey Keith P. Chevalier Ella Gordon ’25 Samantha Jette ’20 Bridget (Martin) Lazzara ’11 Laura (Rossi) Lemire ’06 Laurie D. Morrissey

EDITOR Kate Grip Denon

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Annee Newton Giard

DESIGNER Melanie deForest-Malloy

COPY EDITOR Barbara Coles

ALUMNI EVENTS JANUARY 26-27 Winter Weekend MARCH 20-21 Days of Giving MARCH 24 Easter Egg Hunt

alumni.anselm.edu

APRIL 27 75th Anniversary Celebration of Abbey Players JUNE 7-9 Reunion Weekend JUNE 24 Scholarship Golf Tournament

MAGAZINE ADVISORY BOARD: Dr. Gary Bouchard Faculty Representative Joseph Emmons ’04 Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations and Engagement

COLLEGE EVENTS

James F. Flanagan Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Fr. Augustine G. Kelly, O.S.B. ’83 Monastery Representative Bridget (Martin) Lazzara ’11 Alumni At-Large Representative Dr. Tauna Sisco Faculty Representative

Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center

Letters!

MARCH 7-APRIL 19 Elsa Voelcker: A Retrospective anselm.edu/arts/chapel-art-center

Kudos to you and the entire Portraits staff. Portraits is a most informative and eminently readable “portrait” of our beloved Saint Anselm College. I thoroughly enjoy reading about the goings on at the college along with the occasional feature article about various alumni/ae. Keep up the good work. —Maurice Demers ’66 L.T.C., U.S.A.R., (Ret.) Email your letter to: magazine@anselm.edu or post to: Editor, Portraits Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH 03102-1310

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Dana Center for the Performing Arts MARCH 1 An Evening with Academy Award-winner Ernest Thompson MARCH 16 Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration with The Jeremiahs and Kalos APRIL 20 American Pianist Brian Woods MAY 4 Mutts Gone Nuts, National Champion Dog Show www.anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities

From the President Dear Friends, Like many businesses and industries, the world of higher education has reached an inflection point. Faced with a decline of college-age young women and men, a trend that will continue for many years, colleges and universities must consider who they are and how well they are meeting the market demand. At Saint Anselm College, we are endeavoring to balance how best to grow and evolve, while remaining true to our mission and identity. This issue of Portraits is a kaleidoscope of the Saint Anselm community and its history, filled with stories of heroism, trailblazers, visionary thinking, service beyond self, and generosity rooted in a commitment to nurture this special place for the next generation and beyond. You will read the inspiring words of Emily Orlando, Ph.D. ’91, a professor of English literature at Fairfield University and an expert in the works of Edith Warton. Dr. Orlando was the keynote speaker at the academic convocation this fall, which began our year-long celebration of 50 years of full co-education at the college. And you will learn about the preservation of an important aspect of our regional heritage—the Geisel Library is the home to a large and significant FrancoAmerican history collection. Meanwhile, artist Jyl Dittbenner ’97 is expressing herself in a big way through her murals in the Manchester area. In “Building for the Future,” you will visit the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute, which opened this summer, and witness the groundbreaking of Grappone Hall, which will house the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Our philanthropy story features Roger Jean ’70, H.D. ’06 and Francine Jean, who have demonstrated a deep commitment to Saint Anselm for decades, and their most recent philanthropy may have the greatest

Photo by Kevin Harkins

impact of all—providing a financial foundation for the first school in the history of the college, the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. On the cover, we share the story of Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. ’62, H.D. ’04, U.S.M.C. (Ret.), who received the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Vietnam. This summer, Col. Barnum was bestowed a special honor when the naval guided missile destroyer USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) was commissioned in Maine. So many members of our Anselmian community have impressive stories

to tell, each one representing their own unique personal and professional journey, and yet these individuals are united by the foundation of a Saint Anselm education. We seek the truth. We value critical thinking. We choose lives of purpose, care and understanding. As I say often, today more than ever, the world needs Anselmians. Warmly,

Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. President PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

On the Hilltop

Br. Dunstan Noah Enzor, O.S.B.

Susan R. (Berthiaume) Horton, D.N.P. ’78

Chris M. Salamone, Esq. ’84

WELCOME NEW TRUSTEES Saint Anselm College welcomed three new members of the Saint Anselm College Board of Trustees on October 13, 2023. President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. welcomed the new trustees, saying they join the board at “a momentous time for Saint Anselm,” following the groundbreaking for a new state-of-the-art nursing and health sciences facility to be named Grappone Hall, which will be the home of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, among other campus initiatives. “As we move forward with exciting plans that will advance the future of Saint Anselm, we are so fortunate to have these talented individuals to help guide our journey,” Dr. Favazza said. The new Trustees include: 4

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Br. Dunstan Noah Enzor, O.S.B. Br. Dunstan is a doctoral candidate in historical theology at Boston College, where he studies early Christian exegesis of the Old Testament. His dissertation explores anti-Marcionite themes in commentaries on Psalm 118 by Origen of Alexandria, Hilary of Poitiers, and Ambrose of Milan. Additionally, he is a member of a team of scholars that is producing an English translation of Hilary of Poitier’s Tractatus super Psalmos. Br. Dunstan professed solemn vows at Saint Anselm Abbey in January 2022. Prior to becoming a monk, he served as executive assistant to the dean of the University of Colorado Law School (2007-2011) and to the vice president of the University of Colorado Foundation (2012-2013). In the more distant past, he was a successful

épée fencer, and served on the board of directors of a community theatre company specializing in classical, dramatic works.

Susan R. (Berthiaume) Horton, D.N.P. ’78 Susan is a parish nurse navigator for St. Agnes Parish in Dalton, Mass. Previously, she was a cardiology nurse practitioner at Berkshire Faculty Services in Pittsfield, Mass., vice president, Perioperative, Community, and Employee Health Services for Central Maine Healthcare and executive director of the Central Maine Heart & Vascular Institute in Lewiston, Maine. Her previous workplaces include the New England Heart Institute (Manchester, N.H.) and Catholic Medical Center (Manchester, N.H.). Susan received a Bachelor of

Science in Nursing from Saint Anselm College in 1978, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island in 1980, post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner certification from the University of New Hampshire in 1998, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Northeastern University in 2009. Her husband, Joseph M. Horton, Ph.D., is a 1977 graduate of Saint Anselm College and served as vice president of Student Affairs and Dean of Students until 2018. Their son, Ben Horton, Ph.D. ’12, currently serves as assistant dean for First-Year Students & Academic Support Services. In addition to Ben, Susan and Joe have another son, Brian.

Chris M. Salamone, Esq. ’84 Chris is chairman and CEO of Chris M. Salamone & Associates. He is an attorney, entrepreneur, lecturer and author. He is former CEO of LeadAmerica and the National Student Leadership Conference, organizations that sponsor academicbased leadership programs for middle- and high-school students. As a student at Saint Anselm, Chris was a standout on the men’s basketball team. The Salamone Family Athletics Hall of Fame space was named for Chris’ family. He also supports an annual $10,000 scholarship named in memory of his late mother, Rita

Salamone. Chris received a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics from Saint Anselm College in 1984 and a Juris Doctor from the Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad College of Law in 1988. He currently serves on the advisory board of the Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University; the board of directors of the National Italian American Bar Association; and also the boards of several local and international nonprofit organizations, including the Symphony of the Americas, Friendship Force International, il Circolo Italian Cultural Society of Florida and Above & Beyond Youth Ministries.

SEVEN FACULTY JOIN THE HILLTOP The college welcomed seven new full-time faculty members this fall. From left: Mark Cronin, Ph.D., dean of the college; Helen Markewich, Ph.D., assistant professor, biological sciences; Nicole Hruban, Ph.D., assistant professor, economics and business; Hilary Childs, M.S.N., clinical nursing; Courtney Urlage, M.S.N., clinical nursing; Jesse Saywell, M.F.A., assistant professor, English; Judith Follo, M.A., assistant professor, biological sciences; Joshua Potter, Ph.D., assistant professor, English; Diane Uzarski, D.N.P., M.P.H., R.N., dean of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Photo by Kevin Harkins

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On the Hilltop MELUCCI SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO TWO MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2024 Seniors Brianna Plant and Robbie Forti have been selected to receive the 20232024 Thomas A. Melucci Jr. Memorial Scholarship, an award that annually provides full tuition to two seniors who have demonstrated significant spiritual and personal growth throughout their time at Saint Anselm College. Plant, a first-generation college student, is a psychology major and neuroscience minor. On campus she is involved with the Intercultural Center and serves as a mentor in the Transitions Program. She’s been involved with the Campus Activity Board (CAB), participated in student research through NH-INBRE, and worked with Professor Loretta Brady to develop the Bad Call card game. She also works off-campus, volunteers at a few local organizations, and keeps bees with her grandmother.

Brianna Plant ’24

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KOCEV NAMED FR. BERNARD HOLMES SCHOLAR

Robbie Forti ’24

“This is truly my second home,” said Plant. “Saint A’s means everything to me. I’ve learned so much about myself. I’ve grown here as an individual. Those connections that I’ve made here are forever. I love it here.” Forti is the captain of the men’s golf team, member of the student athletic advisory committee, and represents the team for the Head Game Project. He is a business administration major with a management track, and over the summer interned with a financial advisor. “The story behind the Melucci Scholarship is very moving and I am honored to be this year’s recipient,” said Forti. “Receiving this scholarship has been the best feeling and I have put it upon myself to make sure I do everything I can to pay it forward and live out the legacy of the Melucci family and Scholarship.” The Thomas A. Melucci Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established by Thomas and Gail Melucci as a memorial for their son, Thomas, who graduated from Saint Anselm in 1988. Mr. and Mrs. Melucci remain closely involved with the scholarship, serving on the committee that selects recipients each year. Mr. Melucci is a former trustee of the college.

Mary Kocev ’24, a nursing major from York, Maine, has been selected as the Fr. Bernard Holmes, O.S.B., Scholar for the 2023-2024 academic year. The award is presented annually to an incoming senior, and provides a full tuition scholarship for the student’s final year at Saint Anselm College. Holmes Scholars show concern for and work to provide assistance to others, demonstrate leadership potential, and actively participate in the life of the college. “When I think about the person I want to be, I imagine someone who is kind, someone people can go to with questions or for advice, but also someone who realizes that they don’t know everything and never stops asking questions,” said Kocev. “These are some of the qualities the Fr. Bernard Holmes Award celebrates. Being recognized in this way is especially meaningful to me because it Mary Kocev ’24

“ Mary has become a leader at Saint Anselm College and beyond, not because of the title or as a resume building opportunity—but because it is inherently a part of Mary to serve and to give.” —JOCELYN RAHO, FORMER CAMPUS MINISTER reminds me that my time here at Saint Anselm has set me on track to becoming the person I want to be.” Kocev is an active member of campus ministry, participating in the Justice in Action Anselmian B.R.E.A.K. experience, playing the violin for Praise and Worship, and serving as the student wedding assistant. She’s also a peer tutor and involved with Respect the Nest. “Mary has become a leader at Saint Anselm College and beyond, not because of the title or as a resume building opportunity—but because it is inherently a part of Mary to serve and to give,” wrote former campus minister Jocelyn Raho in her nomination letter. “As she assesses the needs of our greater community, she is working to invite even more Anselmians to serve with her. This is what we can only hope for all of our Anselmians—to take their knowledge, skill, faith and heart and use them to give back to the world around us.” Over the summer Kocev completed her preceptorship at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, N.H., on the float pool. She also worked at an assisted living facility to support people with dementia. After graduation next spring, Kocev plans to become a hospice nurse. Dr. Favazza and Chancellor Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B. ‘71, presented Kocev with a certificate in recognition of her award during the college’s opening Mass on August 28, 2023 in the Abbey Church. The scholarship was established through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Davison, in memory of Fr. Bernard Holmes, O.S.B., former president of the college.

JACOB AKEY ’24 NAMED FIRST GRAPPONE FELLOW Jacob Akey ’24 has been named the first Grappone Fellow at the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute. As a part of the fellowship, he will serve the Institute in an ambassadorial and programming support role, and will receive full tuition and fees. “The selection of the first Grappone Fellow with the inauguration of our new building really punctuates both the generosity and vision of Bob and Bev Grappone,” said Professor Gary Bouchard, Ph.D., founding director of the Humanities Institute. “Jacob Akey has been an active participant in Grappone Humanity Institute conversations and activities, making it substantial part of his Saint Anselm education. For him to be selected among strong competition as the first Grappone Fellow is fitting.” Akey is an international relations and economics double major, with a minor in the humanities. He serves as the opinion editor of the Crier, a NHIOP Ambassador, and a writing assistant for the Academic Resource Center. He is involved with the Center for Ethics, working on the New Hampshire Zoning Atlas Project, and participating on the business ethics case competition team. “There are lots of students on this campus who are not humanities majors, myself included, who are deeply interested in what the humanities has to offer, but for whatever reasons feel like they didn’t get to choose a humanities major,” said Akey. “We need to reach out and show them that there’s room for them in the humanities.” Students interested in the fellowship submitted essays on their understanding of the “pursuit of happiness” using

Jacob Akey ’24

“ The selection of the first Grappone Fellow with the inauguration of our new building really punctuates both the generosity and vision of Bob and Bev Grappone.” —PROFESSOR GARY BOUCHARD, PH.D. lessons learned in and outside of the classroom. A committee of faculty and administrators evaluated the essays, looked at the applicants’ academic and service achievements, selected finalists, and conducted interviews of the finalists. In his essay, Akey discussed how the Benedictine vow of Conversatio gave him a framework to look at the pursuit of happiness as a journey. “To pursue happiness is to go to work, knowing that others will benefit from your labor, in a profession where faith is not merely accepted but strengthened,” wrote Akey. “Eudaimonia might remain out of reach, but it is only a complete person of this model who will be close. The monks have it right. Ora et labora.” PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

On the Hilltop AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT DR. THEMA BRYANT VISITS CAMPUS The Center for Ethics in Society, in partnership with the Psychology Department, hosted Dr. Thema Bryant, the current president of the American Psychological Association (APA) for a discussion about mental health in our communities. Beyond her work as APA president, Dr. Thema, her chosen moniker, is a professor, podcast host, author, artist, poet, and minister. With an unconventional flair, Dr. Thema opened her keynote address with a song and infused her work as a minister into the academic discussion. She invited the audience to participate with “call and response” exercises, which involved humor and set the tone for an engaging hour of conversation. With a background in trauma research, Dr. Thema focused her remarks on the power of hope in the wake of trauma and despair. “Dr. Thema was unafraid to speak about how true seeds of hope for our communities must begin with recognition of those around us who have been marginalized, excluded, or even forgotten,” said Professor Max Photo by Kim Casey

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Latona, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Ethics in Society. “And seeds of hope must also include recognition of the important role of faith and spirituality in healing, something that has frequently been dismissed in therapy.” Additionally, Dr. Thema explored the intersection of religion and science and concluded the two need not to be mutually exclusive. Much of her research revolves around the power of faith in the realm of mental health. With an audience comprised of students, faculty, community members, and mental health professionals from around the New England area, it was a full house in Melucci Theater for the lecture. Several psychology students utilized this powerful learning opportunity, as entire classes attended together. “Dr. Thema Bryant’s lecture was an excellent campus event,” said Lauren Menenello ’26. “As a psychology major hearing the president of the APA speak was a truly incredible and rare experience.”

After the keynote presentation ended, a lunch discussion was facilitated by Professor Loretta Brady, Ph.D. ’99 of the Psychology Department and director of the Community Resilience & Social Equity (CRSE) Lab. Brady created a comfortable atmosphere to engage in small-group conversations, by sharing poetry and personal reflections in her opening remarks and offering discussion prompts at each table. “In the CRSE Lab we developed a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) implementation tool that we call ‘pick a prompt.’ Having the chance to teach this to my Liberation Psychology students and to use it to develop their DEI facilitation skills during the luncheon was an honor,” said Brady. “Dr. Thema has been actively infusing the American Psychological Association with cultural and trauma informed liberation principles since her election. This was a rare opportunity for students to meet an APA president in person and to realize they are learning the cutting-edge approaches of the field.” Olivia MGuire ’25, a criminal justice major, remarked that, “Dr. Thema Bryant was equally as attentive, genuine, and understanding in a oneon-one conversation, as she was when she spoke in front of the whole school. It was a privilege to be able to talk to her at the luncheon, especially as an aspiring psychologist and as a person of faith.” Latona, concluded, “The Center was happy to see so many students, faculty, staff, administrators, mental health industry leaders, and community members attend this event on mental health in our communities. We plan to continue to address this critically important topic in the coming months, and hope that we can bring other dynamic speakers to the Center and college.”

Photo by Gil Talbot

GOVERNORS DISCUSS CLIMATE CHANGE WITH STUDENTS The New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) hosted a climate change campus debate this fall, in tandem with the National Governors Association, Braver Angels, and the Saint Anselm Debate Team. Since its inception in 2001, the NHIOP has offered Saint Anselm students a unique window into American politics. As such, the semester kicked off with an historic campus event when a bi-partisan group of four sitting U.S. governors came to campus to participate in a student debate about climate change. In attendance were Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee (D), Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R), New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R). “This was an extraordinary opportunity for Saint Anselm students to voice their opinions with four sitting governors in the audience,” said Neil Levesque, executive director of the Institute. Hosted in part by Braver Angels and the National Governors Association, the debate was inspired by Governor Cox’s initiative to Disagree Better. According to Cox, “there is nothing more un-American than hating our fellow Americans.” Working with his wife, First Lady Abby Cox, they are developing programs to

model civil discourse and healthy conflict around the country. Preparations for the event were made by the Saint Anselm Debate Team, who drafted the resolution topic “Climate Change: Individual Responsibility or Government Action?” Select members of the team, created opening statements to start the debate, which included students: Nathanial Crane ’24, Sean Kelleher ’24, Alexander Burgess ’24, Bella Uva ’26, Kellan Barbee ’26, and Michael Hanna ’26. Kevin B. Harrington Student Ambassadors greeted the governors as they arrived on campus. The students then escorted the gubernatorial delegation to the Jean Student Center’s McCready Event Space, where the debates took place. “Civil discourse doesn’t just happen. It is cultivated,” stated President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. during his opening remarks. He also noted that the Hilltop was the perfect place to host this type of event because of Saint Anselm’s commitment to the Benedictine values of respect, hospitality, and community. For David Trumble, Saint Anselm College debate coach, it was inspiring to hear many students voice their opinions. “Climate change is clearly a topic of great concern to this generation,” he said. “They spoke

about their willingness to change their own lifestyles and to bring positive change to the political system, through voting, working on campaigns and even running for office—it was an honor to have the governors in attendance and to have such a large group of people in the room.” Caroline Mara ’24, echoed this sentiment, “One of my favorite parts about this is that we have all these governors in the room. One of the rarest parts of this debate was that we got to have the ears of some of the people who make our policy changes.” Braver Angels is a nonprofit organization based in New York City, that is focused on political depolarization. Throughout the year, the group facilitates a variety of debates and workshops to encourage participants to listen and better understand one another’s positions. Their mission is to build a bridge, through civil dialogue, that allows audience members to discover shared values. The Braver Angels name was inspired by President Lincoln’s plea for national unity during his first inaugural address. The unique Braver Angels debate format encourages listening and sharing different perspectives. According to Doug Sprei, Braver Angels vice president of campus partnerships and multimedia, “the goal is to flatten the hierarchy, such that everyone in the room is welcome to speak and ask questions, whether they are the college president, faculty, students or staff—all are viewed as equals during the 90 minutes of the debate.” PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

On the Hilltop FATHER GEORGE RUMLEY, O.S.B. ORDAINED TO THE DIACONATE George Benjamin Rumley, O.S.B., a member of the Saint Anselm monastic community, was ordained to the Diaconate by the Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, in the Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Following his ordination and according to monastery custom, he will be known as Father George. As a deacon, Father George is now a minister of service for Saint Anselm Abbey and the wider Church. Among his many duties he will assist priests with the administration of the Sacraments. Father George was presented for ordination by Father Augustine Kelly, O.S.B. ’83, Prior of Saint Anselm Abbey. After the laying on of hands and prayer of ordination by Bishop Libasci, Father George was vested with the stole and dalmatic, signs of his office within the Church. During the Rite of Ordination, Bishop Libasci instructed Father George regarding his new ministry: “As a

Father George Rumley, O.S.B., and the Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester. Photo by Father Mathias Durette, O.S.B.

deacon you will serve Jesus Christ, who was known among his disciples as the one who served others. Do the will of God generously. Serve God and mankind in love and joy.” In reflecting on his ordination, Father George noted, “I am grateful to Abbot Mark and my confreres for helping to confirm my discernment of the vocation to holy orders. I am thrilled if also somewhat overawed that this moment has finally come. May God be

glorified in our mutual service for His kingdom.” Originally from Ramseur, N.C., Father George professed vows as a Benedictine monk in 2014 at Mary Help of Christians Abbey in Belmont, N.C. Father George completed seminary studies at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. He currently serves the college in the Office of Campus Ministry and by teaching in the College’s Conversatio Program.

FATHER GEORGE RUMLEY, O.S.B.’S TRANSFER OF STABILITY ACCEPTED

Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B. ’71 and Father George Rumley, O.S.B. Photo by Father Francis McCarty, O.S.B. ’10

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On Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Father George Benjamin Rumley, O.S.B.’s petition to transfer his vow of stability to Saint Anselm Abbey was accepted by the monastic chapter. He began a period of probation before transferring his stability in 2021. The transfer of the vow of stability is provided for in Chapter 61 of the Rule of Saint Benedict.

BROTHER CELESTINE PROFESSES SOLEMN VOWS On September 2, 2023, Brother Celestine Benjamen Hettrick, O.S.B., professed solemn vows as a monk of Saint Anselm Abbey. Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B. ’71, clothed Brother Celestine with the monastic cuculla, a pleated monastic choir robe, and a symbol of solemn profession. Standing before the altar and before his brothers in the monastery, Brother Celestine pronounced vows of stability, obedience and conversatio morum, making a permanent commitment of himself to the Lord and to his monastic community. As a solemnly professed monk, Brother Celestine becomes a member of the monastery’s Chapter, as well as a member of the Saint Anselm College, and Woodside Priory School corporations. Brother Celestine is a native of Salem, N.H. He attended Holy Family Academy in Manchester, N.H., and The International Theological Institute in Trumau, Austria. Reflecting upon his profession, Brother Celestine commented, “I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God who called me to Saint Anselm Abbey, and to the monastic community in accepting and confirming that call. Brother Celestine currently serves as assistant curator of the Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center. He will be ordained to the diaconate in the near future.

Brother Celestine Benjamen Hettrick, O.S.B. and Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B. ’71. Photo by Kevin Harkins

NCAA’S CHARLIE BAKER VISITS THE HILLTOP

Photo by Jim Stankiewicz

President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., (left) and Vice President for Athletics Daron Montgomery (right) welcomed new NCAA President Charlie Baker to campus on Sunday, November 19. The visit coincided with the 2023 NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championship, hosted by Saint Anselm. Baker took a tour of the Hawks athletic facilities and interacted with student-athletes from Saint Anselm before taking in the championship game, won by Kutztown University (Kutztown, Pa.) over East Stroudsburgh University (East Stroudsburgh, Pa.) 2-1.

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Scene on Campus

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1: The Anselmian Abbey Players, who celebrate their 75th anniversary this year, presented “Clue on Stage” in November. 2: The Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute presented Blue Bird Jazz performance featuring Economics and Business Professor Stephan Unger on piano, and Philosophy Professor Montague Brown on upright bass. 3: Katherine Bentz, Ph.D., professor of art history and fine arts department chair, visited the Chapel Art Center salon to study a selection of art materials and works of the baroque period from the Chapel Art Center permanent collection. She was assisted by Br. Celestine Hettrick, assistant curator, and Gallery Attendant Katelyn O’Leary ’25, with her class “Art in The Age of Spectacle: The 17th Century, from Caravaggio to Vermeer.” 4: Saint Anselm College Trustee Ray Rothrock visited campus earlier this year to participate in a CEO breakfast held at the NHIOP. The nearly 35-year distinguished venture capitalist has been a longtime board member, and former chair at Woodside Priory School in California, a Benedictine sister school to Saint Anselm. 5: Head football coach, Joe Adam, was named the Northeast-10 Conference’s Coach of the Year. The team made program history in 2023 by finishing with a 5-2 record and a second-place finish in the NE10 standings, which were both program bests. 6: The raising of the class banner may have been the leading event during the Class of 2027 banquet held during orientation, but the dinner and dessert, such as this cheesecake, were also star attractions. 7: Fr. Basil Franciose, O.S.B. ’17, student-athlete support coordinator for Saint Anselm Athletics, helped prep the field at Grappone Stadium before the Homecoming Weekend football game. 8: In celebration of Civic Engagement week in September, NHIOP Kevin B. Harrington Ambassadors provided information about voter registration to students. 9: The community was invited to bring pets to a welcome back event hosted by the Class of 2026. The Favazza family basset, Shiloh, who turned two that weekend, was happy to be in attendance. 10: Brilliant pops of color could be seen throughout campus this fall. 11: During the Multicultural Day celebration this fall, Intercultural Center Assistant Director Siri Dabbi performed with the group Nach More (Dancing Peacocks). Photos by Kim Casey, Kevin Harkins, Jason Kolnos, Jim Stankiewicz, Gil Talbot PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

BUILDING for the

FUTURE

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With the opening of the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute and the groundbreaking for Grappone Hall, the new home for the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Saint Anselm College is embracing tomorrow, today. BY ANNA BRENNAN-CURRY | PHOTOS BY KEVIN HARKINS A NEW HOME FOR THE HUMANITIES This summer, the Anselmian community gathered for the blessing and dedication of the new Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute. The event acknowledged the many people and organizations who came together to make the new building possible, celebrated the new building, and made the case for the value of the humanities, today more than ever. “The humanities have been at the heart of Saint Anselm College since its founding in 1889,” said Dr. Joseph A. Favazza, president of Saint Anselm College. “At a time when some schools have chosen to de-emphasize these areas of study that celebrate and nourish the human spirit, our college has reasserted its fundamental commitment to the humanities and made that commitment visible through the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute.” The two-story facility, located in the Boiler House, is home to a large state-of-the-art classroom, a seminar instruction room, a flexible common meeting and exhibition space, a newly restored and landscaped courtyard, and administrative office space. It will serve as a living room on campus—where students, faculty, staff, and guests can gather to talk, learn, and reflect. The new home for the Grappone Humanities Institute serves as a visible reminder of the central place of the humanities in the life of Saint Anselm College. “Last summer, when we broke ground on this project, I said I thought this building could be turned into a kind of poem,” said Dr. Gary Bouchard, executive

director of the Humanities Institute. “But the building can only say so much. Now, we must fill it and its surroundings with the vibrant conversations and discourse and ideas that we have been cultivating for five years and the past 135 years.” Robert and Beverly Grappone P ’04, H.D. ’21 have led the effort to create the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute as a legacy to their son Gregory, who died in 2015 after a lifelong battle with cancer. Gregory was a Great Books major at Saint Anselm and a passionate supporter of the humanities. PBS filmmaker Ken Burns served as the honorary chair of the campaign. “For my dad, books were a way of seeing the world in a new way— understanding someone else’s story. In a world as complicated as ours, understanding has never been more important. Studying great books at Saint A’s helped form my dad into the person he became—empathetic, curious, kind,” said Briar Grappone, Gregory’s daughter, age 10. “My dad would be proud to know that we are all here today with the goal of building something bigger than ourselves.” During the dedication, Dr. Favazza announced the creation of two new humanities-focused scholarships—the John S. Whipple Scholarship for 18th Century Studies and the Grappone Fellowship. Jillian Dorazio ’24, a history major, was announced as the first Whipple Scholar at the annual Shakespeare Sonnet Reading. The first Grappone Fellow will be Jacob Akey ’24, an international relations and business major. He will receive a full tuition scholarship while serving the Institute in an ambassadorial and programming support role. PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

The evening before, donors and friends gathered for a preview of the new building and to dedicate three statues by Sylvia Nicolas, H.D. ’91. These statues are bronze castings of the concept sculptures that Nicolas did prior to creating the iconic campus statues of Saint Anselm, Saint Benedict, and Mary. The previous Friday, a small group had gathered to dedicate the Janet M. Withington Sunburst Seating Area and Garden. This fall, students began taking classes in the new building, and the Humanities Institute has continued its two signature programs—the Come Friday Forums and Big Thought Series. Additional programming will take place throughout the year. “The journey certainly doesn’t end,” said Bob Grappone. “Now our responsibility is to work on anchoring the goodness and grace that God gives us. Anchoring here so that it will spread elsewhere.” Many people were involved in the construction of the new Grappone Humanities Institute: Jonathan Woodcock, director of physical plant; Kyle Davis, project manager; Kim Britton, superintendent of grounds, roads and fleet; the entire physical plant staff; Milestone Construction; Placework architectural studio; James Flanagan, senior vice president and chief advancement officer; the Office of College Advancement staff; Dr. Bouchard; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Humanities Institute campaign steering committee; its honorary chair, filmmaker Ken Burns; and committee chairs Beth Kelly ’83, Susan Connelly ’92, Mike Riegel ’92, and Robert and Beverly Grappone P ’04, H.D. ’21, and committee members Riley Buchanan ’24, Kathy Kayros, Fr. Iain Maclellan, O.S.B. ’77, Dr. Gary Bouchard, Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., and James Flanagan. “Many have put in significant time and effort to turn this project from a dream into a reality,” said James Flanagan, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. “I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the board of trustees, the campaign steering committee, the Monastic community, our faculty, staff, and alumni.” 16

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BREAKING GROUND for the NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTH CARE LEADERS Members of the Saint Anselm College community came together this fall to celebrate breaking ground on Grappone Hall, a new building that will house the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. “With this new home, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences is going to propel the already excellent reputation of our nursing program to new heights, and will support the expansion of our health science programs as Saint Anselm College continues to respond to the healthcare crises our world faces,” said Joseph Loughrey, chairman of the college’s board of trustees. The new building, estimated at 45,000 square feet, will provide nursing, public health, and health science students with the learning environment and experiences they need to become the next generation of healthcare leaders. It will include a 150-seat auditorium, a public health

community space, an 11,000-squarefoot, state-of-the art simulation center, collaborative learning spaces for kinesiology, anatomy, and physiology, and community spaces on two floors for students to meet and study. “We have embarked on something that I am learning that Saint Anselm does best: honoring our Catholic and Benedictine tradition, building on our strong foundation of Saint Anselm nursing to create a next-gen nursing and health sciences school—that is constructed on our school’s history and a foundation of liberal arts—to prepare our learners to address our most pressing healthcare and societal needs upon graduation in the unique Anselmian way,” said Diane Uzarski, D.N.P., M.P.H., R.N., inaugural dean of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Uzarski, coming from her previous position as a highly regarded health care leader at Duke University, brings her diverse nursing career and experiences in

research and academic healthcare leadership to this important role. Saint Anselm nursing has a strong reputation in New England, with students consistently outpacing the national average on the NCLEX licensure exam and finding placements in some of the top hospitals in the country. The Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, which launched July 1, 2023, will position the department for growth in graduate programs, community collaborations, and more. Saint Anselm’s new public health and health sciences majors also will be housed at the new school. Plans for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences are already underway with a focus on new interprofessional opportunities for co-learning in both the classroom and local community, bidirectional collaborations with health system, public health, nonprofit and industry partners, building new majors and tracks within existing majors, and building experiences for all students to examine the intersectionality between health care, the liberal arts, and Catholic Benedictine tradition.

“Saint Anselm College exemplifies the fact that not only can excellent liberal arts and professional programs co-exist, but in truth, they complement and inform each other—it is, without a doubt, one of the features that makes us distinct,” said Dr. Joseph A. Favazza, president of Saint Anselm College. During his remarks, Dr. Favazza announced two leadership gift commitments for this project, which both led to naming announcements. Students then unveiled a sign with a rendering of the building. Thanks to their transformational gift commitment of $10 million, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences will be named for Roger Jean ’70, H.D. ’06 and Francine Jean. Additionally, the new building will be named Grappone Hall after a generous $5 million commitment by Robert Grappone and Beverly Grappone P ’04, H.D. ’21 to the college. “Both the Jeans and the Grappones have demonstrated, time and again, their incredible commitment to this college and its vital mission,” said Dr. Favazza. “I find it so fitting that in this historic moment for Saint Anselm College, it is

Roger and Francine Jean, and Bev and Bob Grappone, who have stepped up to lead us forward. We are forever grateful for your unending support.” As part of the congressionally directed spending bill from December 2022, Saint Anselm was awarded $2.2 million from the federal government toward the construction of the new facility. Members from N.H. Rep. Chris Pappas’ office were present at the event. Many thanks to the members of the campaign steering committee: honorary chairs, Roger Jean ’70, H.D. ’06 and Francine Jean; co-chairs Beverly Grappone P ’04, H.D. ’21, Christine (Dixie) Douville ’86, and Margaret Emmons ’75; committee members President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., James Flanagan, P ’23, Sheila Evjy ’74, H.D. ’19 and Jenn Parent ’89; members of the building committee: co-chairs, William Furlong, Sheila Liotta, Ph.D., Maureen O’Reilly, Ph.D., R.N., Anne Knight, M.B.A, B.S.N., R.N., Joann Condon, M.S.N., R.N., Theresa Dabruzzi, Ph.D., Tauna Sisco, Ph.D., Fr. Benet Phillips, O.S.B. ’87, and Jonathan Woodcock.

WITH THIS NEW HOME, THE SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES IS GOING TO PROPEL THE ALREADY EXCELLENT REPUTATION OF OUR NURSING PROGRAM TO NEW HEIGHTS."

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WOM A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY FOR

BY LAURA (ROSSI) LEMIRE ’06 PHOTOS BY JASON KOLNOS AND DEBBIE LAFRANCE

From left: Christine Gustafson, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs Sheila Liotta, Ph.D., Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B. ’71, Emily Orlando, Ph.D. ’91, President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., President Emeritus Father Jonathan DeFelice ’69, Ann Holbrook, Ph.D., and Diana Terrell, Ph.D.

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on the

MEN HILLTOP

Saint Anselm College celebrates its 50th year of co-education with a convocation, featuring alumna and internationally known scholar Emily Orlando, Ph.D. ’91. This year, Saint Anselm marks this delineating moment in its history with a series of special events and programs engaging the entire campus community and planned by a committee dedicated to commemorating the anniversary. “In some ways, it is hard to imagine a time when Saint Anselm was not a co-educational institution,” said President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. at the convocation, the first event of the year. “When reflecting on that decision, it is so clear to me how the presence of women on campus has only strengthened the mission of the college.” Dr. Favazza pointed to the contributions of women in the 1950s, from Ruth Bagley and Margaret Amsbury hired to lead the nursing program to Barbara Stahl and Ann Sullivan hired to teach in the biology department. Beyond the faculty, women who contributed to the college’s mission include Norma Creaghe as head librarian, Isabelle Gadbois, the first female member of the advisory board, and, of course, Denise Askin, who was appointed as the first woman in administrative leadership as executive vice president in 1985. “Each moment, each individual, a new thread woven inextricably into the fabric of our community, our history, our identity,” said Dr. Favazza. Vice President for Academic Affairs Sheila Liotta, Ph.D., also shared college history, touching upon significant dates such as the Benedictine community’s vote to admit women in November of 1973 and the enrollment of 26 women resident and commuter students to all programs of the college in late August of 1974. “We owe a debt of gratitude to those 26 pioneering young women who climbed the hill with confidence and tenacity,” said Liotta. In the spirit of reflection, alumna Emily Orlando, Ph.D. ’91, a professor of English and the E. Gerald Corrigan Chair in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn., gave the convocation address, “Closer We Are to Fine,” speaking about her own experiences as a Saint Anselm student in the late 1980s and early 1990s and PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

drawing on her expertise in women and literature. Orlando is an internationally recognized scholar on Edith Wharton, a female author who, as Orlando reminded her audience, “was not supposed to be a professional writer but on the contrary was born into a family whose women were raised to be decorative ornaments and/or society hostesses.” Having studied Wharton’s literature and life extensively, Orlando is particularly positioned to draw comparisons between Wharton’s success and those of women throughout the last 100 years. In remarks full of pop culture references, from Greta Gerwig’s recent blockbuster hit “Barbie” to Taylor Swift’s 1989 album and pop hit “Shake It Off” to quotes by the band U2, Orlando described her experiences as a Generation-X college woman, citing the Indigo Girls’ “Closer to Fine” song released in 1989 as an anthem of sorts. She first called Saint Anselm College home in the fall of 1987, only 13 years after women were first admitted to all undergraduate programs. In her time on campus, she had three tenured professors who were women, including Denise Askin who taught what was for Orlando, a “life-changing course in American Writers” and was the reason that Orlando focused her Ph.D. on American Literature. “The curriculum at Saint Anselm lit a fire in me that has never dwindled,”

she said. “That’s precisely what the humanities will do: promise us a lifelong love of learning.” She continued explaining the important role Saint Anselm’s liberal arts curriculum and faculty played in her life and career. “Here’s the thing: Saint Anselm taught me how to think critically and how to be humane. It introduced me to the life of the mind. The four semesters of the humanities seminar made me comfortable with my own voice. The curriculum taught me how to represent myself well in person, on the page, and now, online.” She added, “What good fortune to find ourselves at a place that enables us to pursue our appetites for ‘intellectual curiosity,’ to cultivate our interests in ‘big things,’ and to be persons for others who are connected to something bigger than ourselves.” Orlando advised students to find their own passions: “Look in your heart and find the thing you love. Then, as the poet Emily Dickinson implores, dwell in all its possibilities.” She concluded by advocating for “faith seeking understanding,” striving for “closer to fine,” and proposing: “Might we be incorrigible in our lifeloving and take a page out of Denise Askin’s book. As a tribute to the legacy of that ‘portrait of human greatness,’ let us remind ourselves, habitually, that anything good is possible.” Orlando is the author of the award-win-

“Look in your heart and find the thing you love. Then, as the poet Emily Dickinson implores, dwell in all its possibilities.” —Emily Orlando, Ph.D. ’91

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ning book, Edith Wharton and the Visual Arts (University of Alabama Press, 2007). She also is co-editor of the book, Edith Wharton and Cosmopolitanism (University Press of Florida, 2016), and has published widely in several scholarly journals and essay collections. She is a recent president of the international Edith Wharton Society and remains an active member. She edited The Bloomsbury Handbook to Edith Wharton, (Bloomsbury Academic, 2022), which features top scholars in her field from around the globe. In addition to Orlando’s speech, convocation was also an opportunity to highlight the profound impact Denise Askin had on generations of Anselmians. Askin passed away June 6, 2023, after a long struggle with ALS. In addition to her role as EVP, she was a member of the English department and one of the first women to be granted tenure at Saint Anselm College. She served as a member of the board of trustees from 2009 to 2020. In 2022, she was elected as a trustee emerita. To honor Askin’s memory, the college announced the establishment of the Dr. Denise Askin Faculty Fellowship. Each year, the fellowship, which is administered through the Father Peter Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), will provide two to three faculty with the support, time, and resources they need to reenvision their coursework and pedagogy with a focus on ensuring equity, inclusion, and belonging for diverse students. Education Professor Dianna Terrell, Ph.D., one of the CTE co-chairs, announced the fellowship at convocation. “I am honored to reveal more evidence to illustrate Dr. Askin’s continuing ability to light the way for the academic community at Saint Anselm College in opening literal doors, and in opening minds,” said Professor Terrell. “In this way, we appreciate Dr. Denise Askin’s ability to continue to hold us to a high bar.” The committee planning this year’s anniversary celebrations is led by Fr. Benet Phillips, O.S.B. ’87, director alumni relations and advancement programming, and Christine Gustafson, professor of politics and special assistant to the vice president for academic affairs. Additional events and programs will be announced in the coming months. For more information on upcoming events, visit www.anselm.edu/womens-50.

Ann Holbrook, Ph.D. (standing), and Emily Orlando '91 (seated) co-taught a class on the history of feminist literature to Saint Anselm students.

STUDYING INFLUENTIAL WOMEN Emily Orlando, Ph.D. ’91, expert on Edith Wharton, co-teaches literature class. Alumna Emily Orlando, Ph.D. ’91, a professor of English at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn., and Saint Anselm English Department Professor Ann Holbrook, Ph.D., shared their expertise on the history of feminist literature through a co-taught class offered to Saint Anselm English students. Orlando was on campus as speaker for the academic convocation celebrating 50 years of women’s education at Saint Anselm College. The class focused on the evolution of feminism through English literature within the 19th and 20th centuries. This collaborative class outlined the complexity and challenges many female authors faced during different historical times, with the renowned works of Edith Wharton and Virginia Woolf featured. Holbrook, academic subcommittee chair for the Women’s 50th Committee, who specializes in teaching 19th- and 20th-century British literature, shared that “we have to understand feminism in its context and not reduce it to labels."

For Orlando, returning to the Hilltop as a teacher was a fulfilling experience. “It was, of course, a great delight to teach Virginia Woolf with the incomparable Dr. Ann Holbrook, who went out of her way to welcome me,” she says. “As I said in my convocation address, quoting 1980s Bono, the return to Saint Anselm College really was ‘a sort of homecoming.’ In the Alumni Hall classroom, I found the level of engagement and intellectual inquiry to be quite similar to what I see at Fairfield University: students who are smart, thoughtful, serious, and committed to social justice, equity, and inclusion.” Orlando is the author of the awardwinning book, Edith Wharton and the Visual Arts (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2022). She is also co-editor of the book, Edith Wharton and Cosmopolitanism (University of Alabama Press, 2007), and has published widely in several scholarly journals and essay collections. She is a recent president of the international Edith Wharton Society and remains an active member. Orlando edited The Bloomsbury

Handbook to Edith Wharton (Bloomsbury Academic, 2022), which features top scholars in her field from around the globe. She is currently editing a readerfriendly edition of Edith Wharton’s first book, The Decoration of Houses, co-written with the architect Ogden Codman, Jr. and published in 1897. Since joining the Fairfield University faculty in 2007, she has taught 19th- and 20th-century literature and courses on women writers, served as the director or co-director of the Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program, and is the department’s internship coordinator. Orlando has been recognized with awards for her teaching and mentoring, including Fairfield’s 2019 College of Arts and Sciences Award for Distinguished Advising and Mentoring. In 2019, students in the honors program voted her “Best Professor” for her honors seminar in Victorian literature and culture. She has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Maryland. —Ella Gordon ’25 PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. ’62, H.D. ’04, U.S.M.C. (Ret.) in his home in Reston, Va., surrounded by the many medals and mementos from his nearly 30-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps. 22

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A Hero on Land and at Sea THE USS HARVEY C. BARNUM JR. (DDG 124) NAMED FOR DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI. Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. ’62, H.D. ’04, U.S.M.C. (Ret.) traveled the world in his nearly 30-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps. He travels less frequently in retirement, but his name will journey to ports all over the globe—on the stern of a 9,000-ton ship. The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) was named for the Saint Anselm College graduate as a tribute to his distinguished service and his heroic actions during the Vietnam War. BY LAURIE D. MORRISSEY STAR PORTRAIT BY CHRISTINE HOCHKEPPEL

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STAR | A HERO ON LAND AND AT SEA

Col. Barnum (“Barney”) learned in a surprise phone call from then Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus in 2016 that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer would bear his name. “I was speechless,” he recalls. “It totally took me by surprise, especially when I thought of the great men who have had this honor.” It may not have been as surprising to the people who knew him: his family, former classmates, and those who fought with him. The list of his medals and decorations includes the Medal of Honor, the Defense Superior Service Medal, The Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and 18 more. Barnum began his military career in 1958 while a student at Saint Anselm. He participated in the Marine Corps’ Platoon Leader Class Program, and attended two six-week summer training sessions in Quantico, Va. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Marine Reserve second lieutenant. After training, he was sent to Okinawa, Japan, where he augmented into the regular Marine Corps. He participated in Operation Steel Pike in Spain, the largest peacetime amphibious landing exercise in history, and was also stationed at Pearl Harbor. Just two weeks after his arrival in Vietnam in 1965, the young lieutenant performed the actions that earned him the nation’s highest award for valor. When the company’s commander was mortally wounded during an enemy ambush, he took command, called in artillery, led counterattacks, and broke out of the ambush. He was credited with saving 130 lives. He received the Medal of Honor in 1967 during a ceremony at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., after which he volunteered for a second tour in Vietnam. Barnum retired from the Marines in 1989. He continued to work with the military in various official capacities: principal director drug enforcement policy, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs; and acting assistant secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). He also works with several nonprofit military services organizations, including Segs4Vets—and he visits his alma mater to talk with students about leadership. 24

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More than 2,000 people looked on, including Maine’s governor and other dignitaries. Barnum’s guests

numbered more than 400, including college roommates and a contingent from his hometown of Cheshire, Conn.

The 2016 announcement of the naming of the warship was the beginning of a multistage process, and Barnum has been involved in every step. It was followed by a naming ceremony that, by his choice, took place at the parade ground at Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., rather than the office of an admiral. The next step was the fabrication ceremony, where Barnum cut the first piece of steel for the warship. The colonel’s wife of 31 years, Martha Hill, is the ship’s sponsor. In April 2021, the couple traveled to Maine from their home in Reston, Va., to be present at the laying of the keel of the future warship at Bath Iron Works. After Barnum and Hill struck the first welding arcs onto the steel, the shipyard’s master welder inscribed Barnum’s signature onto the keel plate. He recalls looking up at six stories of steel, alongside guests including Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, Rep. Chellie Pingree, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Harker, Navy personnel, and BIW employees.

During construction—delayed somewhat due to Covid-19—Barnum and Hill checked in to see the progress and meet the workers. They returned to Maine on a sunny Saturday afternoon in July 2023 to attend the christening ceremony. More than 2,000 people looked on, including Maine’s governor and other dignitaries. Barnum’s guests numbered more than 400, including college roommates and a contingent from his hometown of Cheshire, Conn., where he led his high school freshman and senior classes as president, and played football and baseball. Hill broke a bottle of sparkling water against the bow of the vessel and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro praised Barnum’s humility and heroism. Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B., ’71, H.D. ’04 delivered the invocation, and the college also was represented by President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., and James Flanagan, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. “It was the most amazing event,” recalls the honoree. Several family

Medal of Honor recipient, Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. ’62, H.D. ’04, U.S.M.C. (Ret.), waves to the crowd of 2,000 who gathered for the christening ceremony of The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124). Photos by Jared Morneau members participated, and his granddaughter sang “God Bless America.” Although one step closer to the day of its delivery to the U.S. Navy, sea trials will take place next summer, and the retired colonel looks forward to being onboard. The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. is expected to be commissioned in early 2025. When it leaves the shipyard and sails down the Kennebec River toward the open ocean, it will be ready to carry out its mission of protecting our nation, just as its namesake carried out his. PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

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When it comes to expressing herself through art, Jyl Dittbenner ’97 likes to think big. BY SAMANTHA JETTE ’20 | PHOTOS BY BY LORI PEDRICK

For muralist Jyl Dittbenner ’97, Manchester, N.H. is not only her home, but also her canvas. From electrical boxes to alleyways, Dittbenner’s vibrant and colorful murals have transformed the city’s blank spaces. The Rex Theatre, Cat Alley, and the Bridge Street bridge are just a few places to spot her work around town. “Art has always been a part of my life,” Dittbenner says. “There’s something in me saying that I have to do it.” Some of her favorite childhood memories involve sitting at the kitchen table drawing with her best friend. After graduating from Saint Anselm, Dittbenner went on to earn her master's degree in education from the College of Notre Dame and then taught math at Catholic schools for 16 years. Even then, she infused art projects into her lesson plans. In 2016, she answered the call to art by painting a diner scene on the electrical box on Granite Street. “I saw public art and wanted to be a part of it,” she says. In a conscious choice to make time for her art, Dittbenner left the teaching profession for a career that allowed for more flexibility. Now, as a technical trainer at Cirtronics in Milford, N.H., she has more time and mental space to pursue her creative endeavors. Plus, her latest project is a mural of a nature scene painted on the shed at Cirtronics. While her murals are some of her more popular pieces, Dittbenner has a passion for art in all its forms. She has committed to drawing every day, and enrolled in a welding class as well. She has two welded sculptures on display currently—one in the popular Meredith Sculpture walk in Meredith, N.H., and another in Peterborough. “Murals are a huge way of bringing something to a lot of people at once—

urals are a huge way of bringing M something to a lot of people at once— everyone can feel it.” everyone can feel it,” she says. A Manchester native, Dittbenner draws upon her hometown for inspiration. Her most recent mural, what she calls her “dream project,” has transformed the pillars on the bridge near Arms Park to tell the story of the past, present, and future of the Manchester Millyard. Her painting represents the everyday worker—a medical student and a businesswoman— to champion the Millyard’s evolution into the technological age. Dittbenner can often be found sketching in bookstores and coffee shops around Manchester. Her recent coloring book titled The Colors of Manchester reflects her connection to

her hometown. The book is currently on display at the Bookery on Elm Street in Manchester, one of Dittbenner’s favorite drawing spots. Given her love of the city, it was no surprise that Dittbenner chose to study at Saint Anselm. A Fine Arts major at the college, she took as many studio art courses as she could to hone her craft. She credits the Hilltop as the place where she learned the importance of self-expression through her art. Dittbenner has several visions for future projects, such as a painted statue series around the city, or another wall of the Rex Theatre. “I’m always looking around to find the next great space for a painting,” she says. PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

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This fall, students enjoyed Mass at nearly 3,000 feet atop Mount Kearsarge in Wilmot and Warner, N.H. The trip was co-hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership and Campus Ministry, with Mass celebrated by Fr. Aloysius, O.S.B. ’17 and Br. Celestine. Photo by Jason Kolnos PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

THE FRANCO-AMERICAN COLLECTIONS: Special and Distinctive With thanks to Manchester, N.H.–native, Richard Lavalliere, Saint Anselm College is home to a large and significant Franco-American collection of books and archival materials. BY KEITH P. CHEVALIER I PHOTOS BY KEVIN HARKINS

In 2008, Richard Lavalliere received an unexpected phone call. The ACA Assurance company in Manchester was in receivership and the State of New Hampshire’s insurance receiver was at the stage of liquidating the assets of the company. A group of local businesspeople were trying to quickly develop a plan to save plaster sculptures the ACA owned. For them, Lavalliere was invited to the meeting as an investor. Little did he know that he was embarking on a journey to save the cultural heritage of his people in New Hampshire and elsewhere. At the meeting, the group of 10 or so were focused on purchasing a collection of sculptures by Alfred Laliberté that the ACA acquired indirectly from the Québécois artist in the mid-20th century. While the group assembled in the ACA Assurance’s offices on Elm Street, Lavalliere knew well the ACA’s former building on Concord Street, occupied then by the Franco-American Centre. For some years, his company, Northeastern Sheet Metal, regularly repaired and updated the building for the Centre. The ACA’s former building had rooms filled with books as well as file cabinets 30

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and shelving units containing archival material. Lavalliere asked what was going to happen to the rest of the ACA’s assets—the books, archives, newspapers, artwork, and office furniture. The receiver replied that most of the cultural materials would probably be brought up to Canada to be auctioned off. This did not sit well with Lavalliere. From its headquarters in Manchester, the ACA collected material from individuals and families of French-Canadian descent and the organizations that served them. To Lavalliere, this is where the materials needed to stay.

FRENCH CANADIANS TO FRANCO-AMERICANS The Association Canado-Américaine was founded in 1896 as a fraternal benefits society. The ACA provided insurance to French-Canadian immigrants throughout New England. A new country involved many challenges—moving from rural communities to cities surrounded by people speaking English and working in industrial mills managed by people detached from the working conditions and the cultural context of the workforce. For civil and ecclesiastical French-Canadian élites, the move from Québec was loaded with a potential to have the core values of family, the Catholic faith, and—more importantly— the French language corrupted. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, nearly a million French Canadians came to the United States, primarily to New England and New York State and others venturing through Ontario to the Midwest. There were migrant workers and people looking to settle in a land that while foreign, had opportunity not present in Québec. The impetus was strong for families to

The Lavalliere Franco-American Collections housed in the Special Collections reading room of the Geisel Library, include books, newspapers, manuscripts, audio and videocassettes, film, architectural drawings, such as the drawing left (not built), of the proposed interior elevation with the organ and mural, L’Église St-Antoine de Padoue, Manchester, N.H., 1920, by the architect Jean-Noël Guertin, photographs such as a parade hosted by Club LaFayette de Raquetteurs, 1952 (below), and realia such as this button celebrating the founder of La Patriote canadien newspaper (above).

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THE FRANCO-AMERICAN COLLECTIONS stay together and in some instances almost entire villages moved to New England cities. This also meant importing traditions and establishing a network of institutions to maintain a form of unity between the two relatively close but disparate worlds. The first French-language newspaper published by French Canadians in New England was Le Patriote canadien (1839–1840) in Burlington, Vt. (it included bilingual stories). Over time, there came to be more than 400 newspapers and periodicals published in New England and New York State. There were newspapers in cities large and small, from Springfield, Mass., to Lewiston, Maine, from Waterbury, Conn., to Plattsburgh, N.Y., from Suncook, N.H., to St. Albans, Vt. La Sentinelle (1924– 1928), a newspaper from Woonsocket, R.I., was founded to protest, among other things, an Irish American bishop’s plans for funding schools that would consign French to a foreign language. While now largely forgotten, the conflict resulted in excommunication for some and reprimands for others. For its part, the ACA supported cultural and church activities recognizable to both recent immigrants and naturalized citizens. While it sold insurance to Franco-American families like Lavalliere’s, the ACA’s fraternal division sponsored community events and celebrations such as the city’s annual St-Jean-Baptiste feast day parade. The ACA also acquired a significant book collection and later archival materials from individuals and organizations across the U.S. and Canada. With these materials, the society’s ambitions were lofty, its aim was extensive, and its scope was wide. Beginning in the late 19th century, the French-Canadian élites sought to define themselves as grandchildren of France and children of Québec with the appellation Franco-American. Most families, however, referred to themselves as Canadiens (‘French Canadians’). Even though to established non-French Canadian people it seemed as though there was a continuous flow of people arriving in New England towns from Québec, the French Canadians formed 32

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La Sentinelle (1924–1928), a newspaper from Woonsocket, R.I., was founded to protest, among other things, an Irish American bishop’s plans for funding schools that would CONSIGN FRENCH TO A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.

what has been called a large but ‘quiet’ or ‘invisible’ presence. These immigrants were loyal to their heritage as well as to their new country. This is the world in which Lavalliere’s family lived and one that was changing. Both sides of Lavalliere’s family are French Canadian and his first language is French. He grew up on Manchester’s West Side called le Petit Canada (‘Little Canada’), a few blocks from Ste-Marie Church, not far from Notre Dame Hospital (now Catholic Medical Center) and St. Mary’s Bank (the first credit union in the U.S.). Though it was not the only place in the city where French Canadians settled, it has retained a relatively strong association in some form or another to the French fact in Manchester. One is now less likely to overhear French spoken on those streets than find the echoes of the language in signage or engraved in buildings. For some in the community, the French language was central to their identity and something to guard at all costs. For others, practical considerations informed their decisionmaking about this subject in a country with an anglophone majority. On his first day of classes at SteMarie School, Lavalliere came home at lunch bothered by something. He told his mother, “I’m not going back to that school. I don’t know what they

are talking about.” Beginning with the earliest Franco-American parochial schools, classes were conducted half day in French and half day in English. Lavalliere did not know any English. His parents, like many, made the decision to begin speaking English in their home to accommodate their children’s academic and social growth. Families in similar circumstances would likely have heard the expression from some clergy Qui perd sa langue, perd sa foi (‘he who loses his language, loses his faith’). Reflecting on this way of thinking, Msgr. Wilfrid Paradis ’43 said that “saving the language by using religion was a debasement of the faith.” Regardless of one’s position, the bilingual abilities and even the unique French dialect they spoke had few advocates on the outside. External forces were pushing the community to adapt to a different reality. Some gave up speaking French for English, while others navigated their new surroundings with both their mother tongue and a second language. There are many photographs of Franco-American life in Manchester taken by Ulric Bourgeois, who came to the city around 1900 with an interest in photography. His rural Québec village included both French and English speakers. He established a photography department and a studio at a department store in the city to sell photographic supplies and to photograph individuals and families. Eventually he set up his own studio and furthered his artistic interests by photographing the rural landscape of Québec. His bilingual abilities provided him a pathway to develop his business and artistic pursuits. He was still connected to his heritage. Around the time the ACA Assurance was going out of business, the Library of Congress adopted the term FrancoAmericans to describe permanent residents in the U.S. with FrenchCanadian birth or ancestry. This is useful since it provides a standardized way to classify and describe content in libraries and archives worldwide. FrancoAmerican had been primarily used for materials describing relations between

France and the U.S. In popular culture, it was the name of a processed food brand with no culinary roots in the FrancoAmerican community.

FINDING A NEW HOME

The Association Canado-Américaine (ACA) supported CULTURAL AND CHURCH ACTIVITIES RECOGNIZABLE TO BOTH RECENT IMMIGRANTS AND NATURALIZED CITIZENS including the city’s annual St-Jean-Baptiste feast day parade. Clockwise from top: a poster for Grand Carnaval, Suncook, N.H.; Manchester’s mayor, Josaphat Benoit, handing out keys to raquetteurs (snowshoers) (1952); an undated button for the St-Jean-Baptiste feast day parade.

After discussions in 2008 with the insurance receiver, Lavalliere had a month or so to accomplish the relatively impossible—negotiate with the receiver on the purchase prices of the statues, library, archives, other artwork, and office equipment; organize investors into limited liability companies for the Laliberté sculptures and the library and archives; insure, move, and store it all—at the same time operating his business. In total, there were 11 investors for the Laliberté sculptures but only three for the library and archives. Lavalliere was the major investor and was now responsible for moving it all. There were two semi-trailers worth of materials to move. From the ACA Assurance’s current offices came the sculpture, artwork, and books; from the ACA’s former building on Concord Street came more books. “I think I could do a 1 to 2 million dollar sheet metal project with less stress than I had with these books and everything,” Lavalliere says. “It was the most stressful time that I ever had.” His family and many of his employees spent an entire Saturday moving materials from the ACA Assurance’s offices to a new climate controlled storage building at his company. (The archives would remain in the Concord Street building until 2011.) Now that Lavalliere had saved the materials, he was required to wait a period of time before donating them. Naturally, he questioned his decision. “In the beginning I thought I had really lost it because nobody else was interested.” For Lavalliere, support started at home with his wife. “Lorraine was a big part of it. This took a lot of pressure off of me to have that support.” But still, it was necessary to commence the search for a permanent home for these collections. This would almost prove to be a greater challenge. Though Lavalliere approached many PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

THE FRANCO-AMERICAN COLLECTIONS academic institutions around New England, some were more interested in a donation other than the collections. Starting to get a little discouraged, he asked himself “what are we going to do with these collections?” After careful consideration, the first institution he approached ultimately said yes. His hope from the beginning was that Saint Anselm College would take the collections. It was in the city and he knew the campus. His younger brother George graduated in 1987. As a young man, Lavalliere worked on roof flashing around the Abbey Church in the mid1960s. The meaning of this sizeable gift, and its impact on the college and surrounding community, is notable. “Mr. Lavalliere’s generous support has not only allowed the college to preserve documents and collections, but also preserve the culture and history of the Franco-American community,” says President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. “We are so thankful that his vision and our archival expertise have come together to make this possible.”

THE COLLECTIONS According to Lavalliere, even though he was funding all the miscellaneous costs including insurance, moving, storage, etc., the pressure started to ease up when he knew he had a home for the collections. Agreements were drawn up. For taking the Québécois artist Laliberté sculptures, the college would provide space on campus for the FrancoAmerican Centre. The college would now be the permanent home for the FrancoAmerican collections and the Geisel Library would receive compact shelving carriages for storing the collections. The library materials were the first to arrive. Thousands of French language books from Canada, the United States, and France were sorted by staff and selected for the collections by Robert B. Perreault ’72 the ACA’s former librarian/ archivist and current native speaker in the college’s Modern Languages and Literatures department. (Perreault wrote about the book collection in the Fall 34

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Books in the collection include well-known authors such as JACK KEROUAC, GRACE METALIOUS, DAVID PLANTE, AND ANNIE PROULX whose Franco-American heritage is not widely known.

Clockwise from top: Manchester’s StAugustin Church, photograph by Ulric Bourgeois; a medallion of Ste-Marie Church; a film still of Ste-Marie Church parade float from the St-JeanBaptiste day parade, Manchester (1947).

2009 issue of Portraits.) The book collection was named the ACA-Lambert Franco-American Collection in honor of both the ACA and Adélard Lambert, a folklorist and bibliophile who sold his book collection to the ACA in 1918. Books in the collection include well-known authors such as Jack Kerouac, Grace Metalious (née DeRepentigny), David Plante, and E. Annie Proulx whose FrancoAmerican heritage is not widely known. Interestingly, about 27 percent of the more than 4,000 books now in this collection are scarce (that is, held by fewer than 10 libraries worldwide) and almost 120 books are unique (there are no other copies listed in any library). In cataloging these books, the library has made them all discoverable by researchers worldwide. For three months in early 2011, more than 600 boxes of archival materials were packed up from the Concord Street building and delivered to the college. The Franco-American Archives include unique materials in a variety of formats such as photographs, papers, audio and videocassettes, film, microfilm, and architectural drawings. Current work involves processing, conservation work, and digitization. Students are assisting with project tasks to maintain the collections as well as using the collections for coursework. Across the archival collection, one can find many examples of the impact made by this immigrant group in the materials collected by the ACA as well as recent acquisitions by the college. In keeping with its mission to advocate for Franco-Americans and support fraternal activities, the ACA in cooperation with United Cable Company of NH produced a weekly French-language television program called Bonjour! that ran from 1987 through 2000. This magazine format show included segments highlighting the contributions of Franco-Americans to artistic, social, cultural, political, and religious life in New England and the United States. In addition, the program documented community events and featured a number of prominent guests including Canadian Prime Minister

“ In the beginning I THOUGHT I HAD REALLY LOST IT BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE WAS INTERESTED… Lorraine was a big part of it. This took a lot of pressure off of me to have that support.” —RICHARD LAVALLIERE Richard and Lorraine Lavalliere at the 2023 President's Society dinner.

Jean Chrétien and Québécois singer Céline Dion. Bonjour! was primarily recorded in the studio with some onlocation segments. This local origination programming was widely distributed in New England, New York, Louisiana, Texas, and the Canadian provinces of Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Of the over 500 episodes that were created, the college has digitized a large portion and is currently preparing transcripts to make them more accessible online. Some collections have been fortuitously collected. Weeks before his death in 1977, local architect Jean-Nöel Guertin met with Perreault. Perreault recorded an oral history interview and was presented with Guertin’s many architectural drawings of buildings in Manchester and New England. Guertin designed La Caisse Populaire Ste-Marie (St. Mary’s Bank) and redesigned the façade and interior of the ACA building on Concord Street. The current St. Mary’s Bank building reflects elements of his original designs. The collection of Antonio Prince,

a former general treasurer for Rhode Island and a vice president and board member of the ACA, includes family papers of correspondence, photographs, and scrapbooks of his uncle, Rev. W.-Achille Prince, one of the supporters of the Sentinellist cause who was dismissed from his pastorate in Woonsocket. Acquisitions from families, individuals, and organizations are creating a more comprehensive collection. Perreault has donated his audio recordings from more than 40 years interviewing FrancoAmericans working in the arts, culture, church, and elsewhere. Included in the collection are papers of Manchester Franco-American mayors Moïse Verrette, Damase Caron, and Josaphat Benoit. In addition, recent donations include the papers of folklorist and writer Julien Olivier; genealogical materials from Fr. Adrien Longchamps; books and items from Maurice Demers ’66; and a set of religious objects, books and family papers from Fr. Dennis Gingras ’76. The extent and impact of the collections are significant. “Richard PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

THE FRANCO-AMERICAN COLLECTIONS Lavalliere saved the singular and extensive collections that the ACA had gathered over decades,” says Br. Isaac Murphy, O.S.B., executive vice president of the college. “The collections are a unique testament to the FrancoAmerican presence in New England. His initial work was key to bringing the collections to the college. His generous and ongoing support allows the college to continue to grow the collections and to make them available to students, researchers, and all who have an interest in the long-standing Franco-American community in the U.S.”

THE FUTURE Significant social and cultural changes began in the 20th century that proved disruptive to the cohesion of this heritage group. Franco-Americans may still retain family customs, but some are increasingly less likely to practice the faith of their ancestors and many know French only as a foreign language taught at school. They may have anglicized their names or may know little of their families’ origin stories. Institutions supporting FrancoAmericans have mostly disappeared

or have changed to accommodate the new reality. There are many young people, however, who come to a cultural awakening of sorts. They are interested to discover and share their roots, now relatively easy to do online. This is where our collections can serve another group of researchers. Lavalliere has continued his generous support of the collections. In 2019 he set up the Lavalliere Fund for Franco-American Culture, a $2 million endowment managed by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Through his generous support, the college is able to actively preserve and provide access to these collections; to acquire new books and archival material; to conserve items through repair and digitization; and to collaborate with local and regional partners in highlighting the impact of the Franco-American experience. The college chose the name Lavalliere Franco-American Collections in honor of his legacy saving the collections. While the future of the collections is strong, Lavalliere admits that back in 2008 he did have his doubts. “At some point, I thought I really made a mistake. I had to keep going. I was running a business and I have good

“ Service to the wider community is part of our mission, and OPENING UP THE FRANCO-AMERICAN COLLECTIONS TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY is yet another way the college provides resources to those beyond our campus.” —PRESIDENT JOSEPH A. FAVAZZA, PH.D.

The sculpture entitled L’âme francoaméricaine (left), by Alfred Laliberté, photograph by Gary Samson; vintage buttons from La St-Jean-Baptiste (center and above); portrait of Fr. Joseph-Augustin Chevalier (right), pastor of Ste-Augustin parish in Manchester, photograph by Ulric Bourgeois. 36

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SHARE YOUR STORY Are you a Franco-American and want to share your story? Please contact archives@anselm.edu.

people working for me, but I put in long hours. I didn’t know what to do. I know better now, but for two years I had these collections in storage and wondered ‘did I waste money and the countless hours looking for a home?’” When asked how he would characterize his actions in saving the library and archival collections, Lavalliere humbly answers: “All I know is it needed to be done. Some of the collections are just irreplaceable. I’ll probably never use them, but I know scholars will. I’m glad I could do it. I couldn’t see it all destroyed. The ACA collected the material, but the people in Manchester also donated things to the ACA. It should stay in the city.” And for the material now at Saint Anselm College, he says that “you made my day knowing that I didn’t waste my time. This material’s home is in New Hampshire.”

And while the collections call Saint Anselm home, the understanding is that they truly belong to the community. “Saint Anselm College is not an island unto itself,” says Dr. Favazza. “Service to the wider community is part of our mission, and opening up the FrancoAmerican Collections to members of the community is yet another way the college provides resources to those beyond our campus. It is our hope that more members of the community will make use of the invaluable resources of the collections.” In addition to preserving and providing access to materials, archives and special collections document provenance and the stories surrounding collections. Richard Lavalliere saved the collections from auction or, worse, from being discarded and chose Saint Anselm College in the city where he grew up to preserve the materials of his cultural heritage. His generosity will ensure that these distinctive items of Franco-Americana will be available to everyone here and beyond. Keith P. Chevalier is the college’s archivist and head of special collections, the director of the Lavalliere FrancoAmerican Collections, and serves as the chair of the Franco American Collections Consortium. He would like to acknowledge and thank Robert B. Perreault ’72 who is both a friend and Franco-American mentor. This is dedicated to the memory of Fr. Dennis Gingras ’76 whose love of his FrancoAmerican heritage continues to inspire well after his passing in 2022.

SEE FOR YOURSELF Visitors to the Lavalliere Franco-American Collections are welcome by appointment. Please call 603-656-6197 or visit anselm.edu/franco-american for more information and to schedule an appointment.

The manuscript Acadie (Nouvelle-Écosse) Reconstruction d'un chapitre perdu de l'histoire retrouvé par un Acadien by Édouard Richard (ca. 1890s), will be digitized as part of an NEH-funded grant project.

GRANT SUCCESS The archival core of collections documenting Franco-Americans resides in five institutions in New England who have joined to form the Franco American Collections Consortium. The five institutions are the University of Maine Orono, University of Maine Fort Kent, University of Southern Maine, Assumption University, and Saint Anselm College. On behalf of the consortium, the University of Maine has received two substantial National Endowment for the Humanities grants. The first award in 2020 was for the Franco American Digital Archives/Portail francoaméricain (https://francoamericandigitalarchives.org), a bilingual collections portal providing culturally conscientious access to Franco-American materials at institutions across North America. For the consortium, ongoing work includes partnering with institutions near and far to add relevant materials to the portal and creating culturally specific metadata with a full range of access points that are meaningful to Franco-Americans and French-Canadian and international francophone scholars. The second NEH grant, for $350,000, was announced in spring 2023, and will be used for digitizing a variety of materials about the FrancoAmerican way of life in consortium collections. These materials illuminate— in French and English—150 years of struggles and triumphs of FrancoAmericans from all over New England. This grant will allow more than 8,000 pages of manuscripts, scrapbooks, and papers in the college’s FrancoAmerican Archives to be digitized and added to the Franco American Digital Archives/Portail franco-américain. “Partnerships with other institutions is a way to extend our limited resources to accomplish larger goals,” says President Joseph Favazza, Ph.D. “Being part of the Franco American Collections Consortium allows the five member institutions to not only share resources with one another, but make a stronger case to grantors such as the NEH that their funding will be maximized to accomplish meaningful goals. This is why the consortium has been so successful in securing grant funding.” In the near future, the consortium hopes to secure funding to digitize more than 700,000 pages of French-language newspapers published in New England between the 19th and 20th centuries held in repositories in the U.S. and Canada. —K.C. PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

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Focus on Faculty

AHIDA PILARSKI Theology BY KATE GRIP DENON

“The first program in women’s studies in the United States was approved at San Diego State University in 1970. Saint Anselm College also is celebrating the 50th anniversary of women at the college this year. It is nice to know that our college joined this major change of increasing the access of women to education.” How long have you been at Saint Anselm? I joined the theology department in 2006, so 17 years. I begin counting my journey at Saint Anselm College on the day I first visited campus for my interview on December 8, 2005 [The Feast of the Immaculate Conception]. Part of my day included going to Mass at the Abbey Church. Seeing the students, faculty, and staff gather, I knew this would be a good place for me and my family. What made you want to teach theology? I realized my calling, or vocation, for teaching when I was doing youth ministry at my parish in Lima (I am originally from Perú). My first major as an undergraduate was education, but in doing my work in ministry, I became fascinated by the lectures about the Bible from guest speakers. I decided to change my major to theology. Your research focuses on the intersection of gender, culture,

ethnicity, and race in the interpretation of the Bible. What would people be surprised to know about this? I think the major surprise is that people think these areas have been part of research for a long time, but these topics became part of scholars’ critical reflection mainly in the latter part of last century (since the 1970s). The reason is because of the limited access to education for minoritized communities. I say minoritized because, for example, although women are more than half of humanity, their access to higher education was limited. The first program in women’s studies in the United States was approved at San Diego State University in 1970. Saint Anselm College also is celebrating the 50th anniversary of women at the college this year. It is nice to know that our college joined this major change of increasing the access of women to education. What do you want your students to leave your class with? My hope is they will read the Bible in a

Ahida Pilarski Professor, Theology B.A., 1992, Facultad de Teología Pontificia y Civil de Lima (Perú), Theology M.A., 1998, Catholic Theological Union, Theology (Old Testament) Th.M., 1999, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Old and New Testaments M.L.A., 2006, The University of Chicago, Liberal Arts Ph.D., 2008, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Hebrew Bible/ Old Testament Photo by Jeff Dachowski

different way. I help them understand the importance of putting texts in contexts (both ancient and contemporary). I try to equip them with the necessary tools to do a critical analysis of the text. The goal is that they learn to do informed readings and interpretations of the Bible, and of any text that comes their way. What else are you working on? I am currently the president-elect of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS). This June, we will be gathering for the 35th annual colloquium. This year’s theme is “Synodality En Conjunto: The People of God, the Bible, and Theology.” The presentations for this colloquium will also be published as a volume, and will have the same title as the conference. Additionally, I am working on The Oxford Handbook of Latinx and Latin American Biblical Interpretation. I am co-editor of this, together with Dr. Fernando Segovia (Professor of New Testament at Vanderbilt University). It is a major research project involving more than 45 authors from North America (the U.S. and Canada), Latin America, and the Caribbean. When not on the Hilltop, where can we find you? At home, doing research. I love what I do. My home is surrounded by woods, so it is very tranquil and inspiring. Despite my family’s complaints, I take over my dining table, which is full of books, and I just keep doing my research. PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

Philanthropy

HELPING MAKE HISTORY BY PAUL J. PRONOVOST ’91 Roger and Francine Jean have demonstrated a deep commitment to Saint Anselm for decades, funding endowed and annual scholarships, and more recently by making a generous gift that helped transform the former Cushing Student Center into the hub of campus activities, the Roger and Francine Jean Student Center. Their latest philanthropic endeavor may have the greatest impact of all— creating a financial foundation for the first school in the history of Saint Anselm College, the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. The school connects the nationally recognized nursing department and new majors in public health and health sciences, bringing together critically important health care-related disciplines under the leadership of Dr. Diane Uzarski, the inaugural dean of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. With the Jean Student Center, which opened in 2018, Roger and Francine envisioned a space that would bring together the wide variety of student activities and services, along with serving as an informal gathering spot at the heart of campus. They see another opportunity to advance the mission of the college through the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences as factors converge to make the need for these vocations more important than ever. As baby boomers age, they have a growing need for health care services, but they also are retiring at a rapidly increasing rate, leaving a workforce shortage. For the Jeans, supporting the school of nursing and health sciences will not

only help address the growing need for health care professionals but also infuse the field with Saint Anselm students whose compassion, critical-thinking skills, and values-based approach set them apart from others. Roger recalls a conversation with a hospital executive who told him that Saint Anselm provides a distinctly

“ We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do that is truly important to the next generations of students?’ In our view, the school of nursing and health sciences has everything to do with expanding the marketplace for liberal arts—and liberal arts is what Saint Anselm does best.” —Francine Jean

wholistic education to future health care providers. “She said, ‘We see something in Saint Anselm graduates that we don’t see in a lot of others—they see their patients differently, they see them as people,’” he says. “And I’m convinced that one of the reasons for that is they have a strong liberal arts education. The school of nursing and health sciences is our way of saying, ‘Let’s get more of those people into the world.’” The Jean School of Nursing and

Health Sciences will grow enrollment of undergraduate and graduate programs and foster community collaborations. Expected to open in Fall 2025, it will be housed in a new state-of-the-art facility, Grappone Hall, which broke ground in October. Roger graduated from Saint Anselm College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1970. In 2006, he retired as executive vice president at Liberty Mutual Group and president of its Regional Agency Markets after more than 35 years in the insurance industry. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Saint Anselm in 2006 and is currently serving his second term on the college’s board of trustees. He also was a member of the Presidential Commission on Nursing. He credits his time at Saint Anselm— with its liberal arts academic core and deep foundation in spirituality made most prominent by the monastic community—for shaping his professional life. “When you leave here, and go into your work life, you feel it,” Roger says. “I felt it in being able to see employees in a different light, and it has helped me make better management and leadership decisions.” The Jeans have committed to advancing the mission of the college for the next generation of Anselmians. “This is about an investment in the future,” Francine says. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do that is truly important to the next generations of students?’ In our view, the school of nursing and health sciences has everything to do with expanding the marketplace for liberal arts—and liberal arts is what Saint Anselm does best.”

Roger and Francine Jean stand by the site of the future Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. 40

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Photo by Kevin Harkins

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Alumni News ALUMNI AWARDS HONOR ANSELMIANS MAKING A DIFFERENCE The Alumni Council recognized nine Anselmians at the 2023 Alumni Awards this fall for their inspiring achievements and generous contributions to the college and their communities. During the evening, honorees, their family and friends, and other college alumni had the opportunity to come together. The evening began with a welcome from James Flanagan, senior vice president for college advancement, an invocation from Fr. Benet C. Phillips, O.S.B., ’87, and a welcome and college update from Joseph A. Favazza, president of Saint Anselm College. “It is deeply meaningful to see our alumni make a difference once they graduate from the Hilltop,” said Dr. Favazza. “On behalf of our entire college community, I want to thank and commend all of our award recipients for the many ways they have served and inspired their communities. You demonstrate every day what it means to be Anselmian.” The 2023 Alumni Awards winners include: Michael Siddall ’84 received the Joseph P. Collins ’34 Alumni Award of Merit, the most prestigious award presented

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by the Alumni Council to an alumnus who has demonstrated professional excellence or who has significantly contributed to the betterment of society. Siddall is the founder of Siddall & Siddall, P.C. where he specializes in real estate, corporate, municipal and estate law. He also serves on the Executive Committee of Sunshine Village, as a former director of Elder Care Initiatives, and a current member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys. He has also served on Saint Anselm College’s Alumni Council and currently is a member of the Alumni Scholarship Golf Tournament Committee. “This award serves as a reminder that our achievements are never in isolation. They are the result of collective efforts and shared values,” said Siddall. “Let this award not only be a recognition of my efforts but a symbol of our collective ability to effect positive change in our communities.”

Matthew Donahue ’14 received the Young Alumni Achievement Award. Since graduating from Saint Anselm College, Donahue has gone on to receive a graduate degree from Brown University, work at the Federal Bureau of Investigation on their counterterrorism team, and currently has founded and runs KODEX, a start-up which provides software to law enforcement agencies that allows them to quickly, safely, cleanly, and reliably send and share information with other law enforcement agencies around the world. Paul Casey ’70 received the John F. Barry Spirit of Saint Anselm College Award for the dedication and enthusiasm he continually displays in his professional life, where he served as an advisor to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, advocating for access to affordable housing, as well as in his personal life,

From left: President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., Matthew Donahue ’14, Michael Siddall ’84, Dorothy M. Mullaney ’81, Terry Newcomb, Carol and George Hooper P ’07, ’09, ’12, Paul Casey ’70, David Giarusso ’10, James F. Flanagan, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. Missing: Tina Russo Quirk ’70. Photo by Kevin Harkins

where he continues to be a dedicated alumnus—serving as a member of his 50th Reunion Committee and on the board of the College’s Center for Ethics in Society. Terry Newcomb, the evening supervisor at the Coffee Shop, received the Walter J. Gallo ’58 Award for her dedication and service to Saint Anselm College students and alumni. Terry embodies the Benedictine value of hospitality— greeting all visitors with a smile, and going above and beyond to make sure students feel welcome and seen. She is often the first person who returning alumni visit when they return to campus. Dorothy M. Mullaney ’81 received the Career Achievement Award.

After graduating with a nursing degree, Mullaney went on to work in the neonatal care field, earning her Doctorate of Nursing Practice, and is currently serving as the first chief advanced practice provider officer at Dartmouth Health where she oversees all advanced practice providers across the Dartmouth system. Carol and George Hooper P ’07, ’09, ’12 received the Parents Leadership and Service Award. Nominated by their children, three of their four who graduated from Saint Anselm College. “My siblings and I owe a debt of gratitude to my parents. Our parent’s sacrificial love is inspiring, and when Mike, Jess, Nick, Alicia, and I look at them and see their goodness, we are inspired and desire to be a little better

ourselves,” said Craig Hooper ’12. “Thanks, mom and dad.” David Giarusso ’10 is the associate director of admission at Bishop Guertin High School and this year’s recipient of the Catholic Leadership Award. Each day, he serves as an example to prospective and current students of the transformative power of a Catholic education. Tina Russo Quirk ’70 accepted the Nursing and Health Sciences Award via Zoom from her office in Tanzania. She has spent her career treating marginalized populations, and promotes the inclusion of homeopathic and complementary treatments alongside more western medicine. She’s currently working in Tanzania with the African Institute of Integrated Medicine. PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

Alumni News Dean Diane Uzarski, D.N.P., addresses the group of alumni and friends gathered in Boston. Photos by Leah LaRiccia

MEET THE NEW DEAN ALUMNI EVENT IN BOSTON On Thursday, November 16, 2023, nursing alumni, family, and friends gathered in Boston to celebrate Saint Anselm College, as well as meet (for the first time at an alumni regional network event), Diane Uzarski, D.N.P., inaugural dean of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Hosted by Jean Egan ’97 and Chris Egan, more than 80 guests gathered to reminisce as well as envision the future of the Jean School of Nursing. Dean Uzarski began as the inaugural dean and Professor of Practice at the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences in July 2023. “When I learned that Saint Anselm was officially establishing a school for Nursing and Health Sciences, I was inspired to assist during this historic moment for our college community,” said Jean Egan. “As many of you know, Saint Anselm College is truly a special 44

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place and I’ve been forever grateful for the foundation I received from my time on the Hilltop. The values of service and compassion that become instilled in us during our Anselmian experience are ones that I’ve carried with me every day. Tonight, I wanted to bring our community together to welcome the inaugural dean of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Diane Uzarski.” During the event, Dean Uzarski discussed her priorities for the new Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, including a strategic plan, partnerships with hospitals, public, nonprofit, and academic institutions. “The establishment of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences and the construction of Grappone Hall is certainly a transformational moment for Saint Anselm College,” said President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D.

“Because of our Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts education, Saint Anslem nursing and health sciences students are uniquely skilled, compassionate, and prepared to provide care for all amidst the health care challenges facing our country and our world.” By Anna Brennan Curry

From left: President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., Jean Egan ’97, Paddy Favazza, Ed.D., James Flanagan, senior vice president and chief advancement officer.

GROWTH MINDSET: JONATHAN GREELEY ’00 In his role as Amazon’s economic development policy lead for New England, Jonathan Greeley ’00 is constantly focused on growth. “My work revolves around the intersection of real estate and public policy, and engaging with communities regarding existing operations and potential expansion,” says Greeley. Since 2010—between employee compensation and infrastructure projects like fulfillment centers and Boston’s Amazon Tech Hub—Amazon has invested nearly $25 billion and created a collective 37,000 part- and full-time jobs across the six New England states alone. For Greeley, however, growth is more than economic; it’s also been part of his personal and communityfocused career journey since graduating from Saint Anselm with a bachelor’s in history. He credits his week of volunteering in Mississippi during Anselmian B.R.E.A.K. with putting him on a career path of public service and urban planning. “When you’re volunteering and engaging with people, you start to look beyond yourself and focus on how you can impact your community,” he says. After graduation, Greeley’s Anselmian B.R.E.A.K. inspired him to accept a position working for Boston Private Industry Council, a nonprofit that helps build partnerships with public schools in economically challenged neighborhoods. “I spent a lot of time in Boston’s neighborhoods and worked with students from a wide variety of backgrounds and connected them to opportunities beyond the classroom,” Greeley says. The experience spawned his interest in community

building, and eventually led to an urban planning role with the Boston Planning & Development Agency. Greeley was there for more than 14 years, and contributed to Boston’s first citywide master plan in 50 years. “Eventually, I oversaw the permitting of all private and institutional development and growth across the city,” he says. He also earned a master’s degree in urban and environmental policy and planning from Tufts University. Greeley credits his time at Saint Anselm for helping him build the critical thinking and communications skills that have been vital to his career success. One of his most impactful classes was public speaking, taught by the late Fr. Jude Gray, O.S.B. “I learned how to present complex ideas and how to relate to different types of people,” he says, “and I have carried that experience with me in roles well beyond my time at Saint A’s.” Greeley’s study of history has also been influential. “It’s impossible to look forward without learning from the past,” he says. These days, Greeley is very future-focused, including expanding innovations to

address climate change. Amazon, for instance, is rolling out 100,000 electric vehicles for its delivery fleet by 2030. “Amazon is the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in the world,” Greeley says. Such large-scale initiatives—and the required infrastructure like charging stations—help create jobs and tax revenue for cities and towns. Greeley also currently serves as an adjunct faculty member teaching urban planning at Boston University. “It’s a cool opportunity to continue to work with young planners and share the lessons I’ve learned through 20plus years in public service” he says. “It’s an important outlet for how I think about—and give back to my community.” Through Amazon, Greeley feels he has an opportunity to make a positive impact on the economic growth of the region where he was raised. “I grew up in Massachusetts, went to college in New Hampshire, met my wife in Vermont, and still spend many of my summer weekends in Rhode Island,” he says. And he credits his time at Saint Anselm for teaching him how to be a lifelong learner and open to new challenges. “I like to think holistically about community and personal growth,” he says, noting his career transition from nonprofits to a government agency to the private sector. “I try to avoid personal stagnation; it’s how we grow.” As for Greeley, who lives in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood with his wife and children, growth continues to be his focus. BY MATTHEW BRODERICK ’96 PHOTO COURTESY JONATHAN GREELEY ’00

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Alumni News

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Joyce Pulcini, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.P., F.A.A.N., received the Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing Legacy Award in June 2023. The award honors, recognizes, and memorializes a member of F.A.A.N.P. whose lifelong career has had a profound and enduring impact on the profession and the N.P. role. The vision, innovation, courage, persistence, and inspiration of the honoree are essential components of the legacy.

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Tom Kelleher and his wife, Kathy (Olah) Kelleher ’70, recently moved from Bradenton, Fla., to their new home in Babcock National Golf & Country Club in Punta Gorda, Fla.

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Michael Szklarz and his wife, Fatima, recently completed the Camino Primitivo in Northern Spain. Their hiking journey started in Oviedo and ended in Santiago de Compostela (319 km).

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George F. Knight III has been appointed to the board of directors for Lancaster Colony Corporation. Knight spent 25 years with the chemical company Hexion, Inc. and its predecessor company Borden, Inc., most recently serving as Hexion’s executive vice president 46

and chief financial officer. During his tenure at Hexion and Borden, he held roles of increasing responsibility, including vice president of mergers and acquisitions, vice president of finance, and senior vice president and treasurer. He held senior finance roles at Duracell, Inc. and worked as a senior audit manager for Deloitte & Touche, LLC.

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Nancy McGovern received the 2023 Emmett Leahy Award, which recognizes an individual whose contributions and outstanding accomplishments have had a major impact on the records and information management profession. She has worked for the Center for Electronic Records at the National Archives and Records Administration and the Open Society Archives (Budapest, Hungary). She was the first digital preservation officer for Cornell University Library and for the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), and the first director of digital preservation at the Massachusetts institute of Technology (MIT) Libraries. She was awarded her Ph.D. at University College London. Her degree was one of the first to focus on digital preservation with a thesis on technology responsiveness.

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Rev. Paul Aveni was appointed by Cardinal Sean O’Malley as pastor of Saint Ann by the Sea and Our Lady of the Assumption Parishes in Marshfield, Mass.

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John C. Cushing, J.D., has joined the Boston office of Brown Rudnick as a partner in the corporate practice. He previously was a director at Goulston & Storrs. Prior to working in private practice, Cushing gained experience in finance and operations as divisional controller and corporate cost and budget manager at The Timberland Company and in various positions at LockheedSanders, Inc. He received a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and an M.B.A. from Boston University Graduate School of Business. Debbie Hall has retired as principal of Big Cross Elementary in Glens Falls, N.Y. She has worked in the district for 29 years in roles that have included chief information officer, teacher, job coach, and director of the 21st Century Learning grant.

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Timothy Symington recently published his first book “Huzza!”: Toasting a New Nation, 1760-1815 (McFarland, 2023). He is also a frequent contributor to the Journal of the American Revolution.

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Charlene Bonner, Ph.D., has been re-nominated by Gov. Maura Healey to the Massachusetts Parole Board. Bonner has served on the board since 2011 and will be entering her fourth term. She is a certified designated forensic psychologist (DFP) who also has expertise in substance use disorders. She has served as the clinical and administrative director of Bournewood Hospital’s Ambulatory Services, a juvenile and adult court clinician, and a lecturer at Saint Anselm College, where she taught a variety of courses in psychology. She is also the president of a nonprofit 501(c)(3) foundation. She received her Master of Education from Bridgewater State University and her doctoral degree from William James College in Newton, Mass.

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Patrick Boyle has relocated to London for a two-year period to run the European Carrier Sales team for Hiya, Inc, a data analytics company that identifies spam and blocks fraud calls on wireless networks. Boyle has been working in the mobile industry since 2000, and has been focused on call analytics for the past five years. Moira Buckley, J.D., was sworn in as judge of the Connecticut Superior Court after being nominated

A CAREER THAT FOLLOWS HER HEART: COURTNEY (GRAY) TANNER ’11 Behind its smooth granite façade, the New Hampshire Statehouse in Concord is a bustling place— especially between January and June, when the Legislature is in session. This is where Courtney (Gray) Tanner ’11 is striving to improve health care services and access. She calls the Statehouse and the Legislative Office Building next door “an advocacy ecosystem,” where she connects daily with policymakers, lobbyists, bureaucrats, and state officials. Tanner is the government relations director for Dartmouth Health, a system of community hospitals, clinics, and health care services across New Hampshire and Vermont serving tens of thousands of people. It includes Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, a 486-bed hospital and New Hampshire’s only academic medical center. She began her role in 2018 with a J.D. and M.S.W. from a dual-degree program at the University of New Hampshire. Summing up her role briefly and succinctly (a skill she learned as a Classics major and honed as a law student), Tanner says her job is “to advocate for policies that are in the best interest of our providers in the communities we serve and to oppose policies that are not in these interests.” During the Covid-19 crisis, for example, she pressed for bills that supported expansion of telehealth services. Looking back, Tanner says her career path as an attorney and health policy advocate has been a matter

of following her heart. She grew up in a Maine mill town with a mother who was a pre-school teacher. While at Saint Anselm, she completed an internship with the Dove Project, a program that pairs volunteer attorneys with low-income women in abusive relationships. During law school, she realized that she enjoyed family law, and volunteered in the community. Prior to her current position, she ran Hope on Haven Hill, a residential facility that treats pregnant and parenting women with substance abuse disorders. She also worked as executive director of the New Hampshire Providers Association, a

group dedicated to substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery through public policy. Among Tanner’s priorities with Dartmouth Health is securing funding for programs that support women with complex and often challenging needs. She recently secured $2.5 million in federal funding for Families Flourish (of which she is a board member). The nonprofit aims to establish a residential treatment program for pregnant and parenting women working toward recovery. She has applied for $4 million more to renovate a building and hire staff. Tanner’s work is gaining recognition, such as selection to the New Hampshire Union Leader’s “40 Under Forty.” In October, she was selected for the 2024 Carol Emmott Fellowship. The prestigious national program chooses recipients for their potential to make an impact and advance to senior executive roles in health care. While raising two girls, working, and developing an “impact project” with a fellowship mentor, Tanner has little free time. But she has not left her undergraduate studies behind—she serves as a board member for New Hampshire Humanities. For this Classics major, health care and the humanities are on the same page. BY LAURIE D. MORRISSEY PHOTO COURTESY COURTNEY (GRAY) TANNER ’11

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Alumni News

by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the Quinnipiac University School of Law. She is currently an assistant federal defender in the Office of the Federal Defender for the District of Connecticut. For more than 25 years, she has practiced criminal defense work in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels. She has also practiced in the private and public sectors.

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Christine Hanisco, J.D., was acknowledged in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America. She was chosen to receive this acknowledgement from her peers for excellence in two practice areas: Family Law and Trusts & Estates.

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Mark Kennedy has been selected to be the 18th chief of the Quincy Police Department. A native of Squantum, Mass., he has been a Quincy police officer for 24 years. He attended the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Drug Unit Commanders Academy in Quantico, Va., served as treasurer of the Quincy Police Superior Officers’ Association, and chairman of the Metro Boston Urban Area Security Initiative’s subcommittee on safety and security. He was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant in 2017, and most recently oversaw the department’s special operations unit, which 48

includes the motorcycle unit, the crisis negotiation team, and the special weapons and tactics team.

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Sean Curran has been selected to be the shared town administrator for the towns of Washington and Middlefield, Mass. The former state representative is a lawyer and an at-large member of the Springfield City Council. He also spent three years as an assistant district attorney for the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office. Carrie Meadows has been promoted to editor-inchief for LEDs Magazine. She joined the LEDs staff in 2013 as associate editor. Prior to LEDs, she worked with editorial teams across the former PennWell Media Advanced Technology Group, including Laser Focus World, Vision Systems Design, and Lightwave.

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Catherine (Pfeiffer) Sargent and Brian Sargent celebrated their 20th anniversary with a renewal of vows on September 9, 2023, at the Duxbury Bay Maritime School in Duxbury, Mass. Several members of the class of 1999, 2000, and 2001 gathered to celebrate the vow renewal, including Michael Spellman ’00, who officiated the ceremony; William Pfeiffer ’01, who shared a reading; John DiFrisco ’00, who played guitar during the ceremony;

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Jenn (Lanza) Humphrey ’00, who coordinated the flowers; Charlie Saluti ’00, who provided a toast; and Michael Dugan ’00, who played the cowbell with the band at the reception.

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Paul Nolette, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of political science at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisc., has been named the next director of the university’s Les Aspin Center for Government. Nolette joined the political science department in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences in 2011, and completed his Ph.D. in political science at Boston College prior to joining the Marquette faculty. He received a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2004. After law school, Nolette worked in a litigation law firm and later served as the legal counsel for the Labor and Workforce Development Committee in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

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Nicole (McCarthy) Hawes earned her Ed.D. in Leadership in Schooling from UMass Lowell as a member of the STEM cohort in May 2022. She began her 21st year as a math teacher in the fall. Jamilyn Murphy-Hughes is associate vice president, community services for Northern Light Acadia

Hospital in Bangor, Maine. In this role, she oversees all community-based programming for the hospital, which includes community health, grants, case management, schoolbased therapy services, integrated behavioral health services, as well as psychiatric consultation services. Previously, she spent five years as the director of the consult team leading a multidisciplinary team through Covid-19, handling a very high demand for emergency psychiatric support and assessments in 23 hospital emergency departments and inpatient units across Maine.

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Ian Brown retired from the United States Marine Corps after 20 years of service. His service included two combat deployments to Iraq, one combat deployment to Afghanistan, and two deployments to the Pacific. His book, A New Conception of War (Marine Corps University Press, 2018), was added to the Commandant’s Professional Reading Program in the Marine Corps near the end of his military career. He has started a new job as a wargame analyst at Group W in northern Virginia. Karen M. Kane-Roby has joined the law firm of English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley, LLP in Bowling Green, Ky., as senior counsel. Before joining ELPO Law, Roby served as in-house counsel for

POLITICS AND BEYOND: BRODIE DESHAIES ’21 For Brodie Deshaies ’21, life is politics. Not because he has worked on political campaigns, served as a state representative, or sits on the school board and library board of trustees in his community (though all are true) but because of a lesson from an American Government course with Professor Jennifer Lucas that still resonates with him. “In that course, we learned that politics is defined as the organization of people and resources,” he says. “That simple definition reinforces that you will be impacted by government and politics, no matter your level of involvement.” Growing up in Wolfeboro, N.H., Deshaies’ family modeled the importance of public service. His maternal grandparents were civil servants for decades in Tewksbury, Mass., and his father served as a town meeting representative in Chelmsford, Mass. This fostered an early interest in public policy for Deshaies, who was drawn to Saint Anselm by the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP), in addition to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Program—and Davison Dining Hall’s acclaimed food. He entered Saint Anselm as a politics major, but after taking English and history courses, he switched to an English/history double major. “The positive impact on my writing was immediate,” he says. And the college’s humanities program, Conversatio, deepened his critical thinking skills. “Conversatio’s multidisciplinary approach brought our lessons full circle. It also

reinforced that what we create has value and impact.” In 2020, while a junior, Deshaies launched a campaign for N.H. state representative. “I was motivated to run to be a non-polarizing voice in the candidate pool,” he says. His academic experience was critical for connecting with voters. “English and history department curricula force you to think differently and consider other perspectives,” he says. “Saint Anselm’s focus on strong writing skills allowed me to develop concise campaign messaging.” Deshaies won the election, becoming a Republican state representative for Carroll County District 6. While serving in the Legislature from 2020 to 2022, he focused on combatting the opioid crisis, investing in infrastructure and green energy, and improving

food security. He collaborated closely with state Rep. John MacDonald ’83. After his term, Deshaies became the communications and policy manager at New Hampshire Hunger Solutions in Concord, N.H., an organization dedicated to ending hunger in the state. He creates public advocacy plans, writes policy updates, and develops messaging for a variety of stakeholders. As a registered lobbyist, he also calls and meets with elected officials to secure funding and support. He credits an advanced composition course with Professor Ann Holbrook for strengthening his communications skill set. While his professional life has a statewide impact, he is also dedicated to his local community. He lives in Wolfeboro with his fiancée, Grace Trites ’22, and is a school board member for Governor Wentworth Regional School District (alongside Jim Manning, D.D.S. ’74). He is a member of the Wolfeboro Public Library’s board of trustees; he is also treasurer, overseeing $600,000 of public investments. “Local politics is very rewarding. I can see the impact of service improvements firsthand and how taxpayer money is being used,” he says. Deshaies does not have plans to run for state office again, but that could change in the future—which gets back to that lesson he learned in American Government. “I don’t view myself as entering or exiting politics; I see politics as a spectrum of involvement,” he says. And he encourages everyone to get involved. BY BRIDGET (MARTIN) LAZZARA ’11 PHOTO COURTESY OF BRODIE DESHAIES ’21

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Alumni News KLAS Properties, LLC, and specialized in acquiring and collecting delinquent taxes across multiple counties in Kentucky. While working for KLAS Properties, she also owned Roby Law Group, PLLC (RLG).

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Laura (Eagan) Tomaino, SHRM-SCP, has been recognized by the professional women’s network, Women We Admire, as one of the top 50 women leaders in health care. She is the senior vice president of People & Culture of HealthEdge in Burlington, Mass. Previously, she was a human resources coordinator at Harvard University’s department of organismic and evolutionary biology. She earned a master’s in sustainability and environmental management from Harvard Extension School.

Michael Orlando, Jr. has been named principal of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, N.H. Orlando earned his master’s degree in Hispanic studies from Simmons University and a Doctor of Education from Northeastern University, specializing in teacher professional development in Catholic schools. Throughout his 17 years at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Mass., he held roles in a multitude of positions, including language instructor at the high school and college levels, chair of the world language department, and most recently, for the last five years, assistant principal for mission and identity.

Michael Parr, former Bernard Holmes Scholar, was named Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year in Massachusetts.

Vladimir Utovac has been appointed vice president of service for Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corporation, the North American division of the German machinery manufacturer.

He began his career with W&H in 2010 as a service manager responsible for the installation of printing presses in North America. In 2018, he became product sales manager for printing. In his new role, he will be responsible for the North American service operation, including the Information & Diagnostic Center (IDC), regional service management, the large local spare parts operation, and all U.S.-based service technicians. In addition, he will oversee sales for W&H’s converting business. While at Saint Anselm, he played for the men’s soccer team, and he received his B.S. in electrical engineering from Manhattan College.

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Nick Barese is the new head coach of the River Hawk baseball program at UMass Lowell. Barese spent the last two seasons as the top assistant for the team after serving as head coach at Merrimack College for seven years. Prior to Merrimack,

Emma Chestnut ’23 and Katherine Ellis ’23 were awarded the Flynn Oncology Fellowship at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, N.H., during the summer of 2022. Additionally, they both received the Anne Marie Hardman Evidence Based Project Excellence Award for the top two fellows in a cohort of approximately 45. The fellowship was created by Fred Flynn in honor of his wife Susan D. Flynn, who died of ovarian cancer in 2013, and out of respect for the wonderful quality of nursing care she received during her illness. Chestnut and Ellis each submitted their research abstracts to the Oncology Nursing Conference in San Antonio, Tx., and were accepted to be presenters at the conference. This is the first time that undergrad research was submitted and accepted in the history of this conference. Both are currently working at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital—Chestnut in the Women’s and Children’s Center, and Ellis in the Orthopedic and Oncology Unit.

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Barese served in the same capacity at Saint Anselm. He earned his Master of Science in sport science and recreation from Ohio University in May 2014. He was a four-year member of the Hawks’ football and baseball teams, serving as team captain with both programs.

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Michael McCann, J.D., a partner with Shepard O’Donnell, was featured in The Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition as a “One to Watch.”

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Tim Wirzburger has published his debut novel In Plain Sight (Palisade Media, 2023). He works as a freelance content marketer and SEO strategist based out of Charlotte, N.C., and co-hosts a hockey podcast, Dropping the Gloves.

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Adriana Fernandez is assistant director of admission at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass. Christopher Millett received his Master of Science in Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Purdue University. He also was accepted into Creighton University’s Education Doctorate (Ed.D.) in the Interdisciplinary Leadership program.

Milestones | IN MEMORIAM

FATHER CECIL DONAHUE, O.S.B. ’50

On the nineteenth day of November 2023, our confrere, Fr. Cecil John Donahue, O.S.B. ’50, in the 75th anniversary year of his monastic profession, died at Mount Carmel Nursing Center, Manchester, N.H. Fr. Cecil was a beloved monk, priest, educator, administrator, and music composer at Saint Anselm Abbey for more than three quarters of a century. July 2, 2023, marked the 75th jubilee of monastic profession for Fr. Cecil and his monastic confrere, the Most Rev. Joseph J. Gerry, O.S.B., retired abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey and bishop of Portland, Maine. Bishop Joseph died early that very day, with Fr. Cecil living another few months, thus making him the longest serving monk in vows in Saint Anselm history. The oldest of six children of Charles and Pauline (Strittmatter) Donahue, Fr. Cecil was born on November 23, 1928, and spent most of his early youth in Hastings, Pa., where he was awarded the Ad Altare Dei Award for Catholics, and the Eagle Scout Award of the Boy Scouts of America. As a young man

he entered Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. In 1946, at the end of his sophomore year, he was accepted into the novitiate of Saint Vincent Abbey to become a Benedictine monk. Fr. Cecil transferred to Saint Anselm Abbey professing vows in 1948. Fr. Cecil was graduated from Saint Anselm College in 1950, and began seminary studies at Saint Anselm, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 22, 1954, by the Most Rev. Hugh Lamb, bishop of Greensburg, Pa. The next four years were spent in Rome at the Pontifical University of Sant’ Anselmo, pursuing monastic and theological studies. Returning to the U.S. in 1958, Fr. Cecil taught in the college as assistant professor of German and theology until his appointment as director of physical plant operations in 1972. Prior to his appointment as director, he also served for several years as one of the college chaplains, then for several years as assistant dean of students and as a house master in campus dormitories. Fr. Cecil was something of a Renaissance man whose activities were legendary, although they were rooted

in a wise balance of prayer, worship, study, manual labor, and community life according to Saint Benedict’s Holy Rule. For many years, Fr. Cecil served as the Abbey’s choirmaster and cantor, composing music for the monastery’s daily Masses and Divine Office. In addition, he was a member of the abbey’s formation team, teaching novices a survey course on Western monasticism—a course he first offered in 1958. For years, Fr. Cecil assigned the “labora” for novices and junior monks, always himself participating in the work, despite being more than twice the age of those he supervised. A member of the Manchester chapter of the American Red Cross, Fr. Cecil was an active promoter of blood drives on campus and was himself a major donor. He was an indefatigable worker, establishing a nursery and overseeing the planting of trees, flowering bushes and various plants that grace the Saint Anselm campus. His hobbies included stamp collecting, and the building and flying of radio-controlled model airplanes. In addition, for many years, he was involved with the Anselmian Summer Theatre group. In 1984, Abbot Joseph assigned Fr. Cecil to Woodside Priory in Portola Valley, Calif., where for several years he served as treasurer for the monastery and school. In 1989, Fr. Cecil returned to Rome to serve for two years as secretary to Abbot Primate Viktor Dammertz, O.S.B., head of the world-wide Benedictine order. While in Rome he also served as the monastery’s guest master. Fr. Cecil recalled that during this time he had the great honor of celebrating Mass with Pope John Paul II, now a saint of the Catholic Church. Upon completion of his Roman assignment and back once more at Saint Anselm, Fr. Cecil was assigned to the college Office of Campus Ministry and became a Knight of Columbus to serve Continued PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

Milestones | IN MEMORIAM

as chaplain to Saint Anselm Council 4875. In 1996, he was appointed financial secretary to the council, then the following year became a Fourth Degree member of the K of C, serving the Bishop Bradley Assembly of the Knights of Columbus in the position of “faithful friar,” and later as assistant chaplain to the New Hampshire State Council. In more recent decades, Fr. Cecil was known as a powerhouse player on his team in the weekly “Trivia Night” games at the college pub. He was known to use multiple ways of getting around campus, even when he sometimes relied on a wheelchair, which he motorized himself, until a more contemporary and purpose-built motorized chair was provided. This past July 2, Fr. Cecil and his monastic community marked the 75th anniversary of his profession of vows with selections from music he wrote over many decades. He leaves a sister, Marie Antoinette (Donahue) Parsons of Medway, Mass., and a brother, Denis, and his wife, Barbara (Amico) Donahue, of Phoenix, Ariz., as well as many nieces and nephews, and two in-laws, Evelyn Donahue and Gilbert Kirkpatrick. He was pre-deceased by three other members of his immediate family, Lois (Donahue) Byrnes, Ann (Donahue) Kirkpatrick and Patrick Donahue.

RUTH M. CONLEY ’56

Alumna and longtime friend of Saint Anselm College, Ruth M. Conley ’56 passed away on September 19, 2023, at the age of 101. Born on May 15, 1922, she was a lifelong resident of Manchester, N.H. Conley spent her first years in the workforce as a waitress at Belmont Lunch, but after meeting Ruth Bagley, who helped establish Saint Anselm College’s nursing program, she began to train to be a registered nurse. She eventually enrolled in the newly formed nursing program at Saint Anselm College and graduated in 1956 with a 52

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Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. During her time at Saint Anselm College, she met Austin L. Conley, a young Classics and English professor. After they married, both stayed connected to the college. He spent 36 years as a professor, with 26 years as the chair of the Classics Department. She worked as a registered nurse with Elliot Hospital and as a clinical instructor in Saint Anselm College’s nursing program. Following their retirement, the Conleys continued to support Saint Anselm’s mission through many ways, including by establishing the Conley Scholarship for outstanding students. “The English department has been shaped by Austin and Ruth’s generosity, participation, and deep love for all of us and our students,” wrote English Professor Meoghan Cronin. “The department will reflect the influence of the Conleys for many years, not just in the name of the Conley Lounge in Bradley House, but in our commitment to students and to each other, as modelled by the steadfast loyalty, patient hope, and the pure enjoyment

of the arts that Ruth and Austin showed us for years and years.” She was a regular at Sunday Mass in the Abbey Church, attended many oncampus exhibits and lectures, and could often be seen cheering in the crowd at football games. Recently Conley returned to the Hilltop to celebrate her 100th birthday with a reception at the Chapel Art Center. In an interview with Fr. Jerome Day, O.S.B. ’75 for The Saint Anselm Crier, she shared, “Saint Anselm is the best place in the world, and the Benedictines are the best people! I couldn’t have had a better life than the way it was.” Ruth Conley was a member of the American Nursing Association, New Hampshire Nursing Association, National League for Nursing, New Hampshire Council of Catholic Nurses, and the Delta Epsilon Sigma Catholic Honor Society. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Austin L. Conley. Her funeral was held Tuesday, September 26, 2023, in Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Milestones | IN MEMORIAM

BISHOP JOSEPH JOHN GERRY, O.S.B. ’50

On the second day of July 2023, our confrere, Bishop Joseph John Gerry, O.S.B., died in the early morning hours of the day that marked the 75th anniversary of his profession as a Benedictine monk. He served as abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey, chancellor of Saint Anselm College and bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine. Beloved for his qualities of heart and admired for his keenness of thought, Bishop Joseph served the Church for more than seven decades as a Benedictine monk and priest, college professor and administrator, religious superior and bishop. A native of Millinocket, Maine, he was born on September 12, 1928, the son of the late Bernard E. and Blanche A. (McManemon) Gerry and was one of 8 children. He was a 1945 graduate of Stearns High School in Millinocket. He began studies at Saint Anselm College and later entered the monastic community. Following his novitiate at Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pa., he professed first vows as a member of the Order of Saint Benedict on July 2, 1948. He returned to Saint Anselm and continued his college studies, earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1950. His theological studies were at the Abbey seminary, and he professed solemn monastic vows in 1951. Bishop Joseph was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Manchester on June 12, 1954, by the Most Rev. Matthew F. Brady, 5th bishop of Manchester. Continuing his academic studies, the future bishop received a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1955, and a doctorate in philosophy from Fordham University in 1959. Bishop Joseph served on the philosophy faculty of Saint Anselm College and held administrative posts

including both dean and chancellor of the college. He was instrumental in the founding of the Saint Anselm College Humanities Program. He served as executive secretary of the Ad Hoc Committee of the American Cassinese Congregation of the Benedictine order, which produced a document to inspire and guide monastic renewal in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. The document, titled Renew and Create, was published in 1969—and remains a seminal text for the study of contemporary monasticism. In the abbey, Bishop Joseph served as subprior and prior and was elected as the third abbot of Saint Anselm on January 6, 1972. He received the abbatial blessing from the Most Rev. Ernest J. Primeau, 6th bishop of Manchester, in the Abbey Church on January 11, 1972. Pope John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Manchester in 1986 and he was ordained a bishop on April 21 of that year, the feast of Saint Anselm of Canterbury, at Saint Joseph

Cathedral by the Most Rev. Odore J. Gendron, 7th bishop of Manchester. Three years later, on February 21, 1989, Bishop Joseph was installed as the 10th bishop of Portland at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Bishop Joseph’s personal coat of arms features the motto, “To Serve Rather Than To Preside.” He served the Church on several committees concerned with interreligious dialogue including the Secretariat for Interreligious Relations of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and as a member of the NCCB Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. He was a trustee of both Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary and Saint Anselm College. He also served on the NCCB committee dealing with relations between the bishops and the presidents of Catholic colleges and universities. In September of 2003, Bishop Joseph, upon reaching age 75, submitted his resignation which was accepted on February 10, 2004. Upon his return to Saint Anselm Abbey, Bishop Joseph served as novice master for several years, and continued to give retreats and conferences until his health limited his activities. Although obedience to God’s will would call him from his monastery to serve the Lord and his Church as a bishop, he was first and foremost a monk. His decisions, his service to the Church, his counsel, his personal relations, his prayer and work, were all governed and shaped by his formation as a disciple of Saint Benedict. It was his love of the Lord that sustained him in his long life, and it was the time he spent alone with the Lord in prayer which was the source of both his happiness and his strength. Bishop Joseph was pre-deceased by his parents and his seven siblings, Barbara, Catherine, Bernard Jr., Fr. Jude, O.S.B., Elizabeth, Nora, and Margaret. PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

Milestones | IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

Albert J. Daigle ’63, Biddeford, Maine, November 1, 2023.

Kenneth M. Brown ’76, Goffstown, N.H., September 9, 2023.

John P. Sullivan, M.D. ’43, Suffield, Conn., June 18, 2023.

Robert Patrick Clohosey ’64, Oxford, Fla., February 19, 2023.

Fr. Dennis Gingras ’76, Suncook, N.H., August 28, 2022.

Antony J. Mullaney ’51, Harrington, Maine, May 31, 2023.

Francis X. Conway ’64, Jackson Township, N.J., July 3, 2023.

Judith Ann Welch ’76, Freeport, Maine, May 31, 2023.

Roger Levasseur ’52, Salem, Mass., May 12, 2022.

Paul D. Ladouceur ’64, Manchester N.H., August 24, 2023.

John C. Lord ’83, Glastonbury, Conn., and Westerly, R.I., July 19, 2023.

Jules G. Spada ’52, Florham Park, N.J., June 7, 2023.

Hon. Arthur E. Robbins ’64, Manchester, N.H., October 4, 2018.

Marguerite H. Gagne ’86, Groveton, N.H., November 29, 2022.

Denis F. O’Neil ’53, Manchester, N.H., August 21, 2023.

Joseph Hayes Stagner, Jr. ’65, Charlestown, N.H., November 14, 2023.

Kevin M. Anderson ’87, Quincy, Mass., April 29, 2023.

John F. Lucey ’54, Acton, Mass., July 11, 2023.

Réal Gérard Boivin, D.Ed. ’66, Manchester, N.H., November 4, 2023.

Bradley R. Stevens ’00, Clifton Park, N.Y., August 2, 2023.

Donald P. Dorn ’55, Bluffton, S.C., April 6, 2022.

Mary Brennan “Maitzie” Chisholm ’66, (Mount Saint Mary) Scituate, Mass., August 9, 2023.

Mark E. Finni, Jr. ’04, New Bedford, Mass., March 5, 2023.

James “Woody” W. Murphy ’66, Lakeville, Mass., July 12, 2023.

FRIENDS

Guy D. Nadeau ’55, Washington, Maine, October 19, 2023. John W. Carbone, D.D.S. ’56, West Newbury, Mass., July 21, 2023. Bartley G. Cilento, M.D. ’57, Scituate, Mass., July 15, 2023. Joseph-Edouard “Roland” Gosselin ’57, Thornbury, Ontario, June 30, 2023. George N. Kayata ’57, North Attleboro, Mass., June 13, 2023. Richard Albert Thibodeau, D.M.D. ’57, Coronado, Calif., June 3, 2023. William P. Brennan ’58, Rochester, N.H., October 27, 2023. Thomas F. Moran, Ph.D. ’58, Atlanta, Ga., July 17, 2023. John F. Hayes, Sr. ’59, Stoneham, Mass., October 3, 2023. Bertram Peluso ’59, Lynnfield, Mass., October 18, 2023. Brendan J. Powers ’59, Silver Spring, Md., August 15, 2021. George E. Veilleux ’59, Claremont, N.H., September 12, 2023. Gerald J. Peden ’61, Suffern, N.Y., March 29, 2023.

PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

Albert John Skorupka, Jr. ’66, Franklin Park, Pa., October 25, 2023. Kenneth M. Lukis, Ph.D. ’67, Palmer, Mass., August 5, 2023. Harry D. Meyer ’67, Tigard, Ore., June 23, 2022. John “Jack” Collins ’68, Jupiter, Fla., July 3, 2023. John B. Howe ’69, Manchester, N.H., October 9, 2023. John J. Sheehan, Jr., Esq. ’69, Medford, Mass., and Boynton Beach, Fla., October 19, 2023. Carl R. Flink ’70, Springfield, Mass., August 21, 2023. Robert Emmet Meggison, Esq. ’70, Belfast, Maine, July 6, 2023.

Maurice A. Beliveau, September 25, 2023. Florence (Beaudette) Cimon, former employee, October 5, 2023. Linda Diaz, former employee, November 3, 2023. Lorraine Lencki, former employee, July 15, 2023. Denise Melancon, former employee, May 22, 2023. Raymond Melancon, former employee, March 26, 2023. Robert M. Otten, Ph.D., former faculty, April 19, 2023.

MARRIAGES

Lucille M. Wilkinson ’72, Peabody, Mass., October 12, 2023.

Allison Dion ’08 and Daniel Cushman ’08, November 18, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

James T. Bartley ’74, Rye, N.H., December 21, 2021.

Stephen Bowen ’14 and Katelyn Schultz, September 9, 2023, Raleigh, N.C.

Charles E. Quinby ’75, Ludlow, Conn., September 27, 2023.

Olivia Babine ’15 and Nicholas Petromelis ’16, July 22, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Milestones

Kathryn Urbanowski ’15 and Justin Folliard, June 10, 2023, Worcester, Mass. Briana Capistran ’16 and Zachary Capobianco, July 29, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Alexandra Galli ’16 and Samuel O’Keefe, July 1, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Brianna Berge ’17 and Matthew Flynn, November 11, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Alicia Chouinard ’17 and Dylan Ramsdell, September 9, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Cecilia Chrisom ’17 and Nolan Murray ’17, September 2, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Sarah Maguire ’17 and Joseph Silcox ’17, June 17, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Heather Tagg ’17 and Chris Valente ’17, October 14, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Alisha del Llano ’18 and Dylan Dalbeck ’18, April 22, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Rachel Hetu ’18 and Brenden Cain ’18, June 10, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Submit a Class Note!

Andre Gaudet ’20 and Taylor Sullivan, September 30, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Portraits 100 Saint Anselm Drive Manchester, N.H. 03102

Adelina Katzounos ’20 and Matthew Dubois ’20, June 24, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Emily Cormier ’21 and Jeremy Bergold, October 21, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Megan Slaney ’21 and Alex Fischer ’21, October 8, 2023, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

FUTURE ANSELMIANS Jonathan Greeley ’00 and Tali Cohen, a son, Rowan Page, November 25, 2023. Andrea Dionne, D.O. ’06, a daughter, Mackenzie Marie, October 13, 2023. Katie (Douglas) Moore ’07 and Josh, a son, Cooper, June 15, 2023.

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Sarah (Palmgren) Casaceli ’11 and Brian, a daughter, Cora Cynthia, May 18, 2023. Bridget (Martin) Lazzara ’11 and Jacob, a son, Etori Robert, October 20, 2022. Joanna (Salva) Ross ’11 and Andrew Ross ’11, a daughter, Julia, November 1, 2022. Maria (Keeley) Smith ’11 and Jake Smith ’12, a daughter, Cora Rose, April 20, 2023. Courtney (Gray) Tanner ’11 and Michael, a daughter, Vera Jaclyn, August 14, 2023. Katie (McNamara) Eressy ’12 and Mike, a daughter, Lillian Rose, June 2, 2023. Lannon (Eldridge) Foley ’12 and Ryan Foley ’11, a son, Colin Patrick, August 18, 2023.

Saint Anselm College

Melanie (Kessler) MacKay ’12 and David, a son, William Gregory, August 1, 2023.

Stay in Touch with the Alumni Council

Hannah (Greenlaw) Wiley ’12 and Max Wiley ’12, a daughter, Wilhelmina Anne, January 27, 2023.

ALUMNI COUNCIL

The Alumni Council’s role is to be ambassadors of the college, acting as the voice of the alumni and developing an environment of involved, active alumni across the country. The Council welcomes you to reach out with ideas or concerns that may be important to fellow alumni.

Annie (Sears) Kotsopoulos ’14 and Mark Kotsopoulos ’14, a daughter, Hazel Rose, October 15, 2022.

Karen Clark ’10, President karen.clark724@gmail.com

Madison Waters ’15 and Daniel Flynn ’11, a son, James, August 24, 2023.

Erin (Connolly) Spain ’15 and Colin Spain ’15, a daughter, McKenna Sarah, November 23, 2022.

PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

End Note

New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) Kevin B. Harrington Student Ambassadors Isabella Langella ’25 and Michael McLaughlin ’25 spent the summer combing through the NHIOP archives to curate hundreds of political buttons spanning several decades. The framed button displays, which are organized by political party, as well as special interest groups, can be found in the West Wing of the Institute. Not yet included in these displays are buttons from the 2024 presidential election. The NHIOP welcomed (and continues to welcome) candidates through their signature Politics & Eggs series, as well as other events—and the college once again hosted the only New Hampshirebased debate, held on January 18, as a lead up to the Granite State’s First in the Nation Primary. Photo by Kim Casey

PORTRAITS | FALL/WINTER 2024

INVEST IN STUDENTS

Photo by Kevin Harkins

Great things are happening on the Hilltop. Your support in your estate, trust or IRA makes them possible. Alumni who give to Saint Anselm College through a bequest, life income gift, or estate plan are welcomed and celebrated as members of the college’s 1889 Society. • Catherine Delisle, daughter of professors Fanny Delisle (English) and Wilfred Delisle (French), left her estate to the college to provide both unrestricted and scholarship support. • Maurice Beliveau, a friend, and close neighbor of the college left a generous bequest through his living trust. • Patricia Davenport ’70 created both an annual and an endowed scholarship for student athletes in the new track and field program, in memory of her husband Jim Davenport ’69.

To learn how to include your college in your will, trust, or retirement plan, contact: Peter M. Labombarde, CFSC Senior Director, Gift Planning (603) 641-7228 plabombarde@anselm.edu

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INVEST IN SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE STUDENTS Each year, hundreds of students rely on scholarship aid to become and remain a part of the Saint Anselm College community. You can help them achieve their dream of a transformative Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts education. Your gift will offer deserving young men and women the opportunity to launch their future and become ANSELMIANS.

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