Portraits Magazine - Fall/Winter 2025

50 STORIES FROM 50 YEARS

WOMEN WHO SHAPED US | FRIENDS FOREVER | THE SAINT ANSELM NURSE | FORWARD THINKERS WOMEN IN POLITICS | GREAT SPORTS | FAMILY TIES | GIVING POWER

Photo by Leah LaRiccia

In celebration of 50 years of co-education on the Hilltop, we share some of the most memorable stories and accomplishments behind the women who have helped make Saint Anselm College the place it is today.

BY KATE GRIP DENON

15 WOMEN WHO SHAPED US

The impact of these 19 women have helped establish an environment for all Anselmians to flourish.

By Kate Grip Denon

22 FRIENDS FOREVER

The female friendships formed on the Hilltop are one of the best stories we can point to during the last 50 years—and the friends of Helen Gallo Bryan ’81 are some of the closest around.

By Kate Grip Denon

24 THE SAINT ANSELM NURSE

With more than 4,000 graduates spanning seven decades, the nursing program at Saint Anselm College is synonymous with compassion, expertise, and excellence.

By Dean Diane M. Uzarski, D.N.P., M.P.H., R.N.

30 FORWARD THINKERS

The impressive contributions of these faculty, staff, alumnae, and friends have helped define Saint Anselm College.

By Kate Grip Denon

36 WOMEN IN POLITICS

For almost a quarter century, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) has provided a critical space for discussion and debate—and it couldn’t have happened without the vision, dedication, and commitment of several Anselmian women.

By Kate Grip Denon

38 GREAT SPORTS

Since the arrival of intercollegiate play on campus in 1976, women’s athletics have become a powerhouse on the Hilltop.

By Carolyn King-Robitaille

42 FAMILY TIES

The Boyle family’s female legacy on the Hilltop stretches back four decades.

By Samantha Jette ’20

44 GIVING POWER

These alumnae share what it means to give back to Saint Anselm College.

By Laurie D. Morrissey

DEPARTMENTS

4 On the Hilltop 12 Scene on Campus 48 Alumni News 53 Milestones 56 End Note

On the cover:

Portraits celebrates the college’s 50th anniversary of co-education with 50 Stories from 50 Years.

Inside cover:

Early signs of fall make for perfect walking weather to-and-from classes.

Photo by Leah LaRiccia

This page:

From our athletes of today, to our female leaders from the past, the women of Saint Anselm have helped move the college to new heights.

Visit the website at www.anselm.edu/portraits

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

Portraits

THE MAGAZINE OF SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE

Volume 27 Number 1 Fall/Winter 2025

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Paul J. Pronovost ’91

EDITOR

Kate Grip Denon

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Annee Newton Giard

DESIGNER

Melanie deForest-Malloy

COPY EDITOR

Barbara Coles

CONTRIBUTORS:

Katelyn Arnold ’23

Anna Brennan-Curry

Kim Casey

Samantha Jette ’20

Carolyn King-Robitaille

Laurie D. Morrissey

Laura (Rossi) Lemire ’06

MAGAZINE ADVISORY BOARD:

Dr. Gary Bouchard

Faculty Representative

Joseph Emmons ’04

Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations and Engagement

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

Dean Diane M. Uzarski, D.N.P., M.P.H., R.N.

Letters!

I received my copy of Portraits today. It looks beautiful and I am particularly fond of the new Joan of Arc statue. I am writing to share some connections between Saint Anselm and New Hampton School. My wife Carey Cahoon ’98 [and I] moved up here a couple of years ago. I was amused to find out that the director of student life here, Scott LeBrun ’99, and I were both members of the class of 1999 at Saint Anselm. We didn’t know each other during our time at Saint A’s, but have since bonded many times about our time on the Hilltop. I find it very amusing that Scott and I both ended up working in administration here at a small boarding school in the Lakes Region.

Ryan Henry ’11, another Anselmian, is also on faculty here and is the varsity lacrosse coach (one of our signature athletic programs). And Kate Dugas ’18 has also joined us at New Hampton as the technical director in our theatre program.

I thought you might find it amusing that this little pocket of Saint A’s grads exists just a little way up 93!

—Matt Cahoon ’99, Academic Dean and Director of Theatre, New Hampton School

Congratulations to Portraits magazine!

FIRST PLACE

BEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE

San Juan Diego Collegiate Awards, Catholic Media Association.

ALUMNI EVENTS

MARCH 12-13

Days of Giving

APRIL 13

Easter Egg Hunt

alumni.anselm.edu

JUNE 6-8 Reunion

JUNE 23

Scholarship Golf Tournament

COLLEGE EVENTS

Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center

MARCH 13

The Chapel Art Center begins Three Vignettes this spring, with small “sketches” of interesting exhibitions and programs, providing stimulating glimpses of notions for the future! For more information, visit: anselm.edu/arts/chapel-art-center

Dana Center for the Performing Arts

MARCH 6

Country Music Artist LOCASH

MARCH 14

Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration with FRIGG

APRIL 25

Folk Icon David Wilcox

MAY 3

The Incredible Dog Show Sensation: Mutts Gone Nutts

MAY 24

Aaron Tolson Institute of Dance, Granite State Tap Festival www.anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities

Email your letter to: magazine@anselm.edu or post to: Editor, Portraits | Saint Anselm College | 100 Saint Anselm Drive | Manchester, NH 03102-1310

Dear Friends,

From the moment you picked up this issue of Portraits, you surely knew it was special. And indeed, it is, celebrating the 50th anniversary of co-education on the Hilltop with a reflection on the women who were pioneers, champions, innovators, influencers, standardbearers and standard-setters. While 50 years is within the lifetime of many of us, it is hard to envision a Saint Anselm College that was ever without women as part of the fabric of the institution.

Of course, there were women who studied at the college prior to the 19741975 class, as Saint Anselm had been a top nursing program since the 1950s. However, those early nursing students did not have the opportunity for the full

Hilltop experience, living off campus and commuting to the college with little interaction within the community as a whole. They were our pathfinders, the explorers who opened the first doors to those who would later come to study humanities, science, business, politics and so much more.

Since that history-making first class 50 years ago, there have been so many individuals who have left an indelible imprint on the college. There have been the students, of course, and there were the professors, and administrators, and benefactors, and members of religious orders; as you turn each page of this magazine, you will remember with fondness and admiration those who played a special role in your Anselmian journey, leaving their mark not only on

the place but also the people of our community.

I hope you enjoy these 50 stories of leadership, of friendship, of change, of challenge, and of triumph. Our beloved Saint Anselm has been deeply enriched by that watershed moment in the mid1970s. My deepest gratitude to the innumerable individuals, far too many to mention, who profoundly shaped the college yesterday, and those who are shaping it today, and those who will join our family and lead us into the future.

Warmly,

Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. President

From left, Sheila Liotta, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs; Jyl Dittbenner ’97; and President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., attend the unveiling of the mural created by Dittbenner in honor of the college’s 50th anniversary of co-education.

PHOTOS BY LEAH LARICCIA

It was a joyous day on Friday, September 27, 2024, as the Saint Anselm Abbey and college communities gathered to celebrate the blessing of the sixth abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey, Isaac Shannon Murphy, O.S.B. The Most Reverend Peter Anthony Libasci, D.D., Bishop of Manchester, N.H, conferred the abbatial blessing.

The blessing of an abbot is a rare, though not unique, event in the life of a monastery and the local church. The blessing of Abbot Isaac, only the sixth in the history of Saint Anselm Abbey, carries with it a profound historical significance, with the previous blessings occurring in 1927, 1963, 1972, 1986, and 2012. Abbot Isaac’s election on April 30, 2024, by the monastic chapter and its subsequent confirmation by the Holy See on June 17, 2024, marks a significant chapter in our history. He is currently the only non-ordained Benedictine abbot in the world. By virtue of his office, he is also the Chancellor of Saint Anselm College and Chair of the Members of the Saint Anselm College Corporation.

The ritual for the blessing of the

abbot does not confer any new authority upon him. Rather, it is an opportunity for the monastic community and its new abbot to gather with the diocesan bishop, who is the head of the local church, and the faithful of the wider community and pray for God’s blessing.

On behalf of the monastic community, Fr. Augustine G. Kelly, O.S.B. ’83, Prior of Saint Anselm Abbey, presented the abbot-elect to the bishop and asked him to impart the abbatial blessing. Bishop Libasci then instructed Abbot Isaac and the monastic community, saying in part, “Today, Brother Isaac, the Lord has called you, your brothers have called you, the Church universal has approved this call. As you take up this ministry and responsibility, be that faithful and prudent servant.” Then, after the Litany of the Saints, Bishop Libasci imparted the abbatial blessing.

After the blessing, Abbot Isaac received a copy of the Rule of Saint Benedict, a ring, a miter, and a crozier. The Rule and crozier are the most ancient signs of the abbot’s authority, but the Church has for centuries

permitted abbots to use the pontifical insignia of a ring and a miter. Even though Abbot Isaac is not an ordained priest, he was allowed to receive the pontifical insignia because of his office. Abbot Isaac’s crozier was handcrafted by our confrere Fr. Martin Mager, O.S.B. ’57. Abbot Isaac then received the kiss of peace from the bishop, the abbots present, and members of the monastic community.

Music for the liturgy was provided by a combination of members and alumni of the Saint Anselm College Choir, the Saint Joseph Cathedral Choir, the Diocese of Manchester Festival Choir, and the Diocesan Brass and Timpani Ensemble, all under the direction of Saint Anselm College Director of Liturgical Music and Campus Minister and Diocesan and Cathedral Director of Music, Eric Bermani, DMin.

Abbot Isaac and the monks of Saint Anselm Abbey sincerely appreciate the prayers and support of our families, friends, students, faculty, staff, trustees, and alumni. Your unwavering support has been a source of strength and encouragement. We humbly request your continued prayers for our monastery and apostolates.

COLLEGE WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Saint Anselm College welcomed four new members of the board of trustees on October 11, 2024. President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. welcomed the new trustees, who join the board as the college launches several new initiatives and prepares for a new strategic plan, Vision 2030.

“We are so fortunate to have these talented and dedicated alumni join the board and share their expertise at a pivotal time,” said Dr. Favazza. “As we build Grappone Hall to be the new home of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and launch new graduate programs, and look to create a School of Business and a School of Arts and Sciences, it is an exciting time for Saint Anselm.”

The four new trustees include Lyndsay N. Robinson ’14, Gregory Cedrone ’00, Dan Puopolo ’98, and Fr. Anselm Smedile, O.S.B. ’93

Gregory Cedrone ’00

Greg works in the financial services industry with skills in trading, capital

markets, and derivatives. He currently serves as an executive director at Mizuho, a leading global bank with one of the largest customer bases in Japan, and an extensive international network covering financial and business centers around the world. Prior to joining Mizuho, he spent 20 years as a director at Merrill Lynch, where he began his career in their Manhattan headquarters. Greg and his wife, Erin Dubovick ’00, reside in Winchester Mass. with their three daughters. Greg and Erin are partners in Seven Saws Brewing Co. out of Holden, Mass. Greg also serves on the school board at South Boston Catholic Academy.

Lyndsay N. Robinson ’14

Lyndsay is a shareholder at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., where she co-chairs the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She represents clients in complex legal matters, including parenting, divorce, probate, estate planning, domestic violence, and

immigration cases. She is an active member of the Bar and deeply committed to community service. She serves as vice president of the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association, the ABA Young Lawyer Delegate for the New Hampshire Bar Association, and sits on the boards of the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, the New Hampshire Bar Foundation, and 603 Legal Aid.

Dan Puopolo ’98

Dan is a partner and Head of Operations for the New England/Mid-Atlantic region at Corient, a fiduciary wealth management firm that provides solutions to high and ultra-high-net worth individuals and families. Previously, Dan was the chief administrative officer at Eaton Vance Investment Counsel where he oversaw client service and administration, operations, and technology. Dan began his career in the investment management industry at Eaton Vance Management in 1998 and served in various management roles. He

Lyndsay N. Robinson ’14

Dan Puopolo ’98

Gregory Cedrone ’00

“We are so fortunate to have these talented and dedicated alumni join the board and share their expertise at a pivotal time.”

—PRESIDENT

JOSEPH A. FAVAZZA, PH.D.

is a regional board member at Easter Seals Massachusetts and was previously an Investment Committee member at the Pulmonary Hypertension Association from 2010-2016.

Fr. Anselm Smedile, O.S.B. ’93

A Benedictine monk and priest of Saint Anselm Abbey, Fr. Anselm is pastor of Saint Raphael Parish in Manchester. Saint Raphael Parish was established by the Benedictines in 1888 to meet the needs of the newly arriving immigrants to Manchester. Before being named pastor of Saint Raphael Parish, Fr. Anselm served as prior of the monastery and formation director for monks in first vows. He also served on the staff of the Office of Campus Ministry and in the Office of College Advancement.

Fr. Anselm Smedile, O.S.B. ’93

FR.

CELESTINE HETTRICK, O.S.B., ORDAINED TO THE PRIESTHOOD

The Reverend Fr. Celestine Benjamen Hettrick, O.S.B., a member of the Saint Anselm monastic community, was ordained to the priesthood by The Most Reverend Robert P. Deeley, Bishop Emeritus of Portland, Maine, on Saturday, August 31, 2024, in the Saint Anselm Abbey Church. The culmination of years of monastic formation and seminary studies, Fr. Celestine now takes his place in the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Celestine was presented for ordination by The Reverend Augustine G. Kelly, O.S.B. ’83, Prior of Saint Anselm Abbey.

During the Rite of Ordination, Bishop Deeley offered words of instruction and encouragement: “My son, you are now to be advanced to the order of the presbyterate. You must apply your energies to the duty of teaching in the name of Christ, the chief Teacher. Share with all mankind the word of God you have received with joy. Meditate on the law of God,

believe what you read, teach what you believe, and put into practice what you teach.”

Following the Litany of the Saints, the Laying on of Hands, and the Prayer of Ordination, Father Maurice Larochelle, the pastor of Ste. Marie Parish, invested Fr. Celestine with the priestly stole and chasuble.

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, Fr. Celestine celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving in the Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Fr. Aloysius Sarasin, O.S.B. ’17, served as the homilist.

Fr. Celestine is a native of Salem, N.H. He professed vows as a Benedictine monk in 2020 and completed his seminary studies at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, Mass. He also attended Holy Family Academy in Manchester, N.H., and the International Theological Institute in Trumau, Austria. He currently serves Saint Anselm College as assistant curator of the Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center.

Photo by Kevin Harkins

TUFTS—SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE MPH PATHWAY PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

Saint Anselm College is excited to announce a new opportunity for students interested in continuing their education in public health. The college and the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences has created a partnership with Tufts University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program: the Tufts—Saint Anselm College MPH Pathway Program.

Saint Anselm undergraduates of all majors may apply to Tufts’ MPH program as early as their sophomore year to make the most of their academic experience and fast-track their path to an MPH.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Tufts University’s MPH program to

provide an opportunity for students with an interest in promoting population health to gain early entry into their program,” says Elizabeth Rickenbach, Ph.D., Community and Public Health faculty lead and professor of Psychology. “Students will have the opportunity to connect with Tufts faculty early for tailored mentorship and advising between our two programs, and save time and money on their degree program.”

Through the partnership, Saint Anselm students will be able to complete courses during their undergraduate experience, and can enter the program with up to 12 credits completed which could help them to finish the MPH as quickly

as one year of graduating with their bachelor’s degree.

Students can earn up to 12 graduate credits while completing their undergraduate degree, including two courses (six credits) from the Tufts MPH curriculum at no additional cost, in addition to a maximum of two Saint Anselm graduate courses which can double count with their undergraduate degree.

Tufts courses are offered online or in-person year around and students may complete the program full- or part-time. The program may be tailored to meet students’ interests and career plans, and concentrations include nutrition, health promotion, health policy, health management,

Photo by Leah LaRiccia

global health, and epidemiology.

“We are so excited to collaborate with Tufts University. Our partnership demonstrates the Jean School’s commitment to provide our students with unique educational opportunities to help prepare them for impactful careers in public health,” says Diane Uzarski, D.N.P., M.P.H., R.N., dean of the Jean School for Nursing and Health Sciences.

The Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Saint Anselm College was established in July 2023 and will move into its permanent home in a new $40 million state-of-the-art facility, Grappone Hall, in the fall of 2025. Led by Dean Uzarski, inaugural dean of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, the school houses the undergraduate nursing, the Continuing Nursing Education (CNE), health sciences, and community and public health.

Master of Public Policy Degree Is College’s Newest Graduate Program

Saint Anselm College is excited to announce its newest graduate program: a 4+1 Master of Public Policy Degree Program.

The Master of Public Policy is designed to provide students with the tools, strategic thinking, and leadership skills needed to influence public decisions and shape the future.

With the New Hampshire Institute of Politics serving as a living laboratory, the Saint Anselm MPP will enhance an understanding of policy dynamics and help shape a student’s ability to make a tangible difference in the world.

“Students at Saint Anselm College are exceptional in their commitment to building strong communities,” said Jennifer Lucas, Ph.D., co-director of the Master of Public Policy Program and professor of politics. “Our Master of Public Policy degree supports those ambitions, preparing graduates from all majors with valuable skills as they pursue meaningful lifelong work to promote the common good in their communities.”

CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE RELAUNCHED

This semester, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) relaunched the Center for the Study of Religion and Public Life, marking the return of a research hub dedicated to examining the intersection of faith, politics, and society.

Ward Holder Ph.D., theology and politics professor, has been appointed as the center’s new director, and under his leadership, the center will focus on exploring the complex relationships between religion, civic engagement, and democracy. It will also tackle contemporary ethical and public policy issues, providing a platform for critical analysis and discussion.

“The center serves as a hub for studying and promoting the understanding of how religion is shaped by public life and how, in turn, it influences public life,” said Holder. According to Holder, it also explores questions such as: ‘What does religion mean to those who create public policy?’ and ‘How does culture influence religion?’

At the inaugural reception, held last fall, Sheila Liotta, Ph.D., vice president for Academic Affairs, offered opening remarks about the initiative. “When I first saw the proposal to activate the Center for the Study of Religion and Public Life, it was immediately apparent to me that this center is a perfect fit for us, an initiative that builds on our distinctiveness and provides a platform for Saint Anselm College to have a strong voice in even more important conversations than we already do,” she said.

A key focus of the center’s research will be the Belief and Ballots podcast, which features interviews with scholars, activists, and religious leaders from a range of faith traditions. Each episode explores current events and political issues from a religious perspective, emphasizing how different faith communities can collaborate to address these challenges. Episodes can be found on Spotify and Apple. In March the center plans to present a panel discussion on the 2024 election at the American Elections Conference.

Photo by Kim Casey

Saint Anselm College women’s field hockey team, NCAA Division II National Championship winners.

Photos courtesy of Saint Anselm Athletics

FIELD HOCKEY WINS COLLEGE’S

FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

With the swipe of her stick near the left post, fifth-year student Maddie Davis ’24 found the back of the net in overtime to lift the nationally ranked Saint Anselm College field hockey team to the institution’s first NCAA Division II National Championship on Sunday November 24, 2024. Ranked No. 8 in the National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association National Poll, the team’s win secured the college’s first NCAA Division II National Championship, in any sport.

Under Head Coach Carolyn King-Robitaille, the Hawks have posted a 169-76 (.690) record in 13 seasons. Prior to her arrival on the Hilltop, the Hawks were a combined 49-139 (.261) since the team’s modern-day inception in 2001.

Since 2018, Saint Anselm sports teams have now made the championship game or games of the NCAA Division II postseason three times, including softball (2018) and field hockey (2019, 2024).

Saint Anselm is the first Northeast-10 Conference program to win the National Championship in the sport of field hockey since 2010.

FIELD HOCKEY COACHING STAFF NAMED 2024 NFHCA EAST REGION COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR

The Saint Anselm field hockey coaching staff, Carolyn KingRobitaille (center), Brooke Lemerise (left), and Cheryl Murtagh, were named the East Region Coaching Staff of the year by the National Field Hockey Coaching Association (NFHCA).

This season the trio of coaches for Saint Anselm led the squad to an 18-6 overall record, with an impressive 10-3 conference record. Ranked No. 8 in the NFCHA National Poll, Saint Anselm won its first NCAA Division II National Championship, in any sport.

SAM FTOREK ’98 NEW HEAD COACH OF WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY PROGRAM

Sam Ftorek ’98 is the new head coach of the women’s ice hockey program, becoming the fourth head coach in program history, which dates to 2004-05.

Ftorek brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience to the Hilltop, having most recently served as the head girls ice hockey coach at the Kent School in Connecticut, leading the program to a Founder’s League Championship in the winter of 2024. Prior to Kent, he spent five seasons at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, N.H. as the girls ice hockey coach and director of residential life.

Prior to coaching at the prep level, Ftorek recorded an 18-year professional playing career, playing over 1,000 games in both the United States and Europe. In 2015, he announced his retirement from

professional hockey and was named as an assistant coach with the Wings. In 2016, after one season as an assistant coach in Kalamazoo, he was named the first head coach of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), amassing a 22-41-11 overall record in 74 games on the bench.

Ftorek, the son of former NHL-er and Boston Bruins coach Robbie Ftorek, was a four-year letterwinner with the Saint Anselm men’s hockey program from 199498. He was also a three-year golf and a two-year lacrosse letterwinner while on the Hilltop.

Born in Phoenix, Ariz., but long-time summer resident of Wolfeboro, N.H., Ftorek and his wife Misty have three children, Ariana, Savo, and Mason.

MEN’S LACROSSE PROGRAM WELCOMES NEW HEAD COACH DREW BOURDEAU ’18

Drew Bourdeau ’18 has been announced as the next head coach of the men’s lacrosse program.

A standout student-athlete for the Hawks, Bourdeau brings a wealth of experience both as a player and coach to the Hilltop. He most recently served as the head coach at Bedford High School for two seasons, where he was named the 2024 Division 1 and US Lacrosse New Hampshire Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the team finished the 2024 campaign as NHIAA Division 1 Runner-Up, boasting the highest scoring offense in the NHIAA.

Bourdeau has also served as head coach of New Hampshire Tomahawks Club Lacrosse team since 2021, running all aspects of the state’s premier club program. He also spent time as an assistant coach at Marblehead High School and North Andover High School before taking over the Bedford program in 2023.

Bourdeau expressed his enthusiasm about returning to his alma mater. “It is a dream come true to return to the Hilltop, a place that has given me so much both on and off the field. I look forward to building on the strong foundation Coach Sciamanna established for this program and leading our student-athletes to future success,” he said.

Bourdeau, a 2018 graduate of Saint Anselm College with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and a minor in secondary education, is married to Clairee Putnam ’18, a women’s basketball student-athlete for the Hawks from 2014-18. The couple resides in Manchester.

1

2 5

3 6

4 7

8 11 10 12 9

1: This year’s 25th anniversary of Road for Hope raised more than $23,000 for nine regional nonprofit organizations.

2: Student gallery visitors admire Ernest Lawson’s Tibbet’s Creek in Winter during the Chapel Art Center’s Collection Review, A Selection of Works from the Permanent Collection, Including Recent Acquisitions, which introduced the exhibition season this academic year. 3: Fr. Basil Franciose, O.S.B. ’17 makes his way up the hill on an early morning this fall. 4: Gov. Kelly Ayotte attended the seventh annual Housing We Need Roundtable Forum in December, hosted by the Center for Ethics in Society.

5: Computer science associate professor Rajash Prasad, Ph.D., teaches Introduction to Cyber Criminology–an interdisciplinary, team-taught course with faculty from the computer science and criminal justice departments. 6: The New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) Bookmark Series hosted Brody Mullins and Luke Mullins to discuss their latest book The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government (Simon & Schuster, 2024). 7: Freshly made donuts are always a hit at Davison Hall. 8: The campus welcomed renowned documentarian Ken Burns back to the Hilltop this fall for an exclusive screening of his film Inside the Mind of a Genius: Leonardo da Vinci. The screening was followed by a conversation between Burns and art history professor Kate Benz, Ph.D., (center) and local educator Amber Nicole Cannan. 9: The women’s bowling team hosted the Hawks Soar Higher Open, the first home event in program history. 10: Victoria Berry ’28, a biology major and Meelia First Year Community Fellow, helps Manchester High School students in the Discovering Ocean Life course by guiding them through starfish dissections. Access Academy courses, which are led by Saint Anselm College students, offer participants valuable academic skills, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities. 11: Taoighan Othot ’25 plays the cello as part of the fine art department’s Common Hour Concert series. 12: Trees ablaze with autumn color provide a dramatic backdrop for a walk to class.

Photos by Kim Casey, Kevin Harkins, Jason Kolnos, Leah LaRiccia, Joshua Nottebart, Jim Stankiewicz, Gil Talbot

BY KATE GRIP DENON

In celebration of 50 years of co-education on the Hilltop, we share some of the most memorable stories and accomplishments of the women who have helped make Saint Anselm what it is today.

Congratulations,

women of the Hilltop. You just became vintage. And that’s a very good thing. This 2024-2025 academic year marks the 50th year of coeducation at Saint Anselm, and we couldn’t be prouder to mark the occasion in Portraits. When it comes to age, this golden anniversary is typically ushered in with good-hearted moans and groans. For this milestone, however, let the cheering and celebration ring loud. It means Saint Anselm College was walking alongside the national change during the early 1970s to increase access to higher education for women.

It is an important distinction to make, however, that women were impacting the college long before the 1974-1975 academic year. The Benedictine Sisters, Sisters of Joan of Arc, nursing students, and faculty and staff were helping to shape the college as far back as the late 1800s. This fact was beautifully chronicled in Climbing the Hill by Keith Chevalier, college archivist and head of Special Collections, in the Spring 2015 issue of Portraits, which marked the 40th anniversary of women’s co-education. For

those interested in revisiting this story, you can read it at www.anselm.edu/climbing-the-hill.

In these next several pages, we build off of this story with a look at 50 stories from the last 50 years. We begin with a nod to the women who helped shape us, and next share the many unique ways women have impacted and continue to lead the college toward an impressive and exciting future. We hope you sit back, settle in, and enjoy this journey down memory lane—and we also hope you become as inspired as we are to see what the next 50 years will bring.

This issue could not have been possible without the help from many Anselmians. Special thanks to Shauna Admirand; Fr. Benet Phillips, O.S.B. ’87; Anna Brennan-Curry; Mariel Capulli; Kim Casey; Keith P. Chevalier; Jean Couture; Jeannette M. Davila ’83, H.D. ’99; Joseph Emmons ’04; James F. Flanagan; Rob Foreman; Christine Gallardo; Benjamin Horton, Ph.D. ’12; Carolyn King-Robitaille; Jason Kolnos; Ritchie Kolno; Laura (Rossi) Lemire ’06; Riley McIntrye ’24; Emily St. Jean; Diane M. Uzarski, D.N.P., M.P.H., R.N. and the Women’s 50th Celebration Committee.

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

Women Who Shaped Us

#1 + #2

1974 and 1978

Women were impacting the college long before the 1974-1975 academic year.

While we know the fall of 1974 saw the first co-ed class arrive on campus, the first cohort of women enrolled in the liberal arts program graduated in 1978 with 125 women receiving diplomas on Commencement Day in 1978—with degrees in economics and business, chemistry, criminal justice, English, nursing, history, mathematics, psychology, and sociology.

Saint Anselm College Board of Trustee Susan R. (Berthiaume) Horton, D.N.P. ’78 was one of those 125 graduates, and what she went on to accomplish during the next 50 years has been impressive. Currently a parish nurse navigator for St. Agnes Parish in

“ Follow your heart ... and don’t let anyone hold you back.”

Dalton, Mass., as well as a nurse practitioner providing community primary care at Volunteers in Medicine, an organization committed to providing whole person healthcare to the uninsured, she was a cardiology nurse practitioner at Berkshire Faculty Services in Pittsfield, Mass., vice president of Perioperative, Community, and Employee Health Services for Central Maine Healthcare, and executive director of the Central Maine Heart & Vascular Institute in Lewiston, Maine. She also has worked for the New England Heart Institute and Catholic Medical Center, both located in Manchester. She received a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island in 1980, postmaster’s Family Nurse Practitioner certification from the University of New Hampshire in 1998, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Northeastern University in 2009.

When asked what advice she would give to women graduating today, she was thoughtful, but quick with an answer. “Follow your heart … and don’t let anyone hold you back—that’s critically important, to just know you can be yourself, and know you can do those things,” she says. “Follow that, feel the richness of this campus, it’s an incredibly special place.”

Ruth Bagley, R.N., M.Ed.

The first Basic Nurse Program students in 1954.

#3

SISTER NIVELLE BERNING, O.S.B.

Arriving on campus as a biology professor in 1968, Sister Nivelle Berning, O.S.B., went on to serve as dean of women and then assistant dean of students. She was Superior of the Benedictine Sisters and was named professor emerita in 1995. Nivelle Hall, which is part of Father Bernard Court, was named for her in 2000.

#4 + #5

RUTH BAGLEY, R.N., M.ED., AND MARGARET AMSBURY

These women were the first female faculty members of the Saint Anselm College nursing program. According to nursing program history, it was in 1951 when Bagley and Amsbury requested the college begin offering professional nursing courses, as well as establish a degree program for graduate registered nurses. Bagley was then the director of nursing at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, and Amsbury was director of nursing at the Veterans Administration Hospital, now called Manchester Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Manchester. This photo, from the 1954 yearbook (above), shares that these nine women were the beginning of a four-year Basic Nurse Program established by Rev. Bernard Holmes, O.S.B., and Ruth E. Bagley, R.N., M.Ed., directress of nursing.

#6 + #7

AND

The arrival of Stahl and Sullivan on campus predated our milestone year of 1974 by 20 years (they were both hired in 1954 in the biology department), and both would go on to spend decades at the college. Stahl, an internationally renowned paleoichthyologist, was the first tenured woman on the faculty.

BARBARA STAHL, PH.D.,

ANN SULLIVAN

Ann Sullivan

Barbara Stahl, Ph.D.

Jeanne Kenison, Ed.D., and Arthur Kenison, Ph.D.

’63

Paula Hagan ’78

“ The first person I met at Saint A’s was through this program and we are still friends today.”

#8 + #9

JEANNE KENISON, ED.D. (MOUNT SAINT MARY) ’62, AND PAULA HAGAN ’78

Professor Jeanne Kenison was instrumental in helping to shape the department of Economics and Business. Her husband, Arthur Kenison, Ph.D. ’63, was also a professor in the department. She began teaching at the college in 1988 and retired in 2010, and served as the chairperson of the department beginning in 1994. “Jeanne Kenison was an outstanding professor and department chair within the Economics and Business Department for many years,” says Michael McGuinness ’78, associate professor of Economics and Business. “Jeanne’s top priority was always Saint Anselm students, with the college being second and the department third.” McGuinness also shares memories stretching back to the pre-digital age. “I remember preregistration for 400 majors when it was manually done—with the assistance of Faye Tresvik, Jeanne pulled off a miracle each semester in getting everyone into the vast majority of courses they

wished to take,” he says. “I was very fortunate to work with Jeanne and Art.”

McGuinness also recognized classmate Paula Hagan ’78. “She was [one of] the original female Economics and Business majors in 1974, so she set the path for every female that has followed,” he says. Hagan remembers those days well. “Susan (Scales) Brown ’78 and I were the two Business Economic grads,” she says. “Most of my fellow students were respectful and tolerant of my presence, [and] being a commuting student gave me a unique circle of friends—we townies would hang out in the Coffee Shop.” Hagan says the Work Study program introduced her to the world of on campus students. “The first person I met at Saint A’s was through this program and we are still friends today.”

#10

NORMA CREAGHE

In 1971, Norma Creaghe was appointed head librarian, a position she held until her retirement in 1981. During her time as head librarian, she oversaw the first major addition to Geisel in 1973, and today The Creaghe Room offers students, faculty, and staff a quiet place to study and read within the Geisel Library.

#11

DENISE ASKIN, PH.D., H.D. ’08

The Saint Anselm community felt the loss of Denise Askin upon her passing June 6, 2023. She was part of the Hilltop from 1972 to 2009— teaching in the English department, and also serving as its chair. She was appointed as the first woman in administrative leadership as the executive vice president in 1985, and assistant to the president for inclusiveness in 2008. She also was a member of the board of trustees after retiring in 2009, and served until 2020. In 2022, she was elected as a trustee emerita. She received the American Association of

University Professors’ Faculty Member of the Year Award and an honorary doctorate from the college.

#12

ISABELLA GADBOIS

Isabelle Gadbois became the first woman appointed to the advisory board of trustees in 1970. Today, there are 12 female members of the board of trustees: Xiorli

Bernazzani, Esq., ’99; Susan M. Connelly ’92; Jeannette M. Davila ’83, H.D. ’99; Margaret A. Emmons ’75; Sheila O. Evjy ’74, H.D. ’19; Beverly Grappone H.D. ’21; Susan R. Horton, D.N.P. ’78; Lori Hoyt-Ripa ’84; Elizabeth Kelly ’83; Jennifer Parent ’89; Kara Pitt, M.D. ’88; and Lyndsay N. Robinson ’14

#14

ALICIA FINN, PH.D.

Since Alicia Finn retired in 2024, the campus has been trying to get used to not seeing her on the Hilltop every day. Arriving as dean of students in 2005, she was the first woman to hold the position, and in 2020 became the first woman to serve as vice president of student affairs. She held both leadership roles until her retirement, also serving on the Senior Administrative Leadership Team and the President’s Council. She played an important role in guiding the campus through the pandemic, and was Student Government Association advisor for all her 19 years at Saint Anselm, and advisor to the softball team for 15 years. As she shared in a previous Portraits interview, her focus was always students first. “I am a developmentalist. I believe in students and their limitless potential,” she says. “I wrote these words in my job application 20 years ago. They were true then and they still are.”

“ I am a developmentalist. I believe in students and their limitless potential.”

# 13

FANNY DELISLE, PH.D.

A member of the English department from 1966 to 1993, she was awarded the Distinguished Teacher of the Year by the Saint Anselm chapter of the American Association of University Professors in 1978. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree from the University of New Hampshire. She later became the first person to receive a doctoral degree in English literature from UNH. During her many years at the college, she served as English department chair and was chair of the steering committee for the college’s 10-year reaccreditation. She also served as president of the Faculty Senate for two years.

Denisa Askin, Ph.D., H.D. ’08

Alicia Finn, Ph.D.

“ I felt a deep responsibility to integrate our traditions with our future.”

#15

ANDE DIAZ, PH.D.

The inaugural chief diversity officer for the college, Diaz joined the college community in 2017, and retired in 2024. She held several leadership roles including chairing the President’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusiveness, and co-chairing the college’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) action plan, and empowering shared leadership for the campus movement of the Anselmian Network for Racial Justice. She also launched the Diversity and Inclusion Innovation Fund, which provided funding to more than 65 innovators to advance an inclusive campus culture. In the last issue of Portraits, she shared what she saw as her impact on the college. “I felt a deep responsibility to integrate our traditions with our future—not just for the decades ahead, but the perpetuity of the college,” she says.

“I felt I was laying down a framework that had to be grounded in the mission and identity of the college and yet be forward-thinking to respond to evolving student body needs and the enrollment trends of the future.”

#16

ROSEMARY STACKPOLE

A name synonymous with delicious food, Rosemary Stackpole was first hired as director of cash operations in 1979, and retired as

director of dining services in 2021. Her quick thinking helped guide the college through the many challenges of the pandemic, including implementing a new online ordering system to minimize lines. Some of her legacies: the renowned Thanksgiving cheesecake and pie sale—a beloved event that many students, faculty, staff, and alumni continue to look forward to every year, and the Gingerbread House contest, which began in 2005. “It became a long-standing tradition that was looked forward to by everyone,” says Stackpole about the contest. “Since there were only 100 spots each year, the teams began lining up at 5 a.m. for sign-ups—the ballot box was pulled on the night of our annual Christmas Feast and the winners announced the next day … so many lovely memories.”

#17

ARLENE THOMPSON

The office and program coordinator for Student Engagement and Leadership, Arlene Thompson joined the Student Affairs department in 1998, and is known by students as “Mama Arlene” for her caring and protective advocacy of students. She received the Dr. Constance B. Richards Staff Member of the Year Award presented by the Student Government Association in 2009 and the Senior Award presented in recognition of her service and contribution to the class from the classes of 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. “I have been extremely fortunate to have witnessed so many students grow from the nervous, shy incoming freshman to the mature, professional, and successful graduates during my years at Saint Anselm College,” says Thompson. “I am still in contact with so many students that have graduated over the past 20-plus years, and appreciate that these connections continue—it is truly a privilege to have been a part of their lives over the years.”

Rosemary Stackpole

Ande Diaz, Ph.D.

#18

KIMBERLY BRITTON

Superintendent of Grounds, Roads, and Fleet Kimberly Britton came to the Hilltop in 1992, and in 2014 she received the Walter J. Gallo ’58 Award. “I love planting and designing new campus spaces for our students, staff, and faculty to enjoy,” she says. Her goal is always looking to plant trees and create useful outdoor areas for all to enjoy, and while it’s hard for her to name a favorite spot on campus, when pushed, she names Founders Green, the redesigned lower green. “I love driving down the hill and looking to the right and seeing the beautiful outdoor space that was created instead of the parking lot that used to sit in that area,” she says.

Photo by Kevin Harkins

#19

SHEILA LIOTTA, PH.D.

Sheila Liotta, Ph.D. was named Saint Anselm College’s vice president for academic affairs in 2022, a position previously held by Abbot Isaac Murphy, O.S.B.—making her the first female to fill this role. During her short time on the Hilltop, she already has made an impressive impact, and is proud to be considered an Anselmian. “I am honored to lead such a dedicated team of faculty and staff in academic affairs,” she says. “Their commitment to making the academic experience at Saint Anselm College the best it can possibly be inspires me every day—the level of dedication here is truly something special.”

“

I love driving down the hill and looking to the right and seeing the beautiful outdoor space that was created instead of the parking lot that used to sit in that area.”

Friends Forever

BY KATE GRIP DENON

The female friendships formed on the Hilltop are one of the best stories we can point to during the last 50 years—and the friends of Helen Gallo Bryan ’81 are some of the closest around.

The friend group of Helen Gallo Bryan ’81 gathered last year for her memorial services. Below, some of the group on one of their many trips.

No one can

quite put their finger on it. “It” being the moment when this friend group began. And “friend group” being the approximately 15 women from the class of 1981. They are, however, crystal clear on who brought them together: Helen Gallo Bryan ’81 . Gallo Bryan, who passed away from ovarian cancer earlier this year, has left a legacy of friendship among this close-knit group of women.

“I don’t remember when we met exactly, I don’t think any of us do,” says Marybeth Ressa ’81. “Helen was just one of those people who was connecting with everyone.” Susan FitzMaurice ’81 couldn’t agree more. “She was a connector—she had a lot of different friend groups, and was from Bedford, N.H., so she knew the area and knew so many people,” she says. “Her dad worked here, so she knew the campus—she was so well-rounded and such a giving person and just brought people together.”

Gallo Bryan’s dad, notable alumni Walter J. Gallo ’58, H.D. ’08 , and the college’s former vice president of endownment, who also passed away earlier this year, may have had something to do with her ability to draw people together, according to Ellen (Hickey) Lynch ’81 “Helen shared so much with all of us, especially her family,” she says. “We were so lucky that Walter and Julie Gallo welcomed so many of us into their home in Bedford for special occasions.” Lynch remembers one Family Weekend in particular: “The Gallos invited us for the nicest cocktail party at their home … we arrived with our parents, mums and bottles of wine to experience the most amazing Italian foods and hospitality from this wonderful family,” she says. “No one really wanted to leave for downtown Manchester to attend the Family Weekend Dance because the atmosphere was perfect right where we were.”

FitzMaurice laughs at the memory of some of the text messages she received from Gallo Bryan over the years. “She would always be writing to us, and some of her text messages would read like War and Peace but she always remembered birthdays and anniversaries, and our group is so big,” she says. “But she was so good at staying in touch, she was a constant.”

Just as no one from the group can pinpoint the exact time this friend group began, no one remembers when exactly they began meeting up at reunions, and then gathering for weekend getaways. But it was usually Gallo Bryan leading the charge. “We have such a rich history together, and we would meet up for reunions, and the alumni winter weekend last year,” says FitzMaurice. “Helen was always texting us old photos and getting us excited about being together—and she always knew the best restaurants to go to.” Her friends credit Gallo Bryan’s 42 years in the wine business for knowing the best places to dine.

Beyond reunions and alumni events, the group traveled together to destinations such as Miami, Charleston, S.C., Mexico, and California. “Sometimes it was all of us, but sometimes just a few of us,” says Ressa. “In the beginning, I didn’t know everyone very well, but over the years we’ve all gotten to know each other better, and now we’re all so close, and that’s been a gift.”

For Lynch, these trips, and the friendships formed during the days on the Hilltop, were also thanks to Saint Anselm. “There are so many words to illustrate how meaningful these friendships continue to be, but one stands out for me and that is opportunity,” she says. “How blessed and fortunate we are to have had the opportunity to attend Saint Anselm when we did—and how lucky we were to have met each other as a result.”

While these friends struggle with the loss of Gallo Bryan, they take comfort in knowing they have each other. “These friendships mean the world to me, it’s hard to put into words,” says FitzMaurice. “Some of us might not have known each other that well during our time at Saint A’s, but we are now all super close—we are all lucky to know each other.”

And for Ressa, the bond of friendship she shared with Gallo Bryan worked its magic in her own family. “Helen was family for me—I can’t put it into words,” she says. “When my daughter Charlotte gave birth to her daughter last fall, she named her Carter Helen, and she sent this text announcing Carter’s arrival to her sisters: ‘We wanted to honor Aunt Helen, whose name means shining, torch or light, which couldn’t describe Aunt Helen better. We hope Carter will bring some of that same warmth to the world.’”

“ [Helen] was so wellrounded and such a giving person and just brought people together.”

Helen Gallo Bryan ’81

Marybeth Ressa ’81

Ellen (Hickey) Lynch ’81

Susan FitzMaurice ’81

The Saint Anselm Nurse

BY DEAN DIANE M. UZARSKI, D.N.P., M.P.H., R.N.

With more than 4,000 graduates spanning seven decades, the nursing program at Saint Anselm College is synonymous with compassion, expertise, and excellence.

The executive team of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, from left, Carrie MacLeod, Ph.D., A.P.R.N.B.C. ’83, P ’21; Briana Posanka, M.S.N., R.N.; Diane Uzarski, D.N.P., M.P.H., R.N.; Carolyn Weinreb, Ph.D.; and Elizabeth Rickenbach, Ph.D.

As we celebrate

the 50th anniversary of co-education at Saint Anselm College, we reflect upon the women who entered the classrooms of the college as student nurses in 1952, more than 70 years ago. We also reflect upon the visionaries who began the nursing program at the college. This landmark co-educational endeavor was possible because of requests from two local directors of nursing, Margaret Amsbury from what is now called the Manchester Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Ruth Bagley from Elliot Hospital. Rev. Bernard Holmes, O.S.B established the program with Ruth Bagley, who became the directress of nursing. We wonder if these three individuals, and the women who entered the classrooms in 1952, could have ever dreamed that Saint Anselm nursing would become what it is in 2024—an integral program in the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Like many professions, nursing faced growing demand after World War II. The need for more educated nurses in the U.S. became clear. In the mid 1960s, the American Nurses Association (ANA) had issued a report advocating for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) to become the standard for professional nursing practice. As the first B.S.N. program in New Hampshire, Saint Anselm College

was on the crest of the wave that shifted nursing education to university-based nursing schools offering B.S.N. degrees.

From the college’s first nursing students, below, to current students and faculty, left, our nursing students have trailblazed nursing in the areas of research, education, administration, and clinical practice.

The nursing profession has evolved greatly since the beginning of nursing education and co-education at Saint Anselm College. The 1950s and 1960s ushered in a period of expansion of B.S.N. education, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) was established. The nation’s first Masters of Nursing degrees were introduced, and the first nurse practitioner program began during this time. Nurses were being recognized as having knowledge of both the science and art of nursing.

By the 1980s, we saw the development of a few Ph.D. nursing programs, the beginning of evidence-based practice, along with a sharp increase in baccalaureate nursing education. The nursing shortage was first recognized and persisted through the decade. Saint Anselm College had already graduated thousands of nurses by the year 2000, gaining recognition throughout New England for excellence in baccalaureate nursing education. As we entered the 21st century, our country moved to significantly increase diversity in nursing, developing the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degree and removing scope of practice barriers.

As the first B.S.N. program in New Hampshire, Saint Anselm College was on the crest of the wave that shifted nursing education to universitybased nursing schools offering B.S.N. degrees.

Past and present, our graduates are deeply thoughtful, highly skilled, and able to honor the humanity in every person.

The B.S.N. remains the cornerstone of nursing education, and the demand for B.S.N. nurses continues to grow. Evidence supports that B.S.N.prepared nurses improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and contribute to safer, higher-quality care. Our 4,000-strong nursing alumni have trailblazed nursing in the areas of research, education, administration, and clinical practice throughout these seven decades to the modern day—both in our region and throughout the world—all rooted in the ethical principles inherent in our Catholic and Benedictine liberal arts mission.

Looking to the future, the newly established Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, another historic milestone at Saint Anselm College, is building upon our reputation for academic rigor, innovative pedagogy, a liberal arts foundation, and Benedictine values to further broaden our impact. Past and present, our graduates are deeply thoughtful, highly skilled, and able to honor the humanity in every person. The Jean School’s dedicated faculty, along with our new Grappone Hall with state-

of-the-art technology and learning spaces (coming August 2025), are allowing us to expand and modernize our education programs. The school also is poised to launch into graduate nursing education, with its first graduate nursing program, the M.S.N. in Leadership and Innovation, enrolling in August 2025. We have entered a new chapter in our rich history, evolving, just as the nursing profession continues to evolve—to prepare all nursing, community and public health, and health professions students to seamlessly step into the world as Anselmian leaders with unyielding compassion. The Jean School will continue to shape the future of nursing and health professions education in our region for decades to come.

The nursing students and faculty who first entered the college’s classrooms more than 70 years ago would be proud to see the evolution of the nursing program today.

Trailblazers

Four alumnae share how nursing students from before the college’s historic 1974-1975 academic year, proudly helped pave the way for all Anselmian women.

As the 50th anniversary celebration of coeducation at Saint Anselm draws to a close, we would like to extend our congratulations for a thoughtful, yearlong appreciation of the impact of women on the college and the communities our fellow graduates have proudly served.

For a surprisingly large cadre of women, though, the Anselmian experience was regrettably underrepresented in the many acknowledgements the celebration provided. While our time fell outside of the 1974-2024 timeframe, as women graduates, we proudly portray the Anselmian spirit, philosophies, ethics, and commitment to our mission.

Between 1954 and 1975, 678 women (and a few men) were awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While a number of those were previously registered nurses seeking to complete an undergraduate degree, the majority were “basic” students who lived in off-campus housing and yet participated in other aspects of college life. Memorial Hall in downtown Manchester, and for our class of 1971, the nurses residence at Notre Dame Hospital housed us. Access to campus necessitated using public transportation and/or very long walks (across the Amoskeag Bridge) up the hill for early morning classes and returning to our dorms only at the end of the

day. As some of us acquired cars, this became an easier trip.

Lunch or snacks at the coffee shop and studying at the library filled in the very brief time between classes. Nursing majors were there every day unless we were in in our clinical rotations. Slacks were only allowed for evening sports and social events, a rule that was relaxed when we moved on campus. We delighted in the opening of the “Nurses Dorm,” the current Joan of Arc Hall, for our sophomore second semester in January of 1969, beginning for us our true integration into on-campus life. Our male counterparts adjusted (and there were adjustments) to the now constant presence of women in their lives.

On behalf of our fellow Saint Anselm nursing graduates of those early years, we heartily join the entire college community in this joyful celebration and continue to thankfully and proudly represent, as Professor Jennifer Kelber ’01 states, the “courage, grit, determination, and compassion” of the Saint Anselmian women.

Judy Konopacke Todd ’71

Cindy Masciarelli Roche ’72

Sandra Peavoy Krafsig ’71

Carol Polifroni ’71

“ While our time fell outside of the 1974-2024 timeframe, as women graduates, we proudly portray the Anselmian spirit, philosophies, ethics, and commitment to our mission.”

Judy Konopacke Todd ’71

Sandra Peavoy Krafsig ’71

Carol Polifroni ’71

Cindy Masciarelli Roche ’72

#22

JOAN OF ARC HALL

The first dormitory for women at Saint Anselm, the JOA has been called home by thousands of women since it opened in 1969. Named in honor of the Sisters of Joan of Arc, this dorm was initially built for nursing students, who were previously housed in downtown Manchester. As our nursing alumnae from the class of 1971 shared in their letter on page 27, “Access to campus necessitated using public transportation and/ or very long walks (across the Amoskeag Bridge) up the hill for early morning classes and returning to our dorms only at the end of the day … we delighted in the opening of the ‘Nurses Dorm,’ the current Joan of Arc Hall, for our sophomore second semester in January of 1969, beginning for us our true integration into on-campus life.”

Photo by Leah LaRiccia

#23

SYLVIA NICOLAS, H.D. ’91

The work of this renowned artist can be found throughout campus; the statue of Saint Anselm in front of Alumni Hall, the statue of Saint Benedict across from the monastery and the Abbey Church, and the 4,500 square feet of stained glass and three statues inside the Church have helped define the look of campus. Sylvia Nicolas H.D. ’91’s relationship with Saint Anselm College stretches back to 1965. The fourthgeneration stained glass artist was working with her father in his studio in the Netherlands when Br. Blaise Drayton, a Trappist Monk and consultant on the design for the construction of the Abbey Church, visited her father, saw her work, and offered her a commission. In a 2008 interview with Portraits, Nicolas shared that, when it came to creating the statue of Saint Anselm, she wanted it to resonate with the students, first and foremost. “I thought, the students have to feel close to him. He should be a vigorous man traveling, not an old man,” she said.

Photo by Dave White

Forward Thinkers

BY KATE GRIP DENON

#24 & #25

The impressive contributions of these faculty, staff, alumnae, and friends have helped define

Saint Anselm College.

ANN DARBY REYNOLDS, B.S.N. ’61, CAPT., NURSE CORPS, U.S.N. (RET.), AND MARY JO O’DWYER MAJORS, B.S.N. ’69, M.S.N., H.D. ’24, CAPT., NURSE CORPS, U.S.N.R. (RET.)

Ann Darby Reynolds, B.S.N. ’61, Capt., Nurse Corps, U.S.N. (Ret.) was one of the first women to receive a Purple Heart for her service in Vietnam. She was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps in 1962 and served as

a staff nurse at the Naval Hospital Pensacola in Pensacola, Fla., and at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C. While home in New Hampshire on leave for Christmas in 1963, she received a special delivery letter notifying her of new orders to the Navy Station Hospital Saigon, Vietnam. One year later, she was one of four Navy nurses injured when a bomb detonated at their living quarters. Reynolds remained in Vietnam after being wounded. In 1965, she was assigned to the Army 8th Field Hospital, Nha Trang, close to heavy fighting. She has received many medals and awards in addition to the Purple Heart and two Meritorious Service medals. In 2013, she received the Alumni Award of Merit by Saint Anselm College. Reynolds wrote her memoir Silent Night, 26 Years in the Navy: A Nurse’s Memoir (2021) before passing on February 25, 2024.

One of Reynolds’ recruits to the Navy was Mary Jo O’Dwyer Majors, B.S.N. ’69, M.S.N., H.D. ’24, Capt., Nurse Corps, U.S.N.R. (Ret.) Receiving an honorary doctorate during last year’s commencement, Majors began serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and earned the rank of captain in 1991. She retired in 2011 after 43 years of active and reserve service. Her extensive military and civilian healthcare experience included clinical and senior administrative leadership positions which included at the Pentagon, the Bureau of Naval Personnel, and the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. Her military honors include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation and Achievement Medals, and the Secretary of Defense Badge. She was named Massachusetts Outstanding Woman Veteran of the Year in 2010, and received the Navy Nurse Corps Association’s National Service Award in

Mary Jo O’Dwyer Majors, B.S.N. ’69, M.S.N., H.D. ’24, Capt., Nurse Corps, U.S.N.R. (Ret.), began serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and earned the rank of captain in 1991.

Photo by Jeff Dachowski

Photo by Gil Talbot

Elaine Rizzo, Ph.D. was the college’s first female faculty member in the criminal justice department.

2020, and a special recognition in 2022 from the Boston Red Sox for service to country. Here on the Hilltop, she was named the Saint Anselm “Humanitarian of the Year” in 2012, and helped originate the annual Military Service Tribute at Reunion Weekend in 2014.

#26

ELAINE

RIZZO, PH.D.

In addition to her role as professor, criminal justice professor emerita, Elaine Rizzo, Ph.D., oversaw the internship program for criminal justice students, broadening their opportunities to not only receive firsthand experience in law enforcement fields and courts, but also social service agencies, federal agencies, and businesses, in particular banking. She also was the college’s first female faculty member in the criminal justice department. In a 2004 Portraits interview, she shared “Like the field itself, the criminal justice program covers a wide range of issues, including social structure and behavior, public service, economics, ethics, and social responsibility. It also touches other disciplines— politics, psychology, economics, and science. It is truly interdisciplinary.”

#27

CHRISTINE GUSTAFSON, PH.D.

Christine Gustafson, Ph.D., came to the college in 2004 as an assistant professor of politics, and was appointed the college’s first dean of academic excellence in 2022. Prior to this role, she was an associate dean for faculty development and assessment in 2012 and then associate dean of the college in 2015, and she served as cochair for the Women’s 50th Anniversary Committee. Gustafson’s love of research and teaching brought her to her current role as department chair and politics professor. She continues to publish and present in her fields of Brazilian political economy and democracy, as well as church/state relations in Brazil and Latin America.

Photo by Maya Pontes ’26

Ahida Pilarski, Ph.D., joined the college’s theology department in 2006. In a 2023 interview with Portraits, she shared how she began counting her journey at Saint Anselm on the day she visited campus for her interview. “I first visited campus for my interview on December 8, 2005 [the Feast of the Immaculate Conception],” she said. “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.”

This year, she became president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS), and this past June she led the 35th annual colloquium held at Boston College’s Connors Center, which marked the beginning of her tenure as president. A central moment of the event was a video message from Pope Francis to ACHTUS—the first in the society’s history.

Photo by Jeff Dachowski

#28

AHIDA PILARSKI, PH.D.

Elaine Rizzo, Ph.D.

Photo by Tom Kates

#29 & #30

SUSAN SWEETLAND GABERT, ED.D. ’91, AND NICOLE LORA ’06

Susan Sweetland Gabert, Ed.D. ’91, vice president for student development and mission/ dean of students, joined the campus as an employee in 1994 and went on to accomplish many firsts for the college, including becoming the first lay director for campus ministry and first female director of campus ministry. “When I started working here in campus ministry, I was told no lay woman lasted more than two years,” says Gabert. “But I was really supported by the monastic community and Fr. Benet and others who hired me. To be the first lay person to direct campus ministry, and to be a woman in that role, and to be trusted with that, it was an honor.”

Nicole Lora ’06 became the first female director of the Meelia Center for Community Engagement in 2020, and now serves as its executive director. She leads a team of five full-time staff and 100 student leaders that work collaboratively with more than 50 community partners to help address the needs of the Greater Manchester area. This includes community projects like the Access Academy and the Community Center at Saint Raphael Parish, four to six large-scale events on campus like the annual Holiday Fair and Valentine’s Day Dance, and supporting more than 400 students engaging weekly as community-engaged learners, volunteers, or leaders. “My experience at the Meelia Center has shaped my life in a variety of ways,” says Lora. “I was opened up to new experiences, and it shaped how I viewed community, leadership, and working with others—and it continues to shape how I move through the world, view the world, and think about community members and my neighbors.”

Photo by Kim Casey

“To be the first lay person to direct campus ministry, and to be a woman in that role, and to be trusted with that, it was an honor.”

SUSAN SWEETLAND GABERT, ED.D. ’91

& #34

’09; LAURA WASIELEWSKI, ED.D.; JENNIFER LUCAS, PH.D.; ANN HOLTHOEFER, PH.D.

These four women have changed the academic landscape for all students with the college’s first 4+1 programs. Kaitlyn Clarke, Ph.D. ’09 is director of the college’s first graduate program, a 4+1 master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice, and Laura Wasielewski, Ed.D., is director of the Graduate Special Education Program. The program offers multiple pathways for a teaching license in special education and/ or M.Ed. Jennifer Lucas, Ph.D., and Ann Holthoefer, Ph.D., are co-directors of the 4+1 Master’s of Public Policy, which began classes this semester.

Photos by Jeff Dachowski, Kevin Harkins

KAITLYN CLARKE, PH.D.

Kaitlyn Clarke, Ph.D.’09

Laura Wasielewski, Ed.D.

Jennifer Lucas, Ph.D.

Ann Holthoefer, Ph.D. #31, #32, #33

Susan Sweetland Gabert, Ed.D. ’91 (left), and Nicole Lora ’06

“ Having a female role model for our female students, and our male students, is really important.”

Jennifer Pace, Ph.D. ’13

#35 & #36

JENNIFER KELBER, PH.D. ’01, AND JENNIFER PACE, PH.D. ’13

Professor Jennifer Kelber, Ph.D. ’01 , chair of the economics and business department, served as chair of the Business, Industry, and Innovation working group within the college’s 50th Anniversary Committee. Last April, in collaboration with the Women’s 50th Anniversary Committee, the Women in Business Club, the economics and business department, and the Office of Alumni Relations, she facilitated The Celebration of Women in Leadership—a two-part event featuring a question-and-answer session followed by a networking event. In her opening remarks, Kelber shared how women must have courage, grit, determination, and compassion to achieve success. “These characteristics are cultivated by a Saint Anselm College education,” she says. “The college prepares students to think critically and to write well, and the value of these skills cannot be overstated.”

For Jennifer Pace, Ph.D. ’13, an associate professor in the chemistry and forensics science department, redefining how others imagine scientists is always top of mind. “You don’t typically think of a female scientist when you think of chemists,” she says. “I think having a female role model for our female students, and our male students, is really important.” Pace, whose lab, the Pace Lab, has been awarded an NH-INBRE research grant for the last five years, points to the research and lab experience that sets Saint Anselm apart. “One of the reasons I have a research lab is to work closely with my students and help them master their laboratory techniques, and to really understand the work they are doing along the way,” she says.

Photos by Christine Hochkeppel and Kevin Harkins

#37 & # 38

EMILY ORLANDO, PH.D. ’91, AND ANN NORTON HOLBROOK, PH.D.

Kicking off a yearlong series of events to celebrate the college’s 50th year of coeducation, a convocation was held in the fall of 2023, with 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., giving the convocation address. Orlando, an internationally recognized scholar on Edith Wharton, is the author of the award-winning book Edith Wharton and the Visual Arts (University of Alabama Press, 2007). More recently, she edited The Bloomsbury Handbook to Edith Wharton (Bloomsbury Academic, 2023) and edited and fully annotated Edith Wharton’s first book The Decoration of Houses (Syracuse University Press, 2024). 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. During her convocation address, she paid tribute to her mentor and fellow Anselmian, Denise Askin, Ph.D., H.D. ’08: “Might we be incorrigible in our life-loving 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.”

Jennifer Kelber, Ph.D. ’01

Norton

After the convocation, Orlando, along with English professor Ann Norton Holbrook, Ph.D., co-taught a class on the history of feminist literature offered to Saint Anselm English students. Holbrook, who served as the academic subcommittee chair for the Women’s 50th, specializes in teaching 19th- and 20th-century British literature and literature by women, particularly journalist and novelist Rebecca West. She was president of the International Rebecca West Society, and has edited and analyzed

#39

LAUREN CHOOLJIAN BAER ’10, H.D. ’24

some of West’s posthumously published fiction and published articles on Edna O’Brien, Virginia Woolf, Mary Lavin, Dorothy L. Sayers, Anita Brookner, Henry James, and Edith Wharton. She also co-edited For the Sake of the Song: Essays on Townes Van Zandt, an Americana singersongwriter. In addition to her talents as writer and educator, she also is lead singer for “The Quickfire Band,” which has performed at many campus events.

Photo by Leah LaRiccia

Lauren Chooljian Baer ’10, H.D. ’24, a senior reporter for New Hampshire Public Radio, was a 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist for Audio Reporting for her work as the host and reporter behind The 13th Step, a podcast about sexual misconduct in the addiction treatment industry.

The history major has won numerous awards, including the prestigious duPont-Columbia Award, a National Edward R. Murrow Award, an RTDNA First Amendment Award, and she has been recognized by the Third Coast International Audio Festival. Her work also has been featured in the New York Times: First for co-hosting Stranglehold, a podcast about New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary. Chooljian Baer delivered the commencement address to the class of 2024 last May, and was awarded an honorary doctorate in journalism by the college.

Photo by Kim Casey

“As a tribute to the legacy of that ‘portrait of human greatness,’ let us remind ourselves, habitually, that anything good is possible.”

Emily Orlando, Ph.D. ’91

Ann

Holbrook, Ph.D.

Women in Politics

BY KATE GRIP DENON

For almost a quarter century, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) has provided a critical space for discussion and debate—and it couldn’t have happened without the vision, dedication, and commitment of several Anselmian women.

When great ideas

take shape, we often don’t realize we’re on the cusp of something special. This rings true for Elizabeth Ossoff, Ph.D., professor emerita of psychology. When asked by former college president Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B. ’69 to be on the steering committee for what would eventually become the New Hampshire institute of Politics (NHIOP) in 2001, she didn’t know exactly what she was about to be a part of, but she knew she wanted in.

“Father Jonathan called me and asked me to be part of this, and I said, ‘Yes, absolutely,’” says Ossoff. For Ossoff, whose focus is social psychology with an interest in political behavior (how people react to politicians, how politicians react to their constituencies), becoming involved with the NHIOP was a perfect fit. The founders, according to Ossoff, included Paul Manuel, Ph.D., former professor of politics who would become the NHIOP’s first director, and Dale Kuehne, Ph.D., professor of politics.

Silvia Castro Shannon, Ph.D., professor emerita of history, and the first tenured female faculty member of the history department, was chair of the advisory board of the Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College (the precursor to the NHIOP) from 1999 to 2002. The board’s main task was to design a management structure for the Institute and to work out how the Institute would interact with the college. “I was enthusiastic about the vision for an institute of politics that had been developed by Professors Paul Manuel and Dale

Kuehne,” she says. “There were other institutes of politics in the country, but none of them were located at a small liberal arts college.”

Plans for exactly what the NHIOP would be consisted of many discussions. “We met many, many times, and really hashed out what this should look like, and this would come to include making sure it provided an academic aspect, but also a public engagement and civic aspect,” says Ossoff. “There was absolute excitement in building this, with New Hampshire’s unique position holding the first primary, and the college’s reputation for bringing candidates to campus— now we could do this in a more systematic way that would involve our students and provide more opportunities to become engaged.”

Ossoff is particularly proud of the National Education for Women (NEW) Conference, which she and Jennifer Lucas, Ph.D., professor of politics, hosted for several summers at the NHIOP. The program, which was in partnership with the Center for American Women in Politics (CAWP) out of Rutgers University, welcomed female students from throughout New England to stay on campus and attend classes and workshops at the NHIOP. “It was exciting to be able to offer this opportunity to women, and so many of these attendees have gone on to enter politics—these experiences with these young women were really special,” says Ossoff.

The academic aspect of the NHIOP initially included four research centers: international affairs and law, the Jeanne D. Smith Center for American Democracy and Citizenship (which

Elizabeth Ossoff, Ph.D.

Silvia Castro Shannon, Ph.D.

Ossoff was director of), religion and public life, and New Hampshire political life.

Professor emerita Barbara Baudot, Ph.D., the college’s first female politics faculty member, helped facilitate events and speakers under the international relations and law center. “I arrived at Saint Anselm in 1988, having worked for 13 years for the United Nations—in both New York and Geneva,” says Baudot. “International relations was my strength. For me, it was natural and where I built my nest—this is what I knew and what I could give.” This resulted in Baudot helping the NHIOP bring in speakers, such as the first female president of Iceland, the secretary general of the World Council of Churches, and the editor-in-chief of the Christian Science Monitor.

Amy Schmidt, Ph.D., professor emerita of economics, remembers helping coordinate the NHIOP’s distinguished speaker events during its earlier years. “One of the most moving talks I remember was Azar Nafisi on her book Reading Lolita in Tehran,” she says. “It was also fun for me to coordinate a talk by Mark Simonoff, the legal advisor for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations—who also happens to be my brother!”

Ossoff, Shannon, Baudot, and Schmidt all point to the work of three other women whose vision, tireless work, and dedication helped bring the NHIOP to life, and kept it humming since: Anne Broderick Botteri ’82, former executive director of the NHIOP, Lorie Cochrane, former executive assistant, and Ann Camann, deputy director.

“Anne Botteri was a true visionary of the NHIOP,” says Ossoff. “She was there from the get-go, and was on the front lines, and as director, she was always working to provide opportunities for students.” As for Cochrane, Ossoff credits her for always going above and beyond. “Lorie was integral in keeping things running and everyone organized,” she says. “During our NEW conference, Lorie would even stay on campus for

the week, something not a lot of people would be willing to do.”

Baudot has similar memories of all three. “Botteri really made it go, she had such vision,” she says. Similarly, she points to the herculean efforts of Camann and Cochrane. “Those two were always so busy—they were like the engine room of the NHIOP, they just kept everything running.”

For Camann, who came to the college in 2005 and joined the NHIOP in 2007, it has been amazing to see the recognition of the NHIOP grow. “Paul Manuel, Dale Kuehne, and Anne Botteri, they were the primary leaders—it’s incredible to watch their vision realized and a consistent standard of excellence maintained,” she says. “Now, with Neil Levesque as executive director, I’ve watched the Institute achieve national recognition.”

At the center of it all, however, has always been the students. And Isabella Langella ’25 couldn’t be a better example. The double major in secondary education and history has been involved with the NHIOP as an archivist intern since her freshman year, and a Kevin B. Harrington Student Ambassador since her sophomore year. “Throughout my time as an ambassador and intern at the NHIOP, I have had the unique opportunity to meet and speak with numerous politicians, something that I would not have had the chance to do if I hadn’t joined the ambassador program,” she says. “It has been incredible to speak with these prominent members of our American political sphere.”

This, according to Camann, is what the NHIOP is all about—offering students an incredible experience, and valuable opportunities to build the confidence needed to pursue their professional goals after leaving the Hilltop. “I see these women be able to really think on their feet, solve problems, and then be able to move on from that,” she says. “This is what impresses me.”

“I see these women be able to really think on their feet, solve problems, and then be able to move on from that. This is what impresses me.”

—ANN CAMANN

Barbara Baudot, Ph.D. Amy Schmidt, Ph.D. Lorie Cochrane

Ann Camann

Isabella Langella ’25

Great Sports

Since the arrival of intercollegiate play on campus in 1976, women’s athletics have become a powerhouse on the Hilltop.

BY CAROLYN KING-ROBITAILLE

On June 23, 1972,

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was signed into law by Congress. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial aid. As a result, women’s sports entered a new, bold chapter that was marked by rapid growth and opportunities for female athletes at all levels. Here on the Hilltop, Title IX made its arrival in 1976, two years after Saint Anselm began admitting women to pursue all majors offered at the college.

In the nearly 50 years since women’s athletics officially came to the Hilltop, the growth of the department and success of its programs has steadily risen. Today, the college sponsors 12 women’s sports with the most recent addition being women’s track and field in 2023. In 1976, the college began sponsoring women’s tennis, women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball. That same year, Saint Anselm hired its first female head coach, Donna Guimont, who would shepherd the women’s basketball program through 20 years of unprecedented success. At the time of her retirement, Guimont was one of the winningest coaches in Division II basketball with a winning percentage of .671. She produced 17 winning seasons while earning four bids to the NCAA tournament. For her efforts, Guimont was inducted into the NE10 Hall of Fame and the Saint Anselm College Athletics Hall of Fame. Guimont would serve in the athletics department for the next 16 years, retiring as the associate director in 2013.

If Guimont helped build the fire for women’s athletics, it was another woman who lit the match. In October 2009, Saint Anselm hired its first female athletic director, Jo-Ann Nester, Ph.D. Nester served in her role until June of

2011 and returned to Saint Anselm as interim athletic director from October 2013 through April 2014. In a 2011-2012 survey, the NCAA reported that only 19 percent of athletic directors in DII were women and Nester was part of that 19 percent. During her short time in leadership, she made a significant impact. Two of her major accomplishments that propelled all of Hawks athletics forward, but particularly impacted women’s sports, were the campaign to install the college’s first-ever artificial turf playing surface and granting athletic scholarships to all teams that qualified for them as established by the NCAA. The turf field at Grappone Stadium put the athletic programs on par with their peer institutions and immediately started to level the playing field. Similarly, the addition of athletic scholarships benefited every team that received them. While women’s sports experienced successful seasons and amazing highlights through the first three decades of their tenure, including two ECAC women’s basketball championships in the 1980s and an NE10 Championship in the 1990-1991 season, the post-scholarship era brought unprecedented and historic success.

In 2014, the women’s lacrosse team led by Andrea Cofrin (2013-2014) became just the second women’s team to make an NCAA appearance, the first for the program. Eighteen months later, the 2016 field hockey team led by Carolyn King-Robitaille (2012-present) became

If Guimont helped build the fire for women’s athletics, it was another woman who lit the match.

Jo-Ann Nester, Ph.D.

Donna Guimont

Members of the championship field hockey team, opposite, and their coach, Carolyn King-Robitaille, above.

In 1976 the college began sponsoring women’s volleyball, above, women’s basketball, top, and women’s tennis, below.

the first program, men’s or women’s, to compete in an NCAA Final Four. The team would go on to qualify for six of the next seven NCAA tournaments. Two years later in 2018, the softball team led by Jill Gagnon (2014-present) would start their blazing run to national prominence, becoming the first program at the college to compete for a national championship, finishing as runner-up in the NCAA DII College World Series.

Meanwhile, the women’s basketball team that had sustained success for multiple decades reached new heights during the 2018-2019 season led by Corey Boillard (2017-present). That year, the program claimed its first-ever NCAA East Region Championship and made their firstever NCAA Elite 8 appearance. Less than a year later, the 2019 field hockey team would keep the winning momentum going and make the college’s second-ever appearance in a National Championship game, finishing as runner-up. In 2019, both field hockey and softball would win their program’s first NE10 Championships. Softball would go on to win the NE10 Conference Championship again in 2021 and 2024, while field hockey would capture another one in 2023. Not to be left out of the mix, the women’s soccer

program led by Joel Bancroft (2018-present) got in on the NCAA postseason action and qualified for the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2021 and again in 2022.

During this span, women’s hockey under the leadership of Kerstin Matthews (2008-2020) would prove to be one of the most dominant women’s teams on campus, but they were not eligible for postseason play because of their NCAA status. However, this team would make history of its own. In 2017, the program became the institution’s first NCAA Division I program. In 2019, they became a founding member of the

newest NCAA DI women’s hockey conference, the New England Women’s Hockey Alliance. As a member of the NEWHA, they are now eligible for conference postseason play as well as NCAA postseason play.

A decade after women’s lacrosse marked the beginning of a broader women’s sport emergence on the Hilltop, we saw historic feats continue. This year may be the most historic yet. For the first time in the cross-country program’s history, men’s or women’s, Anyelina Martinez ’26, coached by Brian Stankiewicz ’17 (2018-present), secured the individual championship at the NE10 Championships. Less than a month later, Saint Anselm would secure its first-ever NCAA National Championship. On November 24, 2024, the field hockey team would go on a magical postseason run, culminating in a 1-0 overtime victory against defending National Champion Kutztown University.

From the moment Title IX was signed into law, Saint Anselm women’s athletics began in earnest. In the 49 years since, Saint Anselm has become a place where women win—in athletics, the classroom, and the community. To all those many, many individuals who helped guide the establishment, development, and success of these women’s programs, thank you. To the women—well done. We stand on your shoulders. Go Hawks!

To all those many, many individuals who helped guide the establishment, development, and success of these women’s programs, thank you. To the women—well done.

We stand on your shoulders .

Women’s track and field is the college’s most recent sport, added in 2023.

Anyelina Martinez ’26 made history for the cross-country program with her individual championship at the NE10 Championships.

Family Ties

BY SAMANTHA JETTE ’20

The Boyle family’s female legacy on the Hilltop stretches back four decades.

From left: Patricia Boyle-McKenna ’02, Marytheresa (Boyle) Parsons ’87, Abigail McGonigle ’26, Caroline Parsons ’19, and Kathleen (Boyle) McGonigle ’96.

Photo by Jason Kolnos

At Saint Anselm,

thousands of women have moved suitcases into their new dorm rooms in Joan of Arc Hall, eaten meals under their class banner in Davison Hall, participated in Conversatio seminars, and walked across the graduation stage on Alumni quad. And over the years, a few Anselmians have developed strong family ties to the Hilltop, including the Boyles—a family whose legacy includes six remarkable Anselmian women, past and present.

Marytheresa (Boyle) Parsons ’87 was the pioneer, when in 1983 she chose to attend Saint Anselm to study nursing. Shortly after, Marytheresa’s sisters Kathleen (Boyle) McGonigle ’96 and Patricia Boyle-McKenna ’02 also attended Saint Anselm, followed by her daughter Caroline Parsons ’19, and nieces Abigail McGonigle ’26 and Jacqueline McGonigle ’28.

“It’s a family school,” says Abigail. “We’re one of those families who are just always doing things together.”

Abigail’s mother Kathleen reflects fondly on her time at the college. She attributes her ability to arrive at well-reasoned conclusions to the liberal arts education at Saint Anselm. “This ability to think critically while maintaining empathy and understanding has made me the mother, wife, and high school teacher I am today,” she says.

A graduate of the English program, Kathleen credits her female professors, particularly Sister Maureen Sullivan, Professor Meoghan Cronin, and Professor Ann (Norton) Holbrook for fostering a strong community that went beyond the classroom. “I admired them as strong, intelligent, and thoughtful women,” she says.

For the Boyle family, Saint Anselm is about more than a degree; it is a place to build community and lasting relationships. Caroline recalls hearing her mother and aunts speak highly of their time at Saint Anselm throughout her childhood, with college friends frequently attending Boyle holiday celebrations and family parties. “Saint A’s friends were family,” she says. “I knew there was something about those friendships.”

Five years after her graduation, Caroline has found just that with her own Saint Anselm friends. “These bonds have carried into the next chapter of my life, providing a strong support network as I navigate new challenges. From

Jacqueline

McGonigle ’28 (left) and Abigail McGonigle ’26.

Photo by Kim Casey

[postgraduate] roommates to bridesmaid duties and becoming an ‘aunt’ to their children, these friendships have been and continue to be a vital part of my journey,” she says.

After seeing the positive impact Saint Anselm had not only on her older cousin, but also her mother, father, aunts, and two uncles who all attended, Abigail’s college decision was an easy one. “There are no two or three words to explain what Saint Anselm is or why I was drawn to it,” she says. “For me, it was the student life, the community aspect, and the way people interact with each other—I wasn’t forced to come here,” she jokes.

As a junior nursing major, Abigail is building her own home away from home at Saint Anselm as her family has done before her. Beyond her studies, she is active on campus as captain of the women’s golf team, a student alumni ambassador, an orientation leader, and a member of the Food, Clothing, and Furniture Drive.

Abigail and Jacqueline get frequent visits from their family members, bringing a piece of home to the Hilltop. Beyond these brief visits, though, the Boyle women have stayed connected to the Saint Anselm community in their own ways. Marytheresa currently sits on the Jean School Alumni Council and Patricia worked at campus ministry after her graduation. For the Boyle women, the ties to Saint Anselm and to their alumni family members are strong.

“We’re Anselmians. It’s more of a feeling than a word,” says Abigail.

“ It’s a family school. We’re one of those families who are just always doing things together.”

—ABIGAIL MCGONIGLE ’26

Giving Power

BY LAURIE D. MORRISSEY

These alumnae share what it means to give back to Saint Anselm College.

#43

PAT (MURRAY) DAVENPORT ’70

Pat (Murray) Davenport ’70 and Jim Davenport ’69 met in college and made their first donations to their alma mater soon after graduating. They continued to give regularly, often to support the basketball program or the nursing program. As they pursued careers and raised two daughters, they remained loyal donors. Recently, their philanthropy gained a new focus: assisting students who love running.

Tragically, Jim died in 2022 of ALS. His passion for running motivated his wife to establish two scholarships: the Davenport Family Annual Track & Field Scholarship and the Davenport Family Endowed Track & Field Scholarship Fund.

“I know Jim would love to help a student who enjoys running as he did,” Davenport says. A longtime educator and coach in Manchester, Jim was in the Army Reserves for 33 years. “He ran to keep in shape for the Army tests, and our daughters ran with him. Running goes right through the family. There was nothing he liked more than a three-generation road race with our daughters and their children.”

Both daughters are dedicated runners and follow related careers, one as a doctor in sports medicine and one in sports broadcasting.

Davenport spent much of her career at Catholic Medical Center and Optima Health Community Services in Manchester. Living nearby in Auburn, she visits campus often to attend a basketball game or alumni event.

This year, the college has plans to open a stateof-the-art track and field facility, allowing athletes

to train and compete in outdoor as well as indoor track like most teams in the NE-10. Davenport looks forward to being in the stands when Saint Anselm College hosts a meet. She’ll keep an eye out for Samuel Jones ’27, the data science major who is the first recipient of the Davenport Family Annual Track & Field Scholarship.

#44

CAROLINE MEGAN ’83

Caroline Megan ’83 decided she wanted to become a nurse when she was five years old. She earned a degree, worked with a celebrated nursing leader, enjoyed a career as a school nurse, and taught college students who shared her calling. Her path had one unexpected obstacle, however. After applying to a renowned nursing school and finding it unaffordable, her mother encouraged her to apply to Saint Anselm College. After visiting the campus and falling in love with it, the high school senior applied and, six weeks later, sent her deposit.

Looking back, Megan says, “Often when one door closes, another one opens. Saint Anselm had a profound effect on my life.” Her Hilltop years led her to make close friends and meet her husband, Peter Megan ’83. Two of the couple’s children (Brendan ’17 and Catherine (Megan) Whittle ’08) hold degrees. Megan’s extended family contains many Anselmians, including the namesake of the Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center.

“Giving is a true reflection of what the college gave to me,” Megan says. “My husband and I

Pat (Murray) Davenport ’70

PHOTOS BY KEVIN HARKINS

donated the first year after graduating. I want to help students experience a Saint Anselm education because I appreciate what someone did for me more than 40 years ago.”

In addition to an Anselmian education, Megan appreciates her relationship with Saint Anselm College trustee Joyce C. Clifford ’59. The late Dr. Clifford is known for developing a nursing model that placed staff nurses at the center of quality patient care and created an administrative culture that supported them. Megan worked under her supervision at Beth Israel Hospital.

“I deeply respected Joyce Clifford,” Megan says. “She was a terrific friend and mentor to me, as well as a significant philanthropist to Saint Anselm College. I hope our donation to the college helps students to experience all that the college has to offer and go out into the world to make a positive difference by helping others.”

decades. “I want others to be able to experience all Saint A’s has to offer—not just academically, but socially and spiritually.”

The humanities program, the presence of monks on campus, and the many opportunities to volunteer in the community allowed Leland to explore and deepen her faith. Throughout her four years, the Abbey Church was a peaceful retreat. “My years on the Hilltop allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined,” she says. She earned a law degree and practices in Northborough, Mass., specializing in trusts and estates.

While she doesn’t remember what prompted her first donation to the college, Leland believes it wasn’t nearly enough considering what she had received. Once her donations became regular, she met with a gifts officer to develop a fiveyear plan to maximize her gifts. “Now, every year when I donate, it makes me smile and reflect on how much I have been given and how lucky I am to have had the opportunity to attend this institution.”

One of the things that impresses Leland is how the college continues to grow while keeping a small-school feel. She sees the results of her philanthropy “not only in new buildings on campus, but in the growth in majors and in the college’s name recognition. It’s heartwarming to see the Saint Anselm name more in the forefront. I’m so grateful to the board of trustees and to everyone who contributes to a vision to keep the college growing. I hope my gift enables the college to continue to provide an exceptional liberal arts education for decades to come.”

“I want others to be able to experience all Saint A’s has to offer— not just academically, but socially and spiritually.”

—ANDREA LELAND ’87

Having majored in history, it’s not surprising that Andrea Leland ’87 is interested in things that last. Giving to Saint Anselm College is a way to make sure that the college she loves is there for future generations.

“I knew Saint A’s was where I belonged,” she says of her first visit to campus. She found her “tribe” the first weekend of school. These friends have shared sorrows and successes over four

ANDREA LELAND ’87

Andrea Leland ’87

Caroline Megan ’83

#46

AMY (AKERBLOM) SULLIVAN ’97

“There’s just something different about a Saint Anselm College nurse,” says Amy (Akerblom) Sullivan ’97. She speaks from experience. In a career of nearly 30 years, she has encountered many Saint Anselm graduates. “I see the need for qualified and confident nurses every day,” she says. “I’ve never forgotten the things my nursing professors told me about treating patients with respect and compassion. These details may seem insignificant, but they’re what makes a Saint Anselm nurse stand out from the rest.”

Working in patient services management at Yale New Haven Health Old Saybrook Medical Center in Connecticut, Sullivan gives to her alma mater because of her education as well as the lifelong friendships she enjoys. The college will always be a touchstone in her life: She and her husband, George Sullivan ’96, met on the Hilltop, and two of their three sons attend the college.

“We started giving to the school after we married, and we’re fortunate that we’ve been able to increase the level over the years,” Sullivan says. “Most recently, we supported the campaign

#48

KELLY (DUNN) ZAMACHAJ ’14

Ten-year college reunions are milestones: occasions to reflect on careers and personal lives, and on a life-changing decision made at a very young age. Even though Kelly (Dunn) Zamachaj ’14 visits the Hilltop regularly to attend Mass or a sporting event, her reunion last summer was memorable.

“I loved being able to catch up with classmates who aren’t able to attend local alumni events,” she says. “The fact that it was over multiple days helped me connect with more people than shorter events allow.”

Some of these classmates were fellow Abbey Players (as is her husband, Peter Zamachaj ’11). Zamachaj was part of the crew and ran sound for the productions. On the Abbey Players board, she was the director of Dana Center Relations—a

for the Grappone Humanities building, and we plan to support the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. With this facility, the college will be well-positioned to continue educating nurses and healthcare leaders.” The 45,000-square-foot building is expected to open in August.

The couple also participates in the annual Days of Giving, a program that raised millions of dollars over the past 10 years. Sullivan believes that the ability for alumni to designate donations to specific programs they care deeply about has increased participation.

“As parents of two students (physics majors Cameron ’25 and Ethan ’27), it brings us great joy to see them experience this wonderful school,” she says. “Each visit allows us to witness firsthand the progress on campus—which is a direct result of giving.”

#47

MEAGHAN EMMONS ’02

From studying the Great Books to serving on student government to building gingerbread houses in Davison Hall, Meaghan Emmons ’02 immersed herself in student life at Saint Anselm

role that helped her develop as a leader. “It helped me become more comfortable speaking in front of groups, learn how to give direction, and be seen and be comfortable as a leader while working with a team,” she says.

As a critical care nurse educator at

St. Joseph Hospital, she uses these skills daily. This is in part why she gives to Saint Anselm College, a habit she began right after graduating.

“I attended Saint A’s on a scholarship.” Zamachaj says. “It opened the doors to an Anselmian education, which, in turn, gave me many opportunities, both in and out of the classroom. I also learned the value of giving back through volunteering at Langdon Mills through the Meelia Center and with Re-Member in South Dakota through SBA.”

Zamachaj attends local alumni events often. Talking with Diane Uzarski, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, at Homecoming in 2023, she discovered that Saint Anselm did not have any clinical groups at St. Joe’s. That is no longer the case: Two clinical groups of Anselmian students gained hands-on experience at Zamachaj’s hospital last fall.

Amy (Akerblom) Sullivan ’97

College. Many family members have done the same: Her parents (Margaret A. Emmons ’75 and Todd Emmons ’75) and two brothers (Joseph T. Emmons ’04 and Matthew T. Emmons ’07) all earned degrees from the college.

Emmons’ four years at Saint Anselm launched her on a career in business administration, preparing her for her current position as CEO of Spaulding Academy & Family Services. The New Hampshire nonprofit organization provides services for young people with a range of neurological and behavioral challenges. Through her job as well as volunteer activities, she has a positive impact on the lives of others. She volunteers at UpReach Therapeutic Riding Center in Goffstown—where she was raised and continues to live.

Emmons believes that her major in liberal studies instilled a love of learning, as well as the ability to think critically and communicate effectively. “I truly believe that this liberal arts education has played a big role in any success I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve,” she says. “I give to Saint Anselm College for all that it gave to me—my education, of course, and a community I’ll belong to my whole life. I made deep and lasting friendships on the Hilltop, ones I value to this day, and I’ve always felt a sense of peace and belonging on campus.”

Emmons gives annually to the college, in part because she received financial aid. “I’ve always felt that if I could repay any of the benefit I was lucky enough to receive, I would do as much as I was able. I’ve always wanted to help make these experiences accessible for future generations of Anselmians.”

#49

OLIVIA KORB ’25

Olivia Korb ’25 recently made a big decision: Instead of seeking a job in marketing, she applied to graduate school to pursue a degree in occupational therapy.

“I felt a strong calling to help people in a more meaningful and hands-on way. Occupational therapy stood out to me as the perfect field where I could combine my passion for serving others with the opportunity to make a tangible difference in their lives,” she says.

Korb sees this as an example of how Saint Anselm College has shaped her in ways she never could have imagined. As an admission counselor, she loves sharing her story with prospective students.

“This community has supported me, challenged me, and helped me grow into the person I am today,” she says. “I’ve gained knowledge and skills that prepare me for the future, but it’s the experiences outside the classroom that have really touched my heart. Through Campus Ministry, I’ve found a deeper connection to my faith and built relationships that feel like family. Being a Road for Hope leader and going on a B.R.E.A.K. (Benedictine, Reflection, Education, Advocacy, and Kinship) trip to West Virginia opened my eyes to the power of service and the impact we can have on others when we live out Anselmian values.”

Korb made her first gift as part of the Senior Class Gift, and she serves as Senior Class Gift co-chair. She gives to her alma mater because she wants future Anselmians to have the kind of life-changing opportunities she had. “It feels like a natural way to give back. My hope is that every student feels the love, support, and sense of purpose that I’ve been fortunate to experience here,” she says. “Even small contributions can make a big impact on the future of Saint Anselm. It’s not just about raising funds—it’s about fostering a culture of giving and showing how much we value the opportunities the college has provided.”

“I felt a strong calling to help people in a more meaningful and handson way.”

OLIVIA KORB ’25

Meaghan Emmons ’02

Olivia Korb ’25

Photo by Matthew Raymond ’20

CELEBRATING OUR ALUMNI

Ten Anselmians were honored at the 2024 Alumni Awards brunch held last fall.

Anselmians past, present, and future gathered during homecoming weekend last October to honor a group of alumni who exemplify the values they learned at Saint Anselm College. The Annual Alumni Awards honored 10 alumni from a wide variety of experiences who have made an impact in the world on and off the Hilltop.

“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,” said Joseph A. Favazza, president, Saint Anselm College. “You demonstrate every day what it means to be Anselmian. Your successes are an inspiration for generations of future students that from their time here at Saint Anselm College, they can go forth and make a lasting impact in our world.”

This year’s alumni awards winners were:

Helen Gallo Bryan ’81

Joseph P. Collins ’34 Alumni Award of Merit

Helen Gallo Bryan ’81 spent her life as a part of the Saint Anselm College community. The daughter of Walter J. Gallo ’58, H.D. ’08, she devoted herself to fostering lasting connections among her classmates and supporting the Saint Anselm community. As a key ambassador for the college, she inspired her classmates to participate in reunions and regional events, strengthening the bonds of the Anselmian network.

After her father passed away in early 2024, Gallo Bryan and her siblings spearheaded an impressive fundraising challenge, which successfully raised over $100,000 for the Gallo Family Endowed Scholarship. Through this initiative, they ensured that future generations of Saint Anselm students

would benefit from the same values and opportunities that had shaped their family’s legacy.

Gallo Bryan was a wine professional and held leadership roles with E & J Gallo Winery, Winebow Group, and most recently with Vero Vino. Her 42-year career in the wine industry was filled with adventures, challenges and personal growth, and fostered her zest for traveling and exploring new cultures. Her work ethic and core values inspired all who worked with her. In August 2024, Gallo Bryan passed away from ovarian cancer. Her sister, Karen Gallo Fountain ’91, accepted the award for her family.

Hannah O’Halloran ’16

Young Alumni Achievement Award

Since graduation, O’Halloran has worked for the Somerville Homeless Coalition, where she created and built their street outreach program, from a four-hour per week side project to a full-time position. She now oversees both the outreach program as well as the adult and family shelters in Somerville, Mass. In July 2023, Somerville opened its first and only Engagement Center for the unsheltered—a project O’Halloran was instrumental in developing. She dedicated countless hours to finding funding, securing a location, and building policies that would best serve the needs of the unhoused.

Michael Cunningham ’66

John F. Barry Spirit of Saint Anselm College Award

Cunningham has carried on the influence of the college throughout his life during his time in Vietnam, and his long career in Maine’s Department of Labor. He received six medals, including two Bronze stars. His journey to receive these medals was highlighted in the Fall/Winter 2023 issue of Portraits

After his time in Vietnam, Cunningham continued to serve the public good, eventually retiring as the finance director for Maine’s Department of Labor.

“Mike is a modest person and has never called attention to his accomplishments, but he displayed bravery and valor during many dangerous missions,” wrote Bill Kelly ’66, trustee emeritus, in his nomination letter. Cunningham was unable to attend the ceremony, but the audience took time to celebrate his accomplishments.

Keith Morse

Walter J. Gallo ’58 Award

Keith Morse, the printer at Saint Anselm College, received an award honoring his dedication and service. From the first postcards sent to prospective students to the diplomas proudly displayed by graduates, Morse’s work has touched every Anselmian. As he prepares to retire in May 2025, his legacy at Saint Anselm College will remain woven into the fabric of the institution.

“For 41-and-a-half years, I have loved driving onto the Hilltop, seeing so many different colleagues over the years, the always present and caring monks, and of course the students (that look younger and younger every year),” said Morse. “They all have helped keep my joy for printing as I see the gratitude in their faces looking at the final printed piece I have produced for them.”

Karen Clark ’10

John A. Houghton ’46 Alumni Council Award

For four years, Clark served as president of the Alumni Council. During that time, she was invaluable in enhancing the council and fostering connections to the college, during a challenging time—the Covid 19 pandemic. She did this while

From left: Joelle (Millar) O’Brion ’09; Kevin and Liz Powers P ’08, ’09, ’12; Louise (Giguere) Morgan ’75; David L. St. Pierre ’91; Hannah O’Halloran ’16; Keith Morse; and Karen Gallo Fountain ’91. Missing: Michael Cunningham ’66, Karen Clark ’10. Photo by Kevin Harkins

also excelling in her career, where she is currently a senior consultant and business intelligence practice lead at Arkatechture, a database management company.

David L. St. Pierre ’91 Career Achievement Award

David L. St. Pierre ’91, chief of police for the Lewiston Police Department in Lewiston, Maine, graduated from the college with an associate degree in criminal justice. Since graduating, he has devoted his life to the Lewiston Police Department. In 2021, St. Pierre was appointed the chief of police, and has led the department since then. In October 2023, he was responsible for the response to the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston. His steady leadership and swift response earned him widespread respect and commendation, showcasing his unwavering commitment to public safety.

“While I certainly appreciate being the recipient of this award,” said St. Pierre. “Those that really should be acknowledged and commended far more than I, are the men and women

of the Lewiston Police Department along with officers and first responders across the Country who day in and day out unselfishly wear the badge; going to work every day to protect and serve their communities.”

Kevin and Liz Powers P ’08, ’09, ’12 Parents Leadership and Service Award

Kevin and Liz Powers first became members of the Anselmian community when their son, Kevin Powers ’08 matriculated as a student. They went on to send their two other children, Katie (Powers) Cuozzo ’09 and Christopher Powers ’12, to the college as well. Since their children graduated, they have served as college ambassadors, guiding over 15 students to Saint Anselm College from local schools.

“Twenty-two years ago this fall, my oldest son, Kevin and I were driving through Manchester, and we saw a rusted sign that said Saint Anselm College with an arrow on it,” said Kevin Powers. “We decided to take a detour to find Saint A’s. Immediately upon entering the campus,

it felt like divine intervention. We walked around the campus on our own, and were blown away by the beauty, atmosphere, and spirituality permeating through the campus, starting with the Abbey Church.”

Joelle (Millar) O’Brion ’09 Catholic Leadership Award

From her time on the Hilltop serving as the first intern for the office of Campus Ministry, to her graduate studies at Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry, faith has always been at the center of OBrion’s life. She moved on to become the director of campus ministry at the Academy of Notre Dame. After having children and moving to Rhode Island, O’Brion has continued to serve as a leader within her parish, running the religious education program, Confirmation, and RCIA classes, and making sure that her Catholic faith is the driving force in her life.

Louise (Giguere) Morgan ’75 Nursing and Health Sciences Award

Louise Giguere Morgan ’75 began her journey at Saint Anselm College, where she built the foundation for a remarkable career in nursing. For more than two decades, Louise has championed quality improvement in cardiovascular care, with the last 11 years spent as director of International Quality Improvement at the American Heart Association, where she brings best practices in cardiovascular care to 30 countries across four continents through her dedication to the implementation science and global certification programs.

During the awards ceremony, Morgan shared, “It started with my nursing education at Saint Anselm College. One of our instructors, (Sr. Carmen), said to our class, we cannot teach you everything, but we are providing a foundation, and it is up to you to build upon that foundation. I can honestly say that has been my guiding principle for the past 50 years. I have continued to build on that foundation through hard work, continual learning and the willingness to take a leap of faith at several points along the journey.”

’73

Lawrence Hennessy is a psychologist and playwright working out of Cape Ann, Mass. His play, Teletherapy, was performed at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport, Mass., last September.

’74

Peter Lally was inducted into the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association Hall of Fame Class of 2024. He is the winningest girls soccer coach in the history of girls soccer in the state of New Hampshire with 453 wins.

’80

Fr. Richard M. Erikson, Ph.D., a former vicar general, pastor, and Air Force chaplain, was granted senior priest retirement status in November 2023. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1985. He served as a parochial vicar at St. Mary’s in Lynn, Mass. (1985-1988); chair of the social sciences department and professor of sociology at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Mass. (1992-1999); an active-duty Air Force chaplain (1999-2006); vicar general and moderator of the curia of the Archdiocese of Boston (2006-2011); pastor of Our Lady of Fatima parish in Sudbury, Mass. (2012-2018); administrator of St. Mary’s parish in Winchester, Mass. (2018); and priest in residence at Christ the King parish in

Reading, Mass. (2019-2022). He served in the Air Force Chaplain Corps as a reservist and on active duty for 35 years, retiring from the military in April 2017 with the rank of brigadier general. He served nine years with Special Operations Forces at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and 10 years at the Chief of Chaplains Office at the Pentagon. He was deployed to Iraq from July through September 2004. He has three master’s degrees and a doctorate in sociology. He currently resides and serves in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida.

’81

James McDonnell has been named the new chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department. McDonnell has been working in law enforcement for 40 years, and is the first officer in the Los Angeles area to serve in three senior executive leadership positions, which includes sheriff of Los Angeles County, chief of the Long Beach Police Department, and first assistant chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. In 2001, McDonnell received the Saint Anselm College Alumni Association’s Justice Award for distinguished service in the field of Law/Criminal Justice, and in 2019, he received an honorary degree from Saint Anselm. He earned his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California and is a graduate

of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Executive Institute.

’84

Barbara Lafrance, R.N., M.S.N., F.A.C.H.E., president and CEO of Home Health & Hospice Care in Merrimack, N.H., was presented with the Ira Byock and Yvonne Corbeil Award at the recent 50th anniversary celebration of the Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Alliance.

’86

Dan Dillon, Jr. has been announced as the new vice president for marketing and senior advisor for the University of Florida. Dillon is currently the chief executive officer of ASU Enterprise Partners at Arizona State University.

Barbi-Jo Oram Smith earned her M.Ed. from Champlain College in Burlington, Vt., in June 2023. In August 2024, she and her business partner opened Oram McKay Nature Playschool in the Seattle, Wash., area.

Monica Ulles, R.N., M.S.N., P.N.P.-B.C., a pediatric cystic fibrosis nurse practitioner and nurse manager at Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital CF Center, was honored with the Mary M. Kontos Care Champion Award at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference. This recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions to specialized cystic fibrosis

care. She served as a nurse coordinator before becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner in care and clinical research at her center.

’89

Frank Comparetti, D.C., has sold F. Thomas, Inc., dba APPS in Orlando, Fla., after 20 years of ownership and has launched Spine Way Chiropractic in Sanford, Fla.

’90

Darcia (Sadoski) Tremblay has been elected to the North Shore Chamber of Commerce executive board of directors and to the North Shore Chamber of Commerce Women’s THRIVE steering committee. She is the president and owner of Silver Lining Solutions, Inc., a Medicaid application consultant company based in Topsfield, Mass., that assists residents in long-term care nursing homes with the Medicaid application process throughout New England. She also is the winner of the 2022 North Shore Chamber of Commerce Diamond Award, which honors women of influence, business leadership, empowering others, and making an impact in the community.

’91

Michael Caruolo has been hired as the first deputy city manager for Newport, R.I. Caruolo spent the first 22 years of his career with the Newport Police Department, retiring in 2014 with the rank

of lieutenant. For the past decade, he has been the director of public safety and community relations at Salve Regina University.

’92

Ted Czech has published his first book Saving the Beast: A recovering reporter reflects on America’s broken media and how to fix it (Amazon, 2024). After graduating with a B.A. in criminal justice, Czech received his journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island while working at a start-up newspaper in Rhode Island. He spent 25 years as a crime reporter before moving into public relations. He is now a public information officer with the York County (Pa.) Office of Emergency Management.

Sean E. Moriarty retired in December 2023 after 30 years of service with the Delaware State Police as the administrative major on the executive staff. He has since accepted a position as the first executive director of the newly formed Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) and Police Accreditation Commission (DPAC) under the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The POST/DPAC mission is to enhance public trust and confidence in law enforcement by establishing and maintaining professional training, accountability, and certification for all Delaware police officers.

John Vaccaro has been elected as large firm governor to the board of directors of FINRA, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. He is the chair and CEO of MML Investors Services, a unit of MassMutual Holding, and is also the head of MassMutual Financial Advisors, and serves as chair of MassMutual Trust Company. Before joining MassMutual in 2007, he held a variety of positions in the financial services industry, including at The Hartford, WS Griffith, Prudential Financial, and Liberty Financial.

’94

Lily Woo has been chosen to be New Hampshire’s first civic and voter education coordinator by New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan. In this role, she will develop a civics curriculum to share with local educators, create and implement civic-related projects, and engage directly with groups such as students, seniors, veterans, and others. Woo taught social studies at Bow High School from 2003 to 2024 and was also an adjunct teacher for VLACS, a virtual school based in Exeter, N.H. Before Bow High School, she taught at Trinity High School in Manchester and Hollis/Brookline High School, among others. She received her master’s degrees in global studies and international relations from Northeastern University and

in curriculum and instruction from University of Phoenix.

’95

Tom Slowe is a social studies teacher focusing on U.S. government and politics at Cristo Rey Richmond High School in Richmond, Va. He also serves as the school’s registrar and data coordinator. He continues his role as director of training and readiness programs at Pivot Point Consulting, a Vaco company. He is working in a parttime capacity focused on business development and subject matter expertise. His daughter, Bridget, is now a Hawk (Class of 2028) majoring in chemistry.

’98

Regina Graul, Ph.D., has been promoted to chief executive officer, president, and member of the board of directors of Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc. Prior to her time there, she was vice president at EQRx. Previously, she served as the head of internal innovation, was a strategic program leader, and partnered with business development to identify licensing opportunities at Cyclerion. Her industry career began at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (formerly Microbia, Inc.) after completing a postdoctoral at MIT. She received her Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from Rice University.

’00

Anton Ascanio relocated to his hometown of Portland, Maine, at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. He transitioned from a bedside PICU nurse to an epic analyst, and will now be taking on the role of clinical informatics nurse specialist at MaineHealth in Portland, Maine. He and his wife, Cassidy, are the proud parents of two beautiful, curious boys who keep them laughing every day.

John J. O’Leary IV published Lost & Found: Survival of 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K ‘Aktion P’ from WWII (chassis #408377) in the October/November 2024 issue of Mercedes Enthusiast magazine. O’Leary has an active research agenda, exploring topics related to the history of the automobile, including the work of famed restorer Gustav Reuter (Bronx, N.Y.) and noted collector James Melton, who was called “America’s favorite tenor.” As the archivist for Reuter’s Coach Works, he contributes assistance in research to companies such as Hagerty, Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s, and BarrettJackson. O’Leary also provides guidance to private clients for investment-quality automobiles.

’02

Meaghan Emmons has been named the president and CEO of Spaulding Academy & Family Services in Northfield, N.H. Emmons has

Alumni News

served as the chief financial officer for Spaulding since 2022. Prior to joining Spaulding, she spent nearly two decades with Granite Group Benefits and Alera Group, serving most recently as senior vice president of finance and overseeing the company’s finance and accounting team. She holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.

Kathleen Mahan, J.D., became the 125th president of the New Hampshire Bar Association (NHBA), a nonprofit 501(c)(6), courtmandated organization of nearly 9,000 lawyers and judges established in 1873, at the association’s annual meeting on June 8, 2024. She is a partner at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP.

Rudy Ogden was legal counsel to Gov. Chris Sununu and was nominated to be a judge on the Superior Court of New Hampshire by the former governor. He was confirmed by the Executive Council on August 30, 2024, and transitioned to the bench at the end of the governor’s term.

’05

Áine Cronin has joined Noble Investment Group as vice president of investor relations. She joins Noble from Rockbridge, where she had responsibility for capital raising and investor relations. Previously, she held leadership roles at Perspecta Trust and Denham Capital. She began her career with King Street Europe and the

Baupost Group. She earned a Master of Arts in War Studies from King’s College London.

Joseph Reagan has relocated with his wife, Kate, and their four children to Celenza sul Trigno in the Abruzzo region of Italy. He recently began working for Abruzzo Cibus, a boutique Italian hotel and culinary school. He and his family had lived and worked in Ireland for eight years at Coca Cola HBC. In his free time, he has taken up the hobbies of house hunting in hilltop towns, harvesting olives, renovating his old Italian home, and helping others realize their dreams of moving to Italy.

’08Don Snyder, senior vice president of finance for FCP Euro, was the recipient of the Young Executive of the Year Award, presented by the Auto Care Association’s Import Vehicle Community People Awards. The award recognizes the leadership and integrity of executives and team leaders under the age of 40. In 2017, Snyder joined FCP Euro, where he is responsible for overseeing the company’s financial activities, including the development and execution of financial strategies, providing essential financial insights to support effective decision making and driving sustainable growth. Before joining FCP Euro, he held several leadership positions at EdTech firms Higher One and Blackboard. He holds a master’s in

business administration from Southern Connecticut State University.

’09

Jennifer Lorenz, M.S.Ed., has opened an educational support center, Norfolk Collaborative Tutoring, in Walpole, Mass. She provides general and special education services for middle and high school students in Norfolk County. Her small business was recently recognized by Boston 25 during their “Zip Trip” to Walpole. As CEO of Norfolk Collaborative, she has seen her clientele grow exponentially since opening the business in 2023. In her spare time, she is writing a self-help book for adults with ADHD, and hopes to have her work published by 2026.

Brian Samble, Ph.D., was recently named chief student affairs officer at the Penn State University, Berks campus, and was additionally admitted to the Penn State University Smeal College of Business MBA program. Samble also recently celebrated his engagement to Rachel Sulat at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Penn., and now lives in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Stacy (Cohen) Warner is a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and is the assistant director at ELIJA Transitional Programs and Services (TPS), a community-based vocational program for young adults

and adults 16-plus with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

’12Mary (Feenan) Nelson was promoted to senior manager of planning and operations in the Curatorial Affairs and Conservation Division at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA). She serves as the primary planning, operations, administration, and budgeting lead across six functional departments totaling 170 employees.

’19Karoline Leavitt has been named White House press secretary by President Donald Trump. Leavitt, 27, is the youngest White House press secretary in history. She worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to incumbent Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. During Trump’s first term in office, Leavitt worked in the White House press office. She then became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Jacqueline (Talbot) Martineau, CPA, of Nashua, N.H., has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice by Baker Newman Noyes (BNN), a nationally recognized Top 100 accounting and advisory

Milestones

firm. Martineau joined the firm in 2019, and specializes in providing audit and assurance services to commercial, nonprofit, and employee benefit plan clients. In addition to serving clients, she serves on BNN’s Audit Training Committee.

’21

Janelle Fassi is a fourthyear gerontology doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts Boston whose research focuses on grandparents raising grandchildren and intergenerational relationships. She was a fellow with the Civic Action Project, a Massachusetts nonprofit focused on training the next generation of civic leaders, and took part in CommonWealth Beacon’s New Voices training program on effective op-ed writing, a partnership with the Civic Action Project and the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.

Christopher Millett has been named student engagement coordinator and head coach of the girls varsity soccer team at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua, N.H.

’22

Emma Bickford graduated in May with a master’s in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University.

Rebekah (Larson) Galusha and her spouse have recently moved to central Massachusetts to take a position at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Mass. As a part of the Engagement and Annual Fund team, she is focusing on young alumni engagement and education on the importance of the Annual Fund.

ROBERT PATRICK CONNOR

Robert Patrick Connor “Bob,” 75, of Kiawah Island, S.C., beloved husband of Ann Marie Connor, passed away peacefully Friday, June 21, 2024. Bob was born September 26, 1948, in New Bedford, Mass., son of John B Connor and Grace Coyle Connor. He was raised in Northport, N.Y., and was a resident of Garden City, N.Y., for 46 years before retiring to Kiawah Island, S.C. Bob was a graduate of Boston College and received his master’s degree from Pace University. He worked in New York City as a financial and family office executive. In addition to his devotion to his profession, Bob was committed to educational philanthropy as he served on the board of trustees at St. Aloysius School in Harlem, N.Y., Saint Anselm College, and Charleston Collegiate School, Johns Island, S.C. His personal and professional successes exemplify his commitment to hard work and integrity. Along with his wife of 52 years, he is survived by his children, Robert Connor, and his wife, Leeana, Brian Connor, and Elizabeth Connor; his grandchildren, Tyler Connor, Chase Connor, Kate Connor, Lillian Connor, and Isabelle Connor; his brother, John B. Connor and his wife, Anne Richard.

IN MEMORIAM

John Urbain Letourneau ’49, Biddeford, Maine, August 24, 2024.

Robert J. Campbell ’51, Newburyport, Mass., July 20, 2024.

Alice (Fay) Gallup Cloutier ’53, Tinton Falls, N.J., September 26, 2023.

Edward O. Paquette, Jr. ’53, Westfield, Mass., July 31, 2024.

Roland H. Biron ’54, Manchester, N.H., October 11, 2024.

Robert J. Bryson ’54, Milford, N.H., December 5, 2024.

Howard (Bud) G. Harvey, Jr. ’56, East Hartford, Conn., July 31, 2024.

Geoffrey Keating Mosher ’56, Damariscotta, Maine, October 22, 2024.

Joseph M. Reilly ’56, Fall River, Mass., October 1, 2024.

Robert Joseph Dwyer ’57, Midland Park, N.J., May 5, 2024.

Edward Hennessy ’57, Windsor, Conn., and Northampton, Mass., October 14, 2024.

Virginia “Jinny” Isabell Mullin, R.N. ’57, Annandale, Va., August 11, 2024.

Philip I. Tirrell ’57, West Springfield, Mass., September 15, 2024.

Catherine Reegan Brown ’58 (Mount Saint Mary), Brunswick, Maine, February 23, 2024.

William H. Delaney ’58, Marlborough, Mass., July 16, 2024.

Thomas Carroll Martin, Sr. ’58, Fitchburg, Mass., December 1, 2024.

Ralph E. Stevens, Jr. ’58, Merrimack, N.H., December 16, 2024.

John (Jack) M. Sullivan ’58, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., September 19, 2024.

Robert M. Helmsetter ’59, Clinton Township., N.J., October 18, 2024.

Michael P. O’Connor ’62, Springfield, Mass., May 31, 2024.

Richard Joseph Weed ’62, Hampton, Nova Scotia, July 19, 2024.

Milestones

Frank Thomas Lennon ’63, Manakin-Sabot, Va., July 30, 2024.

Richard A. Janelle ’64, Bedford, N.H., October 7, 2024.

Donald C. King ’64, Dartmouth, Mass., August 16, 2024.

Judith (Miquelon) Knight ’64 Franklin, N.H., August 11, 2024.

John “Jack” F. Fanning ’65, Westport, Mass., October 1, 2024.

James Cameron ’66, Danville, N.H., June 15, 2024.

Dennis Allen Ford ’66, Franconia, N.H., August 6, 2024.

Michael W. Herlihy ’66, Falmouth, Mass., May 9, 2024.

Michael P. Murauckas ’66, Doylestown, Pa., September 16, 2024.

Dennis Obert, Sr. ’66, Phoenix, Ariz., November 17, 2024.

Robert M. Elliot ’67, Glastonbury, Conn., May 25, 2024.

Alan W. Goodchild ’67, Fremont, N.H., June 2, 2024.

Thomas D. Megaro ’67, Brewster, N.Y., September 24, 2024.

Daniel J. Mocarski ’67, Chamberlain, Maine, July 15, 2024.

Richard C. Ouellet ’67, Manchester, N.H., July 6, 2024.

Brent Armstrong ’68, New Boston, N.H., May 25, 2024.

Walter John Elwood ’68, Pittsfield, Mass., June 26, 2024.

Daniel M. Kelly ’68, Longmeadow, Mass., June 24, 2024.

Carolyn Finnerty Parks ’68, Brandon, Miss., August 19, 2024.

Donald L. Petit ’68, Danvers, Mass., November 25, 2024.

Thomas Barry ’69, Concord, N.H., August 15, 2024.

Maureen Ann Dilk ’69, Fulton, N.Y., August 5, 2024.

Mary C. Johnson ’69, Manchester, N.H., November 24, 2024.

Edward Clark McHugh III ’69, Montclair, N.J., May 27, 2024.

Bruce Newlands ’69, Southbridge, Mass., July 1, 2024.

Martin S. Yablonski ’69, Goldens Bridge, N.Y., June 17, 2023.

Paul A. Caron ’70, Atkinson, N.H., July 13, 2024.

John Carvey ’70, Manchester, Conn., November 17, 2022.

Dominic Falcetti ’70, Holyoke, Mass., August 4, 2024.

Michael Stone ’70, South Yarmouth, Mass., August 13, 2024.

Estelle Therese Therien ’70, Greenville, R.I., July 3, 2024.

Charles Robert Beauregard ’71, Rehoboth Beach, Del., August 29, 2024.

Joyceann Fitzgerald-Guill ’71 (Mount Saint Mary), Bedford, N.H., November 9, 2024

Gerald Arthur Pare ’71, Saint George, Utah, November 26, 2024.

Kenneth S. Schoenberg ’71, Milford, Mass., July 19, 2023.

Bonnie Lee (Cashin) Farmer ’72, Yarmouth, Mass., June 5, 2024.

Margaret A. Robillard ’72, West Springfield, Mass., July 27, 2024.

Carmen W. Picknally, Jr. ’72, Longmeadow, Mass., June 17, 2024.

Christopher J. Golba ’74, Agawam, Mass., December 11, 2024.

Russell P. LaPorte ’74, Biddeford, Maine, April 25, 2024.

Olga S. Symes ’74, Chelmsford, Mass., March 12, 2022.

Gerard “Gerry” B. Tanguay ’74, Manchester, N.H., June 3, 2024.

Thomas Ward Whyte ’74, Bailey Island, Maine, June 6, 2024.

William L. Blakeney, Jr. ’75, Tewksbury, Mass., October 2, 2024.

Gary A. Goltz ’75, Westerly, R.I., March 8, 2023.

Vivian Margaret Villemure ’75, Manchester, N.H., August 10, 2024.

Joseph Kasper ’76, Weare, N.H., July 16, 2024.

Katharine A. Muth ’76, Durham, N.H., November 24, 2024.

Richard C. Alton ’77, Philadelphia, Pa., November 1, 2024.

Edward T. Flannery ’78, Andover, Mass., August 12, 2024.

Thomas R. Chapman ’79, Haverhill, Mass., June 17, 2024.

Mark Lester Driscoll ’79, Wells Beach, Maine, October 16, 2024.

Brian P. Flannery, Sr. ’79, Andover, Mass., October 31, 2024.

James “Jim” M. Albert ’80, Holyoke, Mass., July 31, 2024.

Thomas J. O’Loughlin III ’80, Bedford, N.H., September 15, 2024.

Mark Massaro ’80, Dalton, Mass., November 6, 2024.

Helen Gallo Bryan ’81, P ’26, Charlestown, Mass., August 9, 2024.

Lorraine Ann Rodgerson ’82, Lily Bay Township, Maine, August 22, 2024.

Catherine Mary Baldini ’83, Centerville, Mass., June 9, 2024.

Regina F. Cullen ’85, Somersworth, N.H., May 28, 2024.

Mark Mosnicka ’87, Hudson, N.H., September 1, 2024.

Brendon Fitzgerald ’89, Beverly Hills, Calif., June 28, 2024.

Roberta E. Keane ’91, Litchfield, N.H., June 25, 2024.

Michelle Lisa Dressler ’95, Bristol, Conn., September 24, 2024.

Paul J. Murphy ’96, Quincy, Mass., December 14, 2024.

Joseph James Ferrulle ’04, Lake Worth Beach, Fla., December 8, 2024.

Sara M Kallock, Ph.D. ’09, Somerville, Mass., July 1, 2024.

Matthew Darcy ’28, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., November 27, 2024.

FRIENDS

Joanne Barkett Conway, January 8, 2024.

James Gaynor, former faculty, July 13, 2024.

Megan Guerra, former faculty, July 12, 2024.

Angela (Chamberland) Houghton, September 20, 2024.

Cynthia McGreevy, former employee, June 24, 2024.

Diana Sterling, former employee, September 14, 2024.

Roland P. Vigneault, September 12, 2024.

Arthur P. Young, October 15, 2024.

MARRIAGES

Anne Siefken ’97 and Adam Godbout, December 28, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Kristopher Perreault ’99 and Krista Belanger, September 14, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Amanda O’Donnell ’11 and Stephen An, August 3, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Kelly Lenehan ’12 and Michael Surette, Jr., September 28, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Jacqui Rossignol ’12 and Brian Joy, October 26, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Christina Berge ’15 and Christopher Keenan, September 7, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Meredith Lemmon ’17 and Sean Mahar ’17, December 28, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Kaila Sullivan ’18 and Kevin Veilleux, September 21, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Caroline Trickett ’18 and Henry Foster ’17, November 2, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Mallory Schell ’19 and Jason Lane, March 16, 2024, Rutland, Vt.

Jacqueline Talbot ’19 and Ryan Martineau, June 15, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Emily Falanga ’20 and Nicholas Fedele ’19, October 19, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Madilyn Jones ’20 and Mitchell Hibbert ’20, October 7, 2023, Lebanon, Tenn.

Julianne Plourde ’20 and Brian Stankiewicz ’17, July 27, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Theresa Castro ’21 and Andrew Martone ’21, July 20, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Meghan Donohue ’21 and Thomas Harvey, August 10, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Seana Grealey ’21 and Alex Traves, September 1, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Hannah Mullane ’21 and Michael Dumas ’21, August 16, 2024, South Berwick, Maine.

Brian Underhill ’23 and Jordan Wagner, December 20, 2024, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

FUTURE ANSELMIANS

Lisa (Johnson) Franco ’01 and Jimmy, a daughter, Saydee Marie, April 19, 2024.

Megan (McMahon) Martel ’08 and William Martel ’09, a son, Ryan Patrick, July 21, 2024.

Rebecca (Leach) Arey ’09 and Brandon Arey ’11, a son, Luke James, August 14, 2024.

Kerri (Fleming) Donnelly ’10 and Joseph, a son, Tyler Alexander, June 10, 2024.

Erin Albiero-Rossi ’13 and Nicholas, a son, Corey Russell, April 2, 2024.

Kate (Dowd) Tinsley ’13 and Chris Tinsley ’13, a son, William Kevin, August 6, 2024.

Stephen Bowen ’14 and Katelyn, a daughter, Constance Coletta (“CC”), September 16, 2024.

Erin (Sawyer) Robbins ’14 and Matthew Robbins ’13, a son, Keegan Sawyer, November 29, 2024.

Guy Sergi ’14, and Kristina, a son, Julian John, March 27, 2024.

Kathryn (Sheldon) McKillop ’15 and David McKillop ’15, a son, David Joseph (“DJ”) III, May 23, 2024.

Laura (McCarthy) Mueskes ’15 and Andrew Mueskes ’14, a son, Bodie August, May 31, 2024.

Alexandra (Galli) O’Keefe ’16, and Samuel, a son. Charles Joseph, May 18, 2024.

#50 The Future

We can’t think of a better way to conclude an issue dedicated to the women of the Hilltop than with a nod to the mural created by Jyl Dittbenner ’97 in collaboration with Saint Anselm community, staff, and students, which was dedicated last fall, and is displayed in the Jean Student Center. Titled “Commencement,” it represents beginnings, and the many great stories of women at Saint Anselm that are to come.

“This mural represents us,” says Dittbenner. “The women who came here for select programs. The women who work here and pray here. Women who taught here and ultimately learned here. It also represents the men and women who saw a necessity in the value of all of us together in co-education.”

A NATURAL CHOICE

The son of Saint Anselm graduates, Samuel Luther ’25 chose the nursing major “because I wanted something that wouldn’t lock me into one career. With nursing, you can do many things.”

He has embraced opportunities to work in different clinical settings, including a psychiatric hospital, a stint leading a “Bodies in Motion Class” for nuns at St. Joseph Residence. and a Costa Rican clinic providing care to a community with limited resources. Luther also earned a 2024 summer Flynn Fellowship at Yale Smilow Cancer Hospital, where he added hands-on experiences in oncology nursing, cancer research, and more.

“Oncology is an exciting field because it’s truly cutting-edge,” he says.

The Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences will enhance Saint Anselm’s strong nursing program, he says.

“With the new labs, students will benefit from even more realistic patient care simulations as they’re building knowledge, skills, and confidence.”

Samuel Luther ’25 Summer Flynn Fellowship Yale Smilow Cancer Hospital

Photo by Leah LaRiccia

On October 4, Saint Anselm launched The Campaign for the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Grappone Hall to support nursing and health sciences students like Sam.

To learn more about the campaign or to support the initiative with a pledge, a gift, or through your estate plan contact:

Jennifer Williams, CFRE

Assistant Vice President, Major Gifts and Campaign Director (603) 641-7214

jwilliams@anselm.edu www.anselm.edu/jsnhs-campaign

100 Saint Anselm Drive

Manchester, NH 03102-1310

Photo by Gil Talbot