The Alumni Council honored nine Anselmians at the 2023 Alumni Awards on September 15 for their inspiring achievements and generous contributions to Saint Anselm College and their local communities.
During the evening, honorees, their family and friends, and other college alumni had the opportunity to come together. The evening began with a welcome from Jim Flanagan, senior vice president for college advancement, an invocation from Father Benet C. Phillips, O.S.B., ’87, and a welcome and college update from Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., president of Saint Anselm College.
“It is deeply meaningful to see our alumni make a difference once they graduate from the Hilltop,” said Dr. Favazza. “On behalf of our entire College community, I want to thank and commend all of our award recipients for the many ways they have served and inspired their communities. You demonstrate every day what it means to be Anselmian.”
Joe Parodi-Brown ’06, the vice president of the Alumni Council, along with Captain Mary Jo O’Dwyer Majors ’69 and Robert Elliot ’95 presented the awards.
“As Saint Anselm students, we are empowered to have a positive impact on our communities when we graduate, engaging within our local, national, and global communities,” said Paradis-Brown. “This awards program gives us the chance to honor exceptional alumni and staff who are enriching the lives of many here on the Hilltop and far beyond, a representation of the great work of countless Anselmians.”
The 2023 Alumni Awards winners were:
Michael Siddall ’84 received the Joseph P. Collins ’34 Alumni Award of Merit.
“The Joseph P. Collins Award is the most prestigious award presented by the Alumni Council to an alumnus who has demonstrated professional excellence or who has significantly contributed to the betterment of society,” explained Joseph Emmons ’04, assistant vice president of alumni relations and engagement. “For Mike Siddall, it was not an either/or, but a both/and.”
Siddall is the founder of Siddall & Siddall, P.C. where he specializes in real estate, corporate, municipal and estate law. He also serves on the Executive Committee of Sunshine Village, as a former director of Elder Care Initiatives, and a current member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys. He has also served on Saint Anselm College’s Alumni Council and currently is a member of the Alumni Scholarship Golf Tournament Committee.
“This award serves as a reminder that our achievements are never in isolation. They are the result of collective efforts and shared values,” said Siddall. “Let this award not only be a recognition of my efforts but a symbol of our collective ability to effect positive change in our communities.”
Matthew Donahue ’14 received the Young Alumni Achievement Award. Since graduating from Saint Anselm College, Donahue has gone on to receive a graduate degree from Brown University, worked at the Federal Bureau of Investigation on their counterterrorism team, and currently has founded and runs KODEX, a start-up which provides software to law enforcement agencies that allows them to quickly, safely, cleanly, and reliably send and share information with other law enforcement agencies around the world.
“Matt actually received quite a bit of praise due to his company being utilized to shorten the time it took to begin an investigation that ultimately thwarted child sex crimes,” wrote one of his nominators. “Matt has somehow been able to achieve the highest levels of success while also making the world a better and safer place, not many people or companies can say this.”
Paul Casey ’70 received the John F. Barry Spirit of Saint Anselm College Award for the dedication and enthusiasm he continually displays in his professional life, where he served as an advisor to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, advocating for access to affordable housing, as well as in his personal life, where he continues to be a dedicated alumnus – serving as a member of his 50th Reunion Committee and on the board of the Center for Ethics in Society.
“At St. A’s students are encouraged to value and apply that life-long skill of Socratic examination and learn how to be of service to the greater community— and that reflects the true Spirit of Saint Anselm College,” shared Casey. “It is that Spirit of Saint A’s that I have tried to reflect in my personal and professional life, as a husband and father, friend and colleague, an affordable housing attorney, and, in retirement, an Ignatian Volunteer.”
Terry Newcomb, the evening supervisor at the Coffee Shop, received the Walter J. Gallo ’58 Award for her dedication and service to Saint Anselm College students and alumni. Terry embodies the Benedictine value of hospitality – greeting all visitors with a smile, and going above and beyond to make sure students feel welcome and seen. She is often the first person who returning alumni visit when they return to campus.
“Her dedication and care of our students, alumni, faculty, monastic community and staff is truly incredible,” wrote one of her nominators for the award. “Her treatment of our students is sometimes indescribable....you have to witness her actions to see her impact on our student's lives.”
Dorothy M. Mullaney ’81 received the Career Achievement Award. After graduating with a nursing degree, Mullaney went on to work in the neonatal care field, earning her Doctorate of Nursing Practice, and is currently serving as the first chief advanced practice provider officer at Dartmouth Health where she oversees all advanced practice providers across the Dartmouth system.
“The Benedictine values that Saint Anselm nursing taught ‘stewardship, humility and hospitality to promote the health and wellbeing of individuals and society’ have been foundational in guiding my career,” shared Mullaney. “Whether a direct care RN in the NICU, providing advanced nursing care as neonatal nurse practitioner or striving to develop an infrastructure for APPs in a large health care system, I hope my practice and relationships have always embodied these values.”
Carol and George Hooper P’07, ’09, ’12 received the Parents Leadership and Service Award. Nominated by their children, three of their four who graduated from Saint Anselm College.
“My siblings and I owe a debt of gratitude to my parents. Our parent’s sacrificial love is inspiring, and when Mike, Jess, Nick, Alicia, and I look at them and see their goodness, we are inspired and desire to be a little better ourselves,” said Craig Hooper ’12. “Thanks, mom and dad.”
“We chose Saint Anselm to be a part of our family and we are so grateful we did as the school has helped reinforce and further educate what we taught our children at home,” said the Hoopers. “The college has opened the minds of many and we will continue to sing the praises of Saint Anselm for years to come and will always consider you all part of our family.”
David Giarusso ’10 is the associate director of admission at Bishop Guertin High School and this year’s recipient of the Catholic Leadership Award. Each day, he serves as an example to prospective and current students of the transformative power of a Catholic education.
“In a world that often is in need for connection and compassion, the wisdom of Saint Benedict's Chapter 53 resonates deeply: ‘All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: 'I was a stranger and you welcomed me.'’ This principle of hospitality embodies the spirit of Saint Anselm's legacy, a legacy which truly is the bedrock of my role as an admission representative for catholic schools.
Tina Russo Quirk ’70 accepted the Nursing and Health Sciences Award via zoom from her office in Tanzania. She has spent her career treating marginalized populations, and promotes the inclusion of homeopathic and complementary treatments alongside more western medicine. She’s currently working in Tanzania with the African Institute of Integrated Medicine.
“Receiving this alumni award has brought me great pleasure recounting my years at Saint A’s. Apart from the lasting friendships of my classmates, most remembered are the qualities that our instructors modeled and instilled in us as we learned to be nurses: caring, compassion, and openness to all people; desire to help others to be their best; and understanding that health means the whole person, mind, body and spirit,” shared Russo Quirk. “Add to that integrity of self, excellence in professional practice, love of learning, and a commitment to give of yourself unconditionally to others. You can see the direct line to my current work in Tanzania.”
