The Alumni Council honored nine Anselmians at the 2021 Alumni Awards on Sept. 24, 2021 for their inspiring achievements and generous contributions to the college and their communities.
During the evening, honorees, their family and friends, and other Saint Anselm College alumni had the opportunity to come together. The evening began with a welcome from Jim Flanagan, senior vice president and chief advancement officer, an invocation from Father Benet C. Phillips, O.S.B., ’87, and a welcome and college update from Dr. Joseph A. Favazza, president of Saint Anselm College.
“I’m thrilled that we are able to host this important event in person: an event that celebrates talented and dedicated Anselmians and the incredible work they have accomplished,” welcomed Dr. Favazza. “As we commend our award recipients tonight, I’m grateful for the opportunity to acknowledge the significant impact they have had both on the campus community and in their own communities.”
Kate (Leidemer) Mahan ’02, the president of the Alumni Council, presented the awards.
“Tonight, we are proud to recognize a handful of Anselmians whose sacrifices in the service of others represent so many of the people who have walked across the upper quad of this campus and, diploma in hand, gone on to live generous and creative lives throughout the world,” shared Mahan ’02. “As we listen to the stories of the men and women we honor tonight, we are mindful of our graduates everywhere who give of themselves … people whose unselfish lives and dedication to the well-being of others make them Anselmian always.”
The 2021 Alumni Awards winners were:
Lieutenant Matthew D. Barter ’08 received the Career Achievement Award. Barter serves as the Chief of Staff at the Manchester Police Department and has spent his career developing and implementing data-driven, evidence-based strategies to reduce crime. He is a member of the U.S. Attorney’s office Project Safe Neighborhoods Committee and is an active member of the Manchester Police Athletic League.
“Saint A’s uniquely shapes students to think critically, apply research and theory in what they do, and constantly pursue truth. As alumni and friends of the college we must continue to support these efforts,” explained Lt. Barter. “The Hilltop was, and continues to be, influential to me and my work, and I’m beyond thankful that my foundation in policing was here.”
Alice (Upham) Dunfey ’68 and Michael Dunfey ’68 received the John F. Barry ’40 Spirit of Saint Anselm Award for their role as “the heart and soul of the class of 1968 for over 50 years.” They attend most basketball games and bring their classmates along for those and many other campus events. As a former admissions counselor, Alice Dunfey was the reason many chose to attend the College, including some of the other honorees in the room. “Without Mike and Alice’s commitment to Saint Anselm and our class,” shared a classmate in a nomination letter, “we would be hard pressed to share in the accomplishments and hardships of our fellow classmates. They keep us together.”
Jeanne (Savoy) Elliott ’95 was honored with the Career Achievement Award, for her long nursing career where she has mentored and taught many new nurses at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Mass. During the COVID-19 crisis, she quickly stepped up and took on additional responsibilities on her cardiac and other intensive care floors wherever needed. She recently was named a Clinical Scholar at MGH and will begin coordinating, supervising, and evaluating nursing students.
“Integrity, respect, responsibility, compassion, and teamwork are just a few traits that I discovered when I was here on the Hilltop,” shared Elliott. “For me, the biggest life lesson I took away was involvement. You must be active in your surroundings. You must think about leaving the world a better place than when you found it.”
Robert M. Elliott ’95 received the John A. Houghton ’49 Alumni Council Award for his many years of service on the Alumni Council. During his nearly two decades of service on the Alumni Council, Rob has helped lead multiple Council members and assist several Alumni Council Presidents where he has helped with research projects, alumni engagement plans, reviewed and helped select award nominations, worked to reinstate the Boston Business Roundtable, and led a review and update of the council by-laws.
The Alumni Council honored Colin P. Kiley ’16 with the Young Alumni Achievement Award. After beginning a new teaching job at Austin Prep in fall 2020, Kiley has worked diligently to build relationships while teaching, coaching, and developing new curriculum. The connections he built even in the less-than-ideal times led to his appointment as the school’s interim Dean of Students for the 2021-2022 academic year.
“My time at the Hilltop is something I’ll always cherish because of the people,” explained Kiley. “From the campus ministry Service & solidarity trips to the service-learning opportunities with the Meelia Center, those experiences taught me servant leadership – principles I try to take with my career now. My time at Saint Anselm College is something I have to thank for that.”
Maura Marshall received the 2021 Walter J. Gallo ’58 Award which honors faculty and staff at Saint Anselm College for their dedication and service. Marshall, who serves as the director of health services, has served as the point person for the College during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has earned the appreciation and admiration of the entire Saint Anselm community as the “go-to” person for all COVID concerns, leading the way in establishing clear and effective health protocols, counseling the College’s president and senior leadership on the myriad decisions they had to make each week, ensuring compliance with ever-evolving guidelines, implementing and managing effective testing and quarantine procedures, and communicating clearly, honestly and encouragingly to the entire community.
Alison (Poirier) Mueller ’07 received the Catholic Leadership Award for her work bringing new life to Catholic education in New Hampshire through her work as the director of marketing, enrollment, and development for the Diocese of Manchester. Last year, the diocese’s schools were only one of ten to see an enrollment increase of more than 1 percent.
Steven M. Nugent ’91 received the Career Achievement Award for his work as the director of guidance and head track coach at North Andover High School, where he has spent his career building programs that not only have been successful with state championships but also shape the students into models of sportsmanship and community engagement.
Cory P. True ’09 received the Alumni Award of Merit for his work as the executive director of Re-Member, a nonprofit organization based on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. There, True works with volunteer groups on projects, guided by the Oglala Lakota Nation, to improve the quality of life for all those who live on the reservation. He began his work with Re-Member during his time as a student and later staff member of Saint Anselm College traveling for the Service and Solidarity trips, and credits those trips for his current path.
“Several years ago, I was lucky to be part of the team that brought to life… the term Anselmian,” shared True as he ended the evening. “So with just a little more personal ownership of this phrase, I say, the world needs more Anselmians. Today, tomorrow, and always.”