Dear Friends,
This has been a milestone year for Saint Anselm College and it is a reminder that even as we grow and evolve, the strength of our community is rooted in our history and foundation. While the higher education landscape becomes more challenging every year, we remain focused on who we are—seeking to provide an exceptional education that meets today’s students where they are, while remaining faithful to our Catholic and Benedictine liberal arts mission and identity.
In many ways, Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B. ’71, H.D. ’04, who is featured on the cover, embodies the commitment to ensuring Saint Anselm provides more than job skills to students. While they certainly do leave here prepared for rewarding careers, we believe it is equally important to develop their ethics, values and spirituality. As he steps down from the role of abbot and chancellor after 12 years, and as treasurer and vice president for finance for more than three decades before that, Abbot Mark reflects on his time on the Hilltop.
Allow me to take a moment to thank Abbot Mark for his faithful service and for helping me, as a new president, to learn and grow as a member of this special community.
And let me also say a hearty congratulations to my friend and colleague, Abbot Isaac Murphy, O.S.B., who was elected the sixth abbot of Saint Anselm in June. Abbot Isaac made history for being the first non-ordained abbot in the United States. You will read more about Abbot Isaac in a future issue of Portraits.
It has been a pleasure working closely with Abbot Isaac, as a member of the Senior Administrative Leadership Team, first as Vice President of Academic Affairs and most recently as the Executive Vice President in the President’s Office. Abbot Isaac also takes on the role of chancellor of the college and chair of the Members of the Saint Anselm Corporation. I look forward to continue working closely together as we chart the future of the college.
Another important moment is being celebrated this year: 50 years of co-education at the college. The year-long celebration has included a series of events honoring the thousands of women who have called the Hilltop their home. In this issue, the article “Powerful and Empowering” features eight alumnae who share their thoughts on leadership and how Saint Anselm uniquely prepared them to lead and succeed.
There is so much more to share—without question, we are on the move. I invite you to spend time with Portraits catching up with your beloved Saint A’s!
Warmly,
Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D.
President