On Thursday, August 22, the Anselmian community eagerly welcomed the second largest class in Saint Anselm history—the class of 2028 with 579 Anselmians.
As families drove up to their respective residence halls, they were greeted by enthusiastic student-athletes, resident assistants, orientation leaders, transition program mentors, faculty, staff, and monks clapping and cheering along the streets.
Before students and families could get out of their cars, community members had popped trunks and carried boxes, bags, bins, plastic containers, pillows, refrigerators, and more into Joan of Arc (JOA), Baroody Hall, Dominic Hall, Second, Third, and Fourth Streets in Alumni Hall, and the Living and Learning Commons (LLC).
Songs like “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Daryl Hall and John Oates and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston played in the background as vehicles were unloaded and new students and families were escorted to their rooms.
“This move-in experience is really fun and exciting. You guys are wonderful here. We love this party atmosphere and having all of you help us move in—it’s great,” said Danielle Dominici, whose daughter Gianna Longos ’28 moved into JOA.
Four hundred and six Saint Anselm community members supported the move-in (35 transition mentors, 74 orientation leaders, 310 varsity athletes and coaches, and a mix of 40 RA, faculty, and staff).
“The athletics staff, coaches, and student-athletes are always eager to help the College in any way possible,” said Vice President of Athletics Daron Montgomery. “We always look forward to welcoming first-year and transfer students to the Hilltop and greeting their families at move-in. It is a highlight of the year for sure.”
Students and families spent the morning unpacking, finalizing paperwork, exploring Geisel Library, and purchasing Saint Anselm apparel at the bookstore to represent their new home.
Meanwhile, new commuter students met in the Center for Intercultural Learning and Inclusion in the Jean Student Center getting to know one another, touring the space, and learning about campus resources available to them.
The afternoon included lunch in Davison followed by the New Student and Family Mass in the Abbey Church, where Father Titus Phelan, O.S.B., gave the homily.
Finally, at the end of the day, College President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., welcomed students, and their families to campus on Alumni Quad where commencement will be held in four short years.
“If ever there was a day for new opportunity, it is today. Students, you begin a new chapter of your story today right here on this Hilltop. You have written other chapters that have brought your story to this moment: chapters about the unconditional love of your family and friends, about love of learning and experiencing new things, about serving others in your community, about faith in God and at the same time perhaps questioning your faith, and about mistakes you made and learned from,” said Favazza.
The president later reassured the new class. “You have a cast of characters ready to help create this chapter, from new classmates, to student, faculty, and staff mentors you have just met or yet to meet, to members of the monastic community who you never thought could become so important to your story.”
The new student orientation chairs, Molly Timberlake ’25 and Rose Donovan ’25, also welcomed students and their families with words of encouragement. “Cherish every moment. Don’t take anything for granted. Step out of your comfort zone, and most importantly, believe in yourself and all that you are capable of,” they said.
“The heart of Saint Anselm College is unlike any college or university. Nowhere else will you find faculty, and staff that not only want to learn your name but also want to learn your story, your goals, and how they can best support you in your individual journey. Nowhere else will you find kinder students with such a willingness to serve our campus and the Greater Manchester community with such passion and diligence.”
And with that, both first-year and transfer students hugged their families goodbye with smiles and tears to officially begin their college journey.
Over the next three days of orientation, students will participate in the Brian Maguire Day of Service, a pep rally for the women’s soccer game, sessions on academics, being Anselmian, and building an inclusive community, fun nightly programs, and finally, the annual first-year banquet where they will watch their banner raise to the ceiling of Davison Dining Hall for the first time.
Move-in Facts
- 425 first-year students moved onto campus on Thursday
- 29 transfer students moved onto campus
- 136 first-year or transfer students moved in prior to Thursday for fall athletics, transitions, or the RA2B program
- 568 members of the class of 2028 will live on campus
About the Class of 2028
With 580 first-year students, the class of 2028 is academically the strongest incoming class on record with an average high school GPA of 3.48.
- 40-50 new transfer students are beginning their journey at Saint Anselm this year
- 147 students are first-generation college students
- 38 students have at least one parent who attended Saint Anselm
- 100 students will join the Honors Program
- Students come from 19 states and 3 foreign countries
The most popular majors are:
- Nursing
- Business
- Undeclared
- Criminal Justice
- Health Sciences
- Politics
- Finance
- Biology
- Psychology
- Elementary Education
The most popular names among our incoming students are Olivia, Sophia, Isabella, Matthew, Nicholas, and Joseph.
Joining us this fall are students who own clothing and landscaping businesses, a student who developed strategy to combat early onset hearing loss, and a student who helped create a U.S. Patent for a seeing eye dog harness.
Not only are students outstanding in the classroom, but also on the field and in the arts. We are welcoming athletes who have competed with the United States Junior Hockey program, won track-and-field state championships, and several who were recognized as all-stars in high school competition.
Additionally, one incoming student is a two-time New England champion dancer, one student is a two-time medalist in visual art competition, and several students have received awards at state and national levels performing music.
