Clare Newhall '22 | Art History Major and Music and Classical Archaeology Minor
"I’m passionate about digitizing collections because it makes them available to people everywhere. This fosters research and education, and my time at Saint Anselm inspired this commitment to sharing knowledge.”
From leading choirs and theater productions on the Hilltop to digitizing history at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, this proud Saint Anselm College alumna shares unforgettable memories, invaluable mentorship, and advice for breaking into competitive creative fields.
Can you talk about your time on the Hilltop? What were you involved in?
During my time on the Hilltop, I was heavily involved with music and theater. I joined the choir as a freshman and later participated in Hint of Lime from sophomore to senior year where I served as music director and president. Additionally, I was the music director for the student-run family weekend show during my junior year, where my friends and I wrote and directed the performance. I ran rehearsals and created arrangements, all stemming from my background in music theory.
What is your favorite memory from Saint Anselm?
The friends that I made at Saint Anselm have always been my favorite. Living close to my friends and being with them all the time was the best thing ever. You know, just the memories of meeting them in Davison Hall or at the C-Shop. I met weekly at the pub with two friends to catch up. These memories go beyond anything else from my time on the Hilltop.
How did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in Music & Art History?
It’s funny—when I was growing up, I was very dead set on journalism and communication, so I entered college as a communication major. I realized while taking AP art history in high school that I loved it so much. My freshman year, art was one of the first classes I took, and within the first week, I was like, “Yep, I’m changing. I want to do this instead.” So, yeah, I was a communication major for one week, and then I switched to art history. If you want to do it, do it. Life is too short to do something you don’t want to do.
Who was your favorite professor/mentor on campus?
I had two incredible mentors at St. A's—Professor Bentz and Professor Shea, both art history professors. Professor Bentz was my academic advisor and helped me navigate my concerns about switching to art history and what I could do with my liberal arts degree. She provided guidance throughout my time there and was always understanding. Professor Shea was my thesis advisor, offering me professional support, and I’ve kept in touch with both of them. Professor Shea even introduced me to a fantastic conference last year, for which I’m very thankful. They continue to be supportive advisors in my professional life, and they love hearing my updates.
What are you doing now? What does your job involve?
I’m getting my master’s in museum studies with a certificate in digital curation through Johns Hopkins, an online program for working adults. The transition has been very easy for me, and I’ve really enjoyed it. Last summer, I interned at the Center for Lowell History in Massachusetts, where I helped digitize unprocessed materials for their collection. Recently, I started a new position at the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, where I’m also focusing on digitizing material for online use.
How has Saint Anselm Alumni network supported you as a recent graduate?
It's a huge network of very supportive people. They host alumni events in Boston and Hartford, and since I'm from Connecticut, I've attended both. It’s great to know there’s such a supportive network. I haven’t done a lot with them yet, but knowing it exists and that it includes so many successful individuals is really reassuring.
Do you have any advice to students looking to pursue a similar career path?
Just keep putting yourself out there. It’s a tough field to break into, and it took me a while, but getting your foot in the door is key. Network and reach out—people are excited about the younger generation because we bring valuable skills, especially in technology. I volunteered at the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell, Mass., for a year and a half, which helped me demonstrate my abilities. Trust yourself and keep pushing forward.