Event led by Dr. Jay Parini, D.E. Axinn Professor of English and Creative Writing at Middlebury College, as part of the 2025-2026 Big Thought Series on the topic of "The Pursuit of Happiness."

Each Friday, during the college common hour, the Humanities Institute hosts an open, informal discussion led by a member of the Saint Anselm faculty, staff or monastic community. This forum invites people from all parts of campus to come together with others who are willing to open their lunch bag and their mind to a question about our humanity. A Zoom Link will be provided weekly for those wishing to take part remotely. This week’s event will be hosted by Professor Marc Rugani, Theology Department. 
 

Each Friday, during the college common hour, the Humanities Institute hosts an open, informal discussion led by a member of the Saint Anselm faculty, staff or monastic community. This forum invites people from all parts of campus to come together with others who are willing to open their lunch bag and their mind to a question about our humanity. A Zoom Link will be provided weekly for those wishing to take part remotely. This week’s event will be hosted by Professor Laura Shea, Fine Arts Department
 

Nothing says Shakespeare's Sonnets like lots of melting snow. On Thursday, April 23rd, we will celebrate William Shakespeare's Birthday by reading all 154 of his Sonnets aloud for the 38th consecutive year. And you are invited to play your part!

To help us keep this great Anselmian tradition thriving, see the faces of your aging professors, eat cake, and breathe the sweet sonnet-filled air of the Hilltop once again, click on the link below and sign up to read one of William Shakespeare's 154 Sonnets.

When you click on the link, you will be asked to claim a sonnet or designate your availability that day. Once you have signed up, you will receive, before April 23rd, a sonnet schedule that will let you know which sonnet(s) you have been assigned, and a beautiful official 2026 Sonnet Reader Button. As usual, we welcome sonnet recitations in any language, dialects, or accents. We also invite musical recitations, or any other creative ways you find to lift your three quatrains and a couplet off the page. Oh, and if you want to use this occasion to make up a story about your time at Saint Anselm, well, why not?

Sign up to read a sonnet

Each Friday, during the college common hour, the Humanities Institute hosts an open, informal discussion led by a member of the Saint Anselm faculty, staff or monastic community. This forum invites people from all parts of campus to come together with others who are willing to open their lunch bag and their mind to a question about our humanity. A Zoom Link will be provided weekly for those wishing to take part remotely. This week’s event is the 2000^th Come Friday Forum, and will be hosted by Professor Tauna Sisco, Sociology and Social Work Department. 
 

Come Celebrate 200 Hours of Inspiring Conversation

The Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute cordially invites you to celebrate the 200th Come Friday Forum on Friday, April 24, 2026.  The forum, "What is in a Name", will be held from 12:30 until 1:30 followed by a reception with light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments. 

Since 2018, Come Friday Forums have gathered members of the Saint Anselm community each Friday during the College common hour for open, informal conversations. Led by a faculty, staff, or monastic community member together with a student, these discussions draw 40-60 participants each week from across campus and beyond to consider meaningful questions about our shared humanity. Please join us as we celebrate this milestone event! 

RSVP: April Hinton (ahinton@anselm.edu)

Each Friday, during the college common hour, the Humanities Institute hosts an open, informal discussion led by a member of the Saint Anselm faculty, staff or monastic community. This forum invites people from all parts of campus to come together with others who are willing to open their lunch bag and their mind to a question about our humanity. A Zoom Link will be provided weekly for those wishing to take part remotely. This week’s event will be hosted by Professor Amy Rohlfing, Biological Sciences Department and Owen Bland, '26.