Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends,

Greetings from Saint Anselm College, "the Benedictine College with a box seat on America's most riveting political theatre." Those words, printed in The Washington Post during the last presidential election, describe precisely the energy and anticipation we are sensing on campus once again. As we gear up for New Hampshire's first in the nation primary on January 27, 2004, we are poised to place Saint Anselm on the national map like never before.

There is a good chance you've seen our faculty quoted in local and national media on issues including campaign finance, public opinion, and the youth vote. You may have also seen candidates stump for support at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics. That's all par for the political course here at Saint Anselm, and part of the educational experience that our students and faculty have come to expect.

What's new this primary season is an exclusive partnership with Fox News that will have the nation's top-rated cable station broadcasting from campus. Several Fox programs will be filmed on location throughout campus, while primary night activities will be live from a mobile studio on the quad in front of our beloved Alumni Hall. The excitement is building, and I do hope you will tune in to see Saint Anselm shine during January.

Meanwhile, much has been happening on campus, both political and otherwise:

• Over the summer I met with editors at the Union Leader , the state's largest newspaper, for a candid discussion about Saint Anselm College. As the college's senior administration begins to craft a strategic plan to place Saint Anselm among the best Catholic liberal arts colleges in the country, I told the editors that much work is already being done to enhance our well regarded reputation. Doubling the college's endowment in our latest fundraising campaign is an immediate goal and one that we are working to achieve. Maintaining enrollment while increasing selectivity in admission also will enhance our national position. The result of our meeting was a front-page banner headline: "For Saint Anselm, the goal is not growth, but perfection."
  
  
• I am also pleased to report that the college is making strides as a leader in civic education. In newspaper op-eds this year I argue that higher education must take its share of the responsibility for the documented lapse in civic participation across the country. While Saint Anselm students are active in many areas of community and politics, I would like to see them serve as models for peer institutions and extend their efforts to impact policy. To that end, I have established a team that will devise strategies for integrating democracy and citizenship into our academic mission.
  
  
• I am very sorry to share the news about the passing of Dr. Joachim Froehlich, who was president of Saint Anselm College from 1979-1989 and an alumnus from the class of 1966. Until very recently the president of Elms College in Chicopee, Mass., Joachim had battled cancer for several months. He died on November 21. Under his leadership, Saint Anselm advanced in many areas, including academic excellence and endowment. In recognition of these achievements and many others in Catholic education, Joachim received the Academic Achievement Award from our Alumni Association on November 8. Also a beloved professor of economics, he never lost his fondness for the classroom and for the students who were the primary focus of his efforts.
  
  
• It is with great anguish that I must inform you about a disturbing incident of intolerance that occurred on campus in October. Racial graffiti was written on the residence hall door where four students reside, two of whom are African American. While campus and local authorities are in the process of determining who is responsible for this egregious act, I have made it clear that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. On November 9, students, faculty and staff came together for Mass to pray for the respect and dignity of all persons. In my homily, I challenged every one of us to consider some difficult questions: What kind of community are we? How well have we learned the lessons of inclusiveness? What are we doing to remove prejudice from our hearts, our lives, our actions, and our life together?
  
  
• As The Campaign for Saint Anselm College approaches the $43-million mark of a $50-million goal, it does so having achieved a significant milestone. The college's first endowed chair has been established thanks to trustee and alumnus Richard Bready '65. Mr. Bready's $1-million commitment to academics will honor faculty and support teaching and research. In a further act of generosity, Mr. Bready is supporting student scholarships with a $250,000 commitment. He has pledged to match all new or increased gifts to the Annual Fund designated for scholarships. As the single largest gift to this fund, the Bready Challenge could transform the future of scholarship aid at the college.
  
  
• The dedication of Sullivan Arena September 27, in conjunction with our President's Society Dinner, included a DVD tribute to Robert and Miriam Smith, the couple whose generosity made the building possible. Their commitment of $5 million allowed us to construct the $7.9 million, 63,000 square-foot facility named in memory of Miriam's father. Our inaugural women's hockey team has already christened the ice with their first win, while the men will play their first home game December 5.  
  
  
• Students at the Meelia Center for Community Service have given new meaning to the phrase "free speech." In partnership with the First Congregational Church in Manchester, our students and a program director are providing free English lessons to local immigrants. English for New Americans, a non-profit initiative now run by the Meelia Center, had faced cuts in state budgeting. The language/life skills program, which serves 116 area immigrants, actually shut down before Saint Anselm stepped in. When I speak of civic engagement, I can think of no finer example. Our students not only restored a critical social service but restored hope for fellow citizens as well.

On that note, I wish everyone a joyous Advent season and blessed Christmas. Please know that you and your families remain in my prayers and those of my Benedictine brothers. As always, I welcome your feedback on any matters regarding the college. Please feel free to write or e-mail (president@anselm.edu) with your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B.
President