Two seniors, Mike McKay and Kevin Powers, have been lauded with the Paul S. Coleman Award for service and leadership. McKay, a psychology major, won the 2008 Coleman Senior Service Award for Outstanding Service Leadership. Powers, a business major, earned the Senior Award for Outstanding 
Community Service.
The award to McKay culminates four years of service to the Saint Anselm College student body. He started as a member of the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and by sophomore year was appointed director of general programming for all Coffee Shop events. McKay was promoted during his junior year to director of major events and served his senior year as chairman of CAB.
McKay’s leadership earned him the regional award from the Northeast National Association for Campus Activities.
A four-year Spring Break Alternative participant, he co-led the 2008 trip to Appalachia. McKay is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Psychology Club and Autism Awareness Society.
“I truly love being involved and trying to serve others on campus,” McKay said. “Planning events through 
the Campus Activities Board or being involved in projects like Family Weekend and New Student Orientation have taught me so much. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with such amazing people that have helped me accomplish so much during my four years here at Saint Anselm College.”
McKay will attend Simmons College next year to pursue a Master of Science in Education, with a focus on behavioral education. He also will work at a school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Kevin Powers spent his four years on the hilltop as one of the most active and visible volunteers at the Meelia Center for Community Service. He has taught refugees in the English for New Americans program, was a classroom aide for Manchester Development Kindergarten, participated in the Big Brother Program and worked with troubled boys as a teacher’s aide at the Pine Haven residential school.
Powers volunteered even while studying broad. While in Galway, Ireland, he was a classroom aide at an after school program for children.
Known as a “go-to guy” in the Office of Admission, where he served as a Student Ambassador, Powers also has shared his talents with the Student Activities Office, Campus Ministry and Academic Resource Center.
Powers is a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He is a four-year varsity member and two-year captain of the Saint Anselm cross-country team.
“When I think of people who have won the award in the past, I don’t put myself in that category. I also know of many other people who are doing great things that were not recognized, and I feel very honored,” Powers said. “I love volunteering because I learn and grow as much as I help people. I enjoy connecting with people and recognizing the beauty in each person. I feel alive when I am working and helping people.”
Powers will study for a Master of Education through the Alliance for Catholic Education program at the University of Notre Dame. He will attend classes at Notre Dame for two summers and teach second grade in East Los Angeles, Calif.
By Cory True '09
Images by Doug Minor