— Barbara LeBlanc

Thomas and Gail Melucci channeled the great pain following the death of their son, Thomas Jr. ’88, into a memorial honoring his love of life and learning. Through their hard work and personal generosity, the Meluccis have created one of the largest scholarship funds at Saint Anselm College. The Melucci Scholarship, with a $1.2 million endowment, provides full tuition scholarships to seniors who have demonstrated spiritual and personal growth during their undergraduate career. Meet the 2004-2005 scholars.


Matthew Santiago
Hometown: Clinton, Mass.
Major: Psychology

Matthew Santiago was not especially eager to attend college after he graduated from high school. “It was more of an expectation,” says the senior from Clinton, Mass.

One visit to the Saint Anselm campus, however, convinced Santiago that the hilltop was the place for him. Now, as he completes his senior year, Santiago plans to explore the work world for at least a year before he considers graduate school. And the psychology major says he is ready for more unexpected turns.

“I’m going to jump all over it,” he says of his upcoming job search. “I am open to new avenues.”

Santiago has taken advantage of many opportunities offered at Saint Anselm College. An artist, he enjoys drawing, architecture, and photography, and this year is tackling his first oil painting class. He visits art museums regularly and loves attending plays.

“I’d never get up on stage to perform,” he says. “I’m more of a reserved artist.”

Shyness did not keep him off the football field, however, where he played wide receiver for the Hawks. He did not suit up this season, but is nonetheless gratified to see the Hawks enjoying a winning season.

Santiago also volunteered for Campus Ministry’s Urban Immersion Program. He worked in homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and inner city schools in Camden and Newark, N.J., and Philadelphia. He intends to pursue his interest in the social services as he searches for his first job as a college graduate.

“But who knows, I may end up in an entirely different domain,” he says. “That’s the great thing about a liberal arts education. It prepares you to enter almost any field.”

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