Editor’s Note: On June 4, 2004, College President Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., delivered his annual State of the College report to the Board of Trustees. What follows are excerpts from that report.

It is my great pleasure to present The State of the College report for fiscal year 2003–2004. From Saint Anselm College’s high profile role in the New Hampshire presidential primary to a strategic planning effort that will guide our future success, the past year included milestones and opportunities that will transform the Saint Anselm experience.

The thoughtful generosity of an alumnus and trustee resulted in the establishment of our first endowed faculty chair, a hallmark of any great institution that intends to attract and retain the best faculty.

Bold thinking and creative approaches to public outreach have led to new honors for the college as a leader in civic engagement.

In addition, our fiscal health remains in check as we enter the homestretch of a historic $50 million campaign allowing us to launch new academic initiatives and ensure access for talented students.

People are noticing our exceptional approach to Catholic education. As a result, it’s no coincidence that the number of applications is up 26 percent since 2001, allowing us to become more selective in admission. As these achievements illustrate, we are making strides like never before; at the same time, we are approaching a critical point in the college’s development, and still have much work ahead.

While the college shapes its strategic plan and develops a vision for the next decade, it does so in an increasingly competitive market. Students and parents are savvy consumers navigating a wide range of higher education choices. To position ourselves as one of the best opportunities in Catholic liberal arts education, we must move forward with strategic focus and sound reason for everything we do and offer.