On May 21, when 396 graduates crossed the stage at Sullivan Arena and joined the college’s more than 16,700 alumni, our college community and our many guests witnessed the culmination of another busy and successful year at Saint Anselm College. In the State of the College report for fiscal year 2004–2005, I am pleased to fill you in on many other achievements leading to this pride-filled event.

Our work involved planning, brainstorming, budgeting, teaching, advising, volunteering, researching, mentoring, and other efforts critical to our mission. This past spring, we received national confirmation that our efforts are being noticed: Saint Anselm College was selected by the Princeton Review as one of only 81 “Colleges with a Conscience: Great Schools with Outstanding Community Involvement.” Saint Anselm was praised for its commitment to social responsibility, and our students as champions of public service.

The number of community members, prospective students, athletes, academics, conferees, national speakers, and media representatives who visit our campus grows yearly, as does the collection of positive news clips and broadcast spots featuring the college. Saint Anselm College faculty are increasingly sought for their expertise on issues from politics to nursing trends. They publish books, contribute research and serve on professional committees, boards, and government initiatives.

It’s no surprise, then, that our Office of Admission reports for the third year in a row that more than 3,000 applications for freshman admission were received, setting a new record with 3,255 applications. I am proud of what we have accomplished this past year and I hope you share that pride. I want you to know what milestones we have achieved and what opportunities still await us. With your continued interest and support, I know that we will turn those opportunities into next year’s list of achievements.