John M. Bridgeland, director of the USA Freedom Corps, and advisor to President George. Bush, told the 423 members of Saint Anselm's Class of 2003 that "a life of service is fundamental to building your own character and to a full and happy life."

In his keynote address, Bridgeland praised the college's record and support of service and civic engagement and challenged other colleges and universities throughout the country to step forward and follow the Saint Anselm lead and examine their own commitment to "making service and citizenship key pillars of what it means to be educated in America."

In addition to giving the commencement address, Bridgeland received an honorary doctor of public service.

Harry J. Gray, CEO and chairman of Harry Gray Associates, a consulting and investment firm in Florida, and his wife Helen Gray, a longtime philanthropist and faithful patron of the arts, health, medicine, and education, were presented honorary doctor of law degrees.

Sister Callista Roy, C.S.J., a professor and nurse theorist at Boston College who developed a model of nursing based on children's resiliency and adaptability, was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters.

Katie O'Neill, an English major from Ipswich, Mass., delivered the student address.

Commencement Notes
Ian Brown, son of attorney and Mrs. David M. Brown, became the most recent Saint Anselm graduate to become commissioned in the United States Marine Corps. Brown was commissioned a second lieutenant in a brief ceremony held commencement morning at the campus's war memorial. The ceremony included an explanation of the traditions of the Marine Corps uniform, presentation of the first sword, and the first salute.

Seeing her daughter Erica Bozzi graduate from college was a dream for Cheryl Bozzi. But she was suffering from terminal cancer and her family was afraid she would be unable to witness Bozzi receiving her diploma at Saint Anselm's May 17 commencement. To fulfill the mother's wish, a special early graduation was conducted at the Bozzi home in North Providence, R.I., on March 29. Fr. Mathias Durette, O.S.B., officiated at the ceremony. Also making the trip to Providence for the event were psychology professors Paul Finn, Elizabeth Ossoff, and Maria McKenna, as well as Erica's roommates and a small group of friends.

Kathleen Courtemanche had no plans to wear a cap and gown when she started taking courses at Saint Anselm in 1991. "It started out as a lark," she said. "It was something to do."

That lark turned into 12 years of dedicated work for the administrative assistant in the Financial Aid Department. The Goffstown resident kept chipping away at her studies, juggling them with the demands of a daughter (now 23 years old), husband, and a full-time job. On May 17, her efforts produced a bachelor's degree in accounting. It was gratifying, she said, to hear Dean of the College Fr. Augustine Kelly, O.S.B., read my name at graduation. He was the person who first encouraged her to take classes. She has since been promoted to assistant director of financial aid.