Dana Gioia, an acclaimed poet and chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, began and ended his address at the college’s 113th commencement exercises with poetry. Using the words of William Shakespeare and Robert Frost, he urged the 459 graduates to define their own lives, no matter what obstacles may stand in their way.
The ceremony was held May 20 at the Thomas F. Sullivan Arena. In his opening address, college president Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., acknowledged the departure of faculty members James Chenoweth and Dan Reagan, as well as Joyce 
Shepherd, his executive secretary, an integral part of the college for 40 years.
Student speaker Joseph Parodi ’06, a Spanish major from Derry, N.H., and student government president, celebrated the opportunity he and his classmates had to join the small percentage of the world’s population that receives a college degree.
"Tomorrow, we must act in a way that is worthy of that opportunity," he said. He recalled Saint Anselm’s teachings, saying "it has been faith—our own faith, that of our friends, and that of those who have gone before us—that has led to the greatest understanding, and it has been through expressing that faith that we have been at our best."
Fr. Jonathan encouraged graduates to remain part of the Saint Anselm College community and be guided by its principles. "The idea of community is a hallmark of the Benedictine institution, and it is a reality to take into your lives," he said. "Take the knowledge and principles you acquired here and live your lives well. Continue to build real community wherever
you go."
Commencement speaker Dana Gioia urged graduates to choose "the right path in the right way, at the right time," following Robert Frost’s example. He described Frost as a man who at 38 was a would-be farmer who had never published a book. He created his own self-assigned task and labored to achieve it. "He became not merely a poet, but a great, an original poet," Gioia said. Gioia read Frost’s poem "The Road Not Taken," which ends with the speaker choosing the less-traveled road.
"From this day forward, you must define your own lives. If you don’t define your own life, other people and institutions will do it for you. May we all gain joy from the self-assigned task and the hard labor that comes with it."
Sociology professor Michael Dupre received the American Association of University Professors award for excellence in faculty accomplishment. Honorary degrees were awarded to Dana Gioia; Mary Ann Esposito, creator and host of the public television program Ciao Italia; Saint Anselm trustee LucyFlynn; New Hampshire secretary of state William Gardner; and Saint Anselm trustee Roger Jean ’70.