Legendary Professor Barbara Stahl Dies

“In her push for the highest standards, she pushed the institution as well.”—Fr. Jonathan

Biology Professor Barbara Stahl, the senior faculty member at Saint Anselm College and a driving force for excellence at the school, died January 16, 2004, after a long illness. She was 73.

“The whole college mourns the loss of this very excellent professor who devoted her entire professional life to the education of Saint Anselm students,” said college president Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B. “In her 50 years with the college she never lost her enthusiasm for the classroom and never weakened in her quest for excellence.”

Dr. Stahl served as mentor, coach and advocate for dozens of students who went on to become physicians and dentists, as well as students who went on to graduate school in the sciences.

Dr. Stahl taught a two-semester comparative anatomy course, which was considered a gateway course for students interested in studying medicine. For years she chaired the pre-professional committee that guides students applying to medical school.

“In their hearts, they have a great big thanks to her,” said Fr. Peter Guerin, O.S.B., professor of theology who worked closely with her during his 25 years as dean of the college. “She was on a first-name basis with the deans of most of the medical schools. And she would fight for the students who she believed could do the work.”

A graduate of Wellesley College who earned her master’s in biology from Radcliffe College and her Ph.D. from Harvard University, Dr. Stahl was honored in October 2003 for 50 years of teaching at the college. At the time, N.H. Senator Lou D’Allesandro attended a luncheon to present her with a Senate proclamation marking her contributions to higher education.

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