Fr. Placidus Riley, O.S.B., ’42, Former President
Rev. Placidus Harry Riley, O.S.B., president of Saint Anselm College from 1964 to 1972, and architect of higher education policies in New Hampshire, died December 21, 2005. He was 84.
Leading the college through the Vietnam era, he concentrated on academic growth and development and launched the nationally known “Portraits of Human Greatness” humanities program.
“The program could not have become real without the will of Fr. Placidus,” says Professor Jim Mahoney, a teacher in the program since its inception.
“He was a key figure in the movement toward academic excellence at our college,” said Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., president of the college. “He also was very highly regarded as a spiritual director. Men and women from all walks of life appreciated his spiritual counsel.”
Born July 29, 1921, he was the son of the late William H. and Eldya (Maclean) Riley of Concord, N.H. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Saint Anselm in 1942.
He entered the Order of Saint Benedict at Saint Anselm, and after his novitiate at Saint Vincent Archabbey, in Latrobe, Penn., he professed religious vows as a monk in 1943. He attended the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto until 1945. On Sept. 7, 1946, he was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood. He obtained his licentiate in theology and his doctorate in sacred theology from the University of Ottawa.
Returning to campus, Fr. Placidus taught philosophy and theology. He was named assistant registrar and then assistant to the dean. In 1954, he was named dean of the school of theology at the abbey.
In 1959, Fr. Placidus became dean of the college and served until he was named president in 1964. For decades, he provided weekend ministry in parishes throughout the Diocese of Manchester.
Following his presidency, he again became dean of the college for five years, after which he returned to teaching theology.
During the 1980s, he was treasurer at Woodside Priory School, Portola Valley, Calif. Upon his return to Saint Anselm, Fr. Placidus continued to teach theology and retired in 1997.
In the monastery, he served as master of novices for several years. A valued mentor in the spiritual life, he was a popular confessor for fellow monks, diocesan priests and laity.
Fr. Placidus was a member of the New Hampshire Coordinating Board of Advanced Education and Accreditation and the New Hampshire Council on Teacher Education. He was instrumental in founding the New Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission. He was a founding member and former president of the New Hampshire College and University Council and former chairman of the New Hampshire Committee on Fulbright-Hays Scholarships.
He was a trustee of Notre Dame College, New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University), and of Saint John’s Seminary, and held honorary degrees from several institutions.
Burial was in Saint Leander’s Cemetery, adjacent to the monastery, on December 23, 2005.
Virginia Colpas
Mrs. Virginia Colpas '91, was a member of the Saint Anselm College staff for 37 years. Over the years she worked as an administrative assistant in the alumni and development offices and finally in the Office of the Executive Vice President from which she retired at the age of 82. Mrs. Colpas was predeceased by her husband, George, who died in 1978. Family members include two sons, five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Meticulous in her work, fervent in her prayer, she was also a motherly confidante to generations of Saint Anselm students. She is seen here with Robert Collins ’37, for whom she worked during his tenure as executive vice president.