On Saturday, May 20, 2023, 17 students received their master’s degrees and hoods in the college’s second year of offering graduate programming. Two students made up the inaugural class for the Master’s in Education with licensure in special education, while 15 students received their master’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice through their 4 + 1 program.
“You have just made history as the first to graduate with a master’s in special education. None of this would have been possible without the leadership of Dr. Wasielewski and the education department,” said Dr. Paddy Cronin Favazza, senior research fellow, on behalf of herself and College President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. “It is not only impressive that you are part of Saint Anselm history, but it is also impressive that after completing your undergraduate degrees during a pandemic that you persevered […] and went directly into the master’s program.”
The M.Ed. program began in fall 2022 and was designed to prepare educators to meet the needs of students with disabilities in multiple settings and the needs of all learners in the classroom.
“When Saint Anselm College announced an education master’s program, I knew it was a no brainer,” shared Lily Ditchfield ’21 M’23. “I would be back on the campus I loved, with some of the professors I knew.”
The education graduates, their families, and faculty members gathered in the president’s dining room for their hooding ceremony. Welcomed by Education Professor Laura Wasielewski, Ph.D., the two graduates offered reflections on what drew them to the program, their memories, and the impact the program had on them.
“The faculty members that made this program possible were inspiring, supportive, encouraging, passionate, dedicated, and, most of all, caring,” said Alexandra Casey ’22 M’23 during the ceremony. “Without all of you, I would not have found this year as wonderful as it was.”
Meanwhile, on the Campus Green, 15 students in the Criminal Justice master’s program attended their hooding ceremony as the second graduating class. Jacklyn Gaumer ’22 MA ’23 received the outstanding graduate student award from the Criminal Justice Department faculty. She also served as the student speaker.
“While some of us are itching to be done with school and are excited to not be assigned another essay or exam, our learning is far from over,” said Gaumer. “Saint Anselm has given us a foundation, a very sturdy and well-rounded one. It is crucial that we use this foundation to help us prepare for whatever life throws our way.”
The hooding ceremonies took place prior to the 130th Commencement Exercises on the Alumni Quadrangle later that morning.
Photos: Master's in Criminology and Criminal Justice Hooding Ceremony→
Photos: Master's in Special Education Hooding Ceremony→