On Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, Dr. Michael Lewis was inaugurated as the 12th president of Saint Anselm College, committing himself to the college’s mission of providing a comprehensive liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic, Benedictine faith.
“This is humbling,” began Lewis. “This College, in this place, at this time, with the wonderful community of people working to advance the mission, is an incredible opportunity –I do not take it for granted.”
Looking back on the college’s history, Lewis identified Saint Anselm’s story as one of both resiliency and innovation; an institution that has thrived in the face of adversity by remaining faithful to its mission and also innovative in its change. Even in an increasingly difficult landscape for higher education, he emphasized that the Catholic, liberal arts education teaches students to think critically across disciplines for successful post-graduate outcomes.
“The world will change, and Saint Anselm College will change with it,” said Lewis. “But what is most essential will endure: our faith, our commitment to truth, our care for one another, and our belief in the dignity of every human person.
“With gratitude and humility, I pledge to serve that mission. I will steward it faithfully. And I commit to work alongside all of you so that generations of students yet to come may find on this Hilltop a community that prepares them not merely to succeed in the world, but to help make it more just, more humane, and more worthy of the gifts God has entrusted to us.”
The installation ceremony took place on Friday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. in the Thomas F. Sullivan Arena at Saint Anselm, with students, faculty, staff, members of the Saint Anselm monastic community, visiting collegiate delegates, and friends and family in attendance.
After a processional which included delegates from within the College as well as from academic institutions around the country, Dr. Sheila Liotta, vice president for academic affairs, the chief marshall, and master of ceremonies welcomed attendees.
Abbot Isaac Murphy, O.S.B., college chancellor, began the ceremony with an invocation blessing Lewis, his family, and the entire Anselmian community. The night prior, at the Mass of the Holy Spirit, Abbot Isaac took time to connect three pieces of Lewis’s experience into a guide for the future – his past connection to the Jesuits, his present time at a Benedictine college, and his Canadian heritage. Using the words of a 20th century Jesuit from Quebec, Bernard Lonergan, S.J., about catholic education, he encouraged Lewis to “Be attentive, Be intelligent, Be reasonable, Be responsible, and Be in love.”
The Very Reverend Timothy M. McMahon, S.J., Rector of the Jesuit Community at Saint Louis University, took time to introduce Lewis to the Saint Anselm community, talking about their work together and how Lewis immersed himself in learning and promoting the university’s mission.
“Dr. Lewis always asks an important question: How does this decision enhance and advance the Catholic mission of the university,” said McMahon, going on to describe how Lewis made sure to be inclusive, not exclusive in his work. “To the Saint Anselm community, I say you are receiving a gifted administrator, a thoughtful Catholic educator, and most importantly, a person of integrity who takes seriously the vocation of higher education.”
Delegates shared greetings to Lewis, the Rt. Reverend Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey and chancellor of Saint Vincent College, the Saint Anselm College community with Dr. Joseph A. Parodi-Brown ’06, president of the Saint Anselm College Alumni Association, Stephen Quinn ’27, president of the Student Government Association, and Dr. Nicole Eyet, chemistry professor and Faculty Senate representative.
In his remarks, Quinn talked about what he knew about college presidents, their role, and his experience working with Lewis thus far. He ended with an endorsement from the student body, and a standing offer for him and other students to take Lewis’s “first dog” Charlie for a walk sometime.
Eyet noted her excitement to have another chemist on campus, and issued the following invitation to Lewis, saying “if you ever find yourself with some free time, our department can always find space for you in a lab if you want it!”
“I am asking everyone here to step up, join in that service, and support Mike as he leads the College,” Riegel challenged. “How do we do that? By seeing ourselves as partners in mission.”
Abbot Isaac Murphy, O.S.B., and Michael Riegel ’92, chair of the Board of Trustees, then conferred the office of the presidency to Lewis with the presidential hood and the chain of office. Lewis was gifted the presidential gown by student leaders earlier in the week at breakfast.
Before the installation ended, everyone in attendance was treated to a performance of “These Are The Days,” an original work commissioned by Saint Anselm College to celebrate the inauguration. The music was composed by Dana Center Director Joseph Deleault with lyrics by Ernest Thompson, an Academy Award winning screenwriter. The piece draws its inspiration from Dr. Lewis’s proud Nova Scotian heritage and from the rich musical traditions of New England. Performed by an ensemble led by Delault, the lyrics were sung by Ryan Burns ’07 and was accompanied by a Sean-nós Irish dancer, Rebecca McGowan.
Lewis comes to Saint Anselm from Saint Louis University, where he has been the Provost and Chief Academic Officer since 2020. He received his BSc in Chemistry from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1996 and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO in 2001. He was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Harvard University from 2001 to 2004. He replaced Dr. Joseph Favazza, who served as president for seven years and retired in June.
