CLASS OF 2025 ENCOURAGED TO GO OUT AND MAKE THE WORLD BETTER
Saint Anselm College’s 132nd Commencement was held on Saturday, May 17, celebrating 459 students who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. During the ceremony, graduates were encouraged to use the values and lessons from their time on the Hilltop to better understand and, ultimately, change the world.
College President Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., counseled graduates to understand, through forbearance, that everyone is shaped by their experiences, and that people look at issues from a particular place with a particular lens, that no one possesses the entire truth. “As you commence from this Hilltop, I want to remind you that knowing and learning stuff is simply not enough. To live authentically in relationship with others, you must understand how you know and how others know, and allow that understanding to create some space for empathy especially for those who claim truths quite different from your own,” advised Favazza, Ph.D.
“If you can do this, success will find you and you will leave the world, just as you leave this Hilltop today, better than how you found it,” concluded Favazza. “Congratulations, Class of 2025. Go make the world better.”
The Commencement Exercises were held on the Alumni Quadrangle. Despite the weather forecast, there was a large and festive crowd of family and friends cheering for the graduands as their names were read by Dean Mark Cronin, Ph.D.; Dean Diane Uzarski, D.N.P., M.P.H., R.N., and Professor Laura Wasielewski, Ed.D.
Four individuals who have distinguished themselves as nurses, journalists, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and humanitarians received honorary degrees during the ceremonies.
Pulitzer-prize winning writer Carlos Lozada delivered the commencement address, “How to Read Like a Human,” and received an Honorary Doctorate in journalism.
“When we can feel our own fears— and our joys—in the lives of others who seem unlike us, we are touching something universal,” said Lozada. “If your reading leads you to ask, ‘I wonder what it would be like,’ then you’re doing it right. You’re reading like a human.”
Presenting his citation, Fr. Jerome Day, O.S.B. ’75 remarked that Lozada “is a truth-seeker in an age of misinformation and disinformation—an erudite whose work exemplifies the careful discernment, humility, and moral clarity that lie at the heart of a liberal arts education.”
Lozada has served as an opinion columnist at The New York Times since 2022. He previously was a senior editor and book critic at The Washington Post, where he was awarded the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. His approach to both roles was clear in his address.
“Don’t read to affirm who you are; read to discover who you are, as a person, as a friend, as a citizen,” said Lozada, where he made the case for the importance of reading.
Lozada was born in Lima, Peru, and migrated to California with his family as a child. Lozada joined the University of Notre Dame faculty in 2009 as an adjunct professor for the Washington Program and taught a seminar on American political journalism.
“Treat your books like your friends. Bond with them and fight with them. Look for difference, not sameness. Make memories out of your books, visit with them again and again and again,” concluded Lozada. “After today, you’ll always be a Hawk. But a life of reading will make you fully human, too.”
Other honorary degree recipients included Dan Forbes ’81; Jim Masiello; and Capt. (Ret.) Monique V. Petrofsky ’83.
As the founding director of the Meelia Center for Community Engagement, Forbes remains a cornerstone of the college’s service work, having dedicated his life to empowering students and transforming lives both on and off the Hilltop. During his more than three decades, Forbes inspired countless Anselmians to embrace the values of compassion, service, and leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the college, the Manchester community, and beyond.
A visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist and community leader, the late Jim Masiello left a lasting imprint on the world. Masiello was a dedicated public servant with a track record of founding and leading multiple successful businesses. He deeply believed in supporting others and service to society. His son, Chris Masiello, received the H.D. for his father.
Capt. Petrofsky was recognized for her dedication to improving public health in some of the most challenging environments in the world. A nurse epidemiologist and Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), Petrofsky’s work in various countries throughout Africa has alleviated suffering, strengthened communities, and advanced the mission of global health.
The student speaker, Lindsey Dunn ’25, a nursing major from Milton, Mass., graduated Summa Cum Laude spoke about the ways they have changed over the past few years and encouraged them to never lose touch with the values they learned during their time at Saint Anselm.
“No matter how far away you travel from this quaint Benedictine college, bring your good life, your Anselmian values, with you,” concluded Dunn. “Involve yourself in your new communities. Radiate kindness. Show up for others. Hold the door for the person behind you.”
Abbot Isaac Murphy, O.S.B., the chancellor of the college, then presented three students, Roman Gugliemo, a marketing major from Hampton, N.H., Christine Landry, a French and environmental studies major in the honors program from Plymouth, Mass., and Megan Wozniak, a biochemistry and molecular biology major in the honors program from Melrose, Mass., with Chancellor’s Awards, each with gradepoint averages of 4.0. This is the first time three students have shared the honor.
During the ceremonies, Professor Kevin Doran, Ph.D., presented the 2025 Distinguished Faculty Award to retiring English Professor Ann Holbrook, Ph.D., on behalf of the college’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Doran cited, “What stands out the most when you talk to students, alumni, and faculty about [her] is that [she is] an amazing educator. As one student puts it: ‘She wants every student to succeed and grow, and she will push her students to make sure that happens.’”
Hooding ceremonies for the college’s Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Master of Education in Special Education programs took place on the morning of commencement, with 15 criminal justice and four education students conferred degrees.
On the day prior to commencement, the Senior Honors Convocation celebrated the academic achievement of the class of 2025, with 16 awards going to individuals, along with the recognition of seniors inducted into 16 honor societies.
The Convocation was followed by the Baccalaureate Mass, with Fr. John Fortin, O.S.B. ’71, delivering the Homily.
“There are times when that way forward for us will not be completely clear, when we will realize that to be truly fulfilled, we will have to make some mid-course corrections, however difficult they may be,” said Fr. Fortin. “May your way forward bring you a life well-lived, a life of good choices, a life filled with the love and grace that come from Jesus Christ.”
Following the Baccalaureate Mass, a graduation celebration was held for six senior members of the men’s lacrosse team, who left campus prior to Commencement to compete in the semi-finals of the NCAA Div. II national championship.
To read the full remarks of the commencement speakers, view photos and the simulcast of the event, go to anselm.edu/commencement.
RECENT SAINT ANSELM GRADUATE AWARDED FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP
Diego Benites ’25 was named a Fulbright recipient for the academic year 2025-2026. Out of a large pool of accomplished applicants (more than 900 this year), Benites stood out for his leadership and academic ability and was chosen for one of the 189 English Teaching Assistant (ETA) awards granted.
“[Benites’] motivation for the ETA runs deep, starting from his own experience and hurdles as a young learner with multiple disabilities, to later, not just overcoming those, but distinguishing himself on every level amongst his peers, deeply admired and regarded by faculty and students alike,” said Kimberly Kersey-Asbury, associate professor of fine arts and the Fulbright program advisor. “[He] is profoundly committed to helping others access education despite language or learning difference through a future career developing educational programing in public history.”
Benites first learned about the Fulbright program from his father, who knew about the globally recognized scholarship opportunity from growing up in Peru. When Benites was forming his post-graduate plans, his father mentioned it as a potential path.
“I thought it would be a great way for me to improve my Spanish while gaining and refining my pedagogical skills for a career in public history,” he said. “On a personal note, my family is Peruvian and Spanish, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to reconnect with my cultural roots.”
As a childhood cancer survivor, this accomplishment takes on a deeper meaning for Benites, as the odds were stacked against him from the early years of his life.
“I often still think of myself as the kid that was told he would never learn how to speak or read, so I was truly dumbstruck when I received that letter,” he said.
Following the completion of his Fulbright program, he will begin pursuing his master’s degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with the goal of achieving a Ph.D. in history or American studies.
GRADUATE EDUCATION TUITION DISCOUNTS AND POST-GRADUATE PARTNERSHIPS
A new alumni benefit was rolled out this spring: Alumni can now receive a 20 percent tuition discount on graduate education at Saint Anselm. With the addition of a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Innovation (M.S.N.) program, the college now offers four graduate programs. The programs include criminal justice (M.A.), special education (M.Ed.), public policy (M.P.P.), and now nursing (M.S.N. and P.M.C.). Additional discounts include 20 percent for teachers or those working in law enforcement, as well as 20 percent for children of alumni.
The college also continues to grow post-graduate partnerships to support student growth and development. Recently, the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences announced a second partnership with Tufts University’s School of Medicine so Anselmians interested in continuing their education in physical therapy can apply and attend Tufts University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program. Tufts will prioritize applicants from Saint Anselm who meet the program requirements. Anselmians may consider applying for any of the three locations: Boston, Phoenix, or Seattle.
The physics department worked with the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) to establish an accelerated pathway for physics majors to earn a master’s degree. The 4+1 Master of Science Program in Physics is a streamlined pathway for students to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years. Through the partnership, students may complete up to six graduate credits at UML during their undergraduate studies at Saint Anselm, helping them fast-track their master’s degree and gain a competitive edge in the job market.
COLLEGE HOSTS SIXTH AMERICAN ELECTIONS ACADEMIC SYMPOSIUM
This spring, Saint Anselm College, in partnership with the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP), hosted the sixth biannual American Elections Academic Symposium. The conference, titled “Politics in Uncertain Times,” brought together 32 authors and coauthors from 25 institutions and provided a platform for scholars to discuss the latest research on the 2024 election cycle.
Event organizers included Prof. Kevin Doran, chair, sociology and social work; Prof. Tauna Sisco, chair, psychology; and politics professors Christopher Galdieri and Jennifer Lucas. Opening remarks were made by Abbot Isaac Murphy, O.S.B., who offered reflections on the recent abbatial elections in the monastery and made comparisons to a secular election process.
“The American Elections Conference is consistently one of the most engaging and collegial conferences I’ve attended, so I was excited to be able to contribute as a co-organizer this year,” said Doran. “We had a thoughtful dialogue about the research that the participants shared with those in attendance.”
The symposium featured multiple panel discussions, covering election administration, voter behavior, and party realignment. A keynote address was delivered by Dannagal Young, Ph.D., from the University of Delaware, who provided insights into the evolving political landscape in the wake of the 2024 elections.
Lucas expressed enthusiasm about the symposium’s success, highlighting the importance of bringing together some of the nation’s leading election scholars. “The symposium style allows for conversation among election scholars as they update scholarly theories about campaigns and elections based on the results of the 2024 elections,” she said. “The papers covered topics ranging from election administration to explaining why Harris lost and Trump won, and included fascinating questions like, ‘How does climate change impact elections?’ and ‘How do politics intersect with perceptions of Taylor Swift?’”
FROM CAPITOL HILL TO THE CLASSROOM
Former N.H. congressman and senator, John E. Sununu, took on the role of lecturer on campus this spring. The class, Congressional Power, was held at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP). John E. Sununu is the son of John H. Sununu, a former N.H. governor and White House chief of staff. He’s also the brother of former N.H. governor Chris Sununu. Senator Sununu represented N.H. as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997-2003 as well as the U.S. Senate from 2003 through 2009.
The class provided students with the chance to learn from a former politician who brings knowledge from the Capitol itself. Politics major Conor Beswick ’26 shared an insight into having Sununu as an instructor: “The senator created an atmosphere that [was] challenging but also inviting for students to participate and take risks.”
GORDON SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWS
Each year, the academic advisory committee for the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) selects students to be granted the Gordon Summer Research Fellowship. This fellowship enables highly motivated students to pursue undergraduate research in the areas of their choice. This year, the committee named Taisiia Illichevska ’26 and Brianna Moran ’26 as the 2025 Gordon Scholars.
Illichevska, a data science and analytics major from Kyiv, Ukraine, is studying how political polarization is perpetuated by certain voting systems, and why options such as Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), sometimes referred to as Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), can be more effective in the election of a moderate candidate.
“I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a Summer 2025 Gordon Fellow,” Illichevska says. “This fellowship empowers me to pursue meaningful research, challenge myself intellectually, and contribute to a field I'm passionate about.”
Moran, a politics major with minors in campaign management and history is from Hudson, Mass., and is studying “Experiencing Hegemony: Masculinity in The Joe Rogan Experience.”
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Professor Lucas on this project, which I will build upon next semester for my senior thesis,” she says. “I am immensely grateful to the Institute of Politics for this opportunity.”
BR. JOSEPH WENCIS ENTERS THE NOVITIATE
On Thursday, March 20, Mr. Nicholas Wencis was received into the novitiate and clothed in the monastic habit. Abbot Isaac Murphy, O.S.B. gave him his religious name, Br. Joseph.
Br. Joseph’s patron is Saint Joseph, earthly father of Jesus and patron of the Universal Church. Br. Joseph is a native of Atkinson, N.H. Fr. Bernard Disco, O.S.B. will serve as his Novice Master. Please pray for Br. Joseph as he begins this year of formation. Please continue to pray that our community will be blessed with new vocations
NOAH MANUEL ’23 RECEIVED AS A POSTULANT
On Monday, June 2, Noah Manuel ’23 was received into the community as a postulant by Abbot Isaac Murphy, O.S.B. He is a native of Newport, R.I. Please pray for Noah as he begins his monastic life with us.
NEILA CHAMPS AGAIN FOR MEN’S LACROSSE
Drew Bourdeau ’18 named Coach of the Year, nine Hawks earn All-New England honors.
For a fifth consecutive season, the Saint Anselm College men’s lacrosse team has finished as the top Division II team in the season-ending rankings from the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA). The Hawks solidified their spot atop the New England rankings with their fourth victory this season over Bentley in the NCAA First Round.
Helping Saint Anselm to this milestone were nine student-athletes who earned spots on the NEILA First and Second Teams. Additionally, the Hawks were led by a NEILA Coach of the Year—head coach Drew Bourdeau ’18, who claimed the prestigious honor.
This marks Bourdeau’s second coaching accolade of the season, having already been named NE10 Co-Coach of the Year. A former three-time NEILA honoree as a player, Bourdeau becomes just the third coach in Saint Anselm history to earn NEILA Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the Hawks secured a program-record 14 wins and advanced to the NCAA Semifinals for the second time in team history—both trips coming in the past two seasons.
Among the season’s milestones were the program’s first-ever victory over Adelphi (a 9–6 win) and its highest national ranking to date, reaching No. 3 in the USILA national poll.
NEILA First Team picks for the Hawks include Will Andrews ’25, Colby Goodchild ’26, Finn Granara ’27, Matt Lemay ’28, and Johnny Lucas ’28.
NEILA Second Team picks include Joe Lombardi ’25, Colin Mulvey ’25,Chris Claflin ’26, and Quinn Gannon ’26.
With a deep roster, rising and returning talent, and a coach of the year at the helm, men’s lacrosse is not only celebrating the end of a special season—they’re building toward an even brighter one.