New beginnings were on the horizon for the Class of 2029 as Saint Anselm College’s largest and most diverse class yet rolled onto the hilltop with smiles, suitcases, and so much to look forward to.
DAY ONE
Beginning early move-in morning, incoming Anselmians and their loved ones were greeted by the Saint Anselm community with open arms (metaphorically and literally, as faculty, staff, and fellow students stood by ready to unload all things dorm!). The sun beamed down on the lower quad, and a tasteful tease of autumn tickled the air as cars donning plates from east to west idled patiently for their turn in the pre-college procession.
Soundtracked by car horns beeping and cult classics like Hannah Montana’s “Best of Both Worlds,” orientation leaders met students and their families with gentle smiles and words of encouragement. Football players sang along and playfully placed bets on who could carry the most refrigerators into Joan of Arc Hall. Students flushed with embarrassment as parents snapped seemingly never-ending photos of their big day. Out came the command strips and the shower shoes, and in the blink of an eye, move-in was complete.
After spending some time making the new spaces their own, students ran some last-minute errands to ensure a smooth start to the school year. For some, this meant receiving their student IDs and buying textbooks at the bookstore. For others, this meant stopping by the Gallo Café for a much needed (and deserved) coffee break.
Not all Saint Anselm students are decorating dorms on move-in day, because some aren’t moving in at all! For commuter students, the Center for Intercultural Learning and Inclusion hosted a check-in so that off-campus students could familiarize themselves with a space catered to them. Every seat at the commuter check-in was filled, as this year the College welcomed a historic number of commuters (more than 50) to campus.
A few days ahead of move-in, the Center for Intercultural Learning and Inclusion hosted its annual pre-orientation Transitions Program. The three-day event aims to help students gain a deeper connection to campus resources, faculty, staff, and peers. The first week of classes and orientation can be overwhelming at times, so Transitions offers a wonderful way for students to find a familiar face.
After an action-packed morning, bellies were rumbling. With food on their minds, students and their loved ones headed towards Davison Dining Hall to enjoy a delicious lunch. The meet-and-greet social served as the perfect opportunity for students to get to know one another and find some familiar faces. From Turkey BLTs and tangy cucumber salad to frosted M&M cookie bars, everyone was left satisfied and ready to take on the rest of the busy day.
Then came the Resource Fair. Located in the Jean Student Center, students visited a plethora of offices to ask questions, get resources, and gain useful information about the many organizations on campus, from the academic resource center to student engagement.
Around 3 p.m., a chorus of Saint Anselm bells chimed as Mass commenced in the Abbey Church. Students and loved ones who wished to attend this afternoon service experienced the hallmarks of the Benedictine tradition steeped in the foundation of Saint Anselm College.
In the afternoon shadow of Alumni Hall, Orientation Leader (OL) Student Chair Abigail McGonigle ’26 gave a moving address as she reflected on her time at Saint Anselm, offering the students insightful guidance ahead of their next four years.
“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned here is that sometimes you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” shared McGonigle. “Whether it means stepping into a club you know nothing about, introducing yourself to someone new, or taking a class that pushes you —you will find that stepping out of your comfort zone is often when you’ll grow the most.”
President Joseph Favazza, Ph.D., followed McGonigle’s speech with a sincere welcome to the incoming freshmen and their families. This speech was extra meaningful, as the Class of 2029 is the final class Favazza will welcome ahead of his retirement next June.
As the time came for loved ones to say goodbye, buckets of bittersweet tears rained over the green Alumni Quad grass. Loving hugs and ‘good luck!’ wishes were exchanged as car doors shut, and families departed from campus —leaving a piece of their heart on the Saint Anselm campus. With that, it was time for the student programs to begin!
After loved ones had cleared from the campus, the Class of 2029 was invited to mingle with one another, get organized with their orientation groups, and attend a new student BBQ. The rest of the evening included residence floor meetings, a commuter social, and Playfair —a powerful program to kickstart friendships, campus unity, school spirit, and the college experience.
“What makes Saint Anselm so special isn’t just the classes, the traditions, or even the beautiful campus —it’s the people. This is a place where someone will hold the door for you even if you’re 20 feet away, where strangers quickly become friends, and where you’ll find yourself surrounded by people who truly want you to succeed,” McGonigle further shared with the incoming class.
DAY TWO
After a restful night of sleep, students joined their orientation groups to munch on a delicious breakfast in Davison Dining Hall. This was the perfect fuel for a busy morning of academic department meetings – intended for students to build meaningful connections with department faculty and professors.
To resolve the morning, students attended guest speaker Victoria Adewumi’s “We Belong: Building an Inclusive Community Together” and Nicole Lora’s ‘06 “Call to Service.” These insightful talks provided a perfect segue into the College’s annual Brian Maguire Day of Service.
Day of Service is a long-standing tradition at orientation that introduces students to the College’s ethic of service and connects them to the local community in Manchester. The Class of 2029 participated in a variety of service projects, including cleaning up local elementary schools.
To celebrate a day of hard work, a pep rally kicked off ahead of an exciting Women’s Varsity Soccer game. Decked out head to toe in school spirits, incoming students dipped their toes into what it means to be Anselmian. The students cheered and the night came to life on the campus green.
For students who weren’t ready to call it a night, a lively karaoke session and trivia at the Pub were in full force at the Coffee Shop.
DAY THREE
Another full day of festivities passed before it was time for the annual new student banquet. Students dressed up in semi-formal attire to socialize with their new classmates and celebrate the “official” start of the academic year. President Favazza and Class of 2026’s Student Body President Colby Lynch raised the Class of 2029 banner, introducing the incoming class to yet another timeless Saint Anselm tradition.
“The unknown can be scary but stepping into a brand new chapter of life is never easy,” shared Colby Lynch ’26. “College is what you make of it. You get to decide how you want these next four years to look.”
The students ended the evening with a candlelight ceremony at the Grotto. Even though starting college is an exciting experience, the large change can often be scary and overwhelming. With this knowledge, Saint Anselm is continuously determined to make those first few days as enjoyable as possible. The hilltop community is so grateful to have the Class of 2029 and can’t wait for all they accomplish in their years as Anselmians and beyond.
Photo Galleries
● Move In Day, August 21, 2025