On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, members of the Saint Anselm College community gathered to honor the legacy of Donald McCready by naming the Event Space in the Roger and Francine Jean Student Center in his honor.
“We will always be grateful to Don for helping us to make an education here at Saint Anselm College possible for all students,” said Dr. Joseph A. Favazza, president of the College. “To thank Don and recognize his integral support of our students, this room, The Donald E. McCready Event Center, is named in his honor as a perpetual remembrance and a tribute to future Anselmians who will benefit from his infinitely kind and generous spirit.”
Around 30 family, friends, and College faculty and staff attended the dedication. Jim Flanagan, senior vice president and chief advancement officer, welcomed the guests to the event. Dr. Favazza provided remarks to the group, followed by a blessing by Abbott Mark Cooper, O.S.B ’71 HD’04. The event ended with brief remarks by Peter Labombarde, senior director of gift planning, and a luncheon for attendees.
McCready was introduced to Saint Anselm College by Fr. Iain MacLellan ’78 through Carol Murphy, a longtime friend and Fr. Iain’s cousin. He accompanied her to campus, and swiftly began to admire both the College and its students. He established the Donald E. McCready and Carol M. Murphy Endowed Scholarship Fund, which supports underrepresented, low-income or first-generation college students. In addition to his endowed scholarship, McCready was a longtime supporter of the Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center, the Captain Kyle Van De Giesen Class of 2002 Memorial Endowed Scholarship, and the Father Jonathan, O.S.B. Center for Intercultural Learning and Inclusion.