Bennett Ronayne '27

Bennett Ronayne ‘27 | Physics major, Theology and Spanish minor 

Bennett Ronayne ’27 believes college truly is what you make of it. By putting in the hard work, even if it means occasional lack of sleep and frustration, you’ll make the most of your education, according to Ronayne. He feels that Saint Anselm’s liberal arts core not only made him a well-rounded academic, but a more empathetic human being. 

What made you choose to attend Saint Anselm College?

As an aspiring engineer, it was unorthodox to come to a liberal arts school. I desired a more well-rounded education than what I anticipated I would receive from an engineering school, so I looked to dive deeper into my Roman Catholic faith through strong theology classes and unique opportunities provided by the Saint Anselm Abbey. During my senior year of high school, one of my mentors mentioned to me that he graduated from Saint Anselm. It was the last of 13 schools I applied to, and I absolutely adored the campus and community when I visited. I also desired to build community in a size comfortable to me—that being a few thousand students.

Have you been involved in any clubs/organizations on the Hilltop? 

I have been a member of Hawks for Life, A-Men, Knights of Columbus, Ultimate Frisbee Club, Theology Society, Curriculum Committee, and volunteered through the Meelia Center for Community Engagement, though most of my time outside of class is spent working. On campus, I worked for Physical Plant, Campus Ministry, and Admission, and I am currently working a structural engineering co-op internship at Weston & Sampson that I got through a Saint Anselm alum. I found that spending my time outside of class in fruitful ways, whether getting physical activity, talking theology or other important topics, achieving tasks for a job, or fostering kinship has been a great factor to my success as a student.

How is the Weston & Sampson internship going? 

The experience has been awesome as I have come to learn a lot about the industry, the company, and the platforms which are essential in the engineering field. As an aspiring engineer, this co-op will be a big influence on where I’d like to work and what I’d like to do in the industry. I will be returning to work for the company in the summer.

How did you select what you wanted to major and minor in?

I planned my schedule so I could fulfill all requirements for a Physics major as well as two minors. Ever since I intentionally grasped onto my faith during high school, I desired to formally study it. When I came to Saint Anselm, I saw a clear path to do so and decided to declare the Theology minor. After going to Granada, Spain with the Modern Languages and Literatures Department and taking Spanish 300 to fulfill my honors language requirement, I was left with just two more classes to get a Spanish minor. I spent a great amount of time studying Spanish in high school inside and outside of class and developed a love for the language I would have never expected.

What’s your favorite thing to do on campus?

I would have to say walking the trails behind Uppers and past the monastery. I love the wildlife and the serenity of a good long walk in the woods. Also, there is a marsh-like area where there is a beaver family, and I like to stand there and watch the beaver swim around.

Do you have a favorite professor? 

My favorite professor is probably Professor Gary Bouchard. I had him for Conversatio my freshman year and absolutely loved the energy and personality he brought to class. Since then, I’ve gone to many events through the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute which he runs. He is very authentic and just a great guy to be around.

How has Saint Anselm changed you? 

The beauty of the liberal arts education is that it drives everyone into conversation about their beliefs or understandings and tends to destroy the false understandings of things we all subscribe to. As a freshman, I thought I knew plenty of stuff and that college would be giving me little tidbits I didn’t pick up along the way. However, I’ve found that college had destroyed a lot of the ways I falsely viewed others, their beliefs, and the world in general. As a result, I have grown in empathy and knowledge while fostering a deep and powerful hunger for more knowledge.

What have been some of your favorite courses? 

I’d say the biggest ones have been Remote Sensing, Early Church, and French Revolution & Napoleon. Remote Sensing was a very interesting and engaging class because I learned a platform I had never heard of before (ArcGIS) which led to my final project of mapping a vegetation index of when leaves change. Early Church drove me further into my faith and my interest in theology as I had never read the Church Fathers. I found that they interpreted Scripture dramatically different than many of us today would, instilling my desire for more knowledge on the early church and Scripture. French Revolution & Napoleon has been interesting for me as I thought I never liked history, but because of my growing interest in reading throughout college, I latched onto the story of the revolution and found it fascinating, making me want to study history further.

Do you have a favorite spot to study on campus?

It moves from place to place over time. My freshman year I loved the Geisel Library and my own dorm room, sophomore year I loved studying in the Roger and Francine Jean Student Center, and this year I have gone from the library to the lower church and now the Physics Suite in the Goulet Science Center.

Why would you suggest someone study at Saint Anselm?

I would suggest that someone attend because of the deep faith life on campus breathed into academics through the liberal arts education. Though you do not have to be Catholic to attend Saint Anselm and there isn’t pressure for you to be Catholic; by participating in the liberal arts tradition, you are participating in the second part of Anselm of Canterbury’s anecdote of “faith seeking understanding.” Saint Anselm is extremely good at educating the entire human being, leading you to be very well rounded. This is important not only for getting a good career after college, but also for your own human flourishing.

Do you know what you’d like to pursue after Saint Anselm? 

After Saint Anselm I will hopefully work for an engineering firm full time and attend graduate school for civil engineering in the evenings. In my own time, I want to read more consistently than what I have time for now - my “to-read” list keeps growing as time keeps dwindling. I would also love to move out, get married, and start my “adult life” as Squints Palledorous calls it in The Sandlot.