New Student Orientation

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Residential Students Move-in

All new residential students must first check-in at the registration tables in order to gain access to the residence halls. Please check your Saint Anselm email for details on your check-in time and location.

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Getting Settled

Commuter students and students that have moved-in early are encouraged to be on campus by 11 a.m. 

All new students are encouraged to finish any last-minute items before the start of orientation such as getting a student ID card, buying books from the Bookstore, and visiting Geisel Library in between Bookstore etc.

11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. | Commuter Check-in (Intercultural Center)

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | New Student and Family Lunch 

New students and families are invited to lunch at Davison Dining Hall.

11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Resource Fair (Jean Student Center)

Visit the following offices for resources and information:

• Academic Advisement / Assistant Dean for First-Year Students (2nd floor)
• Academic Resource Center (2nd floor)
• Campus Ministry (1st floor)
• Career Development Center (1st floor)
• Fr. Jonathan Intercultural Center (1st floor)
• Health Services (ground floor)
• Meelia Center for Community Service (1st floor)
• Residential Life and Education Office (ground floor)
• Student Engagement and Leadership Office (ground floor)
• Study Abroad and International Programs Office (1st floor)
• The Harbor (ground floor)
• TRIO Office (ground floor)

11:30 a.m. | Alumni Family Photo

Join Saint Anselm family, friends, and alumni for a group photo.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Commuter Student and Family Lunch

Commuter students and their families are welcome to gather in the President’s Dining Room, Davison Hall, for a meet-and-greet lunch social.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | New Student and Family Mass (Saint Anselm Abbey Church)

Students and their families are invited to join us for Mass in the Abbey Church.

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | President’s Welcome (Alumni Quad; Rain Location: Sullivan Arena)

All new students and their families are invited to join Dr. Joseph Favazza and Orientation Leader (OL) Student Co-chairs, Rosemarie Donovan ’25 and Molly Timberlake ’25, as we welcome you into the community.

3:30 p.m. | Student Program Begins

Time to say goodbye to your family/guests and join your orientation group on the Alumni Quad.

3:30 p.m. | Alumni Family Reception

After family members say their goodbyes, alumni family members are invited to meet and mingle with fellow alumni. Light refreshments will be served.

3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. | Orientation Group – First Meeting (Alumni Quad; Rain Plan: various classroom locations)

Join your Orientation Leaders (OLs) to kick-off your orientation experience, meet your classmates, get organized for the rest of the day, and have some fun! Check your Saint Anselm email for your team assignment.

4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Academic Citizenship with Prof. Aubrey Scheopner Torres (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

Discussion of academic citizenship and the value of a Benedictine, liberal arts education.

5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. | Message from Dr. Susan Gabert, Vice President for Student Development and Mission/Dean of Students (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

5:50 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | New student BBQ (students will go through servery and sit with OL group) (Campus Green, Rain Location: Davison Dining Hall)

7:40 p.m. - 8:20 p.m. | Residential Floor Meeting (Residence Halls)
Commuter Social (Jean Center, SGA Senate Room)

8:30 p.m. –10:30 p.m. | Playfair (Sullivan Arena)
Playfair is a powerful program for campus unity and school spirit. It is the perfect way to make new campus friendships and kick-off your college experience.

7:45 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. | Breakfast with your OL Group (Davison Dining Hall)

8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. | Meeting with Academic Departments (various locations) 

To help begin your journey with a strong academic connection, all new students will have an introductory meeting with faculty from their academic departments.

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | We Belong: Building an Inclusive Community Together with Guest Speaker, Victoria Adewumi (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

11:30 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. | Call to Service by Nicole Lora ’06, Meelia Center Director
*Dismiss International Students to Blake Room for International Orientation
*Dismiss first Service Groups to Lunch

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Lunch with OL Group (Davison Dining Hall)

*International Student Orientation Session (Blake Room, Savard Welcome Center)
*Start loading buses for Day of Service by 12:45 p.m.

12:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Brian Maguire Day of Service (various locations)
(with on-campus group reflections on service and inclusivity) 

This is an opportunity for new students to learn about and engage with the Manchester community. It is also an introduction to the ethic of service at Saint Anselm College.

5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. | Dinner (Davison Hall)

6:20 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Pre-Game Pep Rally (Sullivan Arena)

7:00 p.m. - 8:45 pm. | Women’s Varsity Soccer (Grappone)

9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Evening Programs [student choice]

• Karaoke at the Coffee Shop!
• Pub Trivia at the Pub!
• Bring your meal card and have a snack.

7:45 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. | Breakfast with OL Group (Davison Dining Hall) 

8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. | Shot of Reality (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | OK 2 Discuss (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | OL Group Dialogue and Reflection for Shot of Reality and OK 2 Discuss (Various locations outdoors; Rain Locations/Classroom Locations)

11:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. | Being Anselmian (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

12:20 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch with OL Group (Davison Dining Hall)

1:40 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. | Class Dean Welcome and Introduction to Academics and Academic Resources (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre)

2:50 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Road for Hope Return (Alumni Quad)

3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Campus / Classroom Tours with your OL Group (Campus Wide)

4:00 p.m. - 5:50 p.m. | Break

5:50 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. | 2028 Class Picture (Campus Green)

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | New Student Banquet (Davison Dining Hall)

Celebrate the "official" start of the academic year! Dr. Joseph Favazza, President of the College and Salvatore Parent ’25, Student Body President, will address the class of 2028 and transfer students. During the banquet, we will also raise the Class of 2028 banner. The banquet will provide an opportunity for you to dress up (semi-formal attire) and socialize with your new classmates.

8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Anselmian Blessing at the Grotto (Grotto and Campus Green)

Join fellow students for a candlelight ceremony to bless and induct our new students into the Anselmian community. Come to receive the blessing, light a candle at the Grotto, and receive your official Anselmian bracelet.

8:45 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. | Paul Ramsay’s Hypnotist Show (Koonz Theatre)

Hypnotist Paul Ramsay will keep you laughing as he takes you on a journey into the mind.

10:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. | New Student Dance Party (First Floor of the Jean Student Center)

Join your Orientation Leaders to celebrate the successful completion of your Orientation experience.