ORIENTATION 2026
We are so excited to welcome YOU to the Hilltop! We have a full schedule of educational and fun programs planned to help you get to know your fellow students and the entire Anselmian community.
January Orientation
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
First-time first-year students and transfer students are welcomed to the Hilltop by faculty, staff, administrators, and peer mentors. Students are encouraged to use campus resources and support services as they acclimate.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | Check-in and Settle In (Davison Hall Lobby) |
| 11:30 a.m. - 11:35 a.m. | Welcome from Orientation Leader (OL) Committee Co-Chairs Blake Room, Savard Welcome Center |
| 11:35 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | Introduction to the Benedictine, Catholic Mission and Identity (+DEIB) of Saint Anselm College and Community Expectations Dr. Karlea Brunelle, Associate Dean of Student Development and Mission |
| 12:05 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. | Lunch with Members of the College Community (Blake Room) |
| 12:40 p.m. - 1:10 p.m. | Student Resources Panel 1 Academic Resource Center, Career Development Center, Library, Meelia Center, Study Abroad, TRIO |
| 1:10 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. | Student Resources Panel 2 Campus Ministry, Health Services, Intercultural Center, Residential Life, Student Engagement and Leadership |
| 1:40 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. | Closing Comments and Q&A with Dr. Ben Horton and Dean Jean Couture |
| 1:50 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Campus Tour and The Saint Anselm Student Experience |
| 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Dinner with Orientation Leaders (Davison Dining Hall) |
Anselmian Beginnings Part I: June Orientation
Enrolled students are invited to attend one of the three 2026 dates below for part I:
Tuesday, June 16 Wednesday, June 17 Thursday, June 18
June Orientation offers sessions for parents, guardians, and other primary supporters. New students (both residential and commuting; both first-year and transfer) will connect with faculty from their major, register for fall classes, learn about academic and community expectations, and meet their classmates, peer transfer students, and other peer leaders.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:15 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. | Check-in (Davison Hall) Students check-in and pick up their folders; photos for student IDs taken here |
| 8:50 a.m. - 9:05 a.m. | General Welcome Session (Davison Hall)
|
| Student Schedule | |
| 9:20 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. | Faculty-Led Advising and Class Registration Sessions by Major (Various classroom locations) |
| 11:00 a.m. —11:50 a.m. | Community Expectations and the First-Year Experience (Melucci Theater, Roger and Francine Jean Student Center) |
| 12:00 p.m. - 12:50 p.m. | Student to Student Connection (Alumni Hall Quad) (Rain location: Carr Center) |
| Family Schedule (Koonz Theatre, Dana Center) | |
| 9:20 a.m. – 9:55 a.m. | Living and Learning on the Hilltop |
| 10:10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Taking Care of Business |
| 11:00 a.m. - 11:35 a.m. | Anselmian Journey: Parents Helping Parents |
| 11:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Supporting Students on Their Journey |
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
| Campus Resource Expo (Dana Center Lobby)
|
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
| Lunch and Campus Resource Expo (Davison Hall) Offices that will be available in Davison to answer questions include:
|
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
| Residence Hall Tours A member of the Saint Anselm Community will be located at Joseph Hall, Baroody, and Alumni Streets to provide you a hall tour. See the Campus Map for each Hall location. Questions? Please see our staff at the Campus Resource Expo. |
2:10 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
| Afternoon Sessions for Students and Families
|
Anselmian Beginnings Part II: Move-in and August Orientation
Schedule of Events
- Class of 2030 and Transfer Students Move-in: Thursday, August 27
- Commuting Students Check-In and have a Welcome Lunch: Thursday, August 27
- Orientation: Thursday, August 27 - Saturday, August 29
New students will meet 2030 classmates and transfer students from the other class years while learning what it means to be Anselmian. Orientation leaders will give a preview of the next four years and help students become familiar with campus and student resources.
Thursday, August 27
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 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
|
| 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | International Student Orientation (President’s Dining Room in Davison Hall) |
| 11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. | Commuter Check-in (Intercultural Center, Jean Student 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:
|
| 11:30 a.m. | Alumni, Family, and Friends Photo (Bouchard Sonnet Stage, Gregory Grappone Humanities Institute—Behind Alumni Hall) 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. Michael Lewis and Orientation Leader (OL) Student Co-Chairs, Katherine Hurley ’27 and Mia Polston ‘27, as we welcome you into the community |
| 3:30 p.m. | Student Program Begins Time to say goodbye to your family and join your orientation group on the Alumni Quad |
| 3:30 p.m. | Alumni Family Reception (Campus Pub) 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 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 Koonz Theatre, Dana Center |
| 5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. | Message from Dr. Susan Gabert, Vice President for Student Development and Mission / Dean of Students Koonz Theatre, Dana Center |
| 5:55 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. | New student BBQ (will go thru Servery) sit with OL Group Campus Green, Rain Location: Davison Dining Hall |
| 7:20 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 |
Friday, August 28
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 7:45 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. | Breakfast with your OL Group Davison Dining Hall |
| 8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. | Academic Department Meetings (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. *Accounting, Business, Economics, Finance, Marketing, and Nursing*
We Belong: Building a Culture of Respect and Belonging with Nicole Lora, ‘06 and Karina Bonilla, ‘21 (Koonz Theatre, Dana Center) Session closes with Call to Service by Allyn Doyle ‘13, Meelia Center Director (Koonz Theatre) *All other majors not mentioned above* |
| 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Academic Department Meetings (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. *All other majors not mentioned above for the 8:45am session*
We Belong: Building a Culture of Respect and Belonging with Nicole Lora, ‘06 and Karina Bonilla, ‘21 (Koonz Theatre, Dana Center) Session closes with Call to Service by Allyn Doyle ‘13, Meelia Center Director (Koonz Theatre) *Accounting, Business, Economics, Finance, Marketing, and Nursing* |
| 11:10 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. | Dialogue and Reflection facilitated by OLs within OL Groups |
| 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Lunch with OL Group (Davison Dining Hall) *Start loading buses 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. | Grab-&-Go Dinner and Pep Rally Davison Dining Hall / Campus Green |
| 6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. | Being Anselmian Abbey Church |
| 7:30 p.m. | Let’s cheer on the Varsity Field Hockey Team (Grappone) |
| 9:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Evening Programs [student choice]
|
Saturday, August 29
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast with your OL Group Davison Dining Hall |
| 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Shot of Reality (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre) Beyond the Line: Navigating Respect and Boundaries (Melucci Theater) |
| 10:20 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. | Shot of Reality (Melucci Theater) Beyond the Line: Navigating Respect and Boundaries (Dana Center, Koonz Theatre) |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | OL Group Dialogue and Reflection for Shot of Reality and Beyond the Line: Navigating Respect and Boundaries Various locations outdoors; Rain Locations/Classroom Locations |
| 12:00 p.m. - 1:20 p.m. | Lunch with OL Group Davison Dining Hall |
| 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Your Anselmian Journey with Dean Jenne Powers and Dean Nicole Lora, ‘06 Dana Center, Koonz Theatre |
| 2:45 p.m. - 5:50 p.m. | Optional Afternoon Programming
|
| 5:50 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. | 2030 Class Picture Saint Anselm Statue, Alumni Hall |
| 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | New Student Banquet (Davison Dining Hall) Celebrate the "official" start of the academic year! Dr. Michael Lewis, President of the College and Stephen Quinn ’27, Student Body President, will address the class of 2030 and transfer students. During the banquet, we will also raise the Class of 2030 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. - 10:15 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. |
What to Expect at Move-in and August Orientation
On move-in day, you’ll be greeted by the Saint Anselm Community with open arms — both metaphorically and literally, as faculty, staff, and fellow students unload your car.
Commuting students will first be welcomed by the Intercultural Center when they check-in and then enjoy a welcome lunch in the President’s Dining Room.
All new students will then join their orientation groups for academic and Anselmian life sessions, as well as for meals, the College’s annual Brian Maguire Day of Service, the Pep Rally, and the New Student Banquet.
Get Social!
Students, follow us on Instagram to connect with fellow class members!
Parents, guardians, and family, join the Class of 2030 family Facebook group!
Questions?
Please contact Jean Couture, Assistant Dean of Students, and Director, Student Engagement and Leadership at orientation@anselm.edu or jcouture@anselm.edu.
Additional Resources
For questions about being a commuter:
Jean Couture, email orientation@anselm.edu
For questions about residential life and education:
Christine Gallardo, email residencelife@anselm.edu
For questions about registering for classes:
Charles Perreault, email registrar@anselm.edu
For additional questions: email Jean Couture