Reunion Weekend 2009 Draws Alumni From Over 50 Saint Anselm Classes
June 8, 2009
Weeks after graduating the class of 2009 into its alumni body, Saint Anselm College welcomed back over 700 alumni from over 50 classes for Reunion Weekend — from as far as south as Florida, north as Ontario, West as Washington state, and near as Goffstown, N.H. Read more
Students Deliver Food, Clothing, and Furniture to Manchester Residents
June 2, 2009
If attention spans and academic motivation wavered as summer vacation loomed near, the Benedictine spirit was one aspect of Saint Anselm College that remained strong when 20 students delivered food, clothing, and furniture to charities and needy families in Manchester, N.H. through the Food, Clothing and Furniture (FCF) Drive. Read more
President Obama Should Look to the Past for Guidance
April 14, 2009
The Obama administration should be paying attention to the history books says Professor Andrew Moore, a presidential historian and scholar at Saint Anselm College. In a recent interview, Professor Moore provided his analysis of the first few months of the Obama administration, with an emphasis on historical examples of past presidents governing in tough financial times. Read more
Time's Mark Halperin Meets With Students and Lectures at NHIOP
March 4, 2009
On February 23, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) welcomed Time editor-at-large and political analyst Mark Halperin to campus for a full day of activities and an evening lecture.
Halperin began his day meeting with a small group of Student Ambassadors and members of the college faculty to discuss program ideas and political journalism. After an afternoon writing articles for Time in the NHIOP Research Center, Halperin met with a group of students and staff to discuss possible future civic education initiatives. He then participated in a video interview with Jennifer Donahue in the NHIOP Studio on President Obama’s first 100 days and then a dinner hosted by President Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., with guests from the campus community.
In Halperin's evening lecture, entitled “The Obama Administration—The Story So Far,” he discussed both the successes and challenges confronting the Obama administration. He also used the opportunity to discuss his thoughts concerning the New Hampshire primary for 2012. While Halperin hesitated from making any predictions, citing past experiences of predicting Hillary Clinton would not be the choice for Secretary of State, he enjoyed the prospect of discussing politics with people who “were not only interested in politics, but who understand [it] well.”
He began his lecture discussing the positives that have emerged from the Obama administration. He believes that a great strength of President Obama is that he is well suited for pressure and never overreacts. Halperin described Obama as “even,” never overreacting when things are bad, but also never getting too excited when things are good. Obama, in Halperin’s view, has not been overwhelmed by the job and has not displayed any visible sense of panic. He argued that this personality type is extremely beneficial, especially during times of crisis.
Halperin also thought that Obama had made very good choices for his appointments, calling the members of his cabinet “impressive.” He described Obama as a great boss, managing his administration well and never displaying favoritism as many past Presidents have done.
On the flip side, Halperin discussed the Obama administration's negatives so far. While he cited a few examples, he believed the biggest issue was the concern of Democrats on maintaining their majority rather than solving the economic crisis in a more bipartisan fashion. He discussed the idea that Obama has allowed Republicans to say he is not being bipartisan, and thus creating tension on Capitol Hill. “Problems can’t be solved with party line votes,” says Halperin, congressional representatives need buy in both Washington and around the country, and this will not come without working across party lines. He was surprised Obama had let it get to this point so soon, and compared the process Obama was using to that of former President Geoge W. Bush — going to Nancy Pelosi and asking how to get members of the other party’s votes. Halperin believed this move came at the great expense of bipartisanship.
As for the New Hampshire Primary, Halperin argued that even if Obama were to be unsuccessful as president, he would likely not face any democratic opposition should he decide to run for a second term. Proposing that Obama will raise close to a billion dollars for the campaign, Halperin suggested that the large sum of money and the popularity of the President will deter both Democrats and Republicans from running. Halperin finished his lecture with some great news for New Hampshire. As the primary will most likely focus on the Republicans, there will be less chance that New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation status will be encroached upon, as the debate has risen historically from the Democratic Party.
Trading Pennies for Pencils: Students Raise Money for a School in Central Asia
March 3, 2009
Today's struggling economy threatens the value of the penny, but a group of Saint Anselm College students are committed to restoring Abraham Lincoln's battered popularity.
The students of Professor Thomas Fitzpatrick's Social Entrepreneurship class have partnered with 12 local schools to raise money for Pennies for Peace, a program of the Central Asia Institute. The change collected by students will directly fund the construction of a school in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
In addition, a downtown Manchester hair salon, Studio 61, at 61 Elm Street, has agreed to donate $5 to Pennies for Peace for every sale over $15. The offer extends through March 13.
As part of a semester-long project, Professor Fitzpatrick's business class has recruited the compassion of students from a number of elementary and high school schools across southern New Hampshire. Saint Anselm College students have outlined the inspiration and objective of the Pennies for Peace project to the younger students through a sequence of presentations and discussions at the local schools.
"The principals are really excited about the project and the [Saint Anselm College] students are meeting with great success in their outreach," explains Dr. Fitzpatrick, the project's facilitator.
The presentations are designed to bridge a connection between American students and the less fortunate children of Pakistan and Afghanistan, where many remote villages cannot afford to support the $1 per day salary of teachers. During the discussions, Saint Anselm students communicate the power of philanthropy and stress every penny's potential to transform the future of a child across the globe.
Dr. Fitzpatrick says, "We have already raised $1,000 at Merrimack High School and right now with only 3 schools' first-week donations we are already over $2,000."
With the support of local schools, Saint Anselm College hopes to raise over $10,000 for Pennies for Peace. "The penny drive will bring together the residents of Manchester; everyone has a jar full of coins just collecting dust that they can contribute," says Will Combes, a junior business major.
Combes has cultivated a business relationship with David Steer, the owner of Studio 61, a Manchester hair salon. "I told David that I thought it would be a good idea if we could set up penny jars at each barber station" Combes explains.
Steer, impressed by Combes's enthusiasm, agreed to donate $5 from every transaction over $15 to Pennies for Peace. The fundraiser will run through March 13. Steer has also agreed to display a Pennies for Peace donation bin in his shop and has volunteered to hand out fliers to other local business owners.
Saint Anselm College students will have the opportunity to donate spare change to the project beginning in March. Pennies for Peace donation jars will be dispersed throughout campus.
As apart of the campus's penny fever, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and the Meelia Center for Community Service are co-sponsoring "Play Ball for Peace," a campus-wide whiffle ball tournament. The proceeds of the tournament will support the Pennies for Peace initiative. "Play Ball for Peace" will take place Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 9 a.m. in the Carr Center.
The project is expected to culminate with the on-campus appearance of Greg Mortenson, The New York Times bestselling author of Three Cups of Tea. Mortenson founded Pennies for Peace aspiring to reciprocate the kindness demonstrated by the residents of a mountain village in Pakistan. While recovering from illness in the remote Pakistani village, he witnessed school children practicing penmanship in the dirt. After returning to the United States, Mortenson vowed to construct the village a schoolhouse. He solicited the support of over 500 wealthy individuals, but received the most substantial donation from elementary school children.
Presently, there are over 400 rural villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan in desperate need of a new school. "Helping impoverished children couldn't be easier," says Danyelle Postell, a senior business major. She concludes, "Pennies for Peace is perfect [for Saint Anselm College], it symbolizes our generous spirit."
Proof of the power of a penny:
- 1 penny = a pencil
- 15 pennies = 1 notebook
- $20 = one student's school supplies for a year
- $600 = one teacher's annual salary
- $5,000 = support for existing school for one year
- $50,000 = one school building and support for up to five years
Additional information about the program is available on the Pennies for Peace Web site. Photo courtesy of Pennies for Peace.
Photo: SIFE students, Katie Bruce '10 and Christine Connolly '09, presenting Greg Mortenson with check as pledge for money from Pennies for Peace fundraiser.
New Video Highlights Student Involvement in New Hampshire Primary
September 17, 2008
Be sure to check out the college’s newest video, which highlights all the behind-the-scenes action on campus leading up to the New Hampshire Primary, including the CNN Debates, ABC/Facebook Debates, and Fox News Channel's reporting from the college.
The video is available online at www.anselm.edu/nhprimaryvideo and includes many interviews with students who worked for CNN, ABC News, and Fox News Channel in 2007-2008.
