Mission
Saint Anselm is a Catholic, Benedictine College providing all its students a distinctive liberal arts education that incorporates opportunities for professional and career preparation. It does so in a learning community that encourages the lifelong pursuit of the truth and fosters intellectual, moral and spiritual growth to sustain and enrich its graduates’ personal lives, work, and engagement within local, national, and global communities.
History
Saint Anselm College was founded in 1889 by the Benedictine monks of St. Mary’s Abbey of Newark, New Jersey, at the invitation of Bishop Denis M. Bradley, the first bishop of Manchester. A six-year classical course, with curricula in philosophical and theological studies, was opened to qualified students. In 1895, the General Court of the State of New Hampshire empowered the new institution to grant the standard academic degrees. From its beginning, Saint Anselm has been, and desires to remain, a small college. The school is moved to this decision not only because it wishes to accept only those students whom it can prepare efficiently for their life’s work, but also because it wishes to retain the family spirit characteristic of a Benedictine institution.
Facilities
The Abbey is the home of the Benedictine monks who conduct the College.
The Abbey College Church is the liturgical center of the College. The spacious upper church allows the College community to join with the monastic community for daily celebration of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours. The lower church permits smaller groups of the community to assemble for worship and houses the Lady Chapel, and the St. Basil Byzantine Chapel.
Alumni Hall, the first building erected on campus, houses the administrative offices and some classrooms.
Bradley House, named in honor of Bishop Denis M. Bradley, the first bishop of Manchester, contains faculty offices.
The Carr Activities Center, named in honor of John Maurus Carr, is a multipurpose complex housing intramural and recreational sports facilities, and a fitness center. The center also houses athletic offices and is used for concerts and social events. A 7,000 square foot addition was opened in February 2009.
The Alva deMars Megan Chapel Art Center is the College’s gallery for the exhibition of fine art. Founded in 1967, this facility is a gracious setting for specially curated exhibitions and also houses a small permanent collection. Formerly the College’s chapel, the gallery has a beautifully decorated vaulted ceiling with allegorical lunettes, and magnificent stained glass windows. Its uniquely serene ambiance and rich historical significance make for the perfect cultural setting for fine arts exhibitions, lectures, tours, concerts, and recitals.
The Coffee Shop and Pub offers dining and snack services to students, faculty and staff.
Comiskey Center, named in honor of Professor Edward J. Comiskey, Jr., features classroom space, fine arts studios and a small theater.
Cushing Center, named in honor of Richard Cardinal Cushing, contains the College mail center, Academic Resource Center, offices for the Student Government and student activities, The Center for Experiential Learning which includes the Office of Career Services, the Internship Office, the Meelia Center for Community Engagement and the Study Abroad Office, Multicultural Center, Campus Ministry Center, and the Office of Academic Advisement, and recreational and meeting rooms.
The Charles A. Dana Humanities Center includes the 590-seat Ann and Joseph Koonz Theatre, seminar rooms, the offices of the Humanities Program, and the office of Campus Events.
Davison Hall, named in honor of Robert C. and Lucille E. Davison, contains the College dining facilities and the offices of Dining Services.
Gadbois Hall, named in honor of Edgar L. Gadbois, contains facilities for the Department of Nursing, including classrooms, laboratories, and faculty offices.
Geisel Library was constructed in 1960 as a result of a large gift from the Honorable Joseph H. Geisel of Manchester. It houses more than 240,000 volumes as well as some 1,100 periodical titles maintained in-house and another 36,000 titles accessed online via the library web page. The collections also include 4,800 VHS and DVD recordings, 75,000 microforms, 2,300 compact discs. It also contains several special collections including rare books pertaining to New England history and culture and the Institute of Saint Anselm Studies, a center for research on the life of Saint Anselm of Canterbury. The Library also houses the Information Technology help desk and the Learning Commons.
Goulet Science Center, named in honor of Leon and Elizabeth Goulet, houses the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Psychology. The center contains modern laboratories and classrooms, the Weiler Computer Center, Perini Lecture Hall, a science reading room, library and green houses.
Grappone Stadium, named in honor of John and Ruth Grappone, seats 2,500.
Izart Observatory, named in honor of J. Henry Izart, provides facilities for celestial observation and instruction in astronomy.
Jean Hall, named in honor of Joseph F. Jean, houses the Bookstore.
Joseph Hall, named in honor of Bishop Joseph J. Gerry, O.S.B., houses the departments of Economics and Business, Education, History and the Father Peter Guerin, O.S.B., Center for Teaching Excellence.
Thomas A. Melucci, Jr., Soccer and Lacrosse Field, is named in memory of the members of the Class of 1988.
New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College is located at the intersection of Saint Anselm Drive and Rockland Avenue, on the lower campus. Dedicated in 2001, this 20,000-square foot facility includes a large auditorium, classrooms, seminar rooms, offices, a research center, conference rooms, a reading room, and a resource center with state-of-the- art technology. The Institute also houses the Department of Politics.
Poisson Hall, named in honor of Albert D. Poisson, houses the Office of Information Technology, the Academic Computing Center, classrooms,the Computer Science Majors Laboratory, and the Computer Science department and faculty. Facilities include the central campus DEC Alpha systems, a computer classroom, and the media center, and Internet and intranet management services for the College.
The Dr. James J. Powers Health Services facility is located on the lower level of the Cushing Center.
The Stoutenburgh Gymnasium, named in honor of William J. Stoutenburgh, is the home of varsity athletic teams playing on Al Grenert Court and provides facilities for some intramural activities, athletic offices, equipment, laundry, training and locker rooms.
The Thomas F. Sullivan Arena, opened in September 2003, is home to Saint Anselm College’s men’s and women’s ice hockey teams, as well as youth hockey programs and open skating sessions for staff, students, and families. Planned seating capacity after phase two of the construction is 2,400 for hockey and 4,250 for other non-ice events.
Residence halls: Housing on campus can accommodate approximately 1,700 students in a variety of living arrangements, from traditional residence facilities to apartment-style living. We have co-educational housing options as well as single sex facilities-all with a limited intervisitation policy. The residence facilities are Second Street, Third Street, Baroody Hall, Falvey House, Bishop Matthew F. Brady Hall, Abbot Bertrand C. Dolan, O.S.B. Hall, Abbot Hilary Pfraengle, O.S.B. Hall, Father Dominic Scherer, O.S.B. Hall, St. Joan of Arc Hall, St. Mary Hall, and Holy Cross Hall. Croydon Court includes Father Raphael Pfisterer, O.S.B. Hall, Von Dy Rowe House, Annie L. Rowell House, Joseph E. Sullivan House and M. Constance Breck House. Benedict Court consists of Conrad and Millicent Danais Hall, Abbot Gerald McCarthy, O.S.B. Hall, Bishop Ernest J. Primeau Hall, Anthony V. and Helen Mareski Hall, Benjamin S. and Marian C. Cohen Hall. Father Bernard, O.S.B., Court includes Thomas J. Paul Hall, John J. Reilly, Jr., Hall, Sister Nivelle Berning Hall, Joseph E. and Margaret M. Faltin Hall, Maurice Arel Hall, Charles T. L. and Laura Barlow Hall, John and Elizabeth Boutselis Hall, Thomas Curtis Hall, Frank J. and Eileen Kelly Hall, Joseph and Gemma Dupont Hall and William Guerin Hall. In the fall of 2014, a new three-story residence hall will open featuring 150 beds, recreational rooms, and rooms for group study. Additionally, we offer a new three-story traditional residence hall named the Living Learning Commons featuring a multimedia classroom, copious study space and recreational areas. This residence hall houses most of our Residential Learning Communities and host many campus events designed to engage the whole campus community.
Accreditation and Memberships
Saint Anselm College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. It holds membership in the Association of American Colleges & Universities, The American Council on Education, the National Catholic Educational Association, Council of Independent Colleges, Association of Catholic Colleges & Universities, Campus Compact for NH, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, The College Board, The New England Council, The Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Education programs are approved by the N.H. Department of Education, Division of Higher Education - Higher Education Commission. Collegiate programs of preparation for the education professions are approved by the N.H. Department of Education, Council for Teacher Education. The College is on the approved list of the American Chemical Society and of the New Hampshire State Board of Education for teacher training. The baccalaureate program in nursing at Saint Anselm College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 887-6791. The Department of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Nursing and the National League for Nursing and approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.
The New Hampshire College and University Council
Saint Anselm College is a member of the New Hampshire College and University Council, a consortium of New Hampshire institutions established for the purpose of institutional cooperation. Members include:
- Antioch University of New England
- Colby-Sawyer College
- Community College System of NH
- Franklin Pierce University
- Granite State College
- Hellenic American University
- Keene State College
- MA College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Manchester
- New England College
- New Hampshire Institute of Art
- Plymouth State University
- Rivier University
- Saint Anselm College
- Southern NH University
- University of New Hampshire
A student exchange program allows students of one Council member institution to register for courses at other participating institutions.
The Alumni Association
The Saint Anselm College Alumni Association was organized in 1906. Membership is open to all holders of academic degrees conferred by the College and all other persons requesting membership who have completed at least one semester at the College. The purpose of the Association is to extend and support the College’s mission, assist the College in building resources necessary to support the continued development of the College’s student body, faculty, facilities and academic programs, and foster mutually beneficial relationships and connections among alumni.
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