Saint Anselm College Podcast

Abbey Players to Stage Student-Directed Plays

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:11:09 +0000

Saint Anselm students are singing, jumping, throwing punches, and otherwise acting up. They are deep in rehearsals for the annual Anselmian Abbey Players One-Act Play Festival to be staged Feb. 2, 3, and 4 at the Dana Center.

Students rehearse for the 2012 one act plays to be performed February 2-4. Photo by Audrey Frenette '12.

Unlike most Abbey Players productions, these half-hour plays are directed by fellow students. One, “Public Opinion,” is an original work written by Players Matt Hurd ’13 and Jack Holder ’12. “The Apple,” a satire, is directed by Nicholas Pierce ’12. Catherine Carroll ’12 directs a fast-paced parody, “slasreveR neveS” (Seven Reversals, spelled backward).

The Abbey Players are in their 64th season. The one-act play festival is a longstanding tradition highlighting students’ originality, creativity, and directing skills. It is, says producer and English professor Landis K. Magnuson, “a real opportunity for individuals to grow as artists and demonstrate leadership.”

This year’s production involves 29 cast members, four directors, and a crew of about a dozen attending to lighting, sound, stage management, costumes, and make-up.

Buy your tickets to attend at www.anselm.edu/dana

Reader feedback: Portraits magazine, Fall 2011

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:40:52 +0000

We are hard at work preparing the next issue of Portraits magazine for your mailbox (or your browser, since Portraits is now online). Did you know that the chief financial officer for NBC News and MSNBC is an Anselmian? David Pietrycha ’01, an economics and business major and Red Key Society member from Connecticut, is the subject of one of the articles in the next issue!

Portraits: online, any time

Seeking your feedback

What was your favorite story from our most recent issue? Choose from one of the features, below, or list your own. Then, start a conversation about the magazine in the "comments" area at the bottom of this post. We welcome your feedback and ideas.

We hope Portraits has a home on your coffee table, but when you're on the road, bring us with you on your iPad. It has never been easier to stay in touch with the magazine of Saint Anselm College!

Service & Solidarity: Winter Break Alternative

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:31:57 +0000

Service & Solidarity Missions are student-led service trips overseen by Campus Ministry during spring, winter, and summer breaks. In 2011, Spring Break Alternative (SBA) celebrated its 21st year, sending 214 students on 15 trips in 11 states and Jamaica. The overwhelming popularity of SBA has led to diversifying this popular and exciting program to include mission trips during winter (Winter Break Alternative) and summer (Summer Plunge) breaks. These mission trips enable students to learn about Catholic social teaching while spending time living and working with those most in need.

The "hands on" nature of this program, focusing on service and community, gives participants the chance to build and renovate homes, tutor children, serve in soup kitchens, as well as to visit families and individuals in the community.

Follow updates from the Campus Ministry staff, and the WBA participants on the
Service and Solidarity Blog.

WBA Camden: Leader Jacqui called as the group was headed out for their night off to explore nearby Philadelphia. She mentioned that the group was really looking forward to the evening together, as they are split into smaller groups during the day to attend various service sites. Jacqui also mentioned that the group is really loving the Romero Center staff and all the reflection opportunities they're facilitating, helping the group draw connections and begin discussions that are challenging and fruitful.

WBA D.C.: Having conquered the Metro, leaders Matt and Leanne and the WBA DC group have now hit their stride. They are really enjoying their work at various food distribution centers, particularly in light of the SNAP food stamp challenge the group completed yesterday, which, by the sounds of it, was difficult but eye-opening. The group is also taking advantage of evening hours to do sightseeing and is looking forward to hearing some wonderful speakers and finally making it to the White House later in the week to round out their stay at The Pilgrimage.

ALUMNI RELATIONS: Our WBA students are serving alongside several fellow Anselmians this week: Amy Schaltegger Escoto '97 and her husband Wilson in Honduras, Molly Sherry '10 and Matt McDonald '11 in New Orleans, and Joshua Dupuis '09 and Brad Landry '09 in Camden.

WBA Honduras: Leaders John and Mel called after waking from an unplanned two hour siesta–it seems that working all morning in the bean fields, school, or kitchen and trying to keep up with the boys of Amigos de Jesus on the soccer field all afternoon is exhausting! The group is navigating the language and cultural barriers well, making friends and learning a great deal. They especially enjoyed a reflection facilitated by Amy and Wilson, who run Amigos de Jesus, which put them in the shoes of the Honduran boys they are working with. Nursing majors will have a chance to visit a Honduran clinic and the whole group will take a day trip to nearby indigenous ruins, so there is still a great deal the group is looking forward to.

WBA New Orleans: Leaders Kristen and Steve called after another tiring but great day at the group's two work sites, helping repair homes that have Hurricane Katrina flood damage. During the day, the group is keeping busy doing demolition, putting up drywall, and insulating the homes, and in the evening they are cooking with other Operation Helping Hands volunteers before sitting down to reflect. In their time off, the group has had a chance to explore the city–they loved Sunday mass with jazz music, and have had more than a few beignets–and also to take in the still-apparent devastation from Hurricane Katrina in the lower ninth ward.

Campaign 2012: A Look Back

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:31:26 +0000

"At Saint Anselm, it is part of our educational mission to help students develop the skills and wisdom they need to live in and help lead our nation. Our New Hampshire Institute of Politics, founded more than 10 years ago, embodies that mission not only for our students but also the citizens of our state."

Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., President, Saint Anselm College

In the Granite State, it's all politics, all the time. Home of the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, New Hampshire citizens and Saint Anselm students are presented with extraordinary opportunities to interact with the men and women who seek our nation's highest office. The 2012 campaign has moved on to South Carolina, and beyond, leaving New Hampshire to ponder the campaign that was. Here is our look back at campaign 2012.

Where Students Enroll in Election 101

New Hampshire's Saint Anselm College Comes Alive for Presidential Primaries

"At tiny Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire…the student body of 1,899 pulses with politics. Every four years, as the state heads into its first-in-the-nation presidential primary, the college is transformed into a hub of campaigning, town-hall meetings and high-profile debates. The gym becomes a press room, and campaign signs line Saint Anselm Drive. CNN blasts from televisions in the campus coffee shop, where display cases brim with political paraphernalia and students can be heard arguing over who will be the last candidate standing…" (Wall Street Journal, 1/6/12)

Building Buzz…

A visit by General David Petraeus to the college for a conversation in March 2010 (video) resulted in much chatter on whether the visit to the college was the precursor to a Presidential bid. Shortly after the four-star General's visit, he would be assigned as commander of the International Security Assistance Force and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan. Petraeus now serves as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Here Come the Candidates…

Candidates, and soon to be candidates turn to Saint Anselm College and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics as "something of a proving ground" says Carl Cameron, chief political correspondent for Fox News Channel. Accordingly, it was no surprise to see many of the 2012 candidates visit early, and often.

A New Hampshire Town Hall Meeting
Gov. Rick Perry, Joined by AZ Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

A Policy Address: Entitlement Reform
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich

No Apology: The Case for American Greatness
Former Gov. Mitt Romney

Newt Gingrich Forum
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich

America in Danger: The Mounting Financial Crisis and How Liberty Can Save Us
U.S. Congressman Ron Paul (TX-14)

Student Perspective: Inside America's Classroom…

Students participating in the EN330 "political communication" course were be invited by Fr. Jerome Day, O.S.B. to submit their weekly logs to the Saint Anselm College blog, offering a glimpse inside "America's Classroom" as we approached the 2012 New Hampshire primary.

"Who determines who the front-runner is in an election cycle? Is a candidate given the title of front-runner based simply on his or her credentials or is it based on how much fame they have obtained over the years? My naivety led me to believe that a candidate was given the title of front-runner based solely on his or her credentials and what they had done for America. However, through the start of this semester, I have begun to realize that it is the media who controls who the front-runner is in a presidential election." (Student Lyndsay Robinson 9/12/11)

Debates and Conversations…

Saint Anselm College was a media hub once again during the 2012 cycle, hosting nationally televised debates with CNN (June, 2011) and ABC News (January, 2012). You can click the date links for coverage from the Saint Anselm College blog, including video, behind the scenes student blogs, and more.

Your Voice, Your Vote: ABC News (Click for full debate video, courtesy of ABC)

The college also sponsored a Lincoln-Douglas style conversation between Jon Huntsman and Newt Gingrich in November, 2011 garnering international attention for it's one-on-one style. (View our photo gallery)

Meeting the 'Lesser-Known' Candidates…

New Hampshire, $1,000 and a signature is all it takes to get onto the primary ballot. In 2012, 44 candidates registered. 35 of these 'lesser known' individuals were invited to appear at the NHIOP. Each candidate made an opening statement and responded to questions, in a broadcast aired by C-SPAN.

Fr. Jonathan's Remarks: ABC Presidential Primary Debate

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:00:50 +0000

Good evening and welcome to Saint Anselm College! Our community of Benedictines, trustees, faculty, staff, and students is privileged to host you here tonight for this important event in our American democracy. There are far too many dignitaries here tonight to name them all, but I do want to offer a special welcome to the members of our New Hampshire Congressional Delegation: Senator Kelly Ayotte, and representatives Frank Guinta and Charlie Bass. We are honored tonight to have with us New Hampshire’s senior statesman, Senator Judd Gregg and his wife Kathy Gregg, both of whom have been great friends of Saint Anselm College and especially our New Hampshire Institute of Politics.

We are pleased to be working once again with ABC and WMUR to offer a forum for presidential candidates to present their views just days before New Hampshire’s voters go to the polls in the first-in-the-nation primary. I offer them very special thanks for arranging this Republican Presidential Primary Debate, and to you for being here in the audience.

During the school year, the seats you occupy tonight are filled with Saint Anselm freshmen and sophomores who are listening to lectures about humanity’s great thinkers, leaders and creators. Our students are asked to engage with these minds, to listen, to question, to challenge and consider – and ultimately to determine what they think and believe.

Tonight, we are all students, not only those of us here in the Dana Center, but the millions of viewers across New Hampshire, the country and the world. We will listen carefully, engage with what is said, question and consider – and ultimately decide who we believe is the person best suited to lead our dear nation in this complicated and contentious time.

We in New Hampshire take seriously our responsibility as the country’s first primary voters. We know that civic engagement is essential to patriotism, and that our democracy cannot and will not survive without the participation of its citizens.

At Saint Anselm, it is part of our educational mission to help students develop the skills and wisdom they need to live in and help lead our nation. Our New Hampshire Institute of Politics, founded more than 10 years ago, embodies that mission not only for our students but also the citizens of our state.

Tonight, we are pleased to once again serve as America’s classroom on the eve of the New Hampshire primary. Hosting debates is an Anselmian tradition. Welcome again, and please join me in a brief prayer:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.

You are the creator of all life, and the source of all wisdom.

We are grateful for the many gifts you have given us especially grateful tonight for the gift we have to live in the freedom of the United States of America, and we pray for those who are defending that freedom in the armed services.

Send the help of your Spirit on President Obama and on all who would hope to hold our nation’s highest office, that they may be capable of serving with wisdom and prudence, with justice and compassion.

Give us the help we need to discern who will best serve our nation and your plan.

Keep all of the candidates and all of us gathered here at Saint Anselm College ever safe in your love.

Blessed are you, Lord God, for ever and ever.

Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B.
President
Saint Anselm College

Journalist for a Day: A Student's Experience at the Debate

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:11:29 +0000

Photo: Gil Talbot

A garden sprung up on the grass outside Stoutenburgh Gymnasium, with big satellite flowers on stalks of wire and cable. The major networks, camped around the campus in big white microwave trucks, weren’t the only ones covering the debate; the Carr Center was bustling with over 700 news media reporters, journalists, photographers, cameramen, and other team members from all over the world.

Credentialed by ABC News, I was invited to report on the event for the Saint Anselm Crier. I sat in the front row in the press filing room, watched the debate with a room full of experienced journalism teams, and spoke to governors, U.S. representatives and senators, and directors and secretaries of federal offices who endorsed the Republican candidates for the Presidency. It was an amazing, new, and fulfilling experience for me to sit next to representatives from BBC News, to hear the stories of Occupy protesters and the supporters of the Republican candidates, and to communicate in broken Italian with a trio from a news media in Italy.

The 700 reporters were assigned seats along lines of tables set up in front of giant projector screens. In the hours before the debate, Occupy protesters marched on campus, setting up camp in the St. Joan of Arc parking lot. They carried signs and vigil candles, a coffin hoisted on the shoulders of six men, and beat on drums to lament the death of the American Dream. Vermin Supreme, a satirical performance artist who campaigns for the presidency on the platform of zombie awareness and tooth-brushing, joined the ranks of the Occupy Manchester/Saint Anselm movement. Republican supporters who shared the same space as the Occupiers had shouting matches over their favorite presidential candidate. Just like the garden of satellites, the supporters and protesters created a lush and colorful garden of picket signs. Everyone had a story to tell, including a group of Orthodox Jews from overseas protesting Zionism and an advocacy group for programs and services for children.

During the debate, the reporters focused on typing notes; during commercial breaks, discussions on new media outlets, such as Twitter and microblogging, were ubiquitous. Whenever a candidate would offer up an inspiring quote, the reporters gave a satisfied sigh; whenever there was an effective tack or a scathing side-comment, the reporters would laugh and groan. We were an audience beyond those in the seats in the Dana Center’s Koonz Theatre, and we were bringing this news to the rest of the world. It was fascinating, hearing the responses of the news teams as they prepared to write their stories and condense the information for the viewers and readers of their morning news. When the debate ended at eleven, there was a mad rush to the building next door, where we heard and recorded the words of government officials who reacted to the debate and gave support to the Republican candidates; the candidates themselves also joined the spin room, trying to get the press to hear more of their story.

From the moment the giant screens in our press room began airing the debate, I could feel a sense of pride and joy that my school, my little school in quiet New Hampshire, was at the eye of the world of politics. Saint Anselm College was praised by many for being a welcoming host; the spirit of the Benedictine tradition was definitely in the air during the whole debate process. Every journalist, every reporter, had a story to tell that night. In Manchester New Hampshire—at Saint Anselm College—history was made, and I was there to see it.

View all of the videos from the debates:

This post was submitted by Dylan Lindholm.

LIVE from Saint Anselm College

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:30:02 +0000

Leading up to the January 10 New Hampshire presidential primary, many networks will originate programming from the campus of Saint Anselm College, and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics.

We will post additional broadcasts, as they are announced.

Wednesday, January 4

(Fox News) – various live shots throughout the day
(NECN) 6 p.m. – Broadside: The News with Jim Braude, live from NHIOP
(NECN) 7 p.m. – Countdown to New Hampshire, live from NHIOP
(NECN) 9 p.m. – The Only news at 9, featuring live reports from Alison King

Thursday, January 5

(Fox News) – various live shots throughout the day
(NECN) 9 a.m. – The Morning Show featuring live NH reports
(NECN) 6 p.m. – Broadside: The News with Jim Braude, live from NHIOP
(NECN) 7 p.m. – Countdown to New Hampshire, live from NHIOP
(NECN) 9 p.m. – The Only news at 9, featuring live reports from Alison King

Friday, January 6

(Fox News) – various live shots throughout the day
(WMUR) Morning report, live outside Dana Center
(NECN) 9 a.m. – The Morning Show featuring live NH reports
(WMUR) noon – Live inside Dana Center
(WMUR) 5/6 p.m. – Live inside and outside Dana Center
(NECN) 6 p.m. – Broadside: The News with Jim Braude, live from NHIOP
(ABC) 6:30 p.m. – World News with Diane Sawyer, live from Saint Anselm College
(NECN) 7 p.m. – Countdown to New Hampshire, live from NHIOP
(NECN) 9 p.m. – The Only news at 9, featuring live reports from Alison King
(WMUR) 11 p.m. – Live inside Dana Center

Saturday, January 7

(Fox News) – various live shots throughout the day, live from Saint Anselm College
(WMUR) – morning report, live inside Dana Center
(WMUR) 6 p.m. – Live from Dana Center, spin room, and visibility area
(ABC) 6:30 p.m. – World News with David Muir, live from Saint Anselm College
(NECN) 8 p.m. – Countdown to New Hampshire, live from NHIOP
(ABC/WMUR) 9 p.m. - ABC News, Yahoo! News, WMUR Republican Presidential Debate, live from the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College, moderated by Diane Sawyer, George Stephanopoulos and Josh McElveen
(NENC) 9 p.m. – The Only News at 9, featuring live reports from Alison King
(WMUR) 11 p.m. – Live from Dana Center, spin room, and visibility area

Sunday, January 8

(WMUR) – Morning show, live from Dana Center
(NECN) 8:30 a.m. – Countdown to New Hampshire debate preview, live from the NHIOP
(ABC/WMUR) 9 a.m. – This Week with George Stephanopoulos, live from the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College (check your local listings; airs at noon on WMUR; 10 a.m. on WCVB, Boston)
(Fox News) 6 p.m. – Special Report with Bret Baier, live from Saint Anselm College
(Fox News) 7 p.m. – Fox Report with Shepard Smith, live from Saint Anselm College
(NECN) 7 p.m. – Countdown to New Hampshire, live from the NHIOP
(Fox News) 8 p.m. – America's Election Headquarters with Bret Baier and Megyn Kelly, live from Saint Anselm College
(NECN) 9 p.m. – The Only News at 9, featuring live reports from Alison King

Monday, January 9

(NECN) 9 a.m. – The Morning Show, featuring live NH reports
(Fox News) 1 p.m. – America Live, live from Saint Anselm College
(Fox News) 3 p.m. – Studio B with Shepard Smith, live from Saint Anselm College
(Fox News) 6 p.m. – Special Report with Bret Baier, live from Saint Anselm College
(NECN) 6 p.m. – Broadside: The News with Jim Braude, live from NHIOP
(Fox News) 7 p.m. – Fox Report with Shepard Smith, live from Saint Anselm College
(NECN) 7 p.m. – Countdown to New Hampshire, live from NHIOP
(Fox News) 9 p.m. – Hannity, live from Saint Anselm College
(NECN) 9 p.m. – The Only news at 9, featuring live reports from Alison King
(Fox News) 10 p.m. – On The Record with Greta Van Sustern, live from Saint Anselm College

Tuesday, January 10

(Fox News) 1 p.m. – America Live, live from Saint Anselm College
(Fox News) 3 p.m. – Studio B with Shepard Smith, live from Saint Anselm College
(Fox News) 6 p.m. – Special Report with Bret Baier, live from Saint Anselm College
(Fox News) 7 p.m. – Fox Report with Shepard Smith, live from Saint Anselm College
(NECN) 7 p.m. – Live primary night coverage anchored by Latoya Edwards and John Daly, featuring R.D. Sahl, Alison King, and coverage from every campaign headquarters
(Fox News) 8 p.m. – America's Election Headquarters New Hampshire Primary Coverage, live from Saint Anselm College

Stage is Set for New Hampshire Republican Presidential Debate

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:46:37 +0000

We are live from the Dana Center as anticipation builds for tonight’s debate. Following a 4 p.m. dinner break, students and ABC staffers are wrapping up last-minute preparations for the broadcast: our students are participating in the last dress rehearsal, and World News will broadcast from the debate stage at 6:30.

Protesters and supporters are beginning to arrive outside, as are the media. Satellite trucks have overtaken the lawn in front of the gym, as hundreds of seats inside the Carr Center will soon be occupied by members of the national and international press.

From my workstation (located about ten feet from Diane Sawyers desk), we are preparing to upload images from our photographer who will be inside the hall tonight. After a long week of preparations, we’re all anxious to hear our five favorite words soon: “live from Saint Anselm College!”

This post was submitted by Cory True.

Students Get in on ABC Debate Action

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:56:54 +0000

People are giving Ryan Sandford funny looks. That's because today, he's a human camera. The freshman criminal justice major is walking around campus wearing a helmet cam, documenting as much of the debate night action as possible. It is part of his job with the Office of College Communications and Marketing.

Other students are working as runners, greeters, assistants and stand-ins. Burke Bero and Alicia Blanchard were part of a panel of "wise men," or political analysts, on a set in the Dana Center. Bero stood in for Jake Tapper, ABC News' senior White House correspondent, and Blanchard was political strategist Donna Brazile. ABC camera operators practiced their angles as the faux pundits conversed about the candidates. At the same time, six students stood at podiums on the main set, acting the parts of the Republican candidates. When the debate begins at 9 pm, the lighting, cameras, and audio will be honed to perfection.

This post was submitted by Laurie Morrissey.

Live: New Hampshire Republican Presidential Debate

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:04:34 +0000

Tonight, we are broadcasting the New Hampshire Republican Primary Debate live from the Dana Center. Watch the live stream right here, join in on the live discussion with Rev. Dale S. Kuehne, Ph.D., and interact with us.

Live Stream and Discussion

New Hampshire Republican Presidential Debate at Saint Anselm College

Recent Videos

Faculty Experts Weigh in on New Hampshire Primary Hot Topics

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:20:03 +0000

Every four years, New Hampshire serves as a magnet to politicians and the media as the nation’s first presidential primary unfolds. Saint Anselm College professors weigh in on the latest issues affecting candidates coming out of the Iowa Caucuses. Click on the videos below for their thoughts. For information on these faculty experts or for other media inquires, please contact Laura Rossi at 603-656-7242 or lrossi@anselm.edu.

See the full list of faculty experts here.

Saint Anselm College Associate Professor of History Matthew Masur, Ph.D., offers his thoughts on the importance of the New Hampshire primary and debates as well as the lack of foreign policy discussions among candidates.

Saint Anselm College Assistant Professor of Politics Jennifer C. Lucas, Ph.D., offers her thoughts on the role of Michele Bachmann in the presidential race and how gender issues have shaped recent media coverage.

Saint Anselm College Assistant Professor of Politics Chris Galdieri offers his thoughts on the GOP candidates leading up to the New Hampshire primary.

This post was submitted by jackmorris.

GOP Debate Week: Tuesday

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:46:32 +0000

Amanda Sharon '15 and Ashley Scoville '15 work as runners for ABC News at the Radisson Hotel on January 3.

With four days to go before the Republican Primary Debate on January 7, the campus is soon to become a media maelstrom. In the Dana Center, where the event will be hosted by ABC and WMUR, Christmas wreaths came down and aluminum trusses went up. Lighting technicians hung and cabled 175 lights. Cushing Student Center was becoming FOX News “command central,” and a FOX News studio set was being created in Davison Hall.

Four miles away, in Manchester’s Radisson Hotel, dozens of Saint Anselm students worked as runners for CBS and ABC, laying cable, putting up signs, and setting up chairs and tables. Tom Snow ’14, a politics major, sat in for anchor Scott Pelley on the CBS set and has also sat in for TV talk show host Charlie Rose. Tomorrow morning, he and Gabriella Servello ’14 report for work at 4:30 to work the “green room” before the 7am show airs.

It’s fairly calm right now, one runner remarked, but once the candidates and journalists arrive from Iowa, where the caucus is taking place today, they expect to be literally running.

Check out the complete photo gallery below.

This post was submitted by Laurie Morrissey.

Saint Anselm in Photos, 2011

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:35:34 +0000

A year on the Hilltop presents countless "Anselmian moments." Whether our students were on the quad, in the classroom, on the ice, court or field, inside the Abbey Church, Dana Center, NHIOP, or any point between, our cameras were present to capture many of the memorable, and uniquely Anselmian experiences of 2011. You can view the full gallery of 70 images on Flickr.

Saint Anselm College, as seen from above. Fall 2011 photo by Joseph St. Pierre.

Photographer Gil Talbot caught these Anselmians on a fall afternoon crossing the college quad.

Members of the women's cross country team compete in a 2011 invitational in this photo by Gil Talbot.

Gil Talbot photographed this celebratory photo following a goal at Sullivan Arena.

Fr. Augustine Kelly, O.S.B. greets students on move in day 2011. Photo by Gil Talbot.

The 'CNN Express' arrives at Saint Anselm College for a June 2011 candidate debate. Photo by Gil Talbot.

CNN anchor, and debate moderator John King rehearses with Saint Anselm College students. Photo by Gil Talbot.

The annual gingerbread house competition resulted in a few frosted fingers, and faces. Photo by Cory True.

Members of the Monastic community walk to noon prayer in the Abbey Church. Photo by Cory True.

Candles and necklaces await Spring Break Alternative participants in this photo by Kevin Harkins.

Members of the class of 2011 celebrate at Commencement exercises in this photo by Gil Talbot.

Joseph St. Pierre made this picture of the Saint Anselm campus in the fall of 2011.

Fr. Iain's Christmas Drawings Featured on New Hampshire Chronicle

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:16:47 +0000

In November of this year, an exhibition of Christmas drawings and other religious works by Fr. Iain MacLellan, O.S.B., opened at the Alva deMars Megan Chapel Art Center at Saint Anselm College. It wasn't long before the folks at WMUR television heard about this and asked to come on campus to produce a segment for their program "New Hampshire Chronicle." Watch the segment below.

The exhibition displays more than two decades of commissioned works by Fr. Iain, who is director of the Chapel Art Center. Fr. Iain started producing his distinctive Christmas watercolors for an annual Christmas card to be sent by Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., president of Saint Anselm College. Soon, the Saint Anselm Abbey also commissioned Fr. Iain, a member of the abbey, to create a Christmas card.

Fr. Iain works year round to create the drawings that are eventually turned into the Christmas cards, and which he calls meditations on the Christmas story.

This post was submitted by jackmorris.

Creating A Conversation

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:44:26 +0000

Friday morning, following the conclusion of the Cory Booker town-hall, three Saint Anselm College staff huddled for a discussion. The campaigns of Newt Gingrich and Jon Huntsman had approached the Saint Anselm College Republicans to sponsor (with the New Hampshire Institute of Politics serving as host) a Lincoln-Douglas style debate (we settled on calling it a conversation), and the time had come to decide where we would assemble an interested audience, the media, and the candidates.

It would be appropriate to mention at this point that by Friday morning, there were hundreds of requests for seats, and members of the foreign press from Germany, Switzerland and Japan had inquired about covering this event.

"What do you think?" asked Neil Levesque, Executive Director of the NHIOP.

We settled on relocating from the NHIOP auditorium to the Dana Center stage, and so started approximately 72 hours of phone calls, emails, meetings and countless spreadsheets and seating diagrams.

In a 12-hour marathon on Saturday, the audience was assembled, email confirmations were sent, and our media list grew to more than 50.

Sunday featured email conversations about finding matching American flags for the backdrop, buying 200 credentials at a local Staples, and figuring out how to accommodate the press list as it surged towards 100.

As we all signed off our iPhones and iPads around midnight on Sunday, we saw a story from the BBC: "Republicans Gingrich and Huntsman to hold epic debate." (No stress to live up to expectations!)

Republican presidential hopefuls Newt Gingrich and Jon Huntsman plan to hold a debate styled on the historic 1858 tussles between Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas.

Their campaigns say the debate, to be held on Monday 12 December at St Anselm College in New Hampshire, will provide a detailed exploration of their positions and views for the country

As Monday dawned, Saint Anselm College did what it does best: welcome our guests with the highest of hospitality: from offering a family on an admission visit with a private tour of the hall as the set was under construction, to greeting "Campaign Carl" of Fox News Channel as an old friend who spends so much time on campus he knows us by name too.

The press assembled, the audience filled in, the candidates appeared on stage.

For 90 minutes, two candidates discussed the issues on the same stage where Humanities lectures are offered four days a week, and where in early January, the full candidate field will appear for our ABC News, WMUR debate.

Following a brief press conference, Jon Huntsman walked up to the coffee shop, entering to a round of applause, and ever-so-briefly interrupting students from their dinner, or studying (it is finals week, after all) to say hello, and ask how exams were going. The candidate walked behind the counter to greet the staff (and grab a few french fries).

And then it was over.

Campaign vehicles headed out to the next event, the media filed their video, stories and photos, and the college staff enjoyed an ever-so-brief moment of pause.

No time to rest though, the primary, and our next debate, is less than a month away. Just another day in "America's Classroom"

Students Tell Their Stories to the Wall Street Journal

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:52:33 +0000

After her morning exam, English major Amanda Brahm sat down in the NHIOP and told a Wall Street Journal reporter about an experience she will never forget: standing in for presidential candidate Mitt Romney during rehearsals for the June 13 Republican primary debate on campus. She learned the candidate’s position and gave accurate answers to the moderator (a classmate standing in for CNN chief national correspondent John King). Meanwhile, technicians did sound and lighting checks in preparation for the live national broadcast.

Amanda Brahm stands in for Governor Mitt Romney at the June 2011 presidential primary debate.

The reporter, Jennifer Levitz, wanted to know what it is like to be at Saint Anselm College during a presidential election cycle. These students had numerous up-close-and-personal experiences to relate.

“I have friends who go to college in Washington, D.C. and they’ve never had experiences like this,” said Lyndsay Robinson. “I’ve met every single candidate at least three times.”

Although she is a Romney supporter, Robinson will be assisting candidate Newt Gingrich during this afternoon’s Lincoln-Douglas style debate with Jon Huntsman.

Jake Wagner talked about being an intern in the Huntsman campaign. The passionate politics major and Huntsman supporter (with a minor in campaign management) has been a political addict since the age of eight, and is executive director of the Saint Anselm College Republicans.

Unlike Robinson and Wagner, Brahm is more interested in the election process than in a particular candidate.

As the students chatted with the Wall Street Journal reporter, MSNBC’s broadcast of political coverage played on the NHIOP’s wide screen TV in the background. For Saint Anselm students who want to get a closer look at politics in progress, the opportunities are unlimited.

This post was submitted by Laurie Morrissey.

Reflections on September 11

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:48:39 +0000

Post by Capt Ian Brown, USMC, '03
December 12, 2011

It's been ten years since I woke up late that Tuesday morning, ready for an easy day with only one class in the afternoon, to find my roommates glued to the television, newscasters almost unable to comprehend what they were reporting on, and, apparently, the whole world on fire. By the time I finally tuned in, both towers of the World Trade Center were burning and the Pentagon had a hole in it; reports were just beginning to come in about a plane crash in Pennsylvania; and rumors were flying wild, including one of a bomb set off on the Washington Mall. We sat there, watching reruns of the planes striking each building, watching smoke pour out of the gaping wounds in the Twin Towers, watching people hanging their heads out the windows for air and, in some cases, flinging themselves down into the streets below, preferring to plummet to their ends rather than be consumed by the flames.

I remember the first person I called that morning was my Marine selection officer: I wanted to know if there was anything I had to do, if we officer candidates might get called up for some task (a silly question, of course, since I had all of 12 weeks of extremely basic training and would be lucky if all I did was shoot one of my fingers off without hurting anyone else). The second person was my mother. I come from a dual-citizenship family – my father is Canadian, my mother American – and I wanted to know what she made of all of this. She was the first American in my life, and I thought maybe she'd have some insight from all her years here about who, what, why this was happening. My parents still lived in Canada, and I also wanted to know whether it was being reported up there, if perhaps Canadian news had some outside tidbits of information we lacked. Yet she, and the Canadian media outlets, had no additional insights. Few people knew anything that morning, other than the fact that we were under attack. So all I could do was watch.

The first Tower fell. Clouds of smoke, dust, and ash billowed through the streets of downtown New York as people tried to outrun it. At the Pentagon, flames roiled up out of the gash that had been cut to the very center of the building. Rumors of a fourth plane wreck were confirmed, and we got our first look at the gaping scar of earth where Flight 93 had come to grief. The second Tower fell. Manhattan was now obscured by sheets of haze and smoke as the debris spread and fires burned. I don't remember what my roommates and I said to each other, if anything. It was all so unexpected, so unbelievable. It was supposed to be a Tuesday like any other. What was it now?

My one class for the day was cancelled, but I still had to go to cross-country practice. I was a co-captain of nine or ten guys who also thought that today was going to be like any other day. I tried to think of something to say to them; I think what I came up with was something about our country getting hit hard, but that we still had to press forward and not let this interrupt our lives. Whatever I said, it wasn't memorable. Someone else on the team said something far better in far fewer words as we practiced. We were running laps around the track, and our workout was almost done when Chris Ambrose (’03), crossing the start line, yelled out, "Let's do it for New York and DC!" The guys jumped across the line, and I thought I would lose my last vestiges of self-control from that day right there.

The rest of the week was turned upside down. Classes were cancelled the next day, as I recall, and we had a memorial service instead. I remember Father Jonathan trying to hold back tears as he told us that he'd learned of an alumnus who'd died in the World Trade Center. I heard from my parents that the father of several kids who attended my old high school had also died there. That morning of rapid destruction was starting to ripple across the country and across borders.

At some point that week we learned that Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda were taking credit for the attacks. I think my first reaction was, "What the heck is al Qaeda?" I'd heard of bin Laden a few times, in connection with the USS Cole bombing and the attacks on American embassies in Africa; but he certainly wasn't a topic of daily conversation in the news. Now, his face was everywhere, and eventually a video tape emerged of him gloating as he learned how successful his plans had been.

By then I really didn't care who was behind it. All I knew was that these attacks had given my rather general decision to join the Marine Corps a focus that it previously lacked. Before 9/11, I'd wanted to join up out of a fascination with the American military tradition, a general desire to serve my country, and go with the Marines because they had a bad-ass reputation and the coolest uniforms. Now there was a specific purpose: I would make it my personal responsibility to make sure that no one I loved would ever have to see what we saw that morning ever again, or be threatened by the kind of men who perpetrated it.

9/11 gave focus to something else too. It made me realize that my fun little fling with this big old sea-to-shining-sea country had, over the last couple of years, developed into a full-fledged love affair. I was born and raised in Canada, but spent a lot of time visiting America as my mom’s side of the family lived there. Often I joked that I had one foot North of the 49th parallel and one foot South. When the Towers fell, I knew that both feet would be forever here. Because what I saw that morning hurt me more than anything I could remember in the twenty-odd years of my life. This wonderful country where I'd found an incredible school, even more incredible friends (and ultimately, in the months to come, the remarkable woman who would become my wife), a way of life that was energetic, freewheeling, and boisterous, neighbors and acquaintances who challenged me and made me think about who I was and what I believed – this place that had given me so much was now reeling under a blow from petty, angry little men who couldn't even begin to understand what they were attacking. I hadn't felt so stung by any single event before or since. Hurricane Katrina has come pretty close, but Katrina was a natural event, one beyond our power to control. It was a force without guidance or malice. 9/11 was committed with malice aforethought. It was the purposeful decision by a group of men to kill as many of their fellow human beings as possible.

The rage and pain that this barbaric act generated were indescribable, and though the years have dulled these feelings, they've never subsided. Sometimes those feelings lingered below the surface, remembered more at the intellectual than emotional level, and I would force myself to remember them to help me through the difficult times of deployments in Iraq and the Pacific. Sometimes they exploded to the forefront, as when I learned that one of my roommates in basic training had been shot down in Iraq by the same type of murderers who executed 9/11, or when the headlines announced that Capt Kyle Van De Giesen (’02) – the first fellow candidate I met in the officer selection program, a proud product of Anselmian education, and a loving husband and father awaiting the birth of his second child – was killed in action in Afghanistan shortly before he was due to return home. They come flooding back to me now as I write this, and I'm actually a little surprised that they're still this strong. That's a good thing, though: it means that I still haven't forgotten what it felt like that Tuesday morning, on what was supposed to be an easy, relaxing day. I hope I never forget, and that the rest of America doesn’t either.

I forget why but we had an alternate schedule that day. Otherwise, I probably would have been in bed when everything happened. It was my junior year and I lived off campus at Squire. I came home from class just before 9:00. My roommate Jeff was sitting on the couch watching TV and said a plane hit the world trade center. I figured it was a small cessna and thought that it was terrible loss for a few people with no idea of the magnitude of what was happening. He said it was a 767. Shortly thereafter that the second plane crashed. I froze, my heart sank. I sat down in complete shock. America had been attacked. The news soon showed Boston being evacuated. My first thoughts were to try to get in touch with my brother and sister who lived and worked there, except there was no cell service. I was terrified. I'll never forget that feeling. God Bless all who were lost that day, the families they left behind and the servicemen and women who went to fight for our country in the following years.

Post by Will Tattan '03

I have tried so many times to write about that Tuesday morning in September 2001 that began with a cerulean sky and the optimism that accompanies the perfect fall day, and ended with anguish, profound tragedy and a sense of fear so overwhelming and raw none of us had the words for it yet. Every time I try to write about September 11, I get as far as “I cannot grasp it—the ‘there-then-not,’”—before I have to stop.

Because, really, how can I capture on paper what we felt that day? What we still feel, 10 years later, as tribute shows replay the unthinkable—the planes crashing, impossibly, into the towers; the towers collapsing (even now, I can’t get over how slowly they seemed to fall); the dazed men in their suits, covered in ash so thick and gray you wonder how they’ll ever get clean; the women clutching their high heels and crawling through panic-filled streets; the incomprehensible, pin-wheeling silhouettes of those who jumped out of offices to escape the flames and smoke and terror; the police officers and firefighters wiping away sweat and grime and tears as they headed doggedly towards what everyone else was running from. And I certainly couldn’t write about the overwhelming grief I felt in the days to follow, as newscasts showed disbelieving moms, dads, sisters, brothers, cousins, daughters, sons, fiancées, coworkers, friends, lovers—holding up photos of Sara, Riley, Marcus, Nathaniel, Ellie, Maria, Beth, David, Sam, Karen, Josh, and asking someone, anyone to please help find their loved ones because they missed them and just wanted them home.

I didn’t lose anyone on September 11. But I think one of the reasons I was—and still am—so deeply affected is the realization that I easily could have. The terrorist attacks were exquisitely targeted, yet so brutally random. Those directly impacted by that morning’s tragic events began their days doing the heartbreakingly ordinary—dropping kids off at daycare, grabbing one last cup of coffee before a 9am meeting, kissing husbands goodbye before leaving for a conference, hitting snooze on their alarm clocks three times like they always did, cramming for a Physics test they really should have studied for the night before, yelling at little sisters for borrowing a favorite sweater again without asking.

And me? I was home bracing for another long day of job hunting. I had graduated with an English degree from St. A’s four months earlier and naively believed I would immediately become a writer. Never had I felt so lost, so adrift. And never had I yearned more for the comfort of my St. A’s community than I did when the second plane hit. What I wouldn’t have given to be within walking distance of all of my friends, who in four years, had become my family. I craved my St. A’s “bubble”—a safe haven where I had always been able to laugh, talk, share, vent, grieve—and a place I now desperately needed to help me make sense of the inexplicable. How I longed to be sitting in the Abbey church, finding the deep quiet and peace I only seemed to achieve there. Maybe then I wouldn’t be so bewildered by God.

In the years since September 11, I have found a job writing. I have gotten married and given birth to a beautiful, perfect daughter. I have celebrated triumphs and tragedies with my brothers and sisters from St. A’s. I have made peace with God and tried to be grateful every day for all the blessings He has given me—my family, my friends, my health, and of course my St. A’s roots. But never have I forgotten that crisp fall morning in September when everything changed. And never have I taken the ordinary, the miraculous, and the everything-in-between moments for granted again. Be good to each other. Breathe. Love. Rejoice. Forgive. This life is all we have.

Posted by Tracy (Duwart) Jordan ’01

Thanks for this opportunity to express my thoughts. The attacks on 9/11 and the response by the 343 FDNY men who ran TOWARDS the flames and lost their lives should remind us all of our obligation to service. By looking for "What [we] can do for [our] country, not what [our] country can do for [us]…" we'll continue to be the "shining light on the hill." A former POW once said that one of the greatest things about coming home to America was "waking up to a door knob on his side of the door"…let's work hard to make sure that is NEVER an issue for people desiring to live in freedom. I implore all of you students to serve, and make a difference. Go Hawks!

Posted by Joseph O'Brien

Great job to all who shared their thoughts and posted them regarding September 11th. We all were in different places and of different ages and backgrounds. We all realize how precious life is. I enjoyed reading all of the posts.

Posted by Mike Delury

I was sitting at my desk in room 3C257 of the Pentagon when the plane hit the building.

Friday following 9/11 the crime scene tape that had been keeping us out of our office was taken down. We were back to work.

It seemed like only days later that the anthrax letters were in the postal system. Anthrax spores found their way to the Pentagon post office.

A short distance to the left of my desk was the site of the plane crash. And even closer on my right was the post office.

And there were the Washington snipers. One poor soul was shot just across the street from where I would get my bagel and coffee every morning. There seemed to be no escaping the senseless acts of violence.

And yet, out of the destructive violence brought upon us by the terrorist acts that shook our world on 9/11, there emerged an abundance of brotherly love, hope and charity. The resilience of the human spirit is remarkable. This is what I witnessed post 9/11. This is what I learned. Good does conquer evil.

Posted by Joe Corriveau '81

Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker Stumps for Barack Obama

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 06:10:13 +0000

Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey made a reading day stop at The New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College Friday, December 9 on behalf of the reelection campaign of President Obama. During his speech, recorded by C-SPAN for broadcast hours later, Booker discussed his support for the President, focusing on education, among other topics.

Anselmian Keith Charles, a member of the Saint Anselm Student Democrats provided the student introduction for Mayor Booker. He spoke to The Union Leader, at the conclusion of the event:

“Mayor Booker is very inspiring,” Charles said. “I asked him what drives him every day, and he said, ‘If you can make a difference, then that's what matters.

New Hampshire Voters Taking a Second Look at Gingrich

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:10:32 +0000

Newt Gingrich at New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College on November 21, 2011.

Regarding Newt Gingrich’s recent rise in the New Hampshire polls against long time frontrunner Mitt Romney, Professor Elizabeth Ossoff, director of the research center at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, says:

“One could say that Gingrich is the anti-Romney ‘Candidate of the Month.’ But the combination of national news accounts showing Gingrich’s rise in the polls and the New Hampshire Union Leader’s recent endorsement, which anointed Gingrich as a ‘true conservative,’ may have New Hampshire voters taking a second look. Perhaps Gingrich appeals to their desire to not be pigeon-holed. New Hampshire voters do the unexpected at times. Sometimes we react against that which is expected of us. Maybe the expectation that New Hampshire would definitely go for Romney rubs some voters the wrong way, and has led them to reassess their choice now that the primary is closer at hand.”

Professor Ossoff’s research interests include the psychology of political behavior, from perspective of both the voter and the candidate. She is also interested in politics and the media, and the psychology of gender.

Elizabeth Ossoff, Ph.D, Professor of Psychology at Saint Anselm College.

Director of the research center at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, Professor Ossoff speaks to reporters frequently about public attitudes toward politics and candidates, gender and politics and other themes. She has been interviewed by CNN, New England Cable News, New Hampshire Pubilc Radio, the Associated Press, The New York Times and other news outlets.

To speak to Professor Ossoff, please call Barbara LeBlanc at (603) 641-7241 (office) or (603) 486-8760 (cell).

This post was submitted by Barbara Leblanc.

Governor Rick Perry Town Hall Meeting

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:10:34 +0000

Texas Governor Rick Perry is the latest candidate to visit the New Hampshire Institute of Politics and Political Library at Saint Anselm College in this increasingly busy campaign cycle. Appearing in front of an array of local, regional and national reporters, including NHIOP advisory board member and journalist Mark Halperin, Perry introduced Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio who endorsed the candidate earlier today. Saint Anselm remains a must-stop venue for candidates and the media in New Hampshire, and will host a nationally televised debate in early January preceding the first-in-the-nation primary.

EN330: Japan's nuclear Disaster

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:56:49 +0000

Editor's note: This is one in a semester-long series of entries by students participating in the EN330 "political communication" course at Saint Anselm College. Students will be invited by Fr. Jerome Day, O.S.B. to submit their weekly logs to the Saint Anselm College blog, offering a glimpse inside "America's Classroom" as we approach the 2012 New Hampshire primary.

Caroline “Kiki” Dlugos
October 15, 2011

After the melt down of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Tokyo, Japan, radiation can still be found in extremely high doses all around the city. The people of Japan are worried for their safety and the safety of their families. They are afraid that they are being exposed to extremely high levels of radiation, and rightly so. The Japanese Government has been doing little to help test and determine the amount of nuclear waste in the surrounding area, and the people are sick of it. This issue demonstrates just how easy it is for government manipulation to occur.

The Japanese people are taking the issue of nuclear radiation exposure into their own hands. Many of the families that live in the surrounding area of the nuclear power plant are sick and tired of the lack of government response to the issue. They have personally collected dirt samples from their homes, and given them to researchers to test the amount of radioactive substances within the samples. Others have bought dosimeters, used to read the amount of radiation in a given area, from the Radiation Defense Project in Tokyo. This group was started on Facebook after the disaster, to address the issue of exposure to radiation, and to pick up the slack of the government.

The government is trying to downplay the seriousness, and urgency of the radiation problem. According to an article written in The New York Times, “Japan’s leaders have continually insisted that the fallout from Fukushima will not spread far, or pose a health threat to residents, or contaminate the food chain. And officials have repeatedly been proved wrong by independent experts and citizens’ groups that conduct testing on their own” (Tabuchi, Hiroko, “Citizens’ Testing finds 20 Radioactive Hot Spots Around Tokyo”, The New York Times). The Japanese government is trying to wrongly convince its people that there is nothing to be concerned about, when clearly there is. Through press conferences and televised appearances, the government is trying to dissuade the concerns of the people, when what they really should be doing is trying to help. This government manipulation is bolstered through the use of media.

Media in Japan is playing a large role in the manipulation of the people. Independent citizens and scientific corporations are running their own tests and finding unacceptable radiation levels. Unfortunately, according to the article mentioned previously, “Japan’s relatively tame mainstream media, which is more likely to report on government pronouncements than grass-roots movements, mainly ignored the citizens’ group’s findings” (Tabuchi, Hiroko, “Citizens’ Testing finds 20 Radioactive Hot Spots Around Tokyo”, The New York Times). The media is facilitating the manipulation of the people by not reporting the findings of the citizens groups.

The media, as well as the Japanese Government is framing the issue of radiation exposure dishonestly. Rather than trying to solve the issue at hand, both the government and the media are glazing over it, and in doing so are putting thousands of people at risk. It is the responsibility of the Japanese Government to care for its citizens in the best way possible, however; Media and government manipulation has hindered that help. Because of this lack of responsibility and the overwhelming presence of manipulation, children are playing on baseball fields littered with highly radioactive material, parents are wrestling with the possibility of moving, and the health of thousands of people is at risk. When such a serious disaster is occurring, the last thing that should be present within the government is manipulation.

Image: iStockphoto

Holidays On The Hilltop

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:33:47 +0000

Despite the unusually warm weather recently, Christmas is just around the corner. As students have returned from Thanksgiving break, the campus has been transformed for the holiday season. We have compiled a listing of the many events happening on campus in the next couple of weeks. Happy Holidays!

Through December 9, Campus Ministry invites you to participate in the Christmas Giving Tree Project to benefit children through Catholic Charities of Manchester.

Trees with gift tags are located in the first floor of Alumni Hall, the entrance to the Abbey Church, and the Office of Campus Ministry (in Cushing Center). Gifts should be returned by Friday, December 9, with gift tag attached.

For a listing of daily religious observances in the Abbey Church, please visit the Campus Ministry webpage.

December 1: 4th annual Fair Trade Fair, 12:00 p.m. to 6 p.m., Lobby, Cushing Center

A Celebration of Light, Intercultural Holiday Dinner, 5 p.m., North Lounge, Cushing Center hosted by Campus Ministry and the Multicultural Center

December 2: "Deck the Uppers" Judging of lights, 6 p.m.

"An Nollaig," An Irish Christmas, 7:30 p.m., Dana Center

December 3: Meelia Center Holiday Fair, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Carr Center. (Free and open to have the public).

DecemberSong, service of readings and songs of the Advent and Christmas Seasons by the Saint Anselm College Choir, 7:30 p.m., Abbey Church. (Free and open to the public. Arrive early for best seating)

December 4: Traditional Blessing of Manger Scene and Christmas Tree with candlelight procession, immediately following the 7 p.m. Mass, plaza behind Alumni Hall, Christmas Carols and refreshments to follow, hosted by Knights of Columbus, Red Key Society and Campus Ministry.

December 8: Christmas Feast, Davison Hall, 4 p.m.

A Christmas Carol, 3:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., The Renowned Nebraska Theatre Caravan National Tour, Dana Center for the Performing Arts

December 25: Christmas Day. The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Mass at 12 Midnight & 11 a.m., Abbey Church

For additional resources for Advent and Christmas, see http://www.usccb.org/advent

For a calendar of major religious holidays and celebrations, see http://www.loyola.edu/academics/diversity/holidays/calendar.html

Newt Gingrich Town Hall Meeting

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:05:37 +0000

Newt Gingrich made a swing through New Hampshire Monday, stopping at the college’s New Hampshire Institute of Politics to present his alternative to Social Security. Speaking to an audience of more than 200 students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the general community, Gingrich said he would give young workers the option of investing their payroll taxes in private accounts, rather than in traditional Social Security. Gingrich, who has been topping the polls nationally, remains behind Mitt Romney in all but one New Hampshire poll, which has the two in a statistical dead heat. Gingrich took questions from the audience and then met privately with about 20 Saint Anselm students.

This post was submitted by Barbara Leblanc.

I’ll Bring Dessert: Davison Hall Sells Pies and Cheesecakes

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:39:55 +0000

It is one of the uniquely Anselmian traditions: Davison Dining Hall bakes and sells pies and cheesecakes in the days before Thanksgiving to students, faculty and staff looking to bring dessert home for the big holiday dinner.

Kristie Archer, assistant baker has been whipping up Saint Anselm’s sweet treats for two years, joined by Nancy Whiteneck who has been with the dining services staff for three years.

Students started carrying the sweet treats out of Davison only hours after the baking had concluded Monday morning. Archer reported that the bake shop team had started baking at midnight, and was concluding their workday shortly after 10 a.m., preparing to start again Monday night for Tuesday’s orders.

We spoke with Rosemary Stackpole, director of dining services to learn more about what goes into the production of 1,200 pies, 875 cheesecakes, and 175 "gobble-gobble breads."

2,188 pounds of cream cheese
1,440 eggs
30 quarts of sour cream
70 gallons of cream
230 pounds of sugar

This year, pies are being offered in the following varieties:

Apple
Blueberry
Fruits of the forest
Pecan
Pumpkin

Cheesecakes (averaging between 4 and 5 pounds each) include:

Plain vanilla bean
White chocolate
Chocolate chip
Vanilla bean with strawberry topping
Vanilla bean with cherry topping
Pumpkin

Happy Thanksgiving!

He Spent This, She Spent That—A Numbers Game in American Politics

dminor@anselm.edu (Saint Anselm College) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:14:13 +0000

Samantha Glavin
November 21, 2011

When we say actions speak louder than words, do we really mean that numbers do? We’re a society fascinated by statistics—the how manys, the how muchs, the percents—sometimes to the point where the true meaning of the numbers themselves are obscured in a cynical fog. And nowhere else in American society is this fascination with numbers more apparent than in politics. In our scrutinizing culture, numbers have a power to communicate messages as powerfully as speeches or statements. We see it in polling, we see it in the stock exchange, but we also see it in how much the bill is at the end of the meal. If a president spends what society deems as “too much” on the renovation of his house, if a first lady buys a necklace that’s worth a small fortune, or if a candidate surprises his wife with a trip to the Mediterranean, observing citizens are up in a huff, denouncing this man or woman’s values and their ability to lead a nation.

This obsession was brought to my attention by an article I saw on the New York Times’ website, “Romney Finds It’s Not Free to Move About the Country”¹. The article describes in 252 words the private and commercial flight expenses run up by presidential candidate Mitt Romney for his third fundraising quarter. The author writes, “The Romney campaign spent $233,812 on private air travel—over $100,000 more than he spent on commercial flights… over all, $369,848.75 on total air travel” and goes even more in-depth about the expenses paid to specific airlines, analyzing Romney’s spending habits as if he was running for a “2012 National Model Citizen of Middle Class Spending” award and not for President of the United States. And Romney’s been under fire before, for example in August when he was criticized for the cost of renovations on his mansion. Clearer now than ever, there are inextricable ties planted in the public’s mind between how much someone spends, and how worthy he or she is to lead others.

Don’t get me wrong—I understand the thought process. The majority of us aren’t millionaires, and someone spending ludicrous amounts of money on various luxuries doesn’t exactly speak to the “I’m with the common, hardworking man” ideal. But I think we need to be more media literate about how we approach these numbers, and also be conscious of the widespread big spending in Washington as a whole—it’s not just Romney, or Republicans, or Democrats doing it, and as a matter-of-fact, our own country is deep in the hole for its own extravagant spending. You can pull numbers out of anywhere, and make them mean anything. It’s estimated that the Obamas spent $73,781.50 on Michelle Obama’s six-and-a-half hour trip to Spain in 2010². Joe Biden ordered government officials to review and cut-back on their spending after news broke that $16 muffins (yes, that’s per muffin) were served at Justice Department conferences³, this while his first-in-command is serving $400 bottles of wine at a state dinner. And there’s a historical precedent to all of this as well. Sarah Palin is attacked for supposedly buying a new wardrobe costing a hundred thousand dollars, while Jackie Kennedy spent absurd amounts of money on clothing, trips, decorations, and other personal items, but despite this became a lasting national icon.

Should any of these numbers really mean anything to us? Reporters rattle off an endless stream of expenses and costs against both parties, but in the end, I’m only left nauseated. How a public figure spends his or her money is interesting, and, to a degree, relevant. But in a time when consumers feed off rapidly changing, easily digestible megabytes of information, this numbers game has only become distracting to the real issues facing our evolving (or devolving) country. We are becoming more ignorant to the actual messages coming out of the mouths of the individuals who are leading us, somewhat blindly, into an unknown and worrisome future. Unless we decide to investigate the context of the matter more thoroughly, it’s time to put the calculator down.

¹http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com, “Romney Finds It’s Not Free to Move About the Country”, Ashley Parker, Oct. 15, 2011.

² http://www.cbsnews.com, “Michelle Obama Criticized as ‘Modern-Day Marie Antoinette’ Over Spain Vacation”, Brian Montopoli, Aug. 5, 2010.

³http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk, “White House Acts Over Muffin-Gate”, Sep. 22, 2011.