Saint Anselm College is celebrating the 50 year anniversary of accepting female students into all departments of the college. The celebration kicked off on September 8 with an Academic Convocation titled “Across 50 Years, Across the Curriculum.” The event was headlined by keynote speaker Emily J. Orlando, Ph.D. ‘91.
Saint Anselm began accepting women students in departments other than nursing for the first time in 1973. Abbot Mark Cooper remembered the day in 1973 where the women proudly walked into the dining hall for the first time, where they were welcomed with roaring applause from the men in the hall. Fifty years later, the college community, where the student body is a majority women, celebrates the importance and contributions women have made to Saint Anselm’s over the last half century.
The Academic Convocation took place in The Koonz Theatre inside of Dana Hall in front of many distinguished faculty members, members of the monastic community, and students, among others. President Favazza, Vice President Liotta, Abbott Cooper, and Dr. Orlando sat on stage among other members of the college community to speak at the celebration. President Favazza and Abbott Cooper both shared their excitement for the year long celebration and expressed their joy and reflection on all the contributions women throughout the last 50 years have made to Saint Anselm College. “It was a seismic moment when reflecting on this decision. It is so clear to me how the presence of women has strengthened our campus mission,” Favazza said in his address to all those in attendance. Favazza mentioned several women who took on leadership roles within the college, including naming Ruth Bagely and Margaret Amesbury, who were the first women to be hired as faculty members.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Emily Orlando, graduated from the college in 1991 with a degree in English and French. She is currently a Professor of English at Fairfield University. During her address, Orlando cited many quotes from her heavily studied idol, the author Edith Wharton. She opened by quoting Wharton’s memoir, saying, “Everywhere on my path, I have been met with kindness and furtherance.” She used this quote to express her gratitude for her invitation to speak at such an important event and revisit the college that set her on a path for academic success. Throughout her speech, Orlando referenced how Saint Anselm was such an open and accepting place for her and all of the other women on campus. She frequently gave praise to three professors that inspired her as an academic and as a person: Dr. Denise Askin, Dr. Danielle Blais, and Dr. Gary Bouchard. “The energy at the place was infectious and palpable, everybody was kind and it was real,” Orlando said. Dr. Orlando spoke very highly on one of her women mentors at the college, the late Dr. Denise Askin. She spoke on the portrait painted of her this past June, saying, “You can see the pure love and joy in her eyes.” She also cited Askin as being the driving force behind her love for female authors such as Edith Wharton and Emily Dickinson. Dr. Orlando ended her address to a standing ovation from all those in the Koonz Theatre.
As part of the year-long celebration, the college announced a new fellowship named the Denise Askin Fellowship. Dr. Dianna Terrell was given the honor of being able to announce the fellowship. Dr. Askin died earlier this year and the college is extremely privileged and thankful to the Askin family for their part in making this opportunity possible. The first faculty recipient of this award will be announced in 2024 and will receive funding and other resources to help enhance the classroom and follow in Askin’s footsteps of delivering excellent education to deserving students, such as Dr. Orlando. A small reception with light refreshments followed the Convocation in the lobby of Dana Hall where all who attended were invited to attend.
The college will be celebrating the milestone of 50 years of women’s education throughout the remainder of the academic year. Dr. Sheila Liotta, Vice President of Academic Affairs, stated during the Convocation that there will be many more events and opportunities throughout the year for students and members of the college community to take part in celebrating the anniversary. This comes one after the Women in Business Club, a club dedicated to giving women the opportunity to expand their business and professional careers and spotlight their accomplishments on campus. Students should be looking out for emails and college announcements about upcoming events regarding celebrating 50 years of women’s education.
