Class of 2024, Mary Kocev, has been named the Bernard Holmes Scholar for this year. This highly respected award is given annually to an incoming senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievements as well as integration in the Saint Anselm community. On top of recognition, the award grants the chosen recipient a full tuition scholarship for their last year here at the college. The Bernard Holmes award recognizes those who have dedicated their time as strong leaders and tender caregivers both in and outside of Saint Anselm College.
Mary Kocev is a senior nursing major who just completed her preceptorship at Wentworth Douglass hospital over the summer. Aside from her busy nursing schedule, Mary has given her time to many activities on campus including serving as a Resident’s Assistant, being an active member in Campus Ministry, working as a peer tutor, playing violin with Hilltop Worship, leading retreats and BREAK trips, as well as a heavy involvement with Respect the Nest and assisting wedding’s at the Abbey Church. When asked what her favorite moments have been at Saint A’s, Kocev responded with her most recent BREAK trip leaving no room for hesitation: “It was just really fun to work with a group of people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.” That speaks for itself when it comes to Mary’s willingness to involve herself in anything that interests her which leads to her advice for younger Anselmians: “One piece of advice that I would give is to just show up to things. It’s okay if you don’t know anyone. It’s okay if none of your friends want to go, you can go by yourself and you will meet people there. Even if it’s nerve racking, it’s worth it.”
President Favazza agrees with the tenderness of Kocev. In response to why she stood out for this reward, the Saint Anselm College President writes, “Mary has distinguished herself through her service. It speaks to her compassionate heart. She has a special concern for the sick and elderly which is one of the reasons that led her into nursing. She is a stellar example of what it means to be Anselmian.” It is important
Another one of Mary’s core memories in her time at Saint Anselm was experiencing an open heart surgery during her Critical Care nursing rotation. Kocev said, “It gave me such an appreciation for nurses that work in the ER as well as just the heart in general, to be able to see a live beating heart was one of the coolest things that have happened to me here.”
Mary Kocev began her semester celebrating her accomplishment of this Bernanrd Holmes award at the opening mass on August 28th in the Abbey Church and will end her time at the college back in the church for her pinning ceremony. Once she leaves, Kocev hopes to become either a hospice or cardiac nurse either back at Wentworth Douglass or here in Manchester, NH at the Catholic Medical Center.