On Friday, April 25, Saint Anselm College’s Student Government Association (SGA) held its annual inauguration ceremony, welcoming new leaders from all classes and officially transitioning from the Parent-Benites administration to the newly-elected Lynch-Lumbard team. The event marked not only a new era of leadership for the SGA, but also a moment to reflect on the past—recognizing, reaffirming, and celebrating the values that define us as “Anselmians.”
The ceremony began with farewell speeches from President Salvatore Parent and Vice President Diego Benites, both members of the Class of 2025. Vice President Benites was first to deliver his address, a thoughtful and—at times—sobering reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for student leadership. Institutional expectations, an ever-increasing demand for inclusivity, and the looming “democratic cliff” (an anticipated decline in college enrollment that threatens future funding of and access to higher education). He urged the incoming administration to balance ambition with humility, encouraging them to be “creative thinkers that will advocate for systemic solutions instead of ready-made bureaucrats.”
After graduation, Benites plans to continue his education at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he hopes to attain an MA in public history on the path to employment within higher education or the National Parks Service.
President Parent followed with an optimistic view toward the future, celebrating the enduring spirit of the Hilltop and highlighting key values such as service, community, and a commitment to positive change as central to his experience in office. According to newly elected Class of 2028 Senator Theodore Burkhardt, Parent’s words—like his service—left a lasting impression. “As an incoming senator, I felt really endowed with a certain amount of responsibility,” he said, “that’s something I think Sal really imparted on me.” Parent, like Benites, plans to pursue higher education in the future, hoping to contribute to the field of Organizational Psychology or Mental Health Counseling.
Parent and Benites leave behind a lasting legacy defined by student advocacy and pragmatism. Over the past two years, the Anselmian leaders tackled issues ranging from limited campus housing to the nationwide mental health crisis—challenges, Parent warns, that we will continue to face. “But it’s up to the new administration,” he says, “to carry forward the message: students first.”
While the event was a bittersweet farewell to leaders from the Class of 2025, it was also a joyous welcome to Colby Lynch, Caleb Lumbard, and other new and returning student leaders. The presidential team, like the SGA at large, is a blend of fresh perspective and seasoned experience; while Lumbard has been engaged with student government since his freshman year, Lynch approaches his role with a freshman perspective. “Caleb brings a knowledge of SGA procedures,” Lynch said on the contrast, “and I bring an outsider’s perspective that helps us stay grounded… we want to create a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable sharing their concerns.” Lumbard echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the
importance of student engagement through class council activity. “They haven’t reached their full potential yet, and we want to change that from the start of next semester.”
Furthermore, the Lynch-Lumbard administration plans to continue in the mental health-focused footsteps of Parent and Benites, hoping to persist with their predecessors’ “students first” approach by ushering in a new wave of student engagement. Lumbard noted the new administration’s plan to further cement their legacy through the continuation of one of their initiatives: requiring SGA members to complete four hours of community service each semester.
“It’s about being involved and keeping SGA a selfless, engaged organization,” he said on the subject, expressing a deep dedication to Saint Anselm College and a profound respect for the influence of Parent and Benites. “Sal and Diego had a phenomenal two years,” Lynch said, “and having them prepare us for this transition has been a real gift.”
As the Lynch-Lumbard administration begins its term, it does so with a strong foundation. The future of SGA looks promising and the message is clear: even as leadership changes, the commitment to putting students first remains unwavering.