Women’s Basketball Victorious in Both Holiday Classic Matchups

A nearly-40-point spread would be enough to have some teams begging for, well, mercy.

The women’s basketball team won both of their Saint Anselm Holiday Classic match-ups, including a 81-42 victory over Mercy College on Tuesday.

The 39-point spread was the largest margin of victory for the lady Hawks since 2003, according to a Twitter post by the athletics department.

Wednesday’s 52-47 victory over Dominican College brings the team to a 4 and 6 record, having won four of seven home games and dropped all three away games.

The Hawks are off until this weekend; both men’s (3:30 pm) and women’s (1:30 pm) basketball are at home against Merrimack College on Saturday, and men’s ice hockey plays Johnson & Wales at 3:00 on Sunday.

- gww

Compiled from Department of Athletics web postings. Graphic: www.anselm.edu

Alcohol Incidents Lead New Campus Crime Statistics

An annual report, required by federal law, provides a snapshot of campus safety issues over the past year.

The equivalent of 10 percent of campus was reported involved with alcohol incidents last year, recently released campus crime statistics show.

The statistics, released by the Office of Campus Safety and Security in early December, reflect crime and disciplinary incidents reportedly between September 2008 and September 2008.

Two forcible sex incidents were reported, as well as one burglary and one arson. There were 25 arrests for liquor law violations and 2 drug-related arrests.

In addition, 214 liquor law violations and 27 drug law violations were referred for disciplinary action.

The college did not report any hate crimes, nor any murders, assaults, or motor vehicle thefts. Statistics represent only on-campus incidents.

Reporting is required by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 and is available on the college’s website and through the U.S. Department of Education.

- gww

Resident Director Announces Mid-Year Departure

In a rare mid-year announcement, the Lowers' Resident Director has announced he is taking a position at another college.

Resident director William Cummings III has announced that he will be leaving the college at the end of the semester.

Bill, as he is known to students, was responsible for overseeing the Lowers (Benedict Court), the Courts (Croydon Court), Collins House, and Falvey House. This year is his second with the college.

Mr. Cummings will be taking an opportunity for "professional advancement" at a Massachusetts college, he said in an exclusive statement to Dispatches.

"I will truly miss my interactions with students, staff, and the unique community atmosphere that is present here," he said in the email statement. "I wish the entire Saint Anselm College community continued successes in their endeavors."

- gww

Gadbois Fire Alarm Proves Fruitless, Test-takers

Pulling the fire alarm is supposed to be an old trick to delay talking an exam, but one would typically set off the alarm right before the test.

The Gadbois Hall fire alarm sounded shortly after 5:30 this morning, and the Goffstown fire department said the alarm in a third floor classroom was to blame. After investigating the building, nothing was found, and the fire department departed from campus shortly after 6 am.

- gww

Trustees Expected to Consider Communications Major

A new major in communications has one remaining hurdle: the Board of Trustees.

The board of trustees is expected to consider a proposal for a communications major, Sean Tinsley reports in the Crier.

Having passed the English Department, Curriculum Committee, and other college bodies, the major will be added to the course catalog, the Crier has learned.

The dean of the college, Fr. Augustine G. Kelly, O.S.B., Ph.D., declined to comment, but the director of the Communications Certificate, assistant professor of English Sherry Shepler, Ph.D., said the major “allows the College to adapt to the changing interests of incoming students.”

New majors are considered based on six areas of merits, according to the dean’s office website: “compatibility with the liberal arts identity, mission and values of this Catholic College;” “potential academic strength: given the resources that can be devoted to the proposed major, can it become an academically strong major;” “value of introducing the major into the curriculum, rather than restructuring an existing major;” “assurance that the new major will not significantly weaken or replace existing majors, essential to our liberal arts identity, by attracting students from a limited pool;” “justification of the cost of introducing the major and assurance that it will not force existing majors to reduce their budgets; and assurance that it will not reduce resources available to existing majors;” and “support of the Admissions Office for the major as a way to attract students to the College.”

The major will require introducing several new courses, and likely hiring new faculty to cover the courses. The proposal includes requirements in “Introduction to Human Communication and Introduction to Mediated Communication, the two foundational courses; requirements in oral, visual, and written communication; two textual analysis classes; a theory course; and a senior seminar course,” Mr. Tinsley writes.

- gww

S.G.A. Election Isn't Until February, But One Pair Isn't Waiting

Graduating S.G.A. leaders Scott Campbell '10 and Connor P. O'Brien '10 will leave vacancies in the organization's two top posts.

The election for student government president and vice president is not until February, but the first candidates have declared their intentions to run.

Ashley Pratte ’11 and Matthew Shaw ’11 announced their intentions to seek the top Student Government Association president and vice president, respectively, to the Crier’s opinion editor, Lauren Chooljian ’10.

Pratte is president of the junior class and Shaw is vice president. Current S.G.A. president Scott Campbell ’10 and vice president Connor P. O’Brien ’10 graduate in May after two years in the top offices.

- gww

College Not Prepared for Transition to Division 1 Athletics, New A.D. Says

The college is not prepared for a transition from division 2 N.C.A.A. athletics to division 1, the new athletic director, Jo-Ann E. Nester, Ed.D., said in an interview with the Saint Anselm Crier sports editor, Brian Costain.

Dr. Nester cited budget and staffing levels as barriers to division 1, the highest level of N.C.A.A. competition.

“Based on budgets,” she said, “we’d have to make a substantial financial commitment. I'm not sure St. A’s is there.”

As is typical for division 2 schools, most coaches work part-time for the college. A move to full-time coaching would be beneficial for the college at its current level.

“It’s in the best interest of the students and institution that we eventually have full-time coaches,” she said. “I’d like to be more of a pace-setter for the D2 model.”

But most importantly, Dr. Nester does not forsee the college becoming a division 1 athletics program because it is not the character of the college.

“We have good facilities for D2, and good student-athletes who are good in class and successful on the field,” she said.

- gww

Across Town, Six Arrested at Hesser College Fight

Six Hesser College students were arrested at an early-morning dormitory fight in Manchester, according to the Associated Press and New Hampshire Union Leader.

The fight started between a resident assistant and a second student, according to the Associated Press, and soon police were called to the scene.

- gww

Image: Map of the Hesser College Manchester campus, from Google.

Trial of Once-Top Football Recruit Again Delayed

The trial of a once-top recruit for the Saint Anselm football team was put on hold for the second time on Monday, the Lowell Sun reported Monday evening.

In Lowell District Court on Monday, prosecutors told the judge that a grand of immunity would need to be arranged for the victim and a second witness, according to the Sun report. Immunity would protect the witnesses from self-incriminating themselves while testifying against the defendant.

Matthew Grimard, 19 of Dracut, Mass., is facing one charge of domestic battery stemming from an alleged early morning assault on his girlfriend last May. Just weeks after announcing he would attend Saint Anselm, the high school football star allegedly pulled his girlfriend by the hair and punched her in the jaw at a party in Lowell.

The trial was first set to begin in October, and has now been set for January 4.

- gww

Photo credit: Stuart Cahil, www.bostonherald.com

From Classroom to State House, A Lesson in Politics

A profile of Brian Poznanski '11, by the Crier's Kate Giaquinto:

Brian Poznanski '11 has a passion for politics. He spends one-half of his week in the classrooms of his major, learning theoretical lessons, and travels to the state capitol when he does not have class. But Poznanski is not an intern at the state house -- he represents the 26th District of Nashua in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

- gww

Stability Has Unique Meaning to Roving Benedictine Ambassador

In an exclusive interview, the Abbot Primate of the Worldwide Benedictine Confederation describes his vision of Catholic ministry.

By GREGORY W. WALLACE and MIKE PERKINS
Saint Anselm Crier

When a novice monk himself, Abbot Notker Wolf, O.S.B., took the standard Benedictine vows: obedience, conversion of life, and stability.

Now, the abbot primate of the worldwide Benedictine confederation keeps his suitcase packed and frequent flier miles close at hand. For the man who spends up to two-thirds of the year traveling worldwide as a multi-lingual ambassador of Catholicism and Benedictine values, stability has a different connotation.

“Stability means belonging to a family,” Abbot Notker told the Crier in an exclusive interview. He accepted an invitation from college president Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., to attend an academic convocation celebrating the 900th anniversary of the Saint Anselm’s death.

His family is large, indeed; worldwide, there are 21 Benedictine monasteries and approximately 8,000 monks, according to the college.

In his travels, Abbot Notker regularly visits Benedictine monasteries and churches. But he said his favorite visits are to Benedictine colleges and universities, which have a distinct feel.

“There is something special about Benedictine colleges,” he said. “They give you an atmosphere of belonging to the great Benedictine family.”

The Saint Anselm monastic community and college especially impressed the college; both the Benedictines and “the lay people here are committed so much to the school and the students,” he said.

After attending the academic convocation and reception, Abbot Notker joined students for an evening in the pub. An accomplished musician and member of the Christian rock band Feedback, he brought his flute and joined the jazz band for several songs. Speaking after a brunch with trustees the next day, Abbot Notker said spending time with students was a highlight of the weekend.

“I enjoyed this [visit] very much so, especially last night to be in the pub with young people,” Abbot Notker said.

Ministering to young people is an important part the job of Abbot Primate, he said, to which he was just reelected for a second eight-year term. When traveling the world, he tells young adults to take to heart lessons of Benedictine life.

“What we need for the future is people who are committed to their lives and to the future, and not just committed to making money,” Abbot Notker said. “When you go to a Benedictine monastery, especially as a student, the monks are committed to the students.”

Seeing young people who take the lessons of Benedictine faith seriously “gives hope for the future also to other people.”

He sees growth and strength in the Catholic faith and Benedictine tradition in many parts of the world, and in Tanzania, home to 500 Benedictine monks and 1500 sisters. He also said that communities in parts of the European continent are finding success anew.

“It is nice to see how the influence of Benedictines is influencing Eastern Europe,” he said. These smaller communities, he said, “depend on the individual characters” within the monastery.

The Abbot Primate looks forward committing himself to studies following his retirement from leading the worldwide congregation.

“I’m looking forward to the time when it gets more quiet,” he said. “I have no problem being in one place.”

He said a life of teaching and writing would be very fulfilling, especially offering “special courses to weak students.” Students who struggle can benefit from Benedictine values, especially stability.

In the meantime, he professes to enjoy his travels and global ministry.

Abbot Notker brings a simple message of advice to the young people he meets around the world: “experience the importance of God for your life.”

“Commit yourself to studies, but not only for studies, but also for the core of human life,” he said.

This article was published in the Saint Anselm Crier on December 12, 2009 on page 1.

Administration Seeks Role for Student Voices

By GREGORY W. WALLACE and BRIAN COSTAIN
Saint Anselm Crier

As the college invests in efforts to reevaluate the college’s curriculum, strategic direction, and fiscal priorities, so it has searched for ways to hear and incorporate student voices. Students have a formal voice through the Student Government Association, S.G.A., but students also serve on a number of college committees and task forces.

“I’ve certainly made it no hidden part of my voice to have student voice,” the dean of students, Alicia Finn, Ph.D., said. Other college administrators frequently approach her office, seeking student names for college committees.

Students serving on college committees must balance course work, other extra-curricular commitments, and committee meetings. College administrators are mindful of balancing student voices with those students’ academic success.

After all, Finn said, students’ “primary task is students.”

The consequence, she said, is pursuing “multiple ways to bring student voice.”

The curriculum review steering committee has invited a number of students to participate in study circles. “Students are those who have received education from the curriculum,” Finn said.

The strategic planning steering committee, formed this fall, has one student member, and solicits student opinions through a series of focus groups. The executive vice president, Suzanne K. Mellon, Ph.D., R.N., says that student voice is important to the process.

“We ask people who are on the ground level to come up with questioning the processes of strategic planning,” Mellon said. “Student voice is important to us.”

Students have not been directly involved in the outsourcing committees, Finn said, out of concern for taking student time and energy away from the classroom. She is chair of the Dining Services Outsourcing Committee, which has spent several days off campus visiting other colleges, as well as hours hosting visiting vendors.

While student voice is included on many college committees, Finn encourages students to take advantage of other formal structures for student-administration interaction. She acknowledges that committee work and volunteer opportunities are part of students’ educational experiences, but reinforces that classroom time is essential.

“How do we do that [include student voices in decision-making] while also allowing you to be learners?” Finn said.

Once-Top Football Recruit Goes on Trial for Beating Girlfriend

While Saint Anselm students sit in final exams today, a young man who did not make it to campus this fall will be standing for a very different test.

Matthew Grimard, once a top recruit for the football team, goes on trial today for beating his girlfriend at a June party, the Lowell Sun reports.

If convicted, he could face up to two and one half years in jail, the Sun’s Lisa Redmond reports.

His accomplishments on the Dracut High School were recognized with many awards, including Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year and National Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year. But at a May 24 party, Mr. Grimard, age 18, used his arm to punch his 17-year-old girlfriend in the jaw, according to newspaper accounts of police reports.

A post on his MySpace profile, last accessed on Friday, says his current “mood” is “confident.”

At his May arraignment at Lowell District Court, clad in a Dracut High School football T-shirt, Mr. Grimard pleaded innocent to one charge of domestic assault and battery. He allegedly became jealous upon seeing his girlfriend talking to another boy and chased her outside the party.

Mr. Grimard reportedly tried to drag her back inside the house by her hair, and then punched her in the jaw when she resisted. Reports said he poured a beer over her head and told her “not to call police because ‘they’ all know him and nothing will happen.”

Saint Anselm football coach Patrick X. Murphy coached Mr. Grimard on the Dracut High team. Mr. Grimard’s announcement that he would attend this division two school came as a surprise to high school and football bloggers, who expected him to spend a year at preparatory school or play at a division one college.

After the May incident, he decided not to attend Saint Anselm, although the sports staff of the Saint Anselm Crier has spotted Mr. Grimard at several football games this fall.

- gww

Photo credit: Stuart Cahil, www.bostonherald.com

Gingerbread Competition Judging Opened to Campus Community

DAVISON HALL — The annual gingerbread house competition here drew one hundred entries of cars, homes, castles, boats, lighthouses -- presenting a challenge for experienced gingerbread construction judges.

So instead, Dining Services is inviting the campus community -- students, faculty, and staff -- to pick up a ballot from the Davison Hall office and play the role of judge, the Davison Hall promotions coordinator, Tairi M. Gaouette, said Wednesday evening.

Judging extends through the Christmas Feast, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 10, Ms. Gaouette said. Winners will be announced on Friday, Dec. 11, she said.

UPDATE: Results, from Dining Services announcement:

1st place: Team 35- Congratulashayla
Corey Boudreau
Ben Bradley
Ryan Garrette
Jacqueline Rossignol

2nd place: Team 68- Falvey 3 Girls
Tabitha Hachey
Kate Skiffington
Meghan Kielbania
Christina Marx

3rd Place: Team 72- Team Bam Bam
Keith Little
Ashley Crawford
Chris Balboni
Matt Conley

Additional photos will be posted Thursday night.

Photos: Gregory W. Wallace for Dispatches from Campus.

Kim Lane '10 and her teammates wore pajamas.

Jess St. Laurent '10 applies frosting to her team's creation.

Derek McDonald demonstrates professional pastry decoration technique.

Erin Sullivan '11 smiles while constructing a drive-through Dunkin Donuts with her apartment-mates.

Sarah Duffy '11 pauses while decorating a wall of her team's construction.

- gww

Men’s Hockey Could Uphold 9-Year Record of Beating Assumption

The men’s ice hockey team has a legacy to uphold in Wednesday’s home opener against Assumption: the Hawks have not lost to the Greyhounds on ice in almost a decade of play.

Scores from recent nine years include 9-1, 8-0, 8-2, 7-2, and 6-1. In the 2004-2005 season, the Hawks beat Assumption in the Northeast-10 Semifinals.

Wednesday’s home opener begins at 7 o’clock in Sullivan Arena. The Hawks are 1-1 in this third week of the season; the Greyhounds are 3-0 in conference play.

For background reading, the athletics department has posted this preview of the season.

And tell your friends that you’re going on this Facebook event.

- gww

Goulet Gas Leak is Outside Science Center

An hour after sending two fire trucks to a false alarm in Dominic Hall, Goffstown Fire Department returned to campus Tuesday night for a propane leak reported in Goulet Science Center.

After evacuating the building and turning off the gas supply, fire officials metered the building and found no gas leaks within the science center.

Campus safety officers contacted the fire department about 20 minutes before 9 o'clock reporting the smell of gas in or near Goulet. The leak was found to be outside the science center.

For more information, check our Twitter site.

- gww