Saint Anselm College Nursing Class of 2015
Jeanelle Adams
Bridget Ackerly
Elizabeth Antaya
Lauren Anzalone †
Nicole Arsenault
Erin Barker
Molly Barrows
Hillary Beaton†
Brittany Beaumier
Kelsey Berglund
Amanda Bohnwagner
Madeleine Boyington
Colleen Boyle
Jennifer Bracey
Mary Brennan†
Colleen Brine
Sarah Buckley
Jessica Carlson
Robert Celona
Hannah Collins†
Thomas Corliss
Alyssa Cote
Abigail Crane†
Lyndsay Davis†
Bridget Davis
Lauren DeCoste
Kristina DeMichele
Rebekah DePillo
Christina Delaney
Ani Derderian†
Katelyn Donohoe†
Elizabeth Doyle
Nicole Dragone†
Mary Fisher
Colleen Fleming†
Sarah Forster
Holly Foster
Gina Fuccillo
Hannah Furlong†
Heather Geist
Rachel Glover†
Colleen Gover
Kristina Granito†
Olivia Hamalainen
Laura Hargreaves
Breanna Harper
Kayla Hart†
Elise Homan†
Shayla Howell†
Mary Hudson
Marissa Johnson†
Brooke Judd†
Heather Kealos
Aimee LaLancette†
Julie LePore
Maria Luongo†
Alysha Magnant†
Julia Mansolillo
Elizabeth McAfee†
Laura McCarthy†
Amanda McDonald†
Kaitlyn McNamee
Frankie Mueller†
Holly Mulkern
Stephanie Neville
Frances Nicholson
Kelly Niland
Michelle Nuccio
Meghan O’Malley
Stacy Parker
Kristen Peffer
Michaela Petrone
Kelly Pickett
Tyler Reney
Kathleen Ridge
Jennifer Ross
Elyssar Saad†
Lucy Santangelo
Taylor Shay
Sarah Sidlauskas
Rebecca Sirois†
John Sullivan†
Megan Sullivan
Kathryn Urbanowski†
NoraAnn Walsh†
Jessica Wyrsch†
Matthew Zacchilli†
† Indicates induction into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Please remember to turn off all cell-phones, pagers and other electronic devices while in the Abbey Church. Thank you.
1
A Nurse’s Prayer
Dear Lord, please give me the strength
To face the day ahead,
Dear Lord, please give me the courage
As I approach each hurting bed.
Dear Lord, please give me the wisdom
With every word I speak
Dear Lord, give me the patience
As I comfort the sick and weak.
Dear Lord, please give me the assurance
As the day slips into night
That I have done the best I can
That I have done what is right.
2
Pinning Ceremony
Ushers
Members of the Class of 2016 and the Knights of Columbus
Opening Remarks
Dr. Maureen O’Reilly
Interim Executive Director
Department of Nursing
Greetings
Dr. Steven DiSalvo
President of the College
Student Speaker
Elise Homan
Blessing of the Pins
Fr. Benet Phillips, O.S.B.
Registrar
Presentation of the Pins
Dr. Maureen O’Reilly
Professor Karen Grafton
Professor Ann Fournier
Professor Margaret Walker
Presentation of the Flowers
Professor Caryn Sheehan
Professor Antonia Nelson
Reading of the Names
Professor Destiny Brady
Presentation of Awards
Dr. Maureen O’Reilly
Lighting of the Candles
Professor
Professor
Professor
Professor
Nightingale Pledge
Dr. Maureen O’Reilly
3
Pamela Preston-Safarz
Margaret Carson
Lynne Sheppard
Kathleen Cahill
Nightingale Pledge
I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly,
to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will
abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly
administer any harmful drug.
I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standards of my
profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping,
and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice
of my calling.
With this loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work and devote
myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.
The Nurse’s Pin
The shield appearing on the front cover is the design of the pin worn by
graduates of the Department of Nursing of Saint Anselm College. The
design includes elements of the official seal of the college. The symbol of the
lamp on the shield refers to Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp of my steps and a light for my path.”
The inscription Initium Sapientiae Timor Domini means
The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The Dr. Joanne K. Farley Award
This award was created to honor Dr. Joanne K. Farley, a 31-year member
of the Saint Anselm College community. Dr. Farley represented the true
nursing spirit of caring, leadership, and selfless service on the local, state,
and national levels. This year’s recipient exemplifies those attributes inherent
in the purpose of this award.
The Student Nurse Leader Award
in memory of Dr. Joyce Clifford
This award was created to recognize a student who embodies the qualities
of Dr. Joyce Clifford who was a compassionate, dedicated, visionary leader
in the nursing profession. Dr. Clifford was a trustee of the College and one of the
first graduates of the nursing program. She was inducted into the Fellowship of
the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), the highest honor in nursing. She
developed primary nursing at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston in the 1980s. She was a true
nursing leader as well as a supporter of nursing at Saint Anselm College.
4
The Celebration of the Eucharist
for the Nursing Class of 2015
Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist
April 25, 2015
CELEBRANT
Fr. Benedict Guevin, O.S.B.
Abbot
HOMILIST
Matthew Leavy, O.S.B.
Saint Anselm Abbey Church
Manchester, New Hampshire
5
Amazing
Amazing Grace
Grace
& b 43
&b ˙
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A - ma
wretch, like
&b
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found,
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- zing Grace, how
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me.
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was
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blind,
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I
once
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but
now
œ
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sweet the
œ
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sound, that
j
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was
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I
lost,
˙.
see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come,
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun.
6
œ
but
œœ
˙
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saved
a
œ.
j
œ œ œ
˙
Œ
now
am
The Introductory Rite
Celebrant:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit.
All respond:
Amen.
Celebrant:
Greeting . . . be with you.
All respond:
And with your spirit.
The Penitential Act
Lord, have mercy. All respond: Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. All respond: Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. All respond: Lord, have mercy.
Glory to God
7
Opening Prayer
Celebrant:
Let us pray.
(Prayer of the day)…for ever and ever.
All respond:
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
The First Reading 1 Peter 5:5B-14
Lector: The Word of the Lord.
All respond: Thanks be to God.
The Responsorial Psalm
bb
j
j j
& b b c œ œj œ œ œ .
b
& b bb œ
j
œ
Shep - herd me, O God,
yond
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my
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fears,
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J
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j
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be - yond my wants,
œ
from death
in - to life.
Marty Haugen. ©1986 by GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
8
j
œ
be -
The Alleluia
Please stand for the Alleluia and Gospel.
Repeat the Alleluia after the Schola, and again after the choir verse.
Verse: Your words, Lord, are spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
The Gospel Mark 16: 15-20
The Lord be with you.
All respond:
And with your spirit.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark
All respond:
Glory to you, O Lord.
At the conclusion of the Gospel:
The Gospel of the Lord.
All respond:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Please be seated for the Homily.
9
The General Intercessions
The response to each petition is Lord, hear our prayer.
Conclusion by the celebrant: . . . through Christ our Lord.
All respond:Amen
Please be seated.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
Presentation of the Gifts
Offertory Hymn
make me a channel of your peace
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love,
where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope,
where there is darkness, only light,
and where there’s sadness ever joy.
10
O Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved, as to love, with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving of ourselves that we receive,
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Invitation to Prayer
Celebrant: Pray, …the almighty Father.
All respond:
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good and the good of all his holy Church.
The Eucharistic Prayer
Celebrant:
All respond:
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Celebrant:
All respond:
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Celebrant:
All respond:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.
11
Holy, Holy, Holy
The Memorial Acclamation
12
The Great Amen
The Communion Rite
The Lord’s Prayer
The celebrant gives the invitation to pray.
All respond:
Our Father, . . . but deliver us from evil.
Celebrant:
Deliver us, Lord from every evil . . . Our Savior,
Jesus Christ.
All respond:
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
The Sign of Peace
Celebrant:
The peace of the Lord be with you always
All respond:
And with your spirit.
Celebrant:
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
13
bb
&bbb
Lamb of God
˙
˙
bb
&bbb ˙
bb
&bbb
b
& b bbb
˙
take
˙.
1, 2
world:
3
w
world:
˙
w
a
œ
˙
Lamb
-
have
œ
way
˙
of
œ
the
œ œ
mer - cy on
˙
grant
œ œ
us
˙.
God,
˙
œ
sins
of
w
us.
œ
you
œ
the
..
w
peace.
Invitation to Communion
Celebrant:Behold the Lamb of God,
Behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
All respond:
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
14
Behold the Lamb of God
The Communion Hymn
j ‰ j œ . œ œj œ . œ . w .
.
œ œ œ
& b j œ. œ j . œ. .
œ
œ œ
˙
Be - hold the Lamb of
God,
œ. œ. œ ‰
& b œ. œ. ˙.
Je - sus,
Je - sus,
Be - hold the Lamb of God.
j
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is the
œ. œ. w.
Lamb
of
˙.
God.
I Love You, Lord
Meditation
#
& #
#
& # ˙
you,
#
& # œ.
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I
j
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love you, Lord,
œ œ
Oh my
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what you hear,
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soul
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j
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and I
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lift
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re - joice
j‰
my voice,
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Take
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may it be a sweet,
©
15
˙
œ.
joy,
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sweet
j
œ‰œ
to
j
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my King,
˙
sound,
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wor - ship
˙
œ œ œ
in
˙
your
œ œ
in
w
ear.
Prayer After Communion
Please stand.
Celebrant:
Let us pray. . . . . .
All respond:
Amen
The Concluding Rite
Celebrant:
The Lord be with you.
All respond:
And with your spirit.
Celebrant:
May almighty God bless you,
The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All respond:
Amen.
Celebrant:
Go forth, the Mass is ended.
All respond:
Thanks be to God.
16
Closing Hymn
The Saint Anselm College Anthem
Words by Fr. Augustine Kelly, O.S.B. Music by Fr. Bede Camera, O.S.B.
Dr. Sean Parr, Interim Director
Lyle Hamel ’03, accompanist
Cantor and Psalmist: Emily Arnold ’17
17
The Nursing Class of 2015
Would Like to acknowledge those who
have shown their support
“None of us got to where we are alone. Whether the assistance we received
was obvious or subtle, acknowledging someone’s help is a big part of
understanding the importance of saying thank you.”~Harvey Mackay
Bridget Ackerly
I would like to thank my friends and family who have provided me with so much
love and support throughout my nursing experience. As well as instilling in me the
confidence and encouragement I needed to pursue my dreams. I would also like
to thank my professors both in the classroom and clinical setting who have taught
me so much about nursing and what being a nurse truly means. I would also like to
acknowledge all the patients I have met and cared for during my four years at Saint
Anselm. I would like to thank them for all they have taught me and how much they
have inspired me and furthered my love for nursing. As I leave Saint Anselm and
continue my career I will always keep in mind one of the most important things I have
learned, that “the character of the nurse is just as important as the knowledge she
possesses.” - Jarvis, 1996.
Elizabeth Antaya
Thank you Mom and Dad for your continual support and guidance in all of my
endeavors. You have been an extraordinary example of unconditional love. You have
taught me what it means to care for another person, which will guide me through my
nursing career and life. Thank you Emily for always making me laugh and teaching
me to embrace life with an open mind. Your energy and passion for life is admirable,
and inspires me to begin each day “alive, awake, alert, enthusiastic!” Thank you to
my roommates and friends for providing me with encouragement and reassurance
in my abilities to become a nurse, in addition to numerous unforgettable memories
and adventures. I could not have reached my goals without you! Love you all!
Congratulations and good luck Class of 2015!
Lauren Anzalone
First, I want to thank my parents for being incredibly supportive over these four years.
I am so lucky to have such amazing role models in my life and I don’t know if I would
have made it without either of them. Next I want to thank my extended family for
being there as well and always checking in to see how everything is going. I also want
to thank all of my friends, those who are at Saint A’s with me and those who are a little
farther away, for being there, during the laughter and the tears. Finally, congratulations
to all of the nursing majors, it is so exciting that we are moving on to our next
adventure!
18
Erin Barker
Thank you Mama, Dad and Ali for all of you support through these stressful and
exciting four years of nursing school. I don’t know what I would have done without
all of your support and confidence in me. Thank you for listening to my phone calls
involving tears and anxiety, for driving here when I was sick to pick me up or to fix my
car when it broke down, for sending me cards just because you missed me, for helping
me study for my exams, for watching goofy movies to keep my mind off the stress,
and for always believing in me every step of the way. You three have been my rock
throughout this incredible journey. I also want to thank my Mimi and all of my friends
who supported me and stood by my side. A special thank you to Lissy and Breezy
who helped me remember to turn in assignments on time and for venting with me
about the workload. Another special thanks to Jenna and Sarah for listening to the
three of us complain on a daily basis. This experience has had a lot of ups and downs
but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Congratulations Senior Nursing Class of
2015, we did it!
Love, Erin
Molly Barrows
Thank you to all my family and friends for your loving support these past four years, I
could not have done it without you! Thank you Mom and Dad for always being there
for me through all the ups and downs – I can always count on you both. Lauren and
Reba, thank you for always providing comic relief, and showing me to never take
things too seriously. And to my friends here at school you have made college not
only an amazing experience, but have molded me into the person I am today. I cannot
imagine my time at St. A’s without you all by my side. Congratulations to the rest of
the 2015 nursing class!
Hillary Beaton
I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the love and support of my parents. Mom and
Dad thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for me, you are the
greatest. Thanks to my siblings Samantha and Danny for believing your big sis would
make it as a nurse and my lovely aunts working in the nursing field always there to
give me advice when I needed it. To my friends and roommates you are truly amazing
for embracing my craziness fully, allowing me to grow not only as a student, but as
a person. My fellow nursing students, we made it! All that studying, complaining and
worrying has paid off and it feels great! The nursing faculty and staff are beyond
compare. I would like to take a minute to especially acknowledge Prof Brady for
her belief in me, Dr. Carson for being the best advisor ever, Dr. Walker for always
being there with a warm smile and kind words, and the rest of my fantastic clinical
instructors and professors who provide us all with shining examples of what true
nurses look like. I could not have dreamed for a better 4 years, “I knew when I met you
an adventure was going to happen”- Winnie the Pooh
19
Kelsey Berglund
I would like to thank my wonderful family for all of their love and support these past four
years, especially my parents, Andy and Alicia, and my two sisters, Amanda and Natalie.
My entire family has been a huge contributor to who I am today and who I hope to be
as a nurse. I could not have made it this far without all of their encouragement. I would
also like to thank all of my friends, from my hometown and from Saint Anselm, for all of
the love and laughter and for making all of the stress in getting to this point much more
bearable. Thanks also go out to my boyfriend, Andrew Lambert, for always being there
for me during this crazy college adventure. I am also so grateful for my Abbey Players
family for all of the fun, entertainment, and much needed distractions from schoolwork.
Finally, I would like to thank Saint Anselm College and all of my amazing professors who
have taught me so much and helped me grow immensely. I am so thankful for what
these past four years have given me; I have been truly blessed.
Amanda Bohnwagner
I would like to thank my parents, Ed and Karen, my siblings, Chris and Alicia, and my
boyfriend, Dan, for always supporting me and for putting up with all my stress! Thank You!
Madeleine Boyington
Firstly, I would like to thank Saint Anselm College and the entire Nursing Department
for providing me with a great, holistic nursing education.
I would also like to thank my amazing roommates (my fake momma and my personal
stand up comedian) and L Tower buddies who have made this year unforgettable! I
will carry the bonds we have formed, the laughs we have had, and the memories we
have made with me forever. Thank you guys for making coming home every night the
highlight of my day! In addition, thank you to all my other SAC friends who have made
this experience so great. AND of course, a special shout out to my partner-in-crime
since day one. Thank you for everything you have done for me these past 4 years. You
will always be the Jewj to my Maddawg ;)
And most importantly, thank you to the best parents, brother, and family out there
for your continuous support. Your guidance, motivation, huge care packages, 6 hour
drives to get me, and hour long speaker phone conversations every night are what got
me through the trials and tribulations of nursing school. I will forever be grateful for all
you guys have done for me these past 4 years including, giving me the opportunity to
attend Saint A’s. ILYTM. Jennifer Bracey
As our four years of nursing school come to an end, I would like to thank my family,
friends, and the Saint Anselm nursing department for being there every step of the
way. Thank you to my parents for giving me the world and your unconditional love and
support. Ali and Sarah, thanks for being the best sisters a girl could ask for, I love you
both! Mom, thanks for being my number one fan and inspiring me every day to be an
amazing nurse like you. I couldn’t be more proud to follow in your footsteps.
To the Hyenas and the rest of my SAC friends, thanks for the amazing memories and
making Saint A’s my home. Through laughs and tears, you made these four years the
best of my life and will always hold a special place in my heart.
20
Lastly, thank you Saint A’s for preparing me to be the best nurse I can be, I feel so
fortunate to represent this school. I will miss my second home, but feel blessed to have
been given the opportunity to complete my dream of being an RN from Saint Anselm
College. Best of luck to my nursing ladies, I couldn’t have made it through without you!
Mary Brennan
Over the past four years, there were days when I honestly did not think that I would
make it through this program and I am very glad that I can take this opportunity to
thank those who have been so instrumental in helping me on this journey. Thank you
to all of my professors, especially Professor Nordstrom, for supporting me both in and
out of class and helping me to decide what the next steps in my nursing career should
be. Thank you to my friends who have stayed friends with me, even after seeing me at
my very worst. Next, I would like to thank Cathy, Michelle, and Nancy for giving 2 year
old me, my first job as a nursing assistant and for protecting my unsuspecting patient
from my less than perfect suctioning and chest PT skills! Most importantly, I would
like to thank my Mom, Dad, and Matt. Matt, for listening to all of the nursing stories
at the dinner table when I come home and Mom and Dad for being a constant source
of strength and support! I cannot thank you guys enough for helping me through this
experience and pushing me when I did not want to push myself!
Colleen Brine
I want to thank my mother and my siblings for always supporting me and encouraging
me to follow my heart and my dreams. I would also like to thank my grandparents and
family for their love and guidance with everything I do. And to my roommates and
friends, thank you for always knowing how to put a smile on my face and for helping
me through all of the tough times. You have all helped me get to this point in ways
that you do not even know. Thank you to Professor Fournier for being there for me
and my family through one of the hardest points in our lives, and for encouraging me
to push through it all to get here today. And a special thank you to my angel, may you
always watch over me and help guide me in all that I do.
Sarah Buckley
Thank you Dad and Mom for everything that you have done to help me through
my nursing career at Saint Anselm College! Your support and love have helped me
tremendously throughout these four years. Thank you to Mark and Brian for the
support! You are the best family and are always there for me no matter when I wanted
to come home! Special thanks to Tyler Williams for always being there for me no
matter the distance that separated us. Endless phone calls and Facetiming at odd
hours of the night always cheered me up! And finally and huge thanks to Jess Wyrsch
and Heather Kealos for always being there for me during every semester and calming
my nerves when nursing school became too stressful! Laughter is truly the best
medicine and I’m glad I got to experience nursing school with you two lovely ladies. To
the endless love, laughs and support from everyone, thank you! I love you all!
21
Jessica Carlson
To the most important people in my life, Mom, Dad, & Emily,
Thank you for your guidance through these past four years. The love and support you
have shared has helped me persevere through this journey. You have never stopped
believing in me, and for that I am grateful.
To family and friends,
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being amazing listeners and mentors.
To all my Anselmian friends I have made along the way,
You guys have given me a second family. We have made so many wonderful memories
that I will never forget.
Robert Celona
I would like to thank my family, especially my mother and father, for all of their support
during my four years at Saint Anselm College. They are always there for me willing to
help in anyway possible. I appreciate all the guidance and education given to me by
the faculty and staff in the Nursing Department. I would like to thank all the donors
who have graciously contributed toward my scholarships. Thank you to the Monastic
Community for their spiritual and social guidance. Saint Anselm College has molded
me into a compassionate, hardworking, and professional nurse. I will be forever
grateful.
Hannah Collins
Dear Mom and Dad,
I wish I could express how much I appreciate all your love and support that
has brought me to this day. I never could have been able to make this dream possible
without you guys. Thank you for all that you do for me. I can only hope to become half
the person you both are. LYMTP.
Tom Corliss
“For Mom and Dad”
Alyssa Cote
Thank you to my entire family for all of their support throughout this journey. Thank
you to my siblings who took me out for dinner and let me vent about the various
struggles of college. Thank you to my nieces and nephews who gave me the gift of
laughter when I was on the verge of tears. I am especially thankful for my parents.
Whenever I needed words of encouragement or a home cooked meal I knew I could
call my Mom and whenever my car refused to start (for the fifth time) or my breaks
stopped working on the way to clinical I knew my Dad was only a phone call away. I
would not be the “little engine that could” without the motivational books my parents
sent after a couple phone calls insisting I’m failing. Thanks again Cote Clan for always
believing in me and all the support throughout these four exciting years. I love you all!
Love, Lissy
22
Abigail Crane
I would like to thank my Mom, Dad, Julia, and Olivia for all their support throughout
these four years - you guys are the best! Thanks to my roommates Mary and Gina for
getting me through nursing school and thanks to Eileen for putting up with us all! To
the rest of all my nursing buds –you guys rock and I love you all!
Lyndsay Davis
Today and every day, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my loving,
caring, and supportive family; to my parents, Mark and Debbie, who have given more
opportunities in life that I could have ever asked for; to my sister, Rebecca, who
has motivated me and shared her wisdom throughout these past four years; to my
boyfriend, Liam, who has stood by my side every step of the way; to my boyfriend’s
family, Amy, Jason, and Logan, who have become a second family to me; and finally
to all my nursing professors that have always been there for me, especially Professor
Perrin, Professor Sheehan, and Professor Bisson. I just want to say thank you to each
and every one of you who have helped shaped the nurse that I will become. You all
mean the world to me and I love you all from the bottom of my heart.
Bridget Davis
Where did the time go? These few years have felt like a lifetime yet at the same time
this day came so fast. It wasn’t always easy but thanks to the support and guidance
from my family, friends, and professors it was worthwhile. Thanks to my professors who
have helped shape me into the person I am today. I am so grateful to be an Anselmian.
A special thanks to Professor Perrin for your encouragement. It means more than you
know. Thank you to my roommates and friends for always knowing how to make me
laugh and taking my mind off of all the stress. Thank you to my teammates for being
a second family to me. Playing at Grappone with all of you every day was a privilege.
Co, Johnny, and Tommy, thanks for being the best siblings I could ever ask for. You
have no idea how much I look up to you three and appreciate your advice. And most
importantly, I owe it all to my parents. Daddio and Ma, you gave me the opportunity of
a lifetime and allowed me to fulfill my dream of becoming a nurse. I cannot thank you
enough. Thanks for all of the Hail Mary’s! Love ya! Congratulations and God Bless the
Saint Anselm College Nursing Class of 2015! Good luck in the real world!
Lauren DeCoste
Mum and Dad thank you for helping me get to where I am in my student nursing
career. I cannot believe how close I am to graduating. I could not have done it without
your endless love and support. I can truly say that you both were my rock for my
four years of college and I could not ask for two better role models. I love you more
than words can say. I have been so lucky to have been blessed with parents who have
raised me with strong Catholic morals and values which I will continue to utilize in my
nursing career.
Erin I could not ask for a more supportive friend and sister. Thank you for helping me
through the past four years of my college career. I cannot wait to see what the next
three years has in store for you! I love you all so much!
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Christina Delaney
These past four years of nursing school have been an exciting and nerve-racking
journey. I want to thank my family and friends who have been there to support me
through it all, I don’t think I could have survived this time without you guys. Thanks for
always listening to me ramble about my exciting day at clinical, vent about whatever
was stressing me out that day, and cheering me up when I was upset about a test or
a paper. It’s hard to believe that this experience has gone by as fast as it has and I
couldn’t have asked for better people to have by my side during it.
Kristina DeMichele
I want to give so much thanks to my Mom & Dad. I wouldn’t even be close to where
I am today without all of your support and encouragement. You believed in me
whenever I didn’t believe in myself and words can’t describe how much I appreciated
it. I also want to give a big thank you to the rest of my family and my SAC family for
everything you do. All my love, Kristina
Rebekah DePillo
Thank you to my family for supporting me and encouraging me through these last four
years. Thank you to all of my friends who have been there for me throughout it all. We
have had great memories that I will never forget. Last but not least, thank you to all of
the professors who have taught me everything I know. You all have made these last
four years unforgettable. Nursing school has been one of the most rewarding times of
my life. There have been experiences that I will still remember years from now. I still
cannot believe it is almost over, I do not know where the time has gone. Thank you
again to my family, friends, and professors, I could not have done it without each and
every one of you! Good Luck to everyone being pinned today, you all deserve it!
Ani Derderian
For the past four years I have been asked, “Why do you want to be a nurse”? And on
the first day of Intro to Professional Nursing, we were asked, “What is nursing?” I can
honestly say I had no idea. Nursing was simply a major, my future job, and my career
path. However, these last four years have taught me more about nursing and myself
than I could ever imagine. I cannot thank my family, Mom, Dad, and Aaron, enough for
all your support throughout my long and hard journey, and mostly thanks for all the
trips you made up to Saint A’s to grab lunch or dinner!! Thank you L3 for your endless
support and laughter, inside jokes, long drives to who knows where, and absolute
ridiculousness that got me through everything, good or bad. To Meg, I can’t thank you
enough for somehow always being awake at 3 am, and more importantly, thanks for
making sure I got out of bed every morning. Col, thanks for constantly cracking me
up with all the weird things you do, gonna miss your dunks cups laying around, naht.
And Liz, I know I’ll see you around somewhere, right outside Boston. Shout out to my
hyenas, thanks for keeping every weekend interesting, I’m already counting down the
days until Newport!
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Katelyn Donohoe
I want to thank my mom and dad for all of their love, support and guidance. Without
them none of this would have been possible. I also want to thank my brother, sister,
grandparents, aunts and uncles for all of their support and incredible generosity. You
have all gone above and beyond in so many ways and I am so grateful. I want to thank
Nick for all of his love and encouragement these past four years. Finally, I would like to
thank Olivia for being the best roommate and friend through it all. I love you guys!!
Elizabeth Doyle
Mom and Dad, thank you for believing in me at the times I didn’t believe in myself.
I wasn’t always sure I was going to make it through these four years and you never
failed to convince me I would. Thank you for all of your love, support, and sacrifices.
Maddie, thanks for being my best friend, partner in crime, and therapist. You are my rock.
Phil, thanks for keeping it cool. You never get too stressed and I pray it rubs off on me
someday.
John, thanks for never failing to make me laugh. God gave me the best little brother in
the world to keep me smiling. Heather, I would not have made it to this day without you.
All I can say is thank you for keeping me sane and laughing. Friends, especially Rachael
and Ari, thanks for putting up with my disgusting stories over the dinner table and
venting sessions that probably seemed to never end. They’re over… for now. Grammy
and Judge, thank you for supporting me with all of your love and wisdom. I’m very lucky
to have such accomplished role models to look up to. Nana and Papa, thank you for
guiding me from above. It never hurts to have angels pushing you forward.
Nicole Dragone
I would like to thank my friends, family, professors, and clinical faculty. Each one of
them have helped me get to where I am today. Mary Fisher
These past 17 years of school would not have been possible without the constant
love and support of my family. Mom and Dad, thank you for believing in me and
continuously sending me to schools that would challenge me and push me further
than I thought possible. Without you, I would never have made it all four years in St.
A’s nursing program. Sean and Colleen, thank you for believing in me and providing
words of wisdom when I needed them the most. I look up to you two and am so
blessed to have you in my life as more than just family, but as my best friends too. Ms.
Becky, thank you for allowing me to be part of your family and for sharing all of your
nursing knowledge with me. If it hasn’t already, I know it will be beneficial in my career.
To all of my friends, especially Brooke, Sam, Nicole, Allee, Melissa, Dom, and Kendra,
thank you for always making me laugh and never failing to put a smile on my face.
You guys are the best friends a girl could ask for and I am so glad to have you by my
side at all times. Nursing Class of 2015, we did it! With hard work, laughter, and some
tears, we made it through these last four years together. Now it’s time to celebrate!
Congratulations to all of you on this accomplishment.
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Colleen Fleming
After four years, pinning day is finally here. First, I have to thank my parents for all the
hard work they have done to get me here. Mom and Dad, you have been my motivation
and support throughout nursing school, and my priority has always been to make you
proud. Nana and Papa, you have been there for me every step of the way and you never
fail to remind me of how proud you are. Mimi and Bumpa, you have been a source of
emotional support and I treasure the visits we had. Catherine I’m blessed to have a sister/
best friend to share my college experience with. Sean, I’m fortunate to have a brother who
is always there for me. To the rest of my family, I’m extremely privileged to have had such
a strong foundation and continuous positive impact in my nursing education. Thank you
to my boyfriend, Nick, for your constant love, source of reassurance, and encouragement.
You have confidence in me when I don’t believe in myself. Stephanie, you’re the reason
I’m here today, you have been there for me every day and I’m eternally thankful for the
friendship we have gained by becoming nurses together. Kathryn, I’m grateful for the
laughs and stress relief your friendship has given me, you keep me grounded and make
me smile when I need it most. Lastly, a thank you to my friends from home, the nursing
faculty, and class of 2015, I couldn’t have done it without you!
Sarah Forster
Thank you to my loving and supportive parents and family. Without your dedication to
my education and the work ethic you have given me I would not be where I am today. I
am so grateful for what you have given me and I love you so much. Thank you to Jake
for dealing with my mental breakdowns, knowing exactly what to say, encouraging
me, and locking me in the library when I needed to study. I love you for staying by my
side these past four years of craziness. Thank you to my amazing roommates, Ashley
and Allison. You both deserve honorary nursing degrees for everything you’ve had to
deal with living with me. I love you both and can’t wait to be who you call for medical
advice for years to come! Thank you to the entire nursing staff of Saint Anselm College
for being a constant support system to our class. You are examples of the nurse I want
to be. Finally, thank you and congratulations to the nursing class of 2015!
Holly Foster
And that’s all folks! A huge thank you to the entire nursing department, my family and
friends for helping me accomplish my journey of achieving a BSN! I feel incredibly
blessed to have been given this opportunity and look forward to representing such a
wonderful school in the medical field. Cheers to all the wonderful friends I am lucky to
be surrounded by, I could not imagine this journey without the difference each one of
you has made in my life. Saint Anselm College, you gave me the best four years I could
have ever asked for, it’s going to be a tough journey without my second home and
the family that we’ve created as the Class of 2015. Mom and Dad, thank you for your
unconditional love and support and loving me through all my shenanigans, I would be
lost without my best friends. As for my favorite sibling, Hank, thanks for reminding me
what I am capable of accomplishing and being my inspiration to always do better. Shout
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out to the Gym for allowing me to take out all the nursing frustrations I have had over
the last four years. Dr. Nelson, thank you for being the role model and guidance I have
needed throughout the last eight semesters. #Primeau2forever. Stay Golden SAC
Gina Fuccillo
Thank you to my family, especially my mom, dad, and sister, Cara, for their constant
support throughout my four years of nursing school. I would also like to thank my best
friends for the late study hours and moral support. A special thanks goes to Eileen, for
being a wonderful roommate and dealing with my excessive stress while letting me
use her as my fake patient.
Hannah Furlong
Thank you Dad, for telling me I could do anything I put my mind to. Thank you Grandma,
for being my first patient. Thank you Mom, for everything you’ve sacrificed for my
education. Thank you Tia, for all my care packages over the years. Thank you Frankie,
for starting this journey by my side. Thank you Bec, for your homemade cookies and
companionship. Thank you Christopher, for your unconditional love and every late night
cup of tea. Thank you to every nursing professor who started class with a prayer.
Heather Geist
Thank you to my family and friends for helping me through these past few years. I am
especially thankful for my Mom, and her guidance and encouragement along the way.
You are truly my role model. Thank you to my brother, Nick, for keeping me grounded,
and thank you, Dad, for always supporting me. I would not have been able to make it
this far without the rest of my generous and kind family, including Auntie Nan, Uncle
Georgie, Aunt Paula, and Uncle Ron. Thank you to my friends, Ron and Neville, for
making me feel better when I’m having a bad day. Grandpa Jim, thank you for always
believing in me. Finally, thank you Grandma. Your warm heart and soul inspires me to
be a better person every day. I will take what you taught me about life into nursing,
and brighten the lives of others, as you have brightened mine.
Rachel Glover
I am so grateful for the support I have received from my family and friends over the
past four years, especially from my parents, my siblings, and my Uncle Derek. But
most importantly, I am so grateful for the unconditional love and support I have
received from my mother. Mom, you have been my biggest supporter and advocate
throughout nursing school. You know me better than I know myself and I am so
indebted to you. You always help me to see the forest through the trees. You keep my
eyes on the horizon, on my goals, and on the future I am so excited for. You inspire
me with your work ethic. You challenge me with your generosity. You motivate me
with your enthusiasm. I can honestly say I wouldn’t be who I am today and I would
never have made it this far without you. Thank you for getting me through nursing
school. And now that I have reached this point, it’s your turn. I hope I can support and
encourage you as much as you have for me. I love you!
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Colleen Gover
“Oh the places you’ll go. You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You
can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what
you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.” This quote my parents
wrote to me on my day of high school graduation. Four years have quickly flown by
since then and I have made endless memories and friendships that will stay with me
forever. Thank you to my family – Mom, Dad, Tyler, and TJ- for your endless support and
putting up with my tears, happiness, complaints, mistakes, and adventures. Mom & Dad
I LOVE YOU, you are the ones who have given me this amazing experience. Tyler & TJ
thanks for making me laugh:) I send love to the sisters I have never had, my 3 amazingly
crazy roommates- Anz, Lizard, & Megatron- who although we have known each other
for a short period they will be standing by me through all my future endeavors. Shout
out to my hyenas xox! Finally thank you to the teaching staff of Saint Anselm for giving
me an education full of knowledge, love, and compassion. My brain is full of knowledge,
my feet fit perfectly in my nursing clogs, I have the support of my friends & family, and
I’m ready to steer myself into my next stage of life! Thank You SAC!
Kristina Granito
I would first like to thank all of my family and friends for their love and support on
my journey to become a RN these past four years. Thank you to my parents for
always being there and encouraging me to work hard. A special thank you to my
grandmother who has shown me true strength and determination, and has inspired
me to become the best nurse I can be. I would like to thank my roommates for their
support as we made it through this four year journey together. I would also like to
thank all of the wonderful nursing faculty for their help and guidance to our entire
class to become successful baccalaureate registered nurses.
Olivia Hamalainen
To every single person who has encouraged me through this amazing journey, thank
you. To my incredible parents who told me to keep going when I truly thought I
couldn’t, thank you. Dustin & Natalie, thank you for listening to all of my fabulous
stories. Grammy & Grampy, Gramma, aunts, uncles and cousins…thank you to everyone
who showed me the compassion and empathy I will use every single day as a nurse.
I am so lucky to have such a loving and supportive family and I cannot thank every
one of you enough. Thank you to all of my friends I have made along the way, and
thank you to Kayla for sticking by my side for all of these crazy years. Lastly, thank
you to our astounding professors who have all showed us the patience, grace, and
determination needed to make it as a nurse. “It is not how much you do, but how
much love you put in the doing.” – Mother Teresa
Laura Hargreaves
I can’t believe the day of pinning is already here! I would have never made it to this
day at Saint Anselm College without all of the support and good wishes from my
friends and family who all convinced me to stay freshman year. I love you all and
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thank you for helping me through the last four years. Thank you to my professors for
always encouraging us through our clinical experiences and sharing your knowledge.
I can’t wait to be out in the world practicing everything I’ve learned and working
towards being the best nurse possible!
Breanna Harper
Thank you, Mommy, Daddy, and Jakey for supporting me through these amazing
four years. For being there when I called, stressed out and crying. For sending care
packages to get me through the semester. For coming to visit when I just need to see
you. For listening to me complain about the price of textbooks. For calming me down
when I start to talk about “the future”. And for believing in me every step of the way.
It is because of you that I feel confident moving forward through all of life’s obstacles,
knowing y’all have my back every step of the way.
Love, BooBoo
Kayla Hart
These past four years have been filled with stress, laughter, tears, and happiness. I
have learned who I am and who I want to be. I would not be where I am today without
the love and support of my parents, brothers, and my grandmother. Mom and Dad
thank you for taking my tearful calls and always believing in me. Meme thank you for
allowing me to practice my nursing skills on you and helping me to see the world.
Chris and Connor thanks for the laughs and helping me to not take life too seriously.
Thank you to my friends who helped to prepare me for “the real world”. Shout out to
those who stayed up late (or at least until 10 pm) and studied with me. Thank you to
everyone who kept me sane, and a bigger thanks to those who added to the insanity.
Thank you to the professors who encouraged me to keep trying.
“Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts”.
–Charles Dickens
Elise Homan
I want to thank my family, especially my mother, father, sister, and my grandparents.
They have been my cheerleaders through the ups and downs of nursing school. I
want to thank all of my professors, especially Dr. O’Reilly, my advisor, and my mentor
throughout all four years. I want to thank friends who have dealt with my stress and
anxiety throughout the years. You know who you are. Love you guys! I finally want
to thank Ralph, my cat. His silent judgment is something I always keep in mind when
studying. Thank you.
Shayla Howell
I would like to thank my parents for their love and support these past four years. I
would not be here without you. Additionally, I would like to thank my brother for
accepting my late night phone calls when I just could not study anymore. Lastly, I
would like to thank the amazing faculty that have provided me with unparalleled
guidance and the friends that have helped maintain my sanity along the way.
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Mary Hudson
Thank you Mom, Dad, Annie and Meaghan for all of your support throughout the past
four years, I would never have made it without you all. You were always there with a
“good luck” or a “good job” for every test and project, and for that I will always be
grateful. Thank you to my roommates – Gina, Abigail and Eileen – for helping me to
always laugh and to make it through nursing school. Special shout out and thanks to
all of my best friends here at Saint Anselm College – I do not know where I would be
without you all!
Marissa Johnson
I would like to thank my family and friends for all of the support and encouragement
over these past four years. Mom and Dad, my education at Saint Anselm would not be
possible without your selflessness, support and encouragement. Thank you for teaching
me the importance of education and for instilling in me the values that I have upheld and
strengthened here at Saint Anselm. To my grandparents, thank you for all of the help
over these past four years and for always being some of my biggest fans, I appreciate it
more than you know. To my amazing friends, thank you for the endless support, laughs,
hugs and memories, these four years would have been impossible without each and
every one of you by my side. To all of my professors, clinical instructors and the entire
nursing department, thank you for your patience, kindness, intelligence and guidance; I
feel so lucky to have learned from the very best. To my classmates, congratulations! And
as we enter this new chapter of our lives always remember, “Take pride in how far you
have come, and have faith in how far you can go.” -Michael Josephson
Brooke Judd
I owe many thanks to the entire Saint Anselm College community, but especially the
nursing department, for helping me to not only become a better student and nurse,
but also a better person. The past four years have truly been incredible, and I could
not have made it this far without your support. To my friends and teammates, thank
you for inspiring me every day to work harder and do better, and for making sure I
remembered to have fun along the way. I am so blessed to have made so many of my
favorite memories here on the Hilltop. To my entire family, thank you for giving me the
courage to follow my dreams, for making my experience here at Saint Anselm College
possible, and for your endless love and support. And last, but certainly not least, thank
you to my parents for giving me wings and encouraging me to fly. I could not be
where I am today without you behind me every step of the way.
Heather Kealos
Thank you Mom and Dad for all of your support, especially over these past few years
of nursing school. Thank you for being my rock, I would be lost without you. I am
truly blessed to have two of the most amazing, loving parents in the world. I am
forever grateful for all of the opportunities you have given me and continue to bless
me with. I love you to the moon and back! Thank you Ashley for being the best
older sister I could ever ask for. I am so lucky to have a sister and a best friend in one.
Thank you for supporting me and helping me throughout the years. Jess and Sarah,
I don’t know how I could’ve made it through this nursing program without you by
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my side. We never thought this day would come, and it’s finally here. I couldn’t have
done it without you. To all my friends and family, thank you for everything you have
done for me. I love you all so much!
Aimee LaLancette
I feel unbelievably blessed to have spent my last four years at Saint A’s. The memories
I have made here and the people I have met will always remain a part of who I am. To
my family, thank you for constantly bending over backwards to support, encourage,
and love me. Mom and Dad, I am thankful for your constant influence. Today especially,
I appreciate the fact that you always made education a priority in our home. You
have made me who I am today and for that I am grateful. To my friends, thank you
for always being there by my side in good times and in bad to laugh and cry. To
the faculty, thank you for challenging me and for showing me the importance of
compassionate care. Congratulations to the 2015 nursing class, I wish you all the best!
Julie LePore
Looking back on these four years, there are many people I’d like to thank for helping
me to reach this point in my life. Mom and Dad – I could not have made it this far
without your endless love, guidance and encouragement. Thank you for providing me
with the gift of education and always believing in me. There are not enough words to
show you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me but I’m grateful for
it all. Thank you to the rest of my family, especially my Grammys, for being amazing
and supporting me through everything. Grammy K – you have been one of my biggest
inspirations from the beginning, thank you for showing me a true example of what it
means to be a nurse. To my professors and clinical instructors – thank you for sharing
your wisdom, patience and compassion with me and for helping all of us to take the
first steps towards becoming nurses. To my friends, especially those at Saint A’s, thank
you for filling these past four years with some of my best memories and making this
place feel like home. I’m blessed to have you all in my life.
Maria Luongo
Thank you to my family for always supporting me through every decision I have made
and steering me in the right direction. Your faith in me has given me confidence that
I am so grateful for. Mom and Dad, I would not be at Saint Anselm and graduating as
a BSN if it were not for the both of you. I love you. Thank you to my best friends for
believing in me and supporting me even through the complaints of endless studying
and homework. You have kept me sane these past four years, and I do not know
what I would have done without you making me smile and laugh every day. Lastly,
thank you to the nursing faculty at Saint Anselm for your knowledge, encouragement,
and confidence. You are my role models, and I am thankful for how much you have
continuously pushed me to work harder. Ultimately, the memories I have from these
past four years that each of you have given me are ones I will never forget. I feel
blessed to call myself a SAC RN.
To the Nursing Class of 2015, “We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all
the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.” JK Rowling
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Alysha Magnant
I want to thank my family and friends for all your support along the way. Your words
of advice and encouragement have meant the world to me. I could not have done it
without you. I love you guys and thanks again for everything!
Julia Mansolillo
Mom and Dad – words cannot even describe how much I appreciate everything you
have both done to support, encourage, and motivate me in my education and in life
itself. Despite all of the tears, complaints, and moments of defeat, you have both
always been there for me to lean on…saying thank you hardly seems like enough for all
that you have done for me over the past 21 years! Tory – thank you for always being
my anchor, for always putting things in perspective, and thank you for being my best
friend! A.J. – thank you for always being able to lighten up any moment, thank you
for putting up with all of my drama, and thank you for constantly making me laugh –
sometimes so hard it makes me cry or choke on some OJ! Although the three of us
may drive each other crazy sometimes, I don’t know where I would be without either
of you! My fellow nursing hardo’s – I am so glad we all met and became such great
friends through this program, I wouldn’t choose a better group of girls to struggle
through these past four years with! To my roomies, Madison, Hammy, and Nole – I am
so thankful for the three of you…from D4 to B4 aka rags to riches, I am so glad we
made our apartment a place that I can call my home. Saint A’s nursing faculty – thank
you for equipping me with the qualities to become a knowledgeable, compassionate,
and dedicated nurse!
Elizabeth McAfee
My appreciation for Saint Anselm College and all of the nursing staff for providing me
with such an arduous but valuable education is endless. Special recognition must go to
my two super heroes I like to call mom and dad for making it possible to receive such
an amazing education. Both of you will never know how much I appreciate everything
you two have done for me. A thank you goes to my two older brothers for setting such an impossibly high standard
to meet, I may not have gotten there yet but you two make great role models.
Thank you to my not-so better half for being my partner in crime regardless of the
time and distance between us. No longer are you my personal secretary, but you will
always be my best friend.
I would also like to thank my dysfunctional roommates, I would have gone off the deep
end without you three. Thank you to each and every one of my friends who has made
our SAC escapades so memorable. From dancing on tables to dancing on U-Hauls, I
could not think of better people to share elevated surfaces with.
Extra special acknowledgements go to my two grandmothers, one for being my
biggest cheerleader, and the other for being the reason I am graduating with a BSN.
I could not have achieved my childhood dream of becoming a nurse with each and
every person that has impacted me throughout my life.
With sincere appreciation,
Elizabeth McAfee 32
Laura McCarthy
I cannot thank my Mom, Dad, Gramps, and Judy enough for providing me with this
amazing education and allowing me to follow my dreams. I want to thank my mom
especially for always listening to all my endless clinical stories and for being my
nursing role model. Thank you to all my friends who helped to encourage and support
me along the way especially my fellow nursing majors Laura, Julie, and Bridget that
always kept me on track – I would have never been so successful if it was not for you.
I also want to thank my non-nursing friends especially Devan and Sean who always
kept me from stressing out too much. Thank you to all my professors, patients and
nurses I’ve worked with, family members, sisters, and friends who have encouraged
me with their confidence in my ability to become a nurse. “At times our own light
goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to
think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
-- Albert Schweitzer
Amanda McDonald
I am so thankful for the support and encouragement of my parents and grandparents.
I would not be where I am today without their guidance and love. To my sisters
and first friends, Samantha and Emily, thank you for being a part of all of my best
memories. I love you both more than you could imagine. Ricky, thank you for always
believing in me and pushing me to achieve my goals. I am so blessed to have you in
my life. To my roommate Ely, thank you for being by my side for the past four years.
We came here as freshman roommates and will be leaving here as sisters and lifelong
friends. I cannot thank you enough for always being there to support me, laugh with
me, and help make these past four years the best of my life. Thank you to all of my
aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends. I love you all. Last but not least,
to my teachers, mentors, and colleagues, thank you for constantly challenging and
inspiring me. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to learn from you all and
become an Anselmian nurse.
Katie McNamee
I would like to thank my Mother and my Father for making me who I am today. You have
given me both the best parts of you and I would have never been able to make it to
graduation without your unwavering love and support. To my siblings, Lauren and Billy,
I hope you enjoyed your visits to Saint Anselm College as much as I enjoyed having you.
You both always managed to bring me a piece of home every time you came to the
campus, which was invaluable for me. To my cousin Jamie, it was the best surprise to
have my best friend and family here with me on campus for this amazing experience. I
would like to send a prayer of thanks to my Nana who was always so incredibly proud
and supportive of my journey to become a nurse. I would like to thank my friends for
keeping me grounded and for making me laugh. To the phenomenal nursing faculty
and staff at Saint Anselm College I would truly like to thank you all for pushing me to
become a better nurse than I could have ever imagined. Your guidance and kind words
have inspired me to go the extra mile. Finally I would like to thank the donors who have
made this amazing education possible for me. I can only hope to repay everyone who
has supported me by being the most compassionate and diligent nurse I can be. 33
Frankie Mueller
Throughout my four years of nursing school, I have been beyond blessed with
continuous love and support from friends and family. Mom, thank you for being my
best friend, for helping me decide that nursing was the right career for me and for
being there for me no matter what. Veronica, thank you for always putting a smile on
my face, for showing me the meaning of true strength and for being the coolest and
most fun little sister ever. Dad, thank you for watching over me in Heaven, for being
my first patient and for helping me realize how much I love to care for others. And
above all, I would like to thank my Heavenly Father, the Divine Healer and Physician,
for His continued strength and for never giving up on me. Best wishes Nursing Class of
2015! “Don’t only give your care, but give your heart as well”-Mother Teresa Holly Mulkern
My success upon graduation from Saint Anselm College is very much due to the
people in my life who have inspired me and helped me along the way of my journey
to professional nursing. My family- Mom, Dad, Cassidy, and Kyle, have been by my side
through it all, offering encouragement, advice, support, positivity, and pride. My parents
and other family members have helped to facilitate my education and make my goals
possible, and I owe infinite thanks and gratitude to them for that. My wonderful friends
who I have accumulated throughout my time here have always been available for
immediate support and feedback during tough times and everyday life, so I owe many
thanks to them as well. Lastly, I would like to thank the amazing nursing professors
and clinical faculty who I have had the pleasure of learning from. They have provided
guidance, support, motivation, and kindness to help make the entirety of my education
and transformation from student to nurse possible. The inspiration that my family,
friends, and faculty have provided for me has truly helped shape me into the young
nurse I have become and I hope that they all know how truly grateful I am!
Stephanie Neville
The past four years have been some of the best years of my life, and it wouldn’t have
been the same without all of my close friends and family. Mom and Dad, without you,
the past four years wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you for always supporting me
at every step of the way and believing in me. To my little sister Cat, you are truly one
of my best friends and I am so thankful for how close we have grown. Kelly and Sean,
it has been a blessing for all your support, love, familiar faces, home cooked meals, and
being able to watch Logan and Shayla grow up. To the rest of my family, both on earth
and in heaven, thank you for your love, kindness, and support, especially to all the
nurses in the family for the advice over the years. To Colleen, I am so grateful for being
roommates with you freshman year because since then, you have become one of my
best friends, study buddy, partner in crime, personal chef, a shoulder to cry on, biggest
supporter, travel partner, and my person. To Kathryn, thank you so much for being the
most spontaneous, funny, loving, crazy, and supportive best friend and roommate a
girl could ask for. To my Saint A’s and Reading friends, you have given me an amazing
college experience and one I will never forget. I am grateful for everyone, especially
the faculty, for making me into the nurse I am today.
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Frances Nicholson
I’d like to start by thanking the two people that have inspired me every day through
their hard work, intelligence, and selflessness: my parents. I will never be able to thank
you enough for everything you have given me, everything you have taught me, and the
endless support you have provided me with; you da bomb. To my siblings, Kate, Peter,
and Matthew, thanks for being my permanent best friends; happy to be stuck with
you guys. To my roommates, Robin, Janice, and Sabrina, your daily support, laughs,
and craziness kept me sane these four years. Finally, to my coach and team, thank you
for helping me balance two tremendous programs and for being the greatest family I
could’ve asked for in my home away from home. Kelly Niland
I want to give a big thank you to my parents, my sisters, and the rest of my family
for supporting me throughout the highs and the lows of nursing school. My best
friends (you know who you are) have been there for me every second of the way and I
appreciate it more than you know. I’m so happy to have made it this far and could not
have done it without all of you <3 Thank you!
Michelle Nuccio
Thank you to my family, especially Mom, Dad, Paul & Tom for loving and supporting
me in all that I do. Thank you to my beautiful friends for being the voice of reason the
last four years and many more to come, especially the gems that run F1. Thank you
to my professors for guiding me through this journey. To Dr. Walker and Professor
Bennett, forever thank you to you both for allowing me to feel crazy enough to think
I could do this thing. Angela, so many thank yous for taking me on as my preceptor.
Lastly, thank you to Maureen, a nurse in every form of her life and Shirley, a woman
who loved life as it so deserves. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in
the service of others” - Mahatma Gandhi. Good luck Class of 2015, may you always
love what you do.
Stacy Parker
I would like to thank our entire nursing class, clinical instructors, and nursing
professors, especially Professor Fournier, for all of your dedication and guidance these
past four years of nursing school. A special thank you to all of my friends and family
for the endless support through it all, and thank you to Sandie for being an amazing
preceptor and mentor!
Kristen Peffer
It wasn’t always easy, it wasn’t always fun, but we always knew it was going to be
worth it. The nursing faculty has shown me not only how to grow into a better nurse,
but how to become a better person. That is why I know with the experiences and
friends I have made, my mom by my side and my dad in my heart I have everything I
need to become the best possible nurse.
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Michaela Petrone
I want to thank my family for supporting me. They have given me the opportunity to shoot
for the stars and go for my dreams. Mom, you are the best nurse role model I could ever ask
for. I hope that one day I can be as incredible a nurse as you are. Dad, you are my best friend
and I am your little buddy. You were always there to put a smile on my face and tell me how
proud you were of me. Kait, I could not have asked for a better sister. You pushed me with
tough love and were always there to calm me down. Without all of you, I would not be the
person I am today. You all are my rock and my strength to get me through the challenges I
have faced. I love you always and forever.
Kelly Pickett
I’d like to thank my family and friends for all their love and support during these past four
years. I couldn’t have done it without all the guidance the Saint Anselm nursing staff has
provided. Special thanks to my parents, grandparents and hyenas.
Tyler Reney
I want to thank all of my family and friends that have helped me through college and
supported me every step of the way. A special thanks to my parents, Aunt Vicki and Rusty,
and Auntie Carole for making attending Saint Anselm College a possibility. I also want to
thank all of my professors and faculty members for not only teaching the skills of a nurse,
but the art of nursing. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to attend Saint Anselm
College where I have learned the true sense of community and belonging.
Katie Ridge
I cannot thank enough all of the people who have supported me over the past four years.
Without you, I would not be able to stand here today with the rest of my nursing class. You
mean so much to me and you have been there with me for every up and every down. Thank
you to the Nursing Faculty for giving me the career that will be a part of me for the rest of my
life. To all of my friends and the people I have been blessed enough to know and love here,
you are what will make leaving this school so hard but, what has made me love this place and
these years so much. Thank you for all you have given me over the past four years. You have
been my Saint Anselm experience. I really do need to give a special thank you to my friend and
roommate, Marissa, who has, quite literally, been by my side every single day of this journey. I
know in certainty that I would not be here if it were not for you by my side. To Mom, Dad, and
Aunt Kathy, you have never stopped in providing me with everything I could possibly need to
be successful. You have given me my life, my education, and all of your love. I will never be able
to repay you for all you have given me but I hope I can show you that it was worth it.
Jennifer Ross
This very special day is dedicated to my grandfather. You have always supported me and
had faith in me. I know you wanted nothing more than to see me succeed so I dedicate this
day of accomplishment to you. I can’t thank you enough for all the love and support you
have given me through a tough four years here at Saint A’s. Thank you for always believing
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I would make it through. I also want to thank my mom and dad for supporting me as well as
Thomas and his family. All of you have always been there for me when I needed you to be
and I am eternally grateful for everything you have done to help me.
Elyssar Saad
Mom and Dad, I am so thankful for the opportunities you have given me. Your love and
support have helped turn my dreams into realities. I love you more than words can explain
and am very proud to be your daughter. Rony, these past four years I have always counted
on you for encouragement and laughter and I am so thankful to have you as my brother and
my best friend, I love you. Rema, thank you for all your support and for being a part of my
best memories. I cannot wait to see what our futures hold. I love you hunny munchkin. To
my Jedos and Tetas, I would never be where I am today without you. You mean the world
to me. Amanda, from freshmen orientation to graduation, I cannot imagine spending my
college years with anyone else by my side. Thank you for always being my best friend. To all
my aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, and teachers, thank you for your constant support and
inspiration. I am grateful to have each and every one of you in my life.
Lucy Santangelo
There once was a girl…. Okay- well, maybe it was me.
Who decided at thirteen “A nurse!” she would be.
So she got the right grades and she had the right drive
And in August ’11 she climbed that hill up so high.
With her books, and her boxes and her bags all in tow,
Once it was all put away, she didn’t much know where to go.
“Be true to yourself,” she heard her parents sayBut which self was herself, which was the “right” way?
So little by little, she learned the things aren’t taught
Like how to learn, and to live, and what’s right and what’s not.
You learn to be the true person you desire.
To laugh, to cry; to explore, to inspire.
You make mistakes and you learn to own them
The same way you live and let live, forgive and condone them
So this is what she learned in her four years of school:
To love others without fail- that compassion shall always rule.
And so it all ended the same way it began,
With a hope and a heart and big dreams and big plans…
TEAM SantangeloThank you for never giving up on me and always being supportive of my dreams.- No matter
how crazy they are. Without you, none of this would be possible.
“Feel the love,”
LCS
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Taylor Shay
Thank you Dad for being my greatest motivator, for leading me to St. A’s, and for all the
inspirational messages throughout the four years.
Thank you Mom for all the motherly advice I depend on and for guiding me to the nursing
path. I am beyond grateful for the relationship we share.
Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me throughout this journey and for the
next chapter to come.
To all my Anselmians: I value all the memories we share, I could not have gone to a greater
school.
Sarah Sidlauskas
Words cannot describe how thankful I am for everyone who helped me these past four
years. Thank you to my family, especially my Mom and Dad, for your continued support,
love, and encouragement. I could always count on you to answer the phone in the middle of
the night when I thought of giving up. Thank you to my roommates and all my friends who
have made this experience some of the best years of my life. Thank you to my professors
and clinical instructors for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. You are all amazing role
models. I am so thankful to have all of you in my life and without you I wouldn’t be here on
this special day.
Rebecca Sirois
Thank you to my fellow classmates: It has been a joy experiencing this nursing journey with
all of you here on the hilltop. No doubt the support we have provided each other these past
four years has been key to our growth and success. Thank you to our nursing professors and
clinical faculty: Your inspiration and guidance have helped us to build the confidence and
character we need to be caring, compassionate, and skilled nursing leaders. Thank you to
the monks, administrators, faculty, and staff: You made each new day for me brighter than
the last. I am blessed to be part of this Anselmian family. Thank you to my family and friends:
My heart is filled with gratitude for all of you. You have nurtured me with the strength to give
my best effort in all that I do, through your acts of kindness and generosity. A special thank
you to my parents and siblings: By your love and encouragement, you have motivated me to
live my faith daily and to trust in the beautiful opportunities that the future has in store for
me. My prayer for everyone sitting here in this Abbey Church is that you cherish the small
moments that bring you joy each day and use them to inspire hope in those around you.
Congratulations, Nursing Class of 2015, and God Bless.
John Sullivan
I could not have completed my four years of college without the unwavering support of
my family. Through all of my challenges and accomplishments, my mom and dad were
absolutely incredible sources of guidance and support. They truly are amazing role models
and I cannot thank them enough for the education, advice, and support they have given
me throughout my life. In addition, my grandparents were always there to provide me with
the encouragement to achieve my dreams and inspiration to constantly seek success. I
appreciate and love my family unconditionally and I know they will be there for me in the
new adventures that lie ahead.
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Megan Sullivan
First off, thank you to my family for all of your unconditional love and support. I am so
grateful for everything you have done for me. Pete and Steve, I couldn’t have asked for
better brothers, thanks for always having my back. Mom and Dad, thank you for making
dreams come true. I don’t know where I would be without you guys.
To my nursing girls, thanks for making the hardest time some of the best, for picking me up
when I was down and supporting me to the end. I couldn’t have asked for better friends to
get me through these past four years. All of you will undoubtedly be amazing nurses. Also, a
shout out to the Hyenas, thanks for all the memories (the ones we remember and those that
are a bit foggy), you made nursing school bearable for me. Couldn’t have asked for a better
group to wreak havoc with, can’t wait to reunite in Newport.
And last a special shout out to L3. Words cannot describe how lucky I am to have you as my
friends. Thank you for crying with me through the bad and laughing through the good. Each
day with you guys is as crazy and unpredictable as the next. Can’t believe how fast our time
together has gone, can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. I wouldn’t have made it to
graduation day without you guys.
Congratulations Class of 2015. Best of luck! We did it!!!
Kathryn Urbanowski
I want to thank all my friends for their continued support and encouragement and my
nursing professors for always having faith in me even when I didn’t have faith in myself.
I want to thank Helen Mullen for being an outstanding role model. I know I am here
today in large part because of you and the incredible example you set for me. Thank you
for believing in me and seeing nursing in my future, even before I saw it myself. Most
importantly, I want to thank my family. Thank you for always answering my calls after
clinical when I wanted to tell you all about my experiences, sending cards and cookies
just when I needed them, encouraging me to do my best, celebrating all my nursing
accomplishments with me, and always making me feel incredibly loved! Congratulations
Saint Anselm Nursing Class of 2015!!
NoraAnn Walsh
I would like to acknowledge all those who have supported, encouraged, and believed in me
during my time at Saint Anselm College. My parents continue to be my biggest supporters and
encourage me daily with their strength, commitment and love. Sara, my sister, also deserves to
be thanked for all she has done while I have been away at school and for being unconditionally
understanding. During my time at St A’s I have met three of my best friends: Bekah, Cassie,
and Karina. I would like to thank them for listening to me, reminding me to have fun, and
encouraging me to be true to myself. The faculty of the nursing department has shared their
knowledge, skills and insight with my classmates and me, and I would like to thank them for all
of their hard work, time, and dedication to this program and its students. Special thanks to the
faculty who worked with me on my thesis for all the hours and effort they put into assisting
and guiding me. Saint Anselm College is a very special place and I would like to thank
everyone who has made this experience possible for me and those who will continue to work
so other students can experience and learn in an institution such as this.
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Jess Wyrsch
Thank you to my Mom and Dad, my role models and best friends who supported me,
cheered me on, and encouraged me during every panicked phone call home. Natalie &
Alaina, thanks for always letting mom, dad, and me talk gross nursing things at the dinner
table & being my rocks through this all. Thank you to my bestest friends who carried me
through my journey. And a special thank you to Heather & Sarah, my group L best friends,
and the craziest nursing majors I know, WE MADE IT!
Matthew Zacchilli
Thank you Mom and Dad for everything you have done for me. You two have been my
rocks. I’m so grateful for your constant support, encouragement, and guidance. Daniel
and Catherine thank you for always being there for me. To my grandparents, aunts, uncles,
and extended family thank you for your support through nursing school and thank you for
letting me tell you funny and sometimes gross nursing stories. Auntie Debbie and Auntie
Robyn thank you for housing me during my preceptorship experience allowing it to be that
much more enjoyable. I’m also incredibly grateful for all my friends and the nursing faculty
here at Saint Anselm College. Nursing Faculty, thank you for your mentorship, your nursing
knowledge, and your continued support through these four years. You have taught me so
much about both life and nursing. Congratulations Nursing Class of 2015.
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2015 Pinning Committee Members
Co-Chairs:
Aimee LaLancette and Matthew Zacchilli
Mass Booklet/Invitation Committee:
Bridget Davis*, Rebekah DePillo,
Molly Barrows, Mary Hudson
Mass Ceremony Committee:
Robert Celona*, Hannah Furlong,
Rebecca Sirois, Frankie Mueller
Pinning/Flower Committee:
Holly Mulkern*, Kelsey Berglund
Photography Committee:
Lauren Anzalone*, Marissa Johnson
Reception Committee:
Lyndsay Davis*, Hillary Beaton, Meghan O’Malley, Sarah Forster
Volunteer Committee:
Elizabeth Doyle*, Tyler Reney, Heather Geist
Caps/Uniforms Committee:
Maria Luongo*, Stacy Parker, Nicole Arsenault, Gina Fuccillo, Abigail Crane
Fundraising Committee:
Madeleine Boyington*, Elise Homan*, Kelly Niland,
Shayla Howell, Jennifer Ross
*Indicates Chair of the Committee
Thank you to the families, friends, faculty and staff, monastic community, and the
college community as a whole for coming together in love and support to celebrate
this memorable milestone in our educational and professional careers. Congratulations
to the Nursing Class of 2015!
We wish you all the best.
Matt & Aimee
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The Pinning Committee along with the
Saint Anselm College Nursing Class of 2015
would like to send a special Thank You to:
Campus Ministry
Celeste’s Flower Barn
Two Friends Bagel and Deli Caterer
Kay’s Caps
Bill Wright Traditions
Gil Talbot
The Knights of Columbus
Commencement Inc.
The Student Nurse Association
Nursing Classes of 2016, 2017, 2018
Dr. Maureen O’Reilly, Professor Karen Grafton, Colleen Lagasse, Diane Moreau
All of our dedicated faculty members
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PEACE is a Benedictine motto.
Therefore, this symbol of the dove superimposed
on the Benedictine Cross
has been chosen for our Student Nurses’ Association,
which functions within the philosophy of
Saint Anselm – a Benedictine College.
The olive branch is an ancient symbol of
LIFE and HEALING.
Our profession is concerned with healing.
We strive to learn the value of life
and to protect life in all aspects.
The cross is the symbol of HOPE
as we attempt to view the challenges
of life in the light of the Paschal Mystery.
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Faculty Reflections
“We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.”
– from the Servant Song
This is indeed an auspicious time to reflect on your journey here at Saint Anselm College
and on your future as a nurse. There are many things you will always remember whether
it’s your first patient, your first shot, or your first birth. I still remember with terror the first
patient I had to talk to on a medical-surgical unit during my second week of nursing school.
I would like to say that I felt inspired or that I changed this person’s life, but really the most
important thing to me was that I survived it. I gave my first shot to another student in lab,
and saw my first birth through a window into an OR looking delivery room, we were certainly
not family centered in those days. These are the experiences that become etched in your
memory and as a nurse you will accumulate many more. I know that you will experience
situations that impact other’s lives through some heroic activity or by simply being there for
your patients and families. Consider that you have made it to this point in a very rigorous
program and that you have gained not only nursing skill and knowledge, but also values
based in the Benedictine tradition, and the intellectual curiosity stimulated by your liberal
arts background. Think back to your freshman self as you began your first semester of
college and then reflect on what you have learned and how you have grown in four short
years. Remember that you will learn something new about nursing and yourself every day
that you work as a nurse, so make sure that you stay open to new experiences, stay curious,
and examine each day as if you still had to write clinical journals!
Dr. O’Reilly
Dear Nursing Students Class of 2015!
Just four short years ago, you came into the Saint Anselm College Nursing Program wide
eyed and anxious to begin your journey towards becoming an RN. Here you are today at the
end of one journey and ready to begin a life long journey into the incredible profession of
nursing.
I know that you have all internalized the true essence of being a Saint Anselm Nursing
Graduate and will treat each and every one of your future patients with dignity and respect,
appreciating their entire being, their life experiences and all they have to offer and teach you
in return.
Two quotes have been quite special to me over the past several years and have kept me
focused on my passion for nursing and caring for others. I would like to share these quotes
with you today. Maybe, just maybe, they will inspire you as well during those doubting
moments that will inevitably creep into your days as a professional nurse.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”. - Gandhi
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Go out into your profession with the passion you have for nursing, keeping in mind that
“you” can and will make a difference. Not every day in our profession will be easy. You will
meet challenges at times on a daily basis. Don’t accept the norm if you know in your heart
that the norm falls short of what is “right”. Let evidence guide your decisions!
“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world”.- Brandi
Snyder
Take those extra few minutes to hold a hand, listen, and be present with individuals
entrusted to your care. Those moments may be fleeting, but those are the moments that
will help you fill your cup and keep you focused on the true art of nursing and sustain your
passion for the nursing profession.
Over the next few weeks, if you have a chance…please stop by for a Grafton hug!!! It has
been a pleasure getting to know you all over the past four years.
God Bless!
Professor Grafton
Take Time to Smell the Roses
The pinning ceremony provides an opportunity for soon-to-be nurses, as well as those of us
with a few years (or more!) of experience behind us, to reflect on the privilege and rewards
of being a nurse. The pin symbolizes not only the culmination of years of hard work and
dedication, but also the start of an amazing adventure. As I look back over my career and
consider what I might have done differently, my advice to you is to “take time to smell the
roses.”
Soon you will begin the first job of your professional nursing career. The environment you
are about to enter as a healthcare professional is one of constant change, and filled with
many challenges. At times it may be all too easy to allow your shift to become “just another
day in the life,” and lose sight of what brought you into nursing in the first place. There
will also be times when you shift into action mode, using your clinical reasoning skills and
intuition to respond to a crisis without time to consider what the experience means to you
as a professional. But if not in the moment, at least when the dust settles, be present in
your career. Take time to reflect upon and value the privileged moments and the unique
challenges that will help to shape who you become as a nurse. Nursing will provide you with
countless opportunities and deep personal and professional fulfillment. There is a “rose” to
be found in every day - a sacred moment with a patient, exceptional teamwork, your own
excellent clinical performance, or even a lesson learned through human error – if you take
the time to look.
Congratulations to each of you as you embark on this wonderful adventure.
Professor Joanne Welch
To the most recent graduates of Saint Anselm College,
Congratulations! You made it! I celebrate your achievements today and all your
achievements to come. I expect you all to go back to graduate school at some point. I
promise it will be meaningful and I believe we have prepared you well. I want to share with
you a few notes on nursing:
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Nursing is hard; it will test you. Your first year is hard; it will test you. You can and
will get through the tough times. Be comfortable knowing there is much you don’t know.
One thing I’ve learned as I’m working on my doctorate is that the more I know, the more I
realize how much there is yet to know. Don’t get comfortable with not trying to learn this
information. Listen, think, read, search, and ask questions. Just think about how boring your
work would be if you could learn it all in four years! Always remember what professionalism
looks like, sounds like, and feels like.
In your first year, ask nursing assistants to show you how to do things more
efficiently. They have learned great tips and tricks to get work done quickly! Say please and
thank you generously and sincerely. Apologize when you make mistakes and then quickly
forgive yourself. When you hear from a patient that you are a great nurse, believe it and
smile. Email me when you need support! My first year brought me to tears some days and I
was nauseous for months before my shifts. I’ve been there. I remember. You are not alone.
Finally, celebrate your achievements! Tell us when you get certified in your specialty,
win an award, or get accepted to graduate school. We will celebrate with you!
Sincerely,
Professor Brady
All of you know how much I believe in research and EBP, but please never forget the equally
important power of caring. I love this quote that Albert Einstein had hanging on his wall at
Princeton: “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be
counted counts.”
Dr. Nelson
Congratulations! Just think of all those classes and studying and clinical hours you put in to
get to this point. It was not an easy road and you should be very proud of yourselves. Soon
you will be on your own, putting that hard earned knowledge to work. As a nurse, you will have
the ability to make a huge difference in your patient’s lives. Never underestimate the power of
a comforting touch, a smile, and a kind word. Use your time with your patients wisely, so that
when you leave work each day you will know you made the right choice to be a nurse.
XO Best,
Professor Safarz
Dear Class of 2015, I came to Saint Anselm in January 2012 and met all of you in Introduction
to Professional Nursing my first semester. My impression of all of you was how committed
you were to your chosen profession. I watched you as you became friends in clinical and
worked together to assure your patients received the best possible care. Being with you has
been a high point in my career. It is my hope that you have success and fulfillment in Nursing
and never forget the need for continuous education to improve your nursing care. The class
of 2015 is a group of kind, sincere, and competent students who will always have a place in
my heart.
Dr. Margaret Walker
For My Students,
It has been a privilege to share four years with you. I am infinitely proud of each one of
you; I will miss you. As you journey away from the hill, remember that you will always be
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Anselmian. Be proudly and responsibly Anselmian. Be curious and thoughtful, be loving and
caring, be true and faithful. Seek understanding of all things through your faith in God, in
others and in yourself. Be graceful and peaceful. “Let your gentleness be known to everyone.
The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ. Finally,
beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever
is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything
worthy of praise think about these things.” Philippians 4: 5-8.
Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day!
PF
It is a joy to see you accomplish this goal and to welcome you to the ranks of the nursing
profession. Don’t be afraid to step out into this new world in faith and courage. Trust
yourself, but ask for help. Work hard, but don’t forget to nurture yourself. Stay close to
those you love and to your fellow nurses. May God bless and protect you.
“Dr. Deb” McCarter-Spaulding
As you take leave from the rigorous academics learned here on the hilltop and you strive
to demonstrate competence in the skills necessary to treat and care for the infirmed, take
pride and solace in the preparation you’ve been given. When you encounter adversity
or witness attitudes and behaviors inconsistent with the core values of our profession,
especially those not reflective of being an Anselmian, remember the words of St. Benedict
as he counseled his charges. “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way;
the love of Christ must come before all else” (RB 4.20-21). You are each called to a higher
vision, a higher purpose. So, let your caring and compassion, communication and conduct
reflect only the best version of who you truly are – a graduate of St. Anselm College. You
are the future of nursing. You are an Anselmian nurse.
With heartfelt best wishes as you are welcomed into the world of professional of nursing.
Prof. Jane Leonard
Class of 2015, You each have been blessed with such amazing gifts to offer our profession.
Please remember to regularly “check in” with yourselves to make sure that you continue to
be challenged and fulfilled by the practice site you choose to work at. Remember that you
have an array of choices open to you in this career. So if you are feeling continuously stuck
or frustrated, be sure to make the change to a new setting, so that you continue to grow
and feel satisfied that your work as a nurse is valued. It was a pleasure getting to know you,
Good luck! :)
Prof. Sheehan
Congratulations to the Nursing Class of 2015!
Over the last 4 years, you have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge about the
human body, about the fundamentals of nursing and how to use this information in caring
for your patients and their families. Yet at times you may feel you are in a situation that you
are not prepared for and you will have to trust yourself to know what needs to be done for
the patient and family. Here is one memory I have of just such a situation.
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One of my early memories as a professional nurse was caring for a very premature infant
who was transported to our Boston NICU from a community hospital. The parents were not
able to come to our hospital, as the mother had just delivered and the father stayed with
her. I remember that the infant was very sick when she arrived to our unit. Some of today’s
advanced treatments were not available then, and despite all our efforts to help the baby,
the infant’s condition continued to deteriorate. Having never been held by her parents, I
did not want to see this infant leave this world without being comforted. I asked the other
nurses to help me gently wrap her and place her into my arms. I held her for some time and
she eventually passed away with me still holding her. I never got to meet the parents, but I
felt that it was important for this baby to feel human comfort, even though her family was
unable to be there.
So I ask that, as you go forth on your nursing careers, you always take the time to show
tenderness and compassion, treating your patients and their families as you would want
someone to treat yourself and your loved ones.
May your careers and lives be rich and fulfilling. Congratulations again.
Dawn Buzan, MPH, RN
Clinical Instructor
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