In our contemporary society, the language of rights is everywhere. Legal systems, political debates, and cultural movements all revolve around affirming individual rights. Many people believe that the primary obligation of society is to support individuals in claiming these rights. On the surface, this appears noble. After all, the defense of human dignity is a […]
Read MoreA shortened version of this Q&A is included in the Spring 2025 edition of Saint Michael’s College Magazine. Kristin Dykstra, distinguished scholar in residence and director of the First Year Seminar at Saint Michael’s College, is making waves with her 2025 book, Dissonance. Winner of the third annual Phoenix Emerging Poet Book Prize, Dissonance dives […]
Read MoreThis article is included in the Spring 2025 edition of Saint Michael’s College Magazine. When he begins a new semester, Brian Collier, a professor of fine arts and design at Saint Michael’s, likes to tell students about the near-catastrophe of his first big show. It happened long before he started teaching, when he was invited […]
Read MoreThis essay is included in the Spring 2025 edition of Saint Michael’s College Magazine. When I read the “We Want To Hear From You!” section in the most recent edition of the Saint Michael’s College alumni magazine, the prompt—“How did your time at Saint Michael’s impact your life?”—stopped me in my tracks. It struck a […]
Read MoreIn our previous blog, we explored the Catholic Social Teaching principle of rights and responsibilities in light of the common good. We affirmed that human rights, such as access to food, education, work, and participation, are rooted in the dignity of each person. These rights come with equally important responsibilities. These responsibilities are not burdens […]
Read MoreIn Catholic social teaching, the idea of the “common good” is more than a noble aspiration. It is a foundational principle that shapes how we live together in society. Rooted in Scripture, developed by the Church Fathers, and refined through centuries of theological reflection, the “common good” refers to the social conditions that enable all […]
Read MoreEach year, Saint Michael’s students who excel academically are chosen to be inducted into national and international academic honor societies that have chapters on campus. In addition to several honor societies that draw from the general student population, there are about a dozen honor societies that are specific to academic disciplines and draw from students […]
Read MoreWhen Bernadette Samake M’25 was a grade school student in Mali learning French in addition to her native language, Bambara, it was the stories that really ignited her passion for languages. Now, as the Fulbright student graduates from Saint Michael’s College with a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) — […]
Read MoreThe previous blog focused on the second principle of Catholic Social justice: Call to family, community, and participation. In the blog, the call of Cardinal McElroy for the Catholic Church to employ “radical inclusion” in relating to individuals and communities of persons whose life choices and relationships do not fit exactly the Church’s doctrinal understand […]
Read MoreThe Saint Michael’s Class of 2025 took in one of their remaining Alliot meals together and – with the faculty and staff – celebrated each other and their many accomplishments during the annual Senior Awards Brunch. It was a time to reflect on all they had achieved and overcome. Emcee Sierra Leonard ’15, assistant […]
Read MoreLeading with compassion and standing with those on the margins were central messages delivered to members of the Saint Michael’s Class of 2025 during the College’s 118th Commencement on Sunday. Approximately 370 students obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees during the ceremony. The Class of 2025 graduates who received bachelor’s degrees represent 24 U.S states […]
Read MoreWhile managing an 11-hour time difference across the world in Southeast Asia during summer 2024, Saint Michael’s Political Science major Jamie Collins ’25, was polishing her application for an internship with the U.S. Senator Peter Welch’s office. Collins was spending the summer before her senior year at St. Mike’s interning in Vietnam thanks to a […]
Read MoreAs we approach Commencement for the Saint Michael’s College Class of 2025, we are highlighting where our seniors plan to go next and how they hope to apply the knowledge they gained at St. Mike’s. Margaret Wilk ’25 will start a new position in the fall at KPMG, one of the four largest public accounting […]
Read MoreThe second principle of Catholic social justice promotes the importance of family and community. Likewise, the principle recognizes that individuals have a right and a duty to participate in both. Because human beings are social by nature and realize their full humanity in their interactions with others, to exclude people from the possibility of meaningful […]
Read MoreA year ago, Paisleigh Atwood ’24 didn’t have an inkling she would soon be living and working in a village in the mountains of Albania teaching health classes to students in Shqip, the native language of the area. Atwood’s interest in international humanitarian work prompted her to complete a Peace Corps Prep certificate at […]
Read MoreThis summer, Saint Michael’s College will be sending a record-breaking 18 students to complete an eight-week internship abroad in either South Korea or Vietnam, thanks to a generous annual grant from the Freeman Foundation. Saint Michael’s is one of only 33 colleges and universities in the U.S. to receive this annual, highly competitive grant. The […]
Read MoreAs we approach Commencement for the Saint Michael’s College Class of 2025, we are highlighting where our seniors plan to go next and how they hope to apply the knowledge they gained at St. Mike’s. Accounting and Economics double major, Hanae Rhouat ’25 will be starting a new position at Ernst & Young (EY), one […]
Read MoreAs we near Commencement for the Saint Michael’s College Class of 2025, we are highlighting where our seniors plan to go next and how they’re hoping to use the knowledge they gained at St. Mike’s. Physics major and Biology minor Bernadette Lesieur ’25 has made the most of available opportunities within the science departments at […]
Read MoreLike many others at Saint Michael’s College, senior Theresa Hoar ’25 is on the verge of graduation, but she has a familiar path ahead. Hoar, a member of the Saint Michael’s Class of 2025, will soon be walking the halls once again of her childhood elementary school in her hometown, Barre, Vermont. By then, she’ll […]
Read MoreBright and early on Wednesday, April 9, the Saint Michael’s Campus welcomed over 100 elementary and middle school students from St. Francis Xavier School in Winooski. In a beautiful collaboration between the Institute for the Environment, Global Engagement, Equity and Justice, and MOVE, we were able to support the fundraising and mission of St. […]
Read MoreI feel compelled to say something more about the first Catholic principle of social justice: life and the dignity of human life. What is driving this compulsion is the present reality of our lives in the United States, rooted as they are in a quagmire of political and social factions that move people to be […]
Read MoreAs we approach Commencement for the Saint Michael’s College Class of 2025, we are highlighting where our seniors plan to go next and how they hope to apply the knowledge they gained at St. Mike’s. At Saint Michael’s, students interested in Engineering have the ability to partake in the 3+2 Engineering program in collaboration with […]
Read MoreA decade ago, the 1.7 acres of empty land behind the Saint Michael’s College observatory began a transformation into what has become a resilient farm producing thousands of pounds of crops each growing season. The Farm at Saint Michael’s not only gives back to its community by providing nutritious fruits and vegetables, but also provides […]
Read MoreLast month, the Institute for the Environment (I4E) welcomed 3 new graduate assistants to the team. They will be working for I4E to expand our public outreach and bring the beauty of the green spaces at Saint Michael’s College to our community. Stop into the Institute to say hi and connect! George: My name is […]
Read MoreThe first principle of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) as taught by the U.S. bishops is simple in its clarity, yet profound in its implications: the life and dignity of the human person. Every human life is sacred. Each person possesses an inherent dignity that no circumstance, no condition, and no difference can erase. This conviction […]
Read MoreAs we near Commencement for the Saint Michael’s College Class of 2025, we are highlighting where our seniors plan to go next and how they’re hoping to use the knowledge they gained at St. Mike’s. Below is a Q&A with Emily DuFour-Woznicki ’25, a Criminology major with an English minor who finished her academic program […]
Read MoreAs we approach Commencement for the Saint Michael’s College Class of 2025, we are highlighting where our seniors plan to go next and how they hope to apply the knowledge they gained at St. Mike’s. Below is a Q&A with Patrick Gahan ’25, a Statistics major with minors in Public Health and Mathematics from Whitinsville, […]
Read MorePicture this: A white Catholic priest hand-in-hand with Civil Rights activist John Lewis when he awoke in the hospital following the events of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama in March 1965. That priest – Father Maurice Ouellet – a St. Mike’s alumnus, staff member, and member of the order that founded the College, touched history. […]
Read MoreA new program of study has recently been added to Saint Michael’s College’s list of academics – a minor in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Kate Soons ’92, professor of Health Science and the creator of the EMS minor, said that the interdisciplinary nature of the program aims to enhance students’ applications to medical and […]
Read MoreFr. Gregory Boyle, S.J., the founder of the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world, will deliver the Commencement address at Saint Michael’s College to the Class of 2025. Fr. Boyle, whose program is based in Los Angeles, California, will also receive an honorary degree during the ceremony on May 11, 2025. The […]
Read MoreLast week, I introduced the seven Catholic principles of social justice, rooted in the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching (CST). As I have noted in previous blogs, these principles align meaningfully with the goals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Both CST and DEI emphasize the inherent dignity of every person, the importance of […]
Read MoreCatholic Social Teaching (CST) has deep roots in scripture, tradition, and centuries of Church thought. CST formally began with Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical, Rerum Novarum (“On the Condition of Labor”), issued in 1891. Responding to the injustices of the industrial revolution, that is, harsh working conditions, poverty, and economic disparity, the encyclical marked the beginning […]
Read MoreA club formed at Saint Michael’s in the fall is already showing the wide-reaching applications of the skills students gain through participation. The President of Mock Trial, Ryann Edwards ’26, said she has always had a passion for government, and she had wanted to start a Mock Trial group since the start of her […]
Read MoreMoliere’s 17th-century comedy “Tartuffe” is getting the 21st-century treatment at Saint Michael’s College this spring. The satire on religious hypocrisy was initially banned in France after its debut, but themes from the 1660’s play remain relevant centuries later, producers at the College say. Saint Michael’s College’s Department of Fine Arts: Theatre will present a slimmed-down […]
Read MoreAt Saint Michael’s College, we are committed to being a community where all people feel welcome, valued, and respected. In working toward that goal, we recognize that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Catholic Social Teaching (CST) both play an important role. Though they come from different places, DEI and CST share a commitment to […]
Read MoreWhat cause is so significant it has united the three Saint Michael’s College Institutes – environment, global engagement, and equity & justice – plus the College’s service organization, MOVE, and the students at a local Catholic school with alumni ties? The answer is humanity’s most basic need: water. Saint Michael’s College and Saint Francis Xavier […]
Read MoreAs a junior at Saint Michael’s College, Ashley DeLeon ’23 took her first film class at the urging of her advisor. While she was hesitant at the beginning of the semester, she soon discovered a passion for editing and filmmaking that eventually launched her career. Today, DeLeon can be seen channeling her passion for media […]
Read MoreIn the spirit of authentic Catholic identity, Saint Michael’s College affirms that faith is not merely a private matter but rather the foundational heart of our community, guiding our pursuit of justice, dignity, and solidarity in line with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Rooted deeply in Catholic Social Teaching (CST), our commitment […]
Read MoreProfessor Peter Vantine has long borne the title of Saint Michael’s College Purple Knight over his more than a decade of teaching French at the College. But, thanks to the French government, he recently got an upgrade to his knighthood. Recently, Vantine, who is Chair of the Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures Department, was […]
Read MoreFor athletes at Saint Michael’s College, the game now represents more than just competition as new additions to the roster are teaching them there is more to play for. The name Team IMPACT is becoming more widely known and represented on the Saint Michael’s College campus. Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit organization that matches […]
Read MoreOver the past few weeks, I have been replying to questions posed by students who have been emailing me with comments and questions about the blogs that I posted. This results from an assignment Dr. Jolivette Anderson-Douoning gave to students. Students were asked to read a blog or two and to pose questions. A number […]
Read MoreA longtime Saint Michael’s College professor is set to be honored by the French government for his commitment to promoting French language, culture, and education in the U.S., at the College, and in Vermont. Mustafa Soykurt, Consul General of France in Boston, will bestow the Ordre des Palmes Académiques upon Peter Vantine, a Professor of […]
Read MoreEach spring, Saint Michael’s College Art & Design seniors have the unique opportunity to plan, create, and show a solo art exhibit in the College’s on-campus gallery. The opportunity provided by Saint Michael’s is not one offered to many undergraduates at other colleges and universities. It’s meant to be the culmination of their education at […]
Read MoreIt may be more happenstance than by design that six Saint Michael’s College alumni are currently employed by the South Burlington Police Department. But the prevalence speaks to the special relationship between the organizations. What’s taught in the classroom at St. Mike’s complements the real-world work deployed by officers and staff at SBPD, who share […]
Read MoreIn the last blog, I observed that it eventually would become the responsibility of the administration, the faculty, and the staff of Saint Michael’s College to ensure the catholicity of the College and preserve the Catholic identity of Saint Michael’s. What it means to be educate students “in the light of the Catholic,” however, needs […]
Read MoreThe path to entrepreneurship for alumna Karen Wisehart ’92 was anything but traditional. After earning her business degree from Saint Michael’s College while working full-time, Wisehart began her career in the hospitality industry. Decades later, after growing her confidence and knowledge in the business world, Wisehart and her husband, Chris, decided to take their 15-year […]
Read MoreWhen it comes to planning their future, St. Mike’s students get a chance tap into one of their greatest (and often under-utilized) resources: alumni. Saint Michael’s College’s Career Connections event March 7 will bring together alumni, students, local businesses and business leaders in ways the College hasn’t done before. “The main goal of this event […]
Read MoreWe often speak about the Catholic Intellectual Tradition (CIT) and indeed have integrated CIT into the curriculum of Saint Michael’s College. Monika Hellwig, to whom many in contemporary Catholic education look for guidance regarding CIT, noted the dual nature of CIT. Its content encompasses centuries of reflection, exploration, and teaching, whose content can be found […]
Read MoreReaders of British Vogue connected with Saint Michael’s College may have noticed a familiar business name in several recent issues. Homegrown Jewelry, a small business created by Francesca D’Elia ’20, was featured in the December, January, and February issues of British Vogue as one of their “Jewellery Designer Profiles” alongside jewelry designers from around the […]
Read MoreRemember summer? I’ll wait. It is currently below zero and I can barely remember flowing rivers, bright green plants, and the hot sun. But that is what I am sharing with you today. Last summer, students in the GED 695, Teaching Science and Engineering in the Elementary Classrooms were engaged in some Inquiry Based learning […]
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