History

Mount Saint Mary College, formerly in Hooksett, New Hampshire, was a Roman Catholic college for women founded in 1934 by the Sisters of Mercy. Bishop John Peterson decided to petition the legislature to establish Mount Saint Mary College. It was passed on June 4, 1934. He served as the first president with Sister M. DePazzi Derwin as dean. The college opened for the first classes on September 20, 1934. College courses led to a BA, BS, or BE (later a BA in Education). In 1938 Bishop Peterson was made the honorary president and Sister M. De La Salle Coffey became president (she remained in that position until 1950). She was followed by Sister M. Mauritia Redden, who formerly was dean.

For many years, "The Mount" functioned as the sister school of the formerly all-male Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire, and the two institutions carried on a particularly close academic and social affiliation. From intercollegiate dances to a shared talent pool for theatrical productions beginning in the 1930s, there has always been a bond between the two institutions.

The College ceased operations in 1978, but the alumnae of the Mount Saint Mary College were welcomed into the Saint Anselm College Alumni Association as associate members in 2007, and the college is proud to continue this long-standing partnership.

Mount Saint Mary’s Events

Associate membership of Mount Saint Mary alumnae provides the opportunity to attend annual reunion events at Saint Anselm College. In addition, the college’s Alumni Office maintains a database of Mount Saint Mary alumnae interested in staying connected to each other. This will give class presidents and volunteers the chance to communicate with classmates and hold various meetings and special gatherings. If you are an alumna of Mount Saint Mary and would like to be included in our database please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 603-641-7220 or alumni@anselm.edu.

The Mount Saint Mary College Endowed Scholarship Fund

In 2012, Alumnae of Mount Saint Mary College established an endowed scholarship fund at Saint Anselm College. The Mount Saint Mary College Endowed Scholarship Fund honors and commemorates the Mount, as well as its historical association with Saint Anselm, creating a permanent scholarship for a female student with financial need, academic aptitude, and leadership potential in honor of founder Catherine McAuley, experience serving those in need.

At present, the Mount Saint Mary College Endowed Scholarship is valued at nearly $300,000. Saint Anselm College is pleased to thank Mount Saint Mary College alumnae and friends for establishing and supporting this scholarship. If you would like to continue the legacy of the Mount Saint Mary College Endowed Scholarship fund, please write in “Mount Saint Mary College Endowed Scholarship” or to learn more about planned giving opportunities please contact Peter Labombarde at 603-641-7228 or plabombarde@anselm.edu.