Looking back at a year of leading with heart at Stonehill College.
With 2025 almost upon us, we are taking time to reflect upon the many ways our community made an impact this past year.
1. An Evening of Poetry: In January, Ada Limón, the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate and the first Latina to hold the title, visited to share a lecture as part of the Chet Raymo Literary Series. She is the 24th scholar to participate in this series since 2001.
2. A Big Welcome: On Saturday, February 10, Stonehill hosted Winter Welcome Day for high school seniors accepted to the Class of 2028. Over 600 admitted students and their families came to the event. Totaling more than 1,700 attendees, this was one of the biggest Welcome Day programs in recent Stonehill history.
3. A Championship Clinched: In only the second year of the program’s existence, the Stonehill College women’s ice hockey team received their first NCAA tournament bid as they were named New England Women’s Hockey Alliance champions following a 3-2 overtime win over Franklin Pierce University in March 2024. “It feels so awesome,” Eve Stone ’27 told The Boston Globe. “Everyone is excited to show the other conferences what we can do.” Read more about this championship title.
4. A Firework Spectacular: As part of the year-long celebration of Stonehill’s 75th anniversary, Student Government Association hosted Spring Fest, which included a carnival and JAMnesty, an annual outdoor musical festival. The event concluded with a fireworks display sponsored by W.B. Mason. Watch the 75th anniversary wrap-up video.
U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón (center) poses for a group shot with Stonehill community members.
The Stonehill women's ice hockey team after being named New England Women’s Hockey Alliance champions.
In celebration of Stonehill's 75th anniversary, the College hosted a fireworks show.
5. A Servant Leader: Jessika Crockett-Murphy ’24 was named the recipient of the 2024 President’s Cup during the 2024 Student Life Awards on Sunday, April 28. This award is presented annually to a senior who displays a commitment to intellectual excellence and a dedication to service. Read the Q&A with Crockett-Murphy.
6. A Commencement to Remember: At Stonehill’s 73rd Commencement in May, 583 undergraduate and 42 graduate students received their diplomas. Three honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees were also awarded. They were given to Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C. ’80, superior general of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Jean MacCormack, former chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and former president of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, and Ed Cooley ’94, head coach of the Georgetown University Hoyas men’s basketball program. “We are connected at the hip as a Stonehill family, as a Stonehill community,” Cooley said in his keynote address. “Make sure you understand that every time you walk back on this campus, this is home.” Read more about Commencement 2024.
7. Home on the Hill: Reunion, which took place in early June, was the final major event of Stonehill’s 75th anniversary year. Eight hundred forty-seven alumni from multiple classes and guests spent the weekend on campus reconnecting and reminiscing with classmates. Check out highlights from Reunion 2024.
8. A Celebration of Students and Faculty: The College welcomed incoming students from the Class of 2028 at the start of Stonehill’s 76th academic year in August. The class includes 770 students, making it one of Stonehill’s largest and most diverse classes ever. These students were recognized alongside transfer students and seniors from the Class of 2025 at Academic Convocation on Wednesday, August 28. At the ceremony, Associate Professor of Business Management Robert Spencer was named the 2024 recipient of the Louise F. Hegarty Award for Excellence in Teaching. This honor is given each year to a full-time faculty member whose teaching has had a marked influence on Stonehill students. Read more about Academic Convocation.
Jaelynn Rodney '24 beams at Commencement.
Left to Right: President John Denning, C.S.C., Associate Professor of Business Management Robert Spencer, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Peter Ubertaccio.
9. The Launch of New Degrees: Stonehill launched several new degree programs during the fall semester. They include a major in Digital Media Production, a major in Communication Sciences & Disorders, a major and minor in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, a major in Talent and Human Resource Management, a major in Business Analytics, a minor in Business in the Spanish-Speaking World, and the Skyhawk Accelerated Dual Degree.
10. Play Hard, Do Good: Matthew DeVirgilio ’25, a linebacker for the Stonehill football team, was one of 22 student-athletes named to the 2024 Allstate Good Works Team® by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) in September. He was selected from a record 178 nominees in recognition of his commitment to service. DeVirgilio is only the second football player in Stonehill history to earn this recognition. He follows Nick Chiocco ’16, who was on the 2015 Good Works Team®. Read more about DeVirgilio.
11. A New Transfer Partnership: Stonehill College and Bristol Community College announced a transfer guarantee partnership in October. As part of this agreement, Bristol students who meet certain criteria will be offered guaranteed admission and discounted tuition to Stonehill. Read more about this agreement.
12. An Amazing Legacy: Stonehill’s 33rd Athletic Hall of Fame class was officially inducted at a ceremony held on Friday, October 25 in the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex. This year’s honorees included Coach David McLaughlin, the 2005-2006 men’s basketball team, Lindsey Pinkham ’11, Kate Sarkissian ’06, Billy Sittig ’06, and Corey Thomas ’13. In a letter featured in the program for the ceremony, President John Denning, C.S.C., noted, “Win or lose, the Skyhawks can look to the legacies of these community members to discover how to overcome setbacks and fly higher than they ever believed they could.” Read more about the 33rd Athletic Hall of Fame Class.
Matthew DeVirgilio '25 with members of House of Possibilities.
Administrators from Stonehill College and Bristol Community College celebrate the schools' new transfer guarantee agreement.
Left to right: Hall of Famers Kate Sarkissian '06, Lindsey Pinkham '11, Corey Thomas '13, Coach David McLaughlin and Billy Sittig '06.