Rougeau President Discusses Campus Visits, Tuition Hikes, and Graduation Ceremonies
In a series of notable interviews, Holy Cross College has welcomed esteemed guests such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Christine Grady, and Secretary of State John Kerry. These high-profile individuals have graced the campus with their presence, adding a touch of prestige to the academic community.
During these encounters, President Rougeau reminisced about his tenure and shared insights gained during his time at the helm. The interviews, which were conducted for The Spire's monthly feature, offered a unique perspective on the College's current state and future direction.
In a separate interview on November 14th, discussions focused on the College's endowment, recent news, and the upcoming holiday season. The College also expressed concern about the federal government's efforts to arrest, detain, and deport noncitizen students and faculty members who participate in protected First Amendment activities. In response, the College signed on to an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit brought by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP v. Rubio), demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaging environment for individuals from all over the world.
As for the College's financial status, tuition for the next school year will see a slight increase, similar to other private liberal arts colleges in the area. However, President Rougeau emphasised that the raise goes directly to improving the quality of education for students and meeting commitments to faculty and staff. Financial aid is also available to help students who have financial need.
The College's commitment to academic excellence and community engagement was further highlighted by the achievements of two students, Nathan Howard '25 and Ben Lepper '25. As Editors-In-Chief of The Spire, these students have made significant contributions to the College, with Nathan being involved in The Spire and Moot Court, and Ben an English major with a French Minor from Wellesley, Massachusetts. Their dedication and hard work were recognised when they were named Crusader of the Week.
The article about Nathan Howard and Ben Lepper was published in the "features" section. Viveca Stucke '26, the Chief Features Editor, oversaw the piece.
Looking towards the future, the Class of 2029 had a 17% acceptance rate with over 10,000 prospective students applying. Trends in applicants include more applications from different parts of the country and high schools that have never sent a student to Holy Cross.
As the academic year drew to a close, President Rougeau offered words of advice to graduating seniors. He encouraged them to focus on each day and express gratitude for their time at Holy Cross. He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect with his faith and the faith community at Holy Cross during the season of Lent.
The visits from these high-profile individuals have had a positive impact on the campus community. Their presence served as a reminder of the College's commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and the pursuit of knowledge. Dr. Fauci's commitment to ongoing conversation with the community was particularly noteworthy, as was his dedication to advancing public understanding of infectious diseases. Christine Grady's work in research ethics also added valuable insights to campus discussions on ethics in healthcare and research.
John Kerry, with his background in environmental policy and international affairs, potentially inspired the university community through his climate advocacy and public service. However, without specific references to his actions or visits at Holy Cross, no definitive impact description can be drawn from the available data. For precise details about their involvement on that campus, consulting Holy Cross’s official communications or alumni relations materials would be necessary.
- Holy Cross College's faculty and students have benefited from insightful discussions with esteemed guests like Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Christine Grady.
- The interviews conducted with esteemed guests were featured in The Spire, a College publication, under the "features" section.
- The interviews offered a glimpse into the College's current state and future direction, providing insights gained during President Rougeau's tenure.
- The College faced concerns about the federal government's attempts to arrest, detain, and deport noncitizen students and faculty members.
- To counteract this, the College signed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit brought by the AAUP, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.
- Tuition for the next school year will see a slight increase, with the money directed towards improving education quality and meeting commitments to faculty and staff.
- Financial aid is available to help students who have financial need.
- Two students, Nathan Howard '25 and Ben Lepper '25, were named Crusader of the Week for their significant contributions to the College.
- The Class of 2029 had a 17% acceptance rate, with a diverse pool of applicants from different parts of the country.
- As the academic year ended, President Rougeau emphasized the importance of daily focus and gratitude for the educational experience at Holy Cross.
