Rougeau President Discusses University Campus Visits, Tuition Hikes, and Graduation Ceremony
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At Holy Cross College, the academic year is drawing to a close with a series of significant developments that have shaped the campus community.
In a notable move, the College's Editors-in-Chief, Ben Lepper '25 and Nathan Howard '25, interviewed President Rougeau for The Spire's final meeting of the academic year on May 2nd. The interview covered President Rougeau's experiences as President and what he has learned so far.
President Rougeau expressed gratitude for the opportunity to sing as part of the liturgies during the Lent season and highlighted the positive impact of high-profile individuals such as Secretary of State John Kerry, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Dr. Christine Grady on the campus community.
The College is seeing a 40% increase in applications over the past five years, with the Class of 2029 boasting a 17% acceptance rate and over 10,000 prospective students applying. This surge in applications is not limited to traditional feeder schools; Holy Cross is now seeing more applications from different parts of the country and high schools that have never sent a student to Holy Cross before.
President Rougeau explained that the tuition increase for the next school year is to provide the highest quality of education to students and meet commitments to faculty and staff. He advised graduating seniors to focus on every day they are at Holy Cross and to be grateful for the people they've met.
In a show of commitment to the idea of universities and colleges in the U.S. being places of engagement for people from all over the world, the College has signed onto an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit brought by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP v. Rubio) over the federal government’s efforts to arrest, detain, and deport noncitizen students and faculty members who participate in protected First Amendment activities.
The College's leadership, including Editor-in-Chief Ben Lepper '25 and Chief Features Editor Viveca Stucke '26, are working diligently to ensure that Holy Cross remains a vibrant and inclusive community that fosters academic excellence and personal growth.
Nathan Howard '25, an Art History and Political Science major from Rehoboth, Massachusetts, is also involved in The Spire and Moot Court. Ben Lepper '25, an English major with a French Minor from Wellesley, Massachusetts, has been instrumental in these efforts, serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Spire alongside Nathan.
In addition to their work with The Spire, Ben and Nathan had another interview with President Rougeau on November 14th, discussing the College's endowment, recent news, and the upcoming holiday. Their interviews provide valuable insights into the College's direction and President Rougeau's vision for Holy Cross.
As the academic year comes to a close, the Holy Cross community looks forward to the future with optimism and anticipation, knowing that the College is committed to providing an exceptional educational experience for its students and fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
- The faculty at Holy Cross College are integral to upholding the institution's tradition of academic excellence and personal growth.
- The Class of 2029 is eager to embark on their educational journey, having been accepted into Holy Cross College despite stiff competition from over 10,000 applicants.
- As part of their commitment to education-and-self-development, students at Holy Cross College are actively involved in various events, such as Moot Court and The Spire.
- With over 40% more applications than five years ago, Holy Cross College is expanding its community to reach students from different parts of the country.
- Alumni of Holy Cross College continue to contribute to the university's reputation through their achievements in various fields, including arts and science.
- Online education is also an essential feature of Holy Cross College's approach to education, ensuring that students can access knowledge from anywhere in the world.
- To support a diverse and inclusive campus, the College has inked an agreement with the American Association of University Professors in a lawsuit defending the right of non-citizen students and faculty members to engage in protected First Amendment activities.
- The University's leadership is dedicated to continuing the tradition of fostering an engaging and welcoming community for students, with Ben Lepper and Nathan Howard serving as shining examples of this commitment.
