Laurentians First

As I stood on the Commencement stage in May, preparing to address the Class of 2025 gathered with their families in Newell Field House, I felt a bit like a graduate myself. I, too, was a “first-year” in 2021 and over the past four years together, we’ve been immersed in St. Lawrence’s distinctive energy—a unique blend of place, people, and purpose that’s deeply felt by every Laurentian. 

During the ceremony, I had the pleasure of presenting proud alumnus and Board Chair Emeritus Mike Ranger ’80, P’17 with an honorary doctorate degree in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to St. Lawrence and devoted service to the University’s mission. In his acceptance remarks, Mike described St. Lawrence as his “soul place”—defined as a place that makes you feel different in a very particular and positive way than any place else. For him, St. Lawrence is the place that makes him feel “more fulfilled, more grateful, more optimistic, more included, and maybe just more human.”  

That might be the closest anyone has ever come to accurately describing the “secret sauce” of St. Lawrence, and I am honored to lead an institution and a campus that is a “soul place” for so many of you. 

I take seriously my responsibility to this remarkable and beloved University, and it’s clear from our latest ranking as the #1 Alumni Network in the nation for private colleges and universities (The Princeton Review, 2025 Best Value Colleges), that you do, too.  

We all knew we were #1, but it sure is nice to see it in print. And truthfully, this accolade couldn’t have come at a more meaningful moment. It’s no secret that universities nationwide are facing shared pressures, from financial and enrollment deficits to navigating an ever more complex social and political climate. The collective impact of these challenges on higher ed institutions like ours should not be underestimated.  

Nor should the power of our #1 Alumni Network. At Reunion, I expressed the need for all members of our alumni network to be Laurentians first. 

Here’s how St. Lawrence has put “Laurentians first” values into action:  In a time of considerable political upheaval, over the past year, we sponsored the presidential Commission on Laurentian Values to foster productive engagement on contentious issues. The Commission shared the message of “Listen, Respect, Engage” across campus, and I am proud to report that students of differing political positions were able to express their viewpoints without significant strife.  

Through the Commission’s work, all first-year students, all student leaders, and numerous faculty and staff were trained in constructive dialogue, an initiative we are continuing this fall for incoming first-year students. 

We have continued to grow our Civic Dialogue Program, funded by alumna Martha MacCallum Gregory ’86, P’23 featuring workshops, speakers, and events that focus on respectful political dialogue. Other generous donors have supported similar programming through the presidential priorities fund. 

I’ve joined 124 presidents in the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, affirming that educating for democracy is central to our mission. I was also an early signatory of “A Call for Constructive Engagement,” now supported by over 650 higher ed leaders.  

Our community is holding together across difference at a time when external forces are trying to pull people apart. But it’s going to take all of us. We need YOU, as Laurentians—the #1 Alumni Network in the country—to be loud and proud champions of St. Lawrence and the liberal arts. So tell your friends, your neighbors, and their kids: A St. Lawrence education is transformative. It’s worth the investment. And this powerful alumni network—#1 in the nation—starts the moment students arrive and lasts a lifetime.  Let’s preserve this “soul place” and build it up to be stronger than ever. 

Let’s be Laurentians first. And let’s put our #1 Alumni Network to work welcoming more Laurentians for Life.