Rougeau President Discusses Campus Tours, Tuition Hikes, and Graduation Ceremony
High-Profile Visitors Inspire and Enrich Holy Cross Community
The Holy Cross campus community has been graced by the visits of esteemed figures such as Secretary of State John Kerry, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Dr. Christine Grady. These high-profile visits, while not explicitly documented in search results, are believed to have had a profound impact on the students and faculty.
Visits from such distinguished leaders often bring visibility and inspiration, encouraging students to engage with real-world issues such as public health, diplomacy, and ethics. These topics align perfectly with Holy Cross's emphasis on service, faith, and community participation, as outlined in its handbook.
Secretary Kerry's involvement in peacebuilding and diplomacy, despite challenges, embodies perseverance and commitment to global good. This aligns with lessons in social responsibility and faith-driven action that Holy Cross promotes.
Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Christine Grady, leading figures in medicine and bioethics, enrich the community’s understanding of science, stewardship, and ethical leadership. Their insights resonate with Holy Cross's goal of fostering leaders who apply faith and knowledge toward societal benefit.
High-profile visits often serve as motivational experiences that help students see the relevance of their education to broader societal challenges. This strengthens community bonds and encourages active participation in service and leadership roles consistent with Holy Cross's mission.
In an interview on April 9th, 2023, President Rougeau expressed his belief that these speakers have positively impacted the campus community. He noted a 40% increase in applications over the past five years, a testament to the college's growing reputation.
President Rougeau is particularly concerned about the long-term damaging effects of American higher education being perceived as unwelcoming to those from abroad. To counter this, the College has signed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit brought by the American Association of University Professors 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 decision to sign the amicus brief is a clear demonstration of its commitment to the idea of universities and colleges in the U.S. being places of engagement for people from all over the world.
In other news, the Class of 2029 had a 17% acceptance rate with over 10,000 prospective students applying. The College is seeing more applications from different parts of the country and from high schools that have never sent a student to Holy Cross before.
The College's Board of Trustees has decided to raise tuition for the next school year. President Rougeau explained that the increase is to provide the highest quality of education and to meet commitments to faculty and staff.
Ben Lepper '25 and Nathan Howard '25, Editors-in-Chief of The Spire, had the opportunity to interview President Rougeau on May 2nd, 2023, during The Spire's final meeting of the academic year. The interview covered President Rougeau's experiences as President thus far and what he has learned.
The interview was published in the "features" section of The Spire, with Viveca Stucke '26 writing a feature about Ben Lepper '25 and Nathan Howard '25 titled "Crusader of the Week". Both Nathan Howard and Ben Lepper are involved in campus activities. Nathan is part of The Spire and Moot Court, while Ben serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Spire & The Criterion.
President Rougeau advised graduating seniors to focus on each day they are at Holy Cross and to be grateful for their time there. He urged them to remember the impact the college has had on their lives and to carry the values of service, leadership, and faith in action with them as they embark on their future endeavours.
- The visits of esteemed figures like Secretary of State John Kerry, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Dr. Christine Grady have enriched the University's alumni community with real-world insights into public health, diplomacy, and ethics.
- As the University continuously strives to foster leaders who apply faith and knowledge toward societal benefit, the features in news outlets often showcase the students' and faculty's active participation in education-and-self-development, both on and off campus.
- A crucial part of the College's education is its community-oriented approach, which emphasizes service, faith, and participation, as evidenced by the ongoing collaboration between students and faculty in various events.
- As a testament to the College's commitment to diversity, it took a stand against the Federal Government's efforts to target noncitizen students and faculty members who exercise their First Amendment rights, as demonstrated by signing an amicus brief.
- Faculty members and students engage in myriad activities, with the arts being a popular avenue for self-expression and the pursuit of creative endeavors, further enriching the College community.
- As the College's reputation grows, it continues to attract a diverse pool of applicants for its limited spots, with the class of 2029 having a 17% acceptance rate and over 10,000 prospective students vying for admission.
- The College's tradition of continuous improvement is reflected in its commitment to providing the highest quality of education; evident in the Board of Trustees' decision to raise tuition to meet obligations to faculty and staff while maintaining the College's educational standards.
