My first ten months at Assumption College have been most interesting, fast-paced, and enjoyable. I am firmly convinced, as I stated to the Assumption College academic community last fall, that: "A small, residential, Catholic, liberal arts and sciences college is a good place to be in light of the needs of our society in the 21st century."
I have just enjoyed a campus celebration which included my inaugural, our baccalaureate mass and banquet, and our 82nd commencement. It is abundantly clear that our "Learn. Achieve. Contribute." theme, which emphasizes behaviors and values consistent with our motto, "Until Christ be formed in you," is exactly right for us at Assumption College. The year-long leadership of SGA President Joe Parrillo, a baccalaureate address by Senior Class President Aida Lembo, and the commencement address by Valedictorian Kate Hoey were outstanding testimonials to the intellectual and spiritual power of this learning environment. As I suggested at commencement, "God indeed shed his grace on this place."
As Chancellor Fr. Wilfrid Dufault, A.A. '29 stated at the inauguration, "Catholic universities must be ever vigilant with fulfilling their duty towards students, their parents and the Church in being what they say they are, this despite the overwhelming counter-influences in our world." This is a challenging task, but we have almost 100 years of proven performance relative to this objective. With so much positive energy directed towards constructive educational purposes, undergirded by the Catholic intellectual tradition, I am confident in my advocacy of Assumption College.
With the ongoing leadership of the trustees and alumni, the professional expertise of the faculty and staff, the energy of our students and the excellence of their leadership, and the fiscal and moral support of our friends, Assumption College will move from a well-regarded little "r", little "i" (regional institution) in New England to a highly regarded big "R", big "I" (Regional Institution) in the Northeast.
I have talked about "treasures" of Assumption College in other editions of this magazine. I now proudly relate to you the fact that we will be "loaning" one of our campus treasures to Rome. The Very Reverend Richard E. Lamoureux, A.A. '64, former provost, and a member of the College faculty (assistant professor of Art History), has been elected superior general of the Assumptionist Order. He serves as co-director of the d'Alzon-Milleret Center with Sister Clare Teresa Tjader of the Religious of the Assumption. Fr. Richard has been very active in the Congregation of the Assumptionists, serving as provincial superior, director of formation and master of novices. He has organized numerous international retreats as well as sessions on formation and education.
I am certain that Fr. Richard knows that we will miss his substantial presence here at the College, but we know we now have a friend and counselor in Rome, and that the Assumptionists will be wonderfully served by the leadership and spirituality of Fr. Richard. Our prayers go with him as he undertakes his new awesome responsibilities.

Thomas R. Plough
President