South Burlington residents Bolduc, Barrowclough, earn top awards from Saint Michael's senior class

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Sociology Professor Vince Bolduc wins Saint Michael's College Dupont Award

COLCHESTER, VT (05/22/2012)(readMedia)-- During Commencement Week activities May 11-14 at Saint Michael's College, South Burlington residents Vince Bolduc, professor of sociology, and David Barrowclough, associate registrar, each received a Reverend Gerald E. Dupont Award, presented annually to a student, faculty and a staff member for outstanding contributions to the Saint Michael's community that demonstrate "dedication to the ideals of courage, vision, devotion and faith upon which the college was founded." The awards are named for former president of the college, Rev. Gerald E. Dupont, SSE.

In presenting the award, Student Association President Michael Fay noted that Bolduc is the most senior member of his department. "This professor has been devoted to students and the entire Saint Michael's College community in various ways throughout his career," Fay said, citing Bolduc's dedication to the college's volunteer service program called MOVE (Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts). "It is clear through his research and fieldwork that he has a vision for the institution and the state in which it resides," he said. "On top of it all, his incorporation of spiritual growth into the classroom truly reflects the nature of the Edmundite tradition" -- a reference to the college's founding order of priests.

In his citation honoring Barrowclough, Fay said "the assistant registrar has some knowledge of every student on this campus since part of his job is to review each student's transcript "to ensure we each stay on track to graduate." Fay related testimonials from several students who deeply appreciated Barrowclough's helpful kindness as he continually checked in with them during important transitions in their academic careers. "His other-centeredness doesn't stop with his involvement with students," Fay said. "He also plays an integral role organizing the community service day that faculty and staff have each summer after we all leave."

The Dupont Award for a student went to Megan Flynn of Beverly, MA, for her work for the Student Association and in the classroom.

The Commencement speaker for Saint Michael's College this year was MTV media pioneer and humanitarian Tom Freston, a member of the Saint Michael's Class of 1967. He told the graduates that hard work is a key to their future. "My advice," he said, "is really to look for a career in fields that are on the ascent - social innovation - and bring an old-fashioned work ethic to them."

"There is great value and sustaining dignity in good old-fashioned hard work, whether that means crunching numbers or cleaning bathrooms," Freston said.

Some 478 students received bachelor's degrees and another 65 received master's degrees at the college's 105th commencement exercises, held May 14th in the college's Ross Sports Center. Some 4,000 people attended, including graduates and their families and friends, faculty and staff. Along with Freston, they heard excellent speeches from two students, the college president and the chairman of the board.

Learn What Matters at Saint Michael's College, The Edmundite Catholic liberal arts college, www.smcvt.edu. Saint Michael's provides education with a social conscience, producing graduates with the intellectual tools to lead successful, purposeful lives that will contribute to peace and justice in our world. Founded in 1904 by the Society of St. Edmund and headed by President John J. Neuhauser, Saint Michael's College is located three miles from Burlington, Vermont, one of America's top college towns. Identified by the Princeton Review as one of the nations Best 376 Colleges, and included in the 2012 Fiske Guide to Colleges, Saint Michael's has 1,900 undergraduate students and 500 graduate students. Saint Michael's students and professors have received Rhodes, Woodrow Wilson, Pickering, Guggenheim, Fulbright, and other grants. The college is one of the nation's top-100, Best Liberal Arts Colleges as listed in the 2012 U.S. News & World Report rankings.