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Sarah Collins Rudolph is the sole survivor of the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing in Birmingham, Alabama—a horrific act of racial violence that took the lives of four young Black girls, including her sister, Addie Mae Collins. Severely injured and permanently blind in one eye Sarah’s life was forever changed by this tragic event, which became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

This week, Mrs. Collins Rudolph addressed the Anna Maria College community to share a message of strength, compassion and resilience. Despite enduring physical and emotional scars, Sarah has dedicated her life to sharing her story, preserving the memory of those lost, and advocating for justice. Her courage offers powerful lessons on the impact of racism, the importance of remembrance, and the enduring fight for civil rights.

During a haunting retelling of the church bombing, Mrs. Collins Rudolph described getting ready at home, walking the 16 blocks to church, being with her sister and friends after Sunday School in the Church’s downstairs ladies lounge, the deafening blast, the glass in her eyes, and the church deacon who lifted her through the rubble. “Why did they kill those little girls,” she later asked herself when she learned more about the bombing. As part of her healing journey, she later forgave her attackers. “God saved my life. I was supposed to be dead. I had to forgive them. God kept me going so this story could stay alive.”

After answering several questions from students and attendees, Sarah, joined by her husband George, a Vietnam Vet, inscribed her book, “The 5th Little Girl.” A copy is available in the Anna Maria library.

Coverage of this event from the Telegram & Gazette

Video of Sarah Collins Rudolph’s Visit to Anna Maria College

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The latest nursing licensure numbers are in, and Anna Maria College’s 2024 nursing students have achieved an outstanding 96% NCLEX-RN pass rate. This places them well above the national average, which currently stands at 83.51% for first-time, U.S.-educated baccalaureate degree test-takers from October to December and 91.92% year-to-date. A total of 26 Anna Maria nursing students took the exam, continuing the College’s tradition of excellence. 100% of the nursing class was employed after graduation.

“As the Dean of Nursing & Health Sciences at Anna Maria College, I am incredibly proud of our 96% NCLEX-RN pass rate,” says Dr. Emily K. Cabrera, EdD, MSN, RN. “This reflects the resilience of our students and the dedication of our faculty. Our holistic approach, combining rigorous nursing courses with a strong foundation in critical thinking, communication, and leadership, ensures our graduates are well-prepared for the complexities of modern healthcare.”

In addition to academic excellence, Anna Maria College recently enhanced student learning through a state-of-the-art upgrade of its nursing facilities. Thanks to $1,000,000 in community project funding secured by Congressman James P. McGovern, the College’s new nursing simulation lab and paramedic education space welcomed students during the Fall 2024 semester. These enhancements provide students with advanced, hands-on training to better prepare them for real-world healthcare settings.

The need for skilled nurses remains urgent. The federal government projects that an additional 275,000 nurses will be required by 2030 to prevent a significant workforce shortfall. In Massachusetts alone, a 2022 survey by the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association found approximately 19,000 unfilled acute care hospital positions. Anna Maria College is committed to addressing these workforce shortages by continuing to prepare highly qualified nursing graduates who are ready to make a difference.

The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing provides pass rate data to college nursing programs. The full list is available at: https://www.mass.gov/doc/percent-of-first-time-rn-licensure-candidates-educated-in-massachusetts-regardless-of-state-of-initial-licensure-pdf/download.

Read more about Anna Maria’s Nursing program, online RN to BSN program, and our School of Nursing and Health Sciences and how it continues to shape the future of healthcare.

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Wachusett Regional High School and Anna Maria College have recently elevated their partnership with new opportunities for students interested in the Criminal Justice field. The new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wachusett Regional High School and Anna Maria College provides students with a seamless pathway to higher education in criminal justice and related fields. This partnership offers accelerated college acceptance, scholarship opportunities, and dual enrollment programs that enable students to begin earning college credits while still in high school.

“The partnership between Wachusett and Anna Maria College has a rich history, dating back to the early nineties when we first recognized the need for a dedicated criminal justice program,” says retired Holden Police Chief David Armstrong, senior advisor to criminal justice operations at Anna Maria College. “This agreement continues to provide students with invaluable opportunities to explore the field and prepare for modern-day policing challenges.”

This agreement responds to the increasing demand for skilled criminal justice professionals. With law enforcement agencies seeking officers equipped with modern policing techniques, the partnership offers students an educational foundation and hands-on experience to meet these evolving needs. Through dual enrollment, students can gain early exposure to college-level coursework, preparing them for a smooth transition to higher education.

High school students have the opportunity to complete over a semester’s worth of college coursework before graduating, helping them adapt to the academic rigor of college while reducing overall tuition costs. The program includes general education courses along with specialized classes such as CRJ 140: History of Crime in America, providing a well-rounded foundation for future careers in criminal justice.

Financial support is a key benefit of the agreement, with guaranteed scholarships available based on GPA. This initiative makes higher education more accessible and affordable for aspiring criminal justice professionals, ensuring they can focus on their studies and career aspirations.

The renewed partnership between Wachusett Regional High School and Anna Maria College creates valuable opportunities for both students and the community. It provides a structured, supportive pathway to higher education and promising career opportunities in law enforcement and public service. Through dual enrollment programs, career-oriented events, and valuable internships, students gain real-world experience that prepares them to serve their communities effectively. This partnership continues to create opportunities for students passionate about making a difference in the criminal justice field.

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On Friday, June 10, Anna Maria College informed the 21 students in its three music majors (Music, Music Education, and Music Therapy) of our intention to discontinue these programs at the end of the 2023-24 Academic Year. The announcement comes after a lengthy examination of music’s future viability as an academic major with recent years of declining music enrollment. The College is committed to helping all of its music students with their path forward. Of the 21 students, 15 are juniors and seniors who can continue their existing path at Anna Maria College toward a music degree. Faculty will work individually with all music students, including the six sophomores, to support their academic plans.

Efforts over the years to support and strengthen the music programs have not resulted in more students choosing Anna Maria for music studies, even as other majors at the College have experienced enrollment growth. Looking forward, we do not see any different variables that will bring music enrollment to a level that would sustain the program for the future. Unlike most other academic majors, music is a collective undertaking, where it takes a complete group of performers to make the learning experience vibrant and viable.

Anna Maria is fully committed to the Catholic liberal arts foundation that guides all our programs incorporated with our mission centered on the community-oriented professions.

For more information please visit: https://annamaria.edu/music-programs-statement

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Anna Maria College Concert Chorus 

Connie Vanco Galli, Director 

James Hay, Accompanist 

A-Wassailing Traditional, Arranged by Chad Weirick 

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Richard Burchard (b. 1960) 

Sarah Hall, Frankie Schuman, Soloists 

O Nata Lux Richard Ewer (b. 1955) 

Anna Maria College Concert Chorus and  
Shepherd Hill Regional High School Women’s Choir 

Becky Bussiere, Shepherd Hill Regional High School Director  

Brightest and Best arr. Shawn Kirchner (b. 1970) 

Angel Hernandez, Violin 

The Winters Night, Nicholas Myers (b. 1990) 

Anna Maria College Concert Chorus 

Veni, Veni Emmanuel Michael John Trotta (b. 1978) 

Stephanie Block, Adrianna Celeste, Raschelle Robert, Frankie Schuman, Soloists 

Paul Boisvert, Landon Chesney, Joshua Hickey, Percussion 

Anna Maria College Concert Chorus and Bel Canto Chamber Choir 

Silent Night, arr. Dan Forrest (b. 1978) 

String Quartet 

Bel Canto Chamber Choir 

Reagan G. Paras, Director 

Gloria Antonio, Vivaldi (1678-1741) 

I.  Gloria 

IIX.  Cum Sancto Spiritu 

O Magnum Mysterium, Thomâs Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) 

Anna Maria College Wind Ensemble  

Miriam Jensen, Director  

Emperata Overuture, Claude T. Smith (1932-1987) 

Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song,   Samuel Hazo (b. 1966) 

Chorale and Alleluia,  Howard Hanson (1896-1981) 

Toccata,  Girolamo Frescobaldi/arr. Earl Slocum (b. 1583) 

African Holy Night,   arr. Robert W. Smith (b. 1958) 

Holiday Portraits,  Sean O’Laughlin (b. 1972) 

Sisters of Saint Anne and The Anna Maria College Choral Ensembles 

Reagan G. Paras and Connie Vanco Galli, Directors 

James Hay, Accompanist 

Angels We Have Heard on High, arr. Wayne Fisher (b. 1953) 

String Quartet 

Joshua Hickey, Percussionist 

Anna Maria College Wind Ensemble 

Miriam J. Jensen – Director 

Flute  

Marie Hanna   

Jay Kast-Tuttle ∞   

Katie Parker ∞  

Madison Piehler* Treasurer  

Kaitlyn Teixeira* President   

Bass Clarinet   

Raschelle Robert* Librarian   

Trumpet  

Christopher Hanks  

Angela Quartarone  

Conrad Waack* Vice President  

Trombone  

Amanda Nye    

Euphonium 

Seth Ward 

Clarinet 

Morgan Figueira 

Emily Saba 

Erica White 

Alto Saxophone 

Brian Gionet 

Tenor Saxophone 

Mark Weissman ∞ 

Bari Saxophone 

Peter Pasierb ∞ 

Horn 

Theresa Terlato* Publicist 

Percussion 

Paul Boisvert* SGA Representative 

Landon Chesney* Equipment Manager 

Joshua Hickey 

Emily Kropo* Secretary 

Kendall Manness 

Nicholas Roth 

* – Wind Ensemble Officers 

∞ – Guest Artist 

Concert Chorus 

Soprano 1 

Stephanie Block* Treasurer 

Adrianna Celeste* Vice President 

Alexis Desmarais 

Sarah Hall* President 

Alianna LeClair* SGA Representative 

Chloe Panico* Secretary 

Raschelle Robert* Librarian  

Soprano 2 

Juanita Feeney 

Hannah Roberts 

Frankie Schuman 

Sarah Soller Mihlek 

Seth Ward 

Alto 1 

Elizabeth Anderson 

Leena Pariseau* Publicist 

Alexis Phillips 

Emily Randall 

Alto 2 

El Bowen 

Laurie Cowgill 

Marikruz Montijo 

Alexis Sorrell 

Bridget Venuti 

Bel Canto Chamber Choir 

Soprano  

Allison Donais 

Raschelle Robert 

Frankie Schumann  

Alto  

Elizabeth Anderson 

Amanda Nye 

Leena Pariseau 

Tenor 

Vincent Cartagirone 

Conrad Waack 

Bass 

Brian Gionet 

Christopher Hanks 

Chamber Orchestra 

Trumpet: Jeff Connor 

Flute: Jay Kast 

Violin I: Angel Hernandez 

Violin II: David Siegel 

Viola: Susan Kirchhausen 

Cello: Caroline Reiner-Williams 

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Welcome Sherman! Before we get to our three questions, can you share a little bit about your career journey?

Sure thing. Prior to joining Anna Maria College, I was the Community Director and Conflict Resolution/Mediation Specialist at Wellesley College. In that role I worked closely with student leaders, campus police, campus counseling services and other university units to facilitate student well-being and persistence as well as meaningful and productive dialogue around a variety of complex community issues.

I also spent a total of 31 combined years in military service which included almost 20 years in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, and prior to that, 11 years in the Army Reserves. In the Air National Guard, I was the Inspector General, 104^th Fighter Wing, until 2016. I was the first African American Inspector General at Barnes Air National Guard Base. As Inspector General, I provided a neutral, confidential, formal, and informal space for base members to file high-level complaints and provided mediation and dialogue to base members to assist with resolving conflicts. Prior to that I served as Chief of Military Equal Opportunity for several years where I addressed discrimination and sexual harassment complaints from Air National Guard members.

I have a BA in history and Psychology as well as a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the State University of New York at Oswego. I also hold a Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University. It’s great to now be at Anna Maria College.

1. What attracted you to this role at Anna Maria College?

Well, I just retired from the Air National Guard (ANG) five years ago, and for my last 12 years in the ANG, I was working in, or closely with, the office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Even though I continued my work in college administration after I retired, it wasn’t in DEI, so I have been missing this type of work and decided to return.

2. Based on your experience, what’s the state of Diversity and Inclusion at Anna Maria?

I think that my predecessor left the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in a good place. Right away I was able to see that it is a supportive office with a lot of different and important functions. I am looking forward to following through with some of the things that she initiated, and to building even more developmental growth for the office. Our students have some definite ideas about programs and opportunities designed to create a culture of belonging and I’m looking forward to working closely with them to explore those ideas together.

3. What’s your biggest piece of advice for building a strong D&I culture at a college or company?

My best advice for building a strong D&I culture would be to listen to the needs of the community that you serve. Every college or company is different, and with these differences, there are different needs. You may never find out the needs of the community unless you are truly listening to what people have to say. And as you listen, you have to have the courage to make changes, if needed.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is located in the Campus Center, in the Student Life office suite. Sherman Cowan can be reached at scowan@annamaria.edu or by phone at 508/849-3396.

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