Reflecting on another year full of light and hope.
As 2025 nears its end, relive some of the experiences that helped define Stonehill’s mission of educating hearts and minds throughout the year!
1. A Game-Changing Experience: Whether you were rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles or the Kansas City Chiefs—or simply watching to get a glimpse of Taylor Swift in the stands—Super Bowl LIX was memorable for the Stonehill community. During the big game, sport management majors from the Leo J. Meehan School of Business served as staff at NFL House, a premier VIP hospitality center. This experiential learning opportunity allowed Skyhawks to gain real-world exposure to high-level event operations. Read more about Stonehill’s Super Bowl Experience.
2. A Groundbreaking Graduate Program: In March, the Meehan School announced plans to launch a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree during the 2025–2026 academic year. Designed to prepare students to become strategic, creative and ethical business leaders, the MBA is the latest addition to the College’s suite of Graduate & Professional Studies programs. Read more about Stonehill’s MBA.
3. An Inspiring Speech: Jaelyn DeBoise ’26 represented the Stonehill community with distinction at the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund Annual Banquet—America’s largest golf dinner—on Monday, April 21, at Encore Boston Harbor. Addressing a sold-out crowd of 1,700 guests, the women’s golf team captain spoke about her journey to Stonehill, her experiences working at country clubs in Massachusetts, and the impact of the Ouimet Scholarship Fund. Read more about DeBoise.
4. A Foundation for Success & Happiness: Stonehill’s 74th Commencement, held on Sunday, May 18, was a real home run. During the program, degree recipients from the Class of 2025 received words of wisdom from Joe Castiglione P’96, former announcer for the Boston Red Sox. The broadcaster encouraged graduates to strive for “compassionate wisdom,” calling it “a basic foundation for success and happiness.” In addition to serving as keynote speaker, Castiglione received an honorary degree alongside Stonehill Trustee Elizabeth (Fox) Hayden ’76, P’04. Read more about Commencement 2025.
Associate Professor of Sport Management Annemarie Farrell (center) with her students at the NFL House during the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX.
Jaelyn DeBoise ’26 speaks at the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund Annual Banquet on Monday, April 21.
Joe Castiglione P'96 addresses the Class of 2025 at Commencement, held on Sunday, May 18.
5. A Landmark Gift: Days after Commencement 2025, the College announced that Tom ’72 and Kathleen Bogan had committed $15 million—the largest gift in Stonehill’s history—to support the construction of a new ice hockey and basketball arena. In recognition of their philanthropy, the facility will be named the Tom & Kathleen Bogan Arena. President John Denning, C.S.C., noted that Bogans’ gift will “transform Stonehill by enabling us to expand our campus, foster community spirit and support our Division I athletic teams with state-of-the-art training and competition space.” Read more about the Tom & Kathleen Bogan Arena.
6. An Athletic Upgrade: Stonehill was approved for full NCAA Division I membership in June 2025. Originally on a four-year reclassification track after transitioning to Division I athletics in 2022, Stonehill accelerated the process after new NCAA legislation was passed in January 2025. The reclassification has made 22 out of 23 varsity sports programs at Stonehill eligible for NCAA postseason competition. Read more about Stonehill’s elevation to full DI status.
7. A Community Celebration: It has not only been a banner year for Stonehill, but also for the Town of Easton, which celebrated its tricentennial in 2025. Campus community members shared their Shovel Town spirit by marching alongside a Skyhawk float at the Easton 300 Parade, held on Saturday, July 12. Designed by Olly deMacedo ’82, the elaborate creation included a statue of Ace along with other flourishes embodying Hill history. Read more about the Town of Easton.
A rendering by SLAM Collaborative showcasing the proposed exterior of the Bogan Arena.
Olly deMacedo ’82 drives Stonehill College's float during the Easton 300 parade on Saturday, July 12.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Peter Ubertaccio (left) and President John Denning (right) honor Professor of Chemistry Leon Tilley (center) with the 2025 Hegarty Award for Excellence in Teaching during Academic Convocation, held on Thursday, August 28.
Class President Ian O'Connor '26 with the senior class shovel, which was presented during Academic Convocation.
8. A Framework for the Future: The College officially unveiled Stonehill 2030: Building Together at the start of the 2025–2026 academic year. This strategic plan offers a roadmap for Stonehill’s future by outlining many of the initiatives that the institution plans to bring to life over the next five years. These include the establishment of a nursing education program, the construction of the Bogan Arena, the implementation of the Experiential Education Guarantee and more. Learn more about Stonehill 2030: Building Together.
9. A Shared Mission: As a campus that cherishes its time-honored traditions, the Stonehill community also embraces new ways to unite in support of its shared mission. In this spirit, the College hosted its inaugural Day of Scholarship & Faith on Thursday, August 28. The celebration combined several signature programs into one day, including the Mass of the Holy Spirit and Convocation, among others. Enjoy highlights from Day of Scholarship & Faith.
Stonehill fans prepare to enjoy refreshing cans of Hillhaus.
Paul Finn ’71 and Head Football Coach Eli Gardner greet each other during the Family Weekend football game on Saturday, September 20.
10. A Festive Fall Season: The vibrant spirit of Stonehill was palpable during Family Weekend and Homecoming this fall, as families and alumni visited campus for a full slate of activities and Skyhawk games. Adding to the excitement of these celebrations was the launch of Hillhaus, a Stonehill-themed Oktoberfest Märzen crafted by Shovel Town Brewery in Easton.
11. A Lasting Legacy: Honoring Stonehill’s tradition of gridiron greatness, the College officially announced its first named coaching position in September 2025. This milestone was made possible through the Paul Finn ’71 Head Football Coach Endowment Fund, established by Finn, a founding member of the Knights (Stonehill’s former club football team). Eli Gardner was named the inaugural Paul Finn Head Coach in recognition of his commitment to student-athlete development. Read more about the fund.
12. A Compassionate Curriculum: In November 2025, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing granted Stonehill initial approval to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Scheduled to launch in August 2026, this degree will pair innovative clinical practice with an education rooted in empathy. President Denning expressed his excitement about this development, noting, “I look forward to welcoming our first cohort to campus next fall, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to thrive as compassionate caregivers.” Learn more about Stonehill’s BSN program.
Employee Health & Wellness Coordinator Monique Avila (center) offers a lesson on measuring blood pressure.