Ashwin Prabaharan ‘26 and Will McHale ‘26
Co-Editors-in-Chief
The Spire conducted our latest interview with President Rougeau over email in late March due to scheduling issues preventing an in-person interview. The topics of conversation included the commencement speaker for the Class of 2026, the recent campus power outage, the search for new deans, plans for the fall semester, and advice for the graduating seniors entering a challenging job market.
Our first question for President Rougeau was about expectations for the Fall 2026 semester. “As we look ahead to the Fall semester, one key change I expect is the arrival of our new Vice President for Student Development,” stated President Rougeau. “Once on campus, I anticipate that the new VP will spend time on a ‘listening tour,’ meeting with students to hear directly about their experiences, concerns, and ideas for enhancing student life. They’ll also connect with faculty, staff, and other key members of the community to get a well-rounded understanding of what matters most to our campus. This will be a great opportunity for students to help shape the future of student development at Holy Cross.”
President Rougeau then provided his thoughts on the speakers for the 2026 Commencement Ceremony. Former Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker will deliver the commencement speech, while Tim Garvin, CEO of United Way of Central Massachusetts, will be awarded an honorary degree. “I’m honored to recognize both Charlie Baker and Tim Garvin at this year’s commencement. Their dedication to public service and to building stronger communities truly reflects the core values of a Holy Cross education. They serve as powerful examples for our graduates, who I hope will carry forward that same commitment to leadership and service. It is a privilege to celebrate them as honorary degree recipients and I am thankful to our Campus Honorary Degree Committee for their work in recommending them.”
The next topic of conversation was the ongoing search for replacements for Dean Charles Todd and Dean Michelle Murray. Todd, the Dean of Students, has accepted a position as Vice President for University Life at Columbia University while Murray, Senior Vice President for Student Development and Mission, has been named the next president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. “The nationwide search for a new Vice President for Student Development has attracted over 90 strong candidates, and we anticipate bringing finalists to campus in late April or early May. Various representative stakeholders, including student leaders identified in collaboration with the Student Government Association, will be involved in the process to help select the next Vice President.”
President Rougeau then provided updates on the recent power outage experienced on the Holy Cross campus. “The power outage that occurred on March 9 was caused by an off-campus incident in which a vehicle struck a utility pole adjacent to campus at approximately 2:15 p.m,” explained President Rougeau. “This incident disrupted power service to the surrounding neighborhood, including much of our campus. In response, our external power provider, National Grid, acted quickly, dispatching crews to assess and repair the damage. On our end, the College activated the Emergency Response Team to manage immediate life safety priorities and ensure operational continuity. I’m pleased to report that power was fully restored by approximately 3:50 p.m., and since then, campus operations have been running normally without further issues.” President Rougeau expressed his appreciation for the patience of the campus community during the brief outage and stated that he was “grateful for the swift action taken by National Grid and our Emergency Response Team to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”
Finally, The Spire asked President Rougeau for his insights and advice for the Class of 2026 as they approach graduation and enter into an increasingly difficult job market. “The current job market is, by many measures, challenging and unpredictable. But through the work of our Center for Career Development and through expanded internship, alumni mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities, we have been intentional in preparing students not only to secure opportunities, but to adapt and thrive in a changing professional landscape.” President Rougeau then addressed the Class of ‘26 directly: “remain open, be patient with yourselves, and trust that your path may not be linear. The first step after graduation does not define your entire career. Stay engaged in the practices that have shaped you here—asking good questions, listening deeply, and seeking work that aligns with your values. Lean on your Holy Cross community, including alumni networks and mentors, who are eager to support you.” President Rougeau encouraged graduates to measure their success not solely by immediate outcomes, but by the growth and impact of their work over time. “The world needs individuals who are not only capable, but also compassionate and principled. I am confident that the Class of 2026 will meet that need.”
Featured image courtesy of America Magazine
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