MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm College Department of Athletics announced Wayne Currie and Patrice Russell as the December 2019 "Hawks Soar Higher" Award selections on Thursday.

All-Time Award Recipients

Debuting in the Fall of 2017, the special award was created to allow the Department of Athletics to recognize individuals that are instrumental to the College's efforts to offer a first-class, transformational student-athlete experience. The awards are issued each month during the academic year to two individuals employed by the institution outside of athletics.

Recipients will be colleagues, faculty, staff or administrators who advocate for Saint Anselm student-athletes and go above and beyond in their contributions each day on the Hilltop.

Currie came to the Hilltop in August 2016 as the Director of the Fr. Jonathan Center for Intercultural Learning and Inclusion. Currie and his staff are dedicated to the success of Saint Anselm students who identify with a racial or ethnic background, first generation, students with limited income, international, commuters and any other group on campus. The Center provides various support services that strengthen self-efficacy, resilience and a sense of belonging - Currie regularly works with student-athletes through his work.

"I am very surprised and honored to be recognized by the Department of Athletics with this award," said Currie. "As a former collegiate coach, I understand the how powerful and transcendent athletics can be. It can bridge the gaps, bring people with relatively nothing in common together, and gives many the unbelievable and life changing opportunities. This is why I support and will continue to support the athletes here at Saint Anselm."

Russell, a member of the Saint Anselm Class of 1993, is the College's Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations and Advancement Programming. Joining the Hilltop in February of 2016, Russell regularly interacts with former student-athletes and collaborates on special events and anniversary years for Athletics. Russell and her staff collaborate with Athletics Communications at Saint Anselm to spread the word about student-athlete achievements while making connections between current student-athletes and alumni for professional development opportunities.

"I was truly surprised to receive this award," said Russell. "I thoroughly enjoy working with our student-athletes, past and present, and recognizing their achievements during their time at Saint Anselm."