’Twas the night before Christmas

’Twas the night before Christmas and Salve was still,

Students, faculty and staff were home drinking cocoa to ward off the chill;

Together in spirit we were all in good cheer,

Thinking of the great things that happened at Salve this year.

At Commencement the ’25 graduates nestled all snug in their rows,

While visions of diplomas and pathways arose;

508 left with bachelor’s, 235 with advanced degrees,

While in the fall, our new students were 585 first-years, transfers and some from overseas.

When out on the campus, construction made a clatter,

New res hall and pavilion, we couldn’t be gladder;

Over 60 clubs and rec sports are still going strong,

From rugby and dance to even ping pong.

A mobile unit for nursing students so eager and kind,

Brought health and wellness to Newport with service in mind;

Studying far and wide, students learned hands-on,

From Rose Island to the basin of the Amazon.

Salve and Fundación Magdalena filled our gallery with pride,

Exhibiting Iturbide’s works — and some from young photographers’ eyes;

With the Cliff Walk and mansions, Salve’s a stunning location,

Condé Nast named us one of the most beautiful in the nation.

Our baseball team climbed to the top,

Becoming NEWMAC champions, they couldn’t be stopped;

But this year in the air was another delight,

We raised over $200,000 during Seahawks Take Flight.

A Doris Duke honor for history preserved,  

Our 2025 award was most well-deserved;

The Gilded Age featured us: season three, episode five,  

While “Anastasia” on Broadway kept the theatre students’ dreams alive.

Our graduate programs continue to grow,

A master’s in special education we can now bestow;

As new tech arises and AI is boomin’,

Our humanities students explore what it means to be human.

Our Seahawks now hail from 18 countries and 38 states,  

Top majors in nursing and psych put a lot on their plates;

The Pell Center's "Story in the Public Square" lit up the screen,  

With its 400th episode and Telly Awards that have become a routine.

Our Sammy the Seahawk kept crowds in a roar,

Dressed as Gravy the Turkey and Tay Swift had them asking for more;

The feeds twinkled brightly with Seahawk delight,

As Sam Sacco ran socials from morning till night.

President Armstrong sat in Ochre Court with cheer,  

Reflecting with pride on a remarkable year;

From classrooms to fields, and through every hall,  

So much has been accomplished across campus by all;

She sprang over to Ruggles, and gave him a whistle,

And away they both flew like the down of a thistle;

But we heard her exclaim, ere she drove out of sight—

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”