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ONE PROGRAM, TWO COASTS
With State Approval, College Moves Forward on Plans for New England Campus
Some 200 friends of Thomas Aquinas College recently gathered on its New England campus, rejoicing in the news that the College has taken a large step toward bringing its program of Catholic liberal education to the East Coast. “We have endeavored to trust in the Lord throughout this entire process,” said President Michael F. McLean, “from acquiring the campus in May 2017 through the arduous process of gaining the approval of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education — an approval we are celebrating today.”
Having received the Board’s approval, the College is now seeking an extension of its accreditation to the New England campus, a process to which it anticipates a favorable conclusion in the near future. “Pending the approval of the WASC Senior College and University Commission, we will be able to begin admitting students in New England,” says Dr. McLean. “In the meantime, we are accepting student applications and, of course, friends’ donations to cover the costs of readying the campus for student use.”
College officials are additionally making other preparations for the opening of the branch campus this fall. “We have already selected some initial faculty for New England, and those tutors and their families will, no doubt, begin to make moving plans,” says Dr. McLean. “We are also planning to host East Coast versions of the High School Summer Program and Summer Seminars in 2019.”
One Program, Two Coasts 
Video of the New England campus
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Thomas Aquinas College, New England
President McLean at the New England reception
Video of the New England campus
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“A MARK OF TRANSITION”
Board of Governors Honors College Founder
Peter L. DeLuca
At their annual fall retreat, members of the Thomas Aquinas College Board of Governors took time to honor the Board’s longest-serving member, Peter L. DeLuca.
“Peter, of course, is not only a founder of Thomas Aquinas College, he was the College’s first employee,” said President Michael F. McLean during a dinner in his honor. “Over the years, he has worn almost every hat in the administration, in charge at various times of the College’s business affairs, finances, fundraising, and development. He served as vice president for finance and administration, the position he recently relinquished, for 22 years, and served nobly and admirably, with the best interest of the College at heart in every decision, consideration, meeting, and conversation.”
After nearly 50 years of service to the College, Mr. DeLuca stepped down as an administrator this fall, turning his energies more fully to the classroom, where he continues to teach in the College’s program of Catholic liberal education. “I believe in what we are doing, and I believe in it even more now,” he said. “This is what the Church and the country need. This is the kind of thing that builds a civilization — and re-builds a civilization.”
Full story
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Peter L. DeLuca
Mr. DeLuca and
Dr. McLean |
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STudent PERSPECTIVE
Senior Tells NC Register:
“Synod Shouldn’t Listen to Me”
By Kelly Salomon
National Catholic Register
Even as the bishops attending [last] month’s Youth Synod in Rome strive mightily to demonstrate that they hear the wishes and concerns of young people, I was surprised when a Catholic college student told me that he doesn’t much care if the Church listens to him.
Isaac Cross first heard about the Youth Synod when he was asked to participate in the preparatory survey. One of the opening questions has stuck with him: “As a young person, do you feel that the Church listens to you?”
Isaac didn’t like the question.
“What really matters is if I listen to the Church and learn from its wisdom,” he told me. “The Church is built upon thousands of years of tradition and doctrine, and I have especially found at college how striving to understand that doctrine of the Church is a vital means of strengthening [one’s] faith.”
Isaac is a student at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California, which is recommended in The Newman Guide for its strong Catholic identity. So he’s serious about the Faith and his need for authentic Catholic education.
Continue reading
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Isaac Cross (’19) |
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FAITH IN ACTION
Highlights from the College’s Alumni Blog
• On November 2, Dr. Matthew J. Peterson (’01) re-published a tribute to College founder Marcus Berquist that he had published eight years earlier, on the day of Mr. Berquist’s death. “Mr. Berquist’s quiet manner was the surface of deep-seated humility and discipleship,” wrote Mr. Peterson, vice-president of education at The Claremont Institute and editor of The American Mind. “The docility of his soul toward truth served as an unshakable foundation from which the strong and steady gait of his mind moved indomitably toward wisdom.” The full essay is available on the College’s website.
• The city of Klamath Falls, Oregon, has a new City Attorney: Michael Swanson (’93). The City Council named Mr. Swanson, who previously served for 20 years as a deputy district attorney, to his new position at its September 17 meeting. He began the very next day. “We are extremely excited to bring Mr. Swanson on to our City of Klamath Falls team,” said Council President Phil Studenberg. “He brings over two decades of commitment to this community and many strong partnerships.”
• A regular guest on the Catholic Answers Live radio program, Rev. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem. (’94), appeared on the November 5 episode to discuss religious freedom. But before getting to the topic of the day, Mr. Kellett wanted to know more about Thomas Aquinas College. And so Fr. Sebastian described his recent trip to the Bay State, where he offered Mass and spoke at the College’s New England campus. To which Mr. Kellett replied, “Congratulations to your alma mater embarking on this new endeavor. We can all pray that it’s successful!”
Faith in Action blog
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Dr. Matthew J. Peterson (’01)
Sharon and Michael Swanson (’93)
Rev. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem. (’94)
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PRAYERS FOR CHRISTMAS & aDVENT
Chaplains to Offer Novena of Masses
Beginning on December 16, and ending on Christmas Eve, the chaplains of Thomas Aquinas College will offer the College’s Annual Christmas Novena of Masses in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel. “We first came up with the idea for the Christmas Novena three years ago, as a way for the College’s friends to pray for their loved ones and their intentions,” says President Michael F. McLean. “The idea was so well-received that the Novena has become an annual tradition.”
During Advent each person enrolled in the Novena will receive a beautiful, personalized card from the College. On the front, the card features a nighttime photo of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, framed by a seasonal green border. Inside, it informs recipients of their inclusion in the Novena, as well as the name of their sponsors. The cost for each card, which includes shipping and handling, is $5.
More than just a Christmas greeting, the Novena card brings the promises of nine Holy Masses and the prayers of the students, faculty, chaplains, and staff of Thomas Aquinas College. “This is a wonderful way for our friends to include their loved ones in the spiritual life of the College,” says Dr. McLean. “We invite everyone to enroll, and hope all of our friends will join us in praying for the entire College community this Advent.”
Enroll now!
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