Newsletter of the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

Winter 2019-2020

In the Footsteps of Christ Thomas More College in the Holy Land The Mount of Olives. The Sea of street where Christ carried his Cross. I so many graces—you could see how the Galilee. The Via Dolarosa. The Holy attended Mass on Calvary—yes, I prayed students were affected by the experience Sepulchre. For a privileged group the Sacrifice of Calvary on Calvary in so many ways. After every Mass there of Thomas More Students, staff, and itself.” was such a levity, such a joy.” faculty, these places are now more than The grace of attending private The pilgrimage would not have names, more than Scripture passages Masses in these holy sites was palpable been possible without the generous or scenes etched in glass. This past throughout the pilgrimage. “Celebrating support of Sean Feiler, a Manhattan July, President William Fahey, along the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in hedge fund manager, and Atlanta-based with over a dozen students from the Capernaum was such a powerful entrepreneur Frank Hanna III. “I had college, several staff members, Chaplain experience,” says Fr. Matthew Schultz, been seeking an opportunity for our Matthew Schultz and College supporter who served as Chaplain for the entire students to undertake a pilgrimage to Sean Feiler and his two eldest children, pilgrimage. “It was totally calm. The the Holy Land," says Fahey. "But many traveled nearly 6,000 miles to spend ten altar is right in front of the Sea of of our students come from large Catholic days walking in the footsteps of Christ in Galilee. It’s one thing to be connected families, and work full-time during the the Holy Land. to Christ—that’s the obvious connection summer to support their education at It was a transforming experience. for a Priest when he offers Mass. But to Thomas More. It is simply unrealistic “Christ came alive for me,” says senior be connected to Christ through St. Peter, to ask them to not only forego their Daniel Richert. “I stood at the Church through the papacy, through the bishops summer income but also to come up of Dominus Flevit and thought about and the entire priesthood—that was with the additional funds to travel to how Christ entered the city of Jerusalem simply overwhelming.” the Holy Land. The support of these and wept. I prayed the First Sorrowful “It was so edifying to walk into the two men was indispensible to making Mystery of the Rosary in the Garden various holy shrines to see the students this profound experience a reality for of Gethsemane. I prayed the Stations writing in their journals, praying, our students and the College, and we are of the Cross as I walked along the same singing,” says Fr. Schultz. “There were profoundly grateful." continued on page 12 Guardians of the Home 3

Newman & the Idea 6 of a College

Developing the Whole Person 8

Investing in the Future 11

The Society Page 15

College Pilgrims on The Way of the Cross 2 www.ThomasMoreCollege.edu Winter 2019-2020 3 Guardians of the Home Alumnae live out their vocation as mothers

If you do a Google search for the disease to be prevented, and abortion an irritation or suffocation, is actually meaning of “motherhood,” you will find treats it as a mistake to be fixed. Gay the greatest glory of a mother: “[W]hen a rather circular definition—motherhood ‘marriage’ disregards the need for both people begin to talk about this domestic defined as “the condition of being a a mother and a father, undermining duty as not merely difficult but trivial mother,” with the following sample the distinctions that make them each and dreary, I simply give up the question. sentence: “She balances motherhood unique. In vitro fertilization views . . . How can it be a large career to tell with a demanding career.” motherhood as a ‘right’ that a woman other people’s children about the Rule But motherhood, as countless pontiffs can demand, rather than a blessing for of Three, and a small career to tell one’s ommunitasA community newsletter have understood, is much more than a which she should be truly thankful.” own children about the universe? How “condition” a woman balances equally can it be broad to be the same thing to (or uneasily) with other commitments. It "True education of everyone, and narrow to be everything to Communitas is published by The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts is, rather, the privilege of serving as the the whole person someone?” thanks to the generous contributions of loyal supporters. nurturer of one’s children, as the head of Several years ago, Pope Emeritus the domestic sphere, as the “guardian” takes place in a Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Ratzinger, To support this publication go to: www.ThomasMoreCollege.edu/Support of the household. Pope Pius XI culture of prayer, echoed both Pius XI and Chesterton articulates the Catholic understanding in recognizing the disastrous effects the To subscribe: community, and www.ThomasMoreCollege.edu/Communitas of motherhood beautifully in his modern emphasis on utility has had on 1930 encyclical casti connubii, or “On beauty. That is the motherhood. In this “cult of efficiency,” Editor Publisher Layout Editor Christian Marriage.” Here he discusses he notes, “it is precisely woman who Amy Fahey William Fahey Dominic Cassella the disastrous cultural forces attempting kind of culture we is paying the greatest price.” When to liberate women from the arduous enjoyed at TMC, viewed within the narrow sphere of responsibilities of motherhood and usefulness, children are undesirable, and home life in the name of a benighted and that is the kind motherhood—ironically—unproductive. “emancipation”: “the woman is to be of culture I am now “Woman, who is creative in the truest freed at her own good pleasure from the sense of the word by giving life, does burdensome duties properly belonging striving to create in not ‘produce,’ however, in that technical to a wife as companion and mother.” sense which is the only one that is valued He continues: “This, however, is not my own home for our by a society more masculine than ever the true emancipation of woman, nor growing family." in its cult of efficiency. She is being that rational and exalted liberty which convinced that the aim is to ‘liberate’ belongs to the noble office of a Christian Pius XI was not alone in prophesying her, ‘emancipate’ her, by encouraging woman and wife.” It is, rather, “the such a comprehensive attack on her to masculinize herself, thus bringing debasing of the womanly character and motherhood. G. K. Chesterton also her into conformity with the culture the dignity of motherhood, and indeed penned a moving defense of motherhood of production and subjecting her to of the whole family, as a result of which for an age which, as Pius XI recognized, the control of the masculine society of the husband suffers the loss of his wife, had begun championing a dangerous technicians, of salesmen, of politicians the children of their mother, and the notion of “utility” that sought to who seek profit and power, organizing home and the whole family of an ever undermine the centrality of a mother’s everything, marketing everything, watchful guardian.” relationship with her child. “Babies instrumentalizing everything for their The words of Pius XI may strike many need not to be taught a trade,” he said own ends.” The end result of this today as hopelessly out of step with in What’s Wrong with the World, “but instrumentalized, masculizined view modern conceptions of womanhood, to be introduced to a world.” With his of woman, says Ratzinger is that she is shaped as they have been by the feminist trademark common sense and wit, he “robbed” of “motherhood.” movement of the past century. But observes that “woman is generally shut there is no denying that motherhood up in a house with a human being at the is under assault in our mainstream time when he asks all the questions that continued on page 4 culture. As one young Catholic writer, there are, and some that there aren't.” Michelle Bauman, has soberly observed, But Chesterton understands that being “Contraception treats motherhood as a “shut up” with her children, rather than 4 www.ThomasMoreCollege.edu Winter 2019-2020 5

continued from page 3 Guardians of the Home In a culture that does little to support Aja McCarthy (née Cowhig), ’11, media contacts.” Erin Kamprath (née Monfils), ’15, and much to denigrate motherhood, who hails from British Columbia, first Aja now directs an exponentially- married alumnus Augustine Kamprath, the College celebrates all of our came to Thomas More in 2008 as a expanding domestic network: she is who hails from Post Falls, Idaho, the alumnae who have made great personal, sophomore transfer student. After the mother of three active and adorable summer after they both graduated from professional, and financial sacrifices graduating in 2011, she served for two little boys—Damien (5), Xavier (3), and Thomas More College. They currently to embrace their vocation as mothers. years as a Research Assistant for the Raphael (1). live in Erin’s home state of Minnesota, These women have drawn upon the Development Office. During that time, "ThomasMore College helped prepare where Augustine works as a Contract formation they received at the College she began dating John McCarthy, then me for the vocation of wife and mother Administrator for the Minnesota to resist the lure of what the Church has a graduate student in Philosophy at in various ways. Dorm living taught Department of Transportation. Their described as a false “emancipation” and Boston College; they were married on me about the art of living with others; first son, John, was recently joined by “liberation,” and to selflessly direct their New Year’s Eve in 2013. managing spiritual duties, academic little brother Simeon (see the Society time and talent to the critical task of After her time in the College’s responsibilities, and community life Page). bringing order, beauty, and richness to Development Office, Aja took a showed me the value of an ordered day Before becoming a mother, Erin their households. position as Director of Marketing for and the peaceful satisfaction it brings; taught full-time at the Chesterton We asked two of the many Thomas Sophia Institute, a Catholic publishing witnessing the faculty families at Mass, Academy, a self-described “joyfully More alumnae mothers, Aja McCarthy company. “Aja was an incredible asset to banquets, and other formal and informal Catholic” classical high school in the and Erin Kamprath, to reflect on their our marketing team and to our staff as a occasions introduced me to the attractive Twin Cities co-founded by Chesterton four years at the College and consider whole,” recalls Sophia Institute President joys of family life. Such experiences Society President Dale Ahlquist. “She how those years helped prepare them Charlie McKinney. “She always brought planted seeds of desire—for the first performed like a veteran in spite of being for motherhood. In being “everything joy to her job, and her enthusiasm time—for the vocation that the Holy a rookie,” Ahlquist says of Erin’s teaching. to someone,” they are the embodiment for both the Catholic Faith and the Father esteemed so highly. Then-headmaster John Niemann recalls of what Pope Francis speaks of in Amoris mission of Sophia Institute Press was I think, however, that the most that “she had teacher written all over The Kamprath Family (Left to Right): Laetitia: “Mothers are the strongest truly infectious. She played a pivotal role significant way in which the College her. . . . I knew she would do well.” Erin, John, and Augustine (not pictured: newborn Simeon) antidote to the spread of self-centered in Sophia Institute Press’s exponential prepared me for the roles of wife and Niemann had hoped to offer Erin a individualism. . . . It is they who testify growth during her tenure, expanding mother was by teaching me what I did contract to continue teaching Latin ever have cared enough to found a bi- interactions with other adults that come to the beauty of life.” our network of reviewers, resellers, and not know. This was done through both and Algebra at the Academy. But when monthly discussion group so that I could with work outside the home. This can reading and the instruction Erin and Augustine discovered they form meaningful friendships—like the become frustrating or lonely for many of the faculty. The more I were to become parents, Erin left her ones that came so easily at TMC!—with of us, yet a robust life of the mind turns learned, the more I realized position in order to stay at home with other young moms, and give my son the what could feel like hours of emptiness what there was to learn, and their new baby. Now with a second son, opportunity to develop friendships of his into hours of freedom—freedom to my vulnerability to the pitfalls Erin continues to share her talents with own too? think about things that we are truly of ignorance and error came the community by teaching Ancient I doubt it. And because it was not invested in, and to not just think about increasingly into focus. My History through the Saint John Paul II God’s will for me ever to be immersed in them, but to put them into action. time at Thomas More College Education Guild. a thoroughly Catholic culture until my One of the things I think about taught me that the Church, "I really do wonder, if I had not gone years at Thomas More, I might not even the most is my children’s education— in her incredible maternal to Thomas More and become convinced have adopted these priceless practices spiritual, moral, practical, academic. wisdom—the fruit of centuries that beauty is not just a nice bonus, that help center one’s daily life around Thomas More College helped me become of philosophy, theology, but a real molding force upon our Christ: praying before commencing a better educator for our children by tradition, and revelation— souls, would I—a years-long neglecter or concluding times of study and giving me first-hand knowledge of what offers answers to correct my of indoor plants—ever have hazarded celebration as well as simple meals; is involved in a true education. During ignorance. She is the ultimate that attempt at designing and planting chanting the Divine Office, singing to my time there, I discovered just how guide to living my vocation. our large flower garden? Would I have St. Michael, and proposing impromptu much the distinct environment in which Without my years at the devoted so much time to freshening up rosary recitations; and living out the an education takes place influences what College, I would have been left every room in our home with carefully liturgical calendar with annual rituals kind of growth will actually happen. And with myself as a guide instead. chosen paint colors and decor? Would and festivities. true education of the whole person takes In short, the College I be as picky as I am about the quality The most obvious way that TMC place in a culture of prayer, community, introduced me to the wisdom of the illustrations in our children’s prepared me is the way it prepares and beauty. That is the kind of culture of the Church." books or as eager to drive further away for any vocation—by enlarging and we enjoyed at TMC, and that is the kind to attend a more beautiful church with enriching my mind. It is both a real of culture I am now striving to create in a more reverent liturgy? And if I had liberty and a real challenge as a mother my own home for our growing family." not become so convinced about the of young children to have neither the importance of community, would I mental distractions nor the frequent The McCarthy Family (Left to Right): Damien, Aja, Xavier, John, and Raphael 6 www.ThomasMoreCollege.edu Winter 2019-2020 7 Newman and the Idea of a College By President William Fahey, Ph.D once as one whole, of referring them British collegiate system. He defended scale is small. A university, Newman "Newman's greatest intellectual and moral needs. Professors severally to their true place in the the smaller, intimate, and character- repeatedly says, is really a kind of city: and administrators should thus recall universal system, of understanding focused colleges of Oxford against the it provides the stimulating background gift to Catholic passages such as this alongside the their respective values, and determining rising Universität not for nostalgic for human formation, but cannot give education is that famous Discourse Five: “I wish the their mutual dependence.” Much reasons, but because he was a close it. Only with a college can one say same spots and the same individuals to later, with minds far wiser than mine, reader and disciple of Aristotle, who there is a community. Newman’s own the idea of the be at once oracles of philosophy and I would participate in the creation understood that ideas must be grounded life and career was lived in such little university can only shrines of devotion. … I want the same of collegiate educational standards in particulars, and because he viewed communities—in Oxford and Dublin roof to contain both the intellectual inspired by and named after Newman’s education as concerned chiefly with especially. Newman viewed it as an find its integrity and the moral discipline.” Newman’s expression of “True Enlargement of the human person, and chiefly with a “abdication” of the educator’s vocation to educational vision reveals a program of Mind.” These remain the guiding student’s formation in virtue so that he eschew “the science” of making humans, when we come vigorous intellectual stimulation with principles of Thomas More College of could have a tolerable prospect of true a project sustainable only within a small down from the lofty students and teachers living a common St. John Henry Cardinal Newman Liberal Arts. happiness in life. residential community dedicated to life in a small, familial setting. That is, I suspect that my old teachers, like The Idea of a University has multiple virtue. heights of ideas to it reveals a college where faith and reason This essay first appeared in the November issue of most educators, doled out Newman’s audiences. The original lectures We would do well to follow Newman spend time with are not balancing against each other Inside the Vatican. It is reprinted here with kind Idea because it was the Catholic text were aimed at the Irish and English (as he followed Aristotle) and discover in a perpetual tension, but mutually permission. deemed acceptable by the secular professional and educated public. not merely his quotable expressions, but that lively, curious, enriching each other, because all Never have so many praised a man academy. Yet this was a problem. As I Newman wanted to allay suspicions his questions, his way of thinking, and members of the community—student, so much after reading him so little. but inexperienced trod along my own educational path, about the newly-proposed Catholic especially his way of living. Newman’s teacher, and staff—are committed That comment is not a criticism of St. I soon encountered the difficulty of University in Ireland and to prepare greatest gift to Catholic education is that creature called a to pursuing holiness and virtue with John Henry Newman, but rather an reading only the Idea. I regularly met the Irish—so long deprived of vigorous the idea of the university can only find ardor equal to their pursuit of wisdom, observation about those of us in higher student, and tend Catholics and non-Catholics who institutional paths towards education— its integrity and realize its purpose when knowledge, and technical expertise. education. Most educators—Catholic turned solely to the ubiquitous Discourse with a vision that was broad and we come down from the lofty heights carefully to his Without this intimate understanding of and non-Catholic—know that they Five—“Knowledge its Own End”—or generous. Newman himself never of ideas to spend time with that lively, the college, Catholic education remains should have read Newman, and most intellectual and simply cited Newman’s opening remark viewed the Idea as we do. The Idea of a curious, but inexperienced creature merely an idea. know that his Idea of a University is that the object of university studies is University was just that—an idea, a study called a student, and tend carefully to his moral needs." considered important, but few have “intellectual, not moral,” and used the of a thing in general. It was one work actually spent the time struggling with words as a battering ram to tear down among many. What Newman spent Newman’s essays, books, and sermons, any remaining semblance of a program more time in crafting, and what reflected and fewer still have gone to the heart of which linked education with moral much more of Newman’s experience his educational philosophy, which lies formation. with and practice of education, is a outside of the Idea. To this day, teachers and especially work published simultaneously with I may be part of the last generation administrators heap lofty praise on the Idea entitled The Office and Work of of undergraduates who were required to Newman’s Idea of a University, but Universities (1856). read The Idea of a University, or at least they know little beyond slogans about What the Idea does not treat parts of it. I can still remember a wet Newman, and his ideas are twisted is precisely that which could give autumn day, when we cracked open down into little more than a liberal education, in Newman’s words, its our new editions of the Idea. We had understanding of academic freedom. “well-being” and its “integrity.” What been told to leap forward and race to His grand educational project was just was missing from the Idea was “the the heights of Victorian prose. It was that—grand. And, in fairness, perhaps College.” And this, I would argue, is dreadfully hard going. I did my best it is hard for an administrator pressed for Newman’s great gift to education: his and, though I couldn’t always see how we time or a teacher without the habit of vision of the college. As he put it in The were to apply Newman’s moving essays to study even to attempt to grasp Newman’s Office and Work of Universities, a college our own lives, I was inspired, especially educational vision in its integrity. That is the “corrective” of the university, by Newman’s vision of a synthetizing vision occupied nearly the whole of because in the small residential system of mind which had the capacity for seeing his life; it grew out of a deadly duel in education there is “virtuous and paternal the interrelationship of parts. This, then, Europe over whether or not the German discipline.” For the undergraduate, the was the object of a good education: a research university model would bury college “is all and does all,” teaching and steady vision. As Newman says, “That all other forms of education. Both forming by “careful individual trial.” It only is true enlargement of mind which before and after conversion, Newman is the locus of virtue formation and is is the power of viewing many things at remained a stalwart proponent of the so because of what is possible when the 8 www.ThomasMoreCollege.edu Winter 2019-2020 9 Developing the Whole Person Parents of Thomas More Students Share Their Perspective Those who teach and work at exceptional maturity of these young men musical, cultural, and artistic flair of the Thomas More College are committed and women in their pursuit of the Truth, O’Connors have certainly left their mark to the intellectual, spiritual, and cultural reflecting the guidance and formation on the College, in everything from the formation of the students who spend they received from their parents, and College’s consumption of British tea PG four years of their lives on our New pointing to the marvelous workings of Tips (Mrs. O’Connor is British) to the England and Rome campuses. One of grace in the Thomas More community. singing of the rousing sea shanty “Bully the most rewarding aspects of being part in the Alley”. of a Thomas More College education is James and Sheila O’Connor witnessing the students’ development of Providence, Rhode Island “Parents need not and maturation during their time here— seeing the “beautiful changes” they The O’Connors are parents of current fear that their undergo, to borrow the poetic expression senior Aidan (’20), alumnus Ethan (’17) children will be of Gerard Manley Hopkins. and alumna Hannah (’11). But it is not only faculty staff, and It will be the end of an era when ‘woke’ at Thomas fellow students who get to see these Aidan O’Connor graduates this spring. More; rather, they “beautiful changes”. Parents of Thomas For over a decade now, there has been More students are in a privileged at least one O’Connor at Thomas can be assured position to witness their children’s More College; at one point, Ethan and that they will be transformation during their time at the Aidan were students while Hannah was College. So we reached out to several serving as an Admissions Officer for awakened to the The Divozzo Family (left to right): John Paul, Noelle, Richard, Sister Maria Michaela, Dominic, and Sophie TMC parents around the country— the College. Hannah currently serves good, the true, and all of whom count more than one son as Resident Director for the College’s the “high ethical and moral standards” of the good, the true, and the beautiful.” sion, and a greater than usual attention or daughter as a current student or Rome Program, while Ethan and wife the beautiful.” the College. paid by Catholic colleges to the moral alumnus of Thomas More College—to Eileen (née Lloyd), ’18, welcomed their The O’Connor children were raised in Rich and Noelle Divozzo development of its students”; and third, get their perspective on how the college daughter, Aoife, last summer and reside The O’Connors first learned an evangelical Protestant tradition, and of Grand Rapids, Michigan it offers unparalleled individual atten- has influenced not only the formation of in nearby Manchester, New Hampshire. of Thomas More College from an all three children entered the Catholic tion to its students, “made possible by their children, but also their own family Aidan, who has directed a student advertisement in National Review Church while at Thomas More College. The Divozzos are parents of two a remarkably small student to teacher life. Their responses reassure the TMC sacred music schola during his time at magazine. “The Great Books Program This has not come without challenges current Thomas More College students, ratio, and by a faculty and administra- community that we’re on the right track. the College, recently became engaged for high school students caught our for their parents: “It has forced us senior Sophie (’20) and freshman tion uncommonly devoted to the welfare But more importantly, they reveal the to Miss Maria Simpson, ’20. The attention,” they recall. Their daughter to reexamine some of our deepest Dominic (’23). They first learned of of students.” Hannah attended the convictions about what it means to be a the College through their two nieces, Back home in Grand Rapids, the program; she loved it so Christian and a follower of Christ in an Emma and Cecilia Black, both of whom Divozzos have been pleased with Sophie’s much she enrolled as a imperfect and fallen world.” The entry had attended Thomas More, and their intellectual, spiritual, and emotional freshman. “The ethos of of their children into the Catholic faith niece Elizabeth Black, who worked maturation over the past four years, the College corresponds to “turned our little world upside down,” for a time at the College. “It was their and are excited about what the next what we believe a college recalls Mr. O’Connor. “One might say recommendation that helped Sophie four years hold for their son Dominic. education ought to be,” we have ‘relived’ many of the issues of the decide upon the College.” Sophie, “It is not uncommon,” they note, “for say the O’Connors: “an Reformation and Counter Reformation they recall, wanted a college that would a son or daughter to become somewhat education informed by in our own family—albeit without the provide a thoroughly Catholic education disaffected from the affairs of the family the Classical Greek idea of acrimony, vitriol, or bloodshed. Their and formation at an affordable cost. “We after four years away—perhaps even paideia, and infused with entrance into the Catholic Church has are pleased to say that TMC has given a bit arrogant and self-absorbed.” But the spirit of Newman’s forced us to reconsider the very being her that education and formation, and the Divizzos have observed that Sophie, Idea of a University.” Other and nature of the church as the visible has made it all financially manageable.” rather than coming home jaded or factors they point to in Body of Christ—and this is a good The Divozzos identify three areas in pompous, remains “a happy, affectionate, their children’s decisions to thing!” which Thomas More College lives up attentive, and engaging young woman. attend the College include “We have never had to worry about to their expectations for their children: We have every reason to expect that the reasonable tuition and the well-being and welfare of our first, it provides an intellectual formation Dominic—from all he has told us thus generous financial aid; children,” say the O’Connors. “Parents “solidly founded on the great Catholic far of his first few months as a freshman the small class size, which need not fear that their children will be intellectual tradition”; second, it encour- at TMC—will be as well-served by the translates to “remarkable” ‘woke’ at Thomas More; rather, they can ages spiritual and moral formation “by College as Sophie has been.” student access to faculty; and be assured that they will be awakened to providing daily mass, regular Confes- continued on page 10 The O'Connor Family (left to right): Sheila, Hannah, Ethan, Aidan, and James 10 www.ThomasMoreCollege.edu Winter 2019-2020 11 Developing the Whole Person Investing in the Future continued from page 9 Alumni Pursue Careers in Wealth Management “What can you do with a liberal arts where honesty, integrity, problem solving curriculum and faculty, and therefore degree?” It is a legitimate question, and skills, adaptability, and interpersonal "Gaining a deeper can maintain its Catholic identity. one that the College routinely hears from abilities are key qualities. Add to that the “Many schools which claim to be ‘of understanding of prospective students and supporters. intangible benefits of spending four years faith’ tend to water down Catholicism Some recent alumni have answered that in an environment in which Christ and human nature, in order to gain students,” they note. question by pursuing careers in financial His Church, rather than the individual “Thomas More has forsaken the quest for and putting that planning, and putting their foundation self, serve as the reference point for numbers in pursuit of the true gospel.” in liberal learning and Catholic social human knowledge and behavior, and you understanding to The Culbertsons say that the Sacraments teaching to work helping others manage have a solid foundation for flourishing. are not only available, but “accessible”— work in my career, and build their wealth. Richard Iannacone, a longtime no classes are scheduled during daily Thomas More College doesn’t offer friend and advisor to the College, has has been the greatest Mass, for instance. “The country is degrees in finance or business. And it five decades of experience in financial riddled with schools that are more than benefit of my time may seem a stretch to suggest that four planning. He is a Senior Vice President willing to take our money and the faith years of reading the likes of Aristotle, and Senior Portfolio Manager with at Thomas More of our children,” they caution. “Thomas St. Thomas, Shakespeare, and Jane the Generational Wealth Management More is more focused on the intellectual College." Austen provides the best preparation— Group of the Royal Bank of Canada. formation and spiritual salvation of my but to the ways in which the College or even any preparation—for a career He points to the current definition children than a bottom line or mere encourages its students to look beyond in financial planning. But industry of financial planning by the Certified numbers.” themselves, to notice things, to observe leaders are increasingly acknowledging Financial Planning Board and notes Has the College had any discernible both human nature and their physical the narrowness and limited horizon of that most colleges and university effect on the Culbertson’s family life? surroundings. “In everything from the those with more specialized degrees in inadequately prepare their students. The Absolutely. “As soon as we began looking annual participation in the March for business and finance, and the advantages definition reads: “Financial planning at TMC as a possibility,” they recall, “the Life to the Guild Program, in which to a broader liberal arts background, is a collaborative process that helps floodgates were opened for the culture of students are making things and sharing one which asks students to consider maximize a client’s potential for meeting the College to flow into our family life. their talents in a concrete way with fundamental questions of human nature life goals through financial advice that Suddenly we began to experience the others,” says Iannacone, “students are and human action. integrates the client’s personal and financial beauty of folk music. Our children began asked to connect with others in a real The past several years have seen a spate circumstances.” to bring back what they are learning into and human way, to have compassion for The Culbertson Family (left to right): Torrey, Stan, Emma, and Noel of articles and essays recognizing the Iannacone says that most schools the home.” Though separated by over and interest in others.” value of a liberal arts education in a field only train and prepare students in the 3,000 miles, the Culbertsons have been Two alumni of the College, Micah technical aspects of the field— Program that summer, and enrolled the able to discuss what their daughters are Kurtz and Matthew Gendron, have Stan and Noel Culbertson the metrics, or first part of following autumn. “The love and joy learning in class and bring it into their demonstrated their ability to go beyond of Camano Island, Washington that definition: “‘Do you have she brought back from Thomas More everyday lives. This year, the Culbertsons the metrics and understand their clients’ enough for retirement?’ is the into our family life prompted Emma are reading Boethius’ The Consolation needs and concerns on a deeper human central question they ask,” he The Culbertsons are parents of to join as a freshman this year,” say the of Philosophy alongside their daughter level. They say the foundation they says. “They have a black-and- sophomore Torrey (’22) and freshman Culbertsons. Torrey. “Thomas More has helped to received at Thomas More College was white approach to things. But Emma (’23). Their eldest daughter, The Culbertsons point to the small form our conversations as a family and to instrumental to launching their careers they fail to educate and form Torrey, first heard about the College after size of the College as a major attraction enrich what we do in our leisure time.” in wealth management. their students to understand the taking the Classical Learning Test (CLT). for their daughters. “It is very personal— “When we look at those who have Matthew Gendron graduated from personal side, the unique life “It was a very daunting prospect to find unlike a state university, where you can graduated from Thomas More College,” Thomas More College in 2011. He goals of their clients.” Thomas a good College that would help her grow get lost in the shuffle. The landscape say the Culbertons, “we think, ‘We want and his wife Isabel, '16 (née Anderson) More graduates "are so far in the Catholic intellectual tradition she of higher learning in our country has our daughters to be like that.’ The school and their young son David, live outside ahead of other individuals in had been brought up in through her become nothing more than a factory embodies what John Paul II meant of Boston. Matthew serves as Chair terms of their understanding of homeschooling years,” says her father. that churns out specialists in their fields. when he said, ‘Everyone is created for of the Thomas More College Alumni human nature," says Iannacone. Association, and is currently completing Shortly after first requesting information Thomas More is a breath of fresh air: one greatness.’” "I look at how much they’ve an MBA in Finance. He joined Morgan from TMC, they received a phone call of the few schools that is interested in grown and matured over four Stanley in 2015 as a Financial Planning from an Admissions Officer inviting developing the whole person rather than years compared to the average Associate, and is now transitioning to a them to the Winter Open House. “From in fitting one for a career.” student.” He credits that position as Financial Advisor. the moment she laid eyes on the school,” The College’s small size, say the development not only to the the Culbertsons recall, “she was in Culbertsons, also means that it has academic program of study, love.” Torrey attended the Great Books greater control over the quality of the Micah Kurtz '11 continued on page 14 12 www.ThomasMoreCollege.edu Winter 2019-2020 13 In the Footsteps of Christ continued from page 1 This was the first pilgrimage to the Below are two reflections on the hearing Mass on Calvary, you certainly Holy Land for all of the Thomas More pilgrimage by Thomas More Alumnae: cannot steady yourself to enter the Holy participants. “Experiencing the natural Sepulchre. Before you know it you beauty of the Holy Land and seeing the are inside, cramped with three others, specific sites Our Lord chose for teaching Unpacking my Pilgrim Pack breathless, and then hurried out by a his disciples or performing miracles gave by Hannah Faith O’Connor, ’11, stern Franciscan. It is a devastating, me a great appreciation for the very Former Admissions Officer, Current harsh, dramatic moment. It fits the personality of Jesus,” says Fahey. “The Resident Director of the Thomas More hustle and jostle and drama of the very effects of the pilgrimage will continue College Rome Program things that happened in this place. Then to resonate for our students—and for you are washed over with peace and me—as we bring this concrete experience It is so hard to know where to begin. calm. As you gulp fresh air you get a of Christ’s life and ministry, and the Just as a little seed is planted in fertile little glimpse of how Mary Magdalene spiritual insights of our journey together, ground, so too this pilgrimage is still and the disciples felt in that very spot. to the academic, spiritual, and cultural uncurling and breaking through the soil You feel you could happily die. And then life of the College.” (think of Richard Wilbur’s poem Seed the warm reality sinks in, and you know Leaves: “But something you must go out and share the news: He at the root . . . Takes aim is risen, truly He is risen. at all the sky/ And starts That first morning, back stateside Thomas More College Pilgrims on the Sea of Galilee to ramify.”) I find myself and groggy, I attended Mass with a “Thanne longen folk to goon Last winter Thomas More announced You see, it’s not just where you go overwhelming people and fellow pilgrim at the Church I have on pilgrimages” that the college had received significant that makes a pilgrimage—it’s who you being unable to contain attended all seven years of my Catholic support to sponsor students on a travel with (just ask Chaucer). I could the experience. life, a life that began while I was yet a by Bridget Lawler, ’18, Former Sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Land over the not let pass the chance of going to the There are a few things student at Thomas More College. That Music Guild Director, Teacher at Trinity summer. I was no longer a student but holiest of places with the best of fellow in my early stages of Church will never be the same. The School at Meadow View, Falls Church, the Master of the Sacred Music Guild. travelers. reflection I can attempt beautiful stained glass windows I have Virginia Yet I ran after the opportunity to Like Rome, the Holy Land is to say. always admired struck me anew. The join this trip. I ran not only because I much too great for us wayfarers to Scripture is not the first window depicts the Annunciation, One of the greatest gifts Thomas recognized that going to the Holy Land comprehend. We can never pay sufficient same. Not only have I as art has for centuries. The Church of More imparts to its students is a spirit reverence at the hill where Jesus died. We walked through the very the Annunciation in Nazareth was site of of pilgrimage. I remember an interview can never say all that needs saying when land of miracles and the first tour and Mass of our Pilgrimage. "Not only have I with an Admissions Counselor, before I we kneel in the Garden of Gethsemane. redemption, but I have The windows of my parish church depict had decided to come to the college, in walked through the But in a way, that doesn’t matter. We linked Scripture with everything from the Annunciation to which she told me, “We sacrifice some don’t visit the Holy Places in order to archeology, politics with the Transfiguration, the Agony in the very land of miracles luxuries that other schools have, and satisfy them; we go in the hopes that they faith, the land with the Garden to the Ascension, the Galilee we’re willing to, because we consider and redemption, might influence us, quietly and slowly people of God and my to the Jordan. These are no longer just that we're on a pilgrimage. What and so deeply that we hardly perceive place in it. stories from Scripture or static episodes but I have linked fundamentally matters is that we’re it. After we’ve gone and returned, we The Holy Sepulchre in beautiful liturgical art. They are the seeking the truth.” Scripture with can look back and see that everything is utterly empty. In the very places I have knelt, sweat, laughed, When freshmen arrive on the is different. But we cannot say when or overwhelming lead- cried, sung and prayed with my fellow archaeology, politics Thomas More College campus in the how the change came. up to your entry, you pilgrims. fall, they are not the only new faces. with faith, the land The whole Thomas More experience try to prepare yourself. Have I recovered? No, and I won’t The juniors are all returning from their is like that. You begin the journey; you But the whole strange, recover. After such a pilgrimage, walking with the people of semester’s pilgrimage in Rome, and come into contact with mighty and foreign conglomeration in the footsteps of our Lord, you're not the school greets them with at least as God and my place in wondrous things far beyond you; you of the place drowns you. supposed to settle back, but to move much eagerness and hope as the first- marvel hastily before dashing off to Here Greek, Armenian, forward; not to recover but to uncover. it." year students. The juniors appear new another Latin exam or another festive Coptic and Latin meet, You must continue to unpack your to everyone, because in truth they are. banquet. And then one day you find layer and blend. If you experience and then carry it with you, Rome has changed them. It always does. would be an indescribable privilege. I that all those wonderful things have weren’t already beside adding it to your pilgrim pack. That’s the beauty of pilgrimage: it gives ran also because it seemed to be a perfect changed you. The beauty and truth of yourself after walking the us the freedom to change. continuation of the pilgrimage that I’d what we study and live out at the College Stations of the Cross or begun when I first came to the College. indelibly shapes our souls. (Left to right): Maria Schneider, President William Fahey, Hannah O'Connor 14 www.ThomasMoreCollege.edu Winter 2019-2020 15 Investing in the Future continued from page 11 The Society Page “I’m excited for this new journey,” with a commitment to ethical service. says Matthew, “and to meet more people Matthew identifies several areas in for the Patrons of the Arts of the Vatican I can help with strategies for their which the College helped prepare him Museum, which preserves and restores families and future needs.” Matthew for his career. Chief among those was Vatican art. Micah is also a dedicated works with the Waverly Group, a reading, thinking, and discussing the mentor to inner-city youth, as well as a private wealth multi-family office. It is nature of happiness and what it means board member and trustee for the East a comprehensive wealth management to live a good life. “Gaining a deeper Cambridge Scholarship Foundation. group, as Gendron describes: “We understanding of human nature, and Matthew and Micah encourage design financial plans, cash flow putting that understanding to work others at the College with an interest analysis, portfolio construction, asset in my career, has been the greatest in finance to consider careers in wealth allocation strategy, global-macro tactical benefit of my time at Thomas More,” management. “Liberal arts majors positioning, tax efficiency, banking and says Matthew. “The rigorous academic succeed in this industry because they lending, estate planning, charitable and environment at the College fostered know how to think critically,” says philanthropic gifting strategies, options, an attitude grounded in excellence and Matthew. Both agree that honesty, and foreign exchange.” truth.” He also says the small size of consistency, and persistence are virtues Micah Kurtz '11, who recently the College allowed him to experience and habits their time at Thomas More married Megan Faeth in a Boston working closely with individuals on a helped them to articulate and pursue. wedding at St. Cecilia Catholic Church daily basis, identifying and responding “You may be thinking that reading Dante (witnessed by over a dozen Thomas More to their concerns. “The small community or translating Latin isn’t going to help alumni), joined Morgan Stanley in 2011. at Thomas More was great preparation,” your resume when applying to a firm He now serves as a Financial Advisor, he says, “because I had to know and get like Morgan Stanley or Goldman Sachs,” CFP® with the Gemmell and Kurtz along with everyone. In my corporate Micah says, “but one day in your career Group, which he founded with fellow environment, knowing my coworkers you will realize that that preparation has Catholic Joe Gemmell. “My partners and clients well, and knowing how to helped you to work hard, be persistent, and I have begun to build out a family interact with them, has been a great ask good questions in meetings, and be wealth office that services high net worth asset.” known as someone who follows through families,” says Kurtz. “My career goal is Micah agrees. “My experience at and is honest.” Drawing on his own not a corporate vertical climb, but rather Thomas More College allowed me to experience breaking into the financial a thoughtful build-out of our team to read and discuss some of the greatest planning world, Matthew encourages best serve our clients and allow us to minds in history,” he says. “I am grateful students to be proactive about asking continue to grow our practice.” Micah to be able to take all that I learned and questions and networking: “Reach out to combines his skills in areas like financial, experienced during my four years at alumni, faculty, and friends and see who tax and estate planning, investment the College and apply it in my work knows people in the industry whom you management and insurance strategies, environment.” Part of this, says Micah, can meet for coffee to get advice. Seek involves helping clients “identify and out internships; polish up your LinkedIn articulate their short-, medium-, and account; follow up with everyone, and be long-term life goals, and then working persistent and reliable.” with them to design and implement Both because of their academic prepa- comprehensive wealth management ration and their Catholic formation, plans and strategies to help them reach graduates of Thomas More College are "Theglory of God is man fully alive, and the life of man is those goals.” uniquely equipped to address the prac- Matthew and Micah have also been tical and conceptual challenges within the vision of God."—St. Irenaeus able to continue to live out their Faith the financial planning industry. Micah while advancing their career goals. “My and Matt are flourishing in their ca- Left to right, top to bottom: time at Thomas More,” says Matthew, reers because they have pursued that “true enlargement of mind” (the phrase Weddings: Helena Fahey ’18 and Michael Davis; Joseph Schroder ’17 and Miriam Collins '17; Christian Jewell ’15 and Erin Carney; Paolo “helped me to see that you don’t have Sorribas '19 and Cecelia Joliat '18. to compartmentalize your work and is St. John Henry Cardinal Newman’s) spiritual life.” Matthew makes times in which the College states as its goal for Vows: Sister Mary Josephine (Julie Teichert '17) his busy work schedule to pray the rosary students. As Matthew notes: “Thomas Births: Theodora Macrina Parkinson, daughter of Keith Parkinson ’12 and Mary (née Monaghan) ’12; Bianca Maureen Bryan, daughter or attend Mass before, during, or after More College inspires us to strive toward of Michael Bryan '13 and Antoinette (née Deardurff) '16; George Ronan Myles Dougherty, son of Daniel Dougherty '17 and Cecilia (née work, and is grateful for the ability to a wholeness or fullness of the human Yellico) '18; Aoife O'Connor, daughter of Ethan O'Connor '17 and Eileen (née Lloyd) '18; Eleanor Rose Fagan, daughter of Andrew Fagan integrate his spiritual life with his career. person, challenging us to be ‘perfect like '18 and Annie (née Fagan) '18; Macrina Donya Cassella, daughter of Dominic Cassella '18 and Carley (née Novotny) '15; Liam McKenna, Micah has enriched his corporate life our father in Heaven,’ and to carry that son of Ryan McKenna '11 and Emily (née Wilson); Charles Augstine Yost, son of Michael Yost '18 and Mary Grace (née Greer) '17; through his commitment to what he forward into our daily work.” Simeon Michael Kamprath (with big brother John), son of Augustine Kamprath '15 and Erin (née Monfils) '15. describes as “ethical service,” both for his clients and the broader community. He To share your alumni news and pictures in the next Communitas visit: https://thomasmorecollege.edu/alumni/communitas-submissions is a board member, trustee and treasurer The Gendron Family (left to right): Isabel, David and Matthew 16 www.ThomasMoreCollege.edu

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