quinas A C s o a l College Newsletter m l

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e T Winter 2015 C 1 al 7 if 19 Volume 43, Issue 1 ornia -

St. Cecilia Hall Fritz B. Burns Foundation Awards College Grant for New Lecture & Concert Building

he Fritz B. Burns Foundation of and concerts. The building will also host TLos Angeles has graciously awarded the annual Matriculation ceremony Thomas Aquinas College one of the larg- and orientation assemblies, dramatic est grants in the College’s 44-year-history productions, dances, informal musical — $8.5 million for the construction performances, and academic conferences. of a new lecture and concert building, (See drawings, pages 6-7.) St. Cecilia Hall. In addition to the main auditorium, “We are profoundly grateful to the St. Cecilia Hall will include a discussion Fritz B. Burns Foundation, which has room for post-lecture question-and- generously supported the College since answer sessions, informal “Tutor Talks,” our founding, for making what is, by far, and senior thesis defenses. Its lower level its largest contribution to date,” says Pres- will feature a recreation area and a coffee ident Michael F. McLean. “We are also shop that opens out to a terrace overlook- delighted to announce the construction ing the future site of the campus tennis of St. Cecilia Hall, which will be a blessing courts. “We like that all these student ser- to our students and our friends for many vices will now be available so close to the years to come.” more active role in their learning, the Col- A Fitting Venue Chapel,” says Dr. McLean. “We think that Located on the southwest corner of lege “has always acknowledged the need For the last 35 years, the College has it will help to better integrate the cam- the academic quadrangle, adjacent to for lectures to provide a structured, expert had to make do with using its dining hall, pus and inspire more regular visits to the St. Gladys Hall and Our Lady of the Most guide through complex topics,” says St. Joseph Commons, for lectures and Blessed Sacrament.” Holy Trinity Chapel, St. Cecilia Hall will Dr. McLean. “We also think it is impor- concerts. “The Commons has served us host the biweekly events that make up the tant to listen to excellent music, and so well, but it is simply not designed to be Construction Timeline College’s St. Vincent DePaul Lecture and the Lecture and Concert Series is a man- an auditorium,” remarks Vice President The design architect for St. Cecilia Concert Series. “Thanks to the Founda- datory part of our .” for Finance and Administration Peter L. Hall is Scott Boydstun of Rasmussen and tion, we will soon have a facility worthy It was the importance of the Series to DeLuca. Lacking air conditioning, the Associates in Ventura, , who of the excellent speakers and musicians the College’s mission, says Dr. McLean, building can be uncomfortably warm, and has designed 11 of the permanent build- that we regularly bring to campus,” says that appealed to the Fritz B. Burns Foun- speakers have to compete with the hum ings on campus. “Between now and the Dr. McLean. “We look forward to mak- dation’s Board of Directors, who only two of refrigerators and ice machines emanat- summer we will do construction draw- ing the new building a place of welcome, years ago contributed $3.2 million for the ing from the food-service area. Moreover, ings and obtain all the necessary permits,” where friends and neighbors can come construction of St. Gladys Hall. “They the constant need to rearrange the furni- says Mr. DeLuca. “We hope to start grad- to experience a key part of the life of the also seem to have been impressed by our ture for various events imposes expensive ing by mid-to-late summer and then, six College.” students’ musical talents and artistic per- labor costs on the College and wear and weeks later,