quinas A C s o a l Thomas Aquinas College Newsletter m l e o g h e T Fall 2018 Volume 46, Issue 3 1971 Eastward Bound! College Receives Approval for New England Campus ulminating a rigorous process that campus and, thanks be to God, that day Cbegan in the spring of 2017, Thomas has arrived.” Aquinas College has received approval Notably, the College’s need for expan- from the Massachusetts Board of Higher sion counters a 50-year trend in higher Education to operate a branch campus education, in which more than a quarter in Western Massachusetts, where it will of the country’s small liberal arts schools award the degree of Bachelor of Arts in have either closed, merged, or abandoned Liberal Arts. The decision sets the stage their missions. “At a time when more for Thomas Aquinas College, New Eng- than a few liberal arts colleges have had land, to open its doors in fall 2019. to close,” says R. Scott Turicchi, chairman The Board’s approval comes as the of the College’s Board of Governors, “it is result of a thorough and rigorous appli- a testament to the excellence of Thomas cation process conducted by its legal Aquinas College’s unique program of and academic affairs staff at the Massa- Catholic liberal education and to its good chusetts Department of Higher Educa- stewardship that the school has received tion. Its grant of authority is subject to school in Northfield, Massachusetts, course, friends’ donations to cover the approval to operate a second campus.” stipulations, the most important of which which has been shuttered since 2005. costs of readying the campus for student The news of the Board’s decision has requires the College to submit annual The historic property, located near the use.” been greeted with joy and gratitude at the status reports during its initial five years Connecticut River, consists of some College officials are additionally mak- California campus. of operation, providing narrative and sta- 100 acres of land and includes residence ing other preparations for the opening “We wish to thank all who have sup- tistical information on the institution’s halls, a library, a chapel, a gymnasium, of the branch campus this fall. “We have ported and encouraged us in this effort,” ongoing compliance with the Board’s and ample classroom and administrative already selected our initial faculty for says Dr. McLean. “We are grateful to standards. space. New England, and those tutors and their the citizens of Northfield who have wel- “This is a great accomplishment,” Having received the Board’s approval, families will, no doubt, begin to make comed Thomas Aquinas College into says President Michael F. McLean. “We the College is now seeking an extension moving plans,” says Dr. McLean. “We are their community; to our neighbors, are grateful to the Board for its thought- of its accreditation to the New England also hoping to host East Coast versions of the Moody Center; to the Most Rev. ful review, and we are grateful to God for campus, a process to which it anticipates the High School Summer Program and Mitchell T. Rozanski, Bishop of Spring- the opportunity to bring Thomas Aqui- a favorable conclusion within the next Summer Seminars in 2019.” field, who has welcomed the College into nas College’s unique and highly regarded few months. “Pending the approval of The timing of the new campus, adds his diocese; and to the National Christian academic program to a region known for the WASC Senior College and Univer- Dr. McLean, is providential: “Our Cali- Foundation and other friends and bene- quality higher education.” sity Commission, we will be able to begin fornia campus achieved full enrollment in factors whose generosity has contrib- In May 2017 the National Chris- admitting students in New England,” says 2005, and waiting lists have been growing uted both to our success in reaching this tian Foundation gave the College the Dr. McLean. “In the meantime, we are ever since. So we have hoped and prayed point and to our confidence as we move beautiful, former campus of a preparatory accepting student applications and, of for an opportunity to establish a second forward.” St. Cecilia Lecture and Concert Hall Archbishop Gomez Dedicates, Blesses College’s Newest Building fter much work and prayer by so many members Dr. Thomas E. Dillon. Dr. Dillon’s widow, Terri, and “A of the College community, we gather now to bless members of their family were on hand for the occasion, and dedicate this new lecture and concert hall to St. Ceci- as was another of the building’s namesakes, Joyce Skin- lia,” declared the Most Rev. José H. Gomez, Archbishop ner. Mrs. Skinner’s late husband, Ken, was executive of Los Angeles, at Thomas Aquinas College, California, director of the Fritz B. Burns Foundation, and St. Ceci- on Monday, August 27. “It will be a center of the College’s lia’s café — the Ken and Joyce Skinner Coffee Shop — is lecture and concert series — and a place for its students’ named in their honor. Also in attendance were Fritz B. performances and other wholesome entertainment.” Burns’ daughter, Frannie Morehart, and her daughter His Excellency visited the College to impart his bless- and son-in-law, Missy and Glenn Mueller, as well as rep- ing on the recently completed St. Cecilia Hall, which resentatives of the firms that designed and constructed features a 580-person auditorium, a seminar discussion the building. room, a recreation area, and a student coffee shop. Made Chairman of the Board of Governors R. Scott Turicchi; the “To Rex, Maureen, and Cheryl, really there are no Most Rev. José H. Gomez; trustees of the Fritz B. Burns possible by a $10 million grant from the Fritz B. Burns Foundation: Maureen and Rex Rawlinson (president) words that we can offer of gratitude,” said R. Scott Turic- Foundation of Los Angeles, St. Cecilia Hall is the 14th of and Cheryl Robinson; President Michael F. McLean chi, chairman of the College’s Board of Governors. “I 15 buildings called for in the College’s master plan. hope you will take away two things that we continue to The day’s events began in Our Lady of the Most Holy and Cheryl Robinson, with whom we have developed a pledge to the foundation: One is to remain true to the Trinity Chapel, where Archbishop Gomez, joined by warm friendship and to whom we are deeply grateful.” founding document on which this campus, and this three of the College’s chaplains, served as the principal After Dr. McLean’s welcome, Archbishop Gomez for- institution, was founded; and the second is that we put celebrant at a votive Mass of St. Cecilia, the 3rd century mally dedicated St. Cecilia Hall, pronouncing his bless- your generous donations to good work.” As an expres- virgin, martyr, and patroness of musicians. Following the ing and walking across the stage, through the foyer, and sion of gratitude, Mr. Turicchi presented the trustees Mass, the congregation processed into St. Cecilia Hall, around the interior of the building. While His Excellency with photos of the building as well as recordings of stu- gathering in the Fritz B. Burns Auditorium for the dedi- sprinkled holy water both on the building and on mem- dent musical performances — mementos of the intellec- cation ceremony. “Foremost among our guests today is bers of the College community, the Thomas Aquinas tual and artistic life of the College that their generosity so our own archbishop, the Most Rev. José Gomez, who College Choir sang Veni Creator Spiritus —“Come, Cre- deeply helps to enrich. despite a very full schedule has made the time to be with ator Spirit” — from the auditorium balcony. us on this joyful occasion,” said President Michael F. While making his way back to the auditorium, the Photos of St. Cecilia Hall McLean. “We also specially welcome the trustees of the Archbishop paused to bless the Dillon Seminar Room, See page 6 Fritz B. Burns Foundation, Maureen and Rex Rawlinson named for late Thomas Aquinas College president “A Journey Powered by the Wings of Faith and Reason” President McLean’s Address at Matriculation 2018 By Michael F. McLean, Ph.D. together, faith and reason can help you ascend higher President, Thomas Aquinas College and higher on the route to wisdom, and with the help of God’s saving grace, ultimately help you to approach the n his vitally important 1998 encyclical, Fides et Ratio, vision of the living God Himself. ISt. John Paul II wrote that “faith and reason are like We look forward to journeying with you in your years two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contem- at Thomas Aquinas College. We pray that your efforts are plation of truth.” successful and rewarding, just as we ask you to pray that He emphasized several ways in which faith uniquely the College remains ever faithful to its mission of guid- aids reason to reach its full potential — that is, reach its ing and facilitating our common pursuit of the good, the full perfection in those areas which lie within reason’s true, and the beautiful. proper sphere. Thank you. First, faith instructs reason that it must respect cer- tain basic rules if it is to have any hope of attaining the anticipated so much of what is contained in Fides et Ratio deepest and most important truths. The pursuit of truth is a testament to the deep and well-formed Catholic faith In Memoriam requires the cultivation of virtue: In the words of Pope of the College’s founders and a sure sign that Thomas Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.