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“I ask that you pray that Thomas Aquinas College remain strong and vigorous in carrying out its mission of Catholic liberal education. The task before us is a noble one, and it is worth dedicating ourselves to it with all the energy and determination we have. And no matter how challenging this task may sometimes be, we can take comfort in what Christ Himself tells us when He says, in St. John’s Gospel, ‘If you make my words your home, you will indeed be my disciples; you will learn the truth, and the truth will make you free.’”

— Thomas E. Dillon
Inaugural Address
November 23, 1992

Dear Friend,

Thomas Aquinas College has been given an extraordinary opportunity.

As you probably know, in most years it is a challenge for us to raise the more than $4 million required to provide for our students’ annual financial aid need. This year, due to a providential combination of circumstances, and with two months still remaining in our fiscal year, we have already met our financial aid goal.

What does this news mean? It means that we can, for these next two months, focus our efforts on the future.

Last year, we announced the Thomas E. Dillon Memorial Scholarship Fund. Named for my late predecessor, the Fund provided immediate assistance in the 2013-2014 fiscal year to students who would otherwise have been unable to continue in the program. It played a crucial role in our successful effort to meet their need.

This year, we are able to take the next step. We can turn the Thomas E. Dillon Memorial Scholarship Fund into an endowment.

Dr. Thomas E. Dillon
From his earliest days on the faculty, through his service as dean and his 18 years as president, Tom Dillon devoted himself to the College. As he labored to build our campus, especially the Chapel that is his crowning achievement, he never forgot that the most important work of the College takes place around the tables in our classrooms: students, with a great author as their teacher and a faculty member as their guide, working together to find the truth.

“Thomas Aquinas College,” he said in his inaugural address, “exists in order to do the very best things in education.” In Tom’s name, we can now provide the means for future generations of students to undertake that work. Our endowment has always been the key to our long-term planning, but we cannot build it at the cost of ignoring our immediate responsibilities to our students. This is why the next two months, and the opportunity they present, are so valuable for us.

Every gift made to the Thomas E. Dillon Memorial Scholarship Fund before June 30 will permanently benefit our students, decrease our reliance on annual fundraising, and help to ensure the College’s future stability. Please prayerfully consider making a contribution — of any amount. Whatever you can afford to give now will truly bear fruit for many years to come. Above all, please join me in praying for the repose of Tom’s soul, for the consolation of his family, and for the College to which he gave so much of himself.

Sincerely,

mclean-sig-med.jpg

Michael F. McLean, Ph.D.
President

MFM/ser


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