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What makes Choosing a Catholic College unique within the
college-guide genre is that it is distinctly Catholic. The Cardinal
Newman Society, which is committed to restoring and enhancing genuine
Catholic higher education nationwide, places an emphasis in its
reviews on qualities that are largely ignored by its secular counterparts,
such as fidelity to the Magisterium, a dynamic campus spiritual
life, morally healthy student living conditions, and a sound core
curriculum. "Great Books Oasis"While there are several solid Catholic colleges that successfully reflect the Catholic intellectual tradition," The Newman Guide singles out Thomas Aquinas College for having "built a national reputation for its rigorous Great Books approach" as well as "a discussion-style class format and a curriculum that emphasizes… St. Thomas Aquinas." The guide's enthusiasm for the College's academic program is matched by its regard for the College's tutors. "Among (the College's) many strengths," it says, is "an impressive faculty of … well-rounded academics." "The intellectual environment is rigorous across the curriculum,"
the guide adds, observing that the College attracts a student body
from 42 states and a number of foreign countries and that 45 percent
of its alumni undertake graduate studies. "Those interested
in a broad educational focus can thrive in this Great Books oasis,"
it says. "In fact, about 5 percent of the students already
come with bachelor's degrees. Of those, some are professionals in
their 20s who want the undergraduate education they might have missed
earlier." "Vibrant Spiritual Program"Describing Thomas Aquinas College as "the first of the new orthodox Catholic colleges after Vatican II," The Newman Guide goes on to note that the College's founding document, A Proposal for the Fulfillment of Catholic Liberal Education, was in many ways ahead of its time. The Blue Book's commentary about the perilous state of Catholic education was, according to the Cardinal Newman Society, "as much a prediction as an acknowledgment in 1969." Noting that too many colleges in the United States have, sadly, forsaken their Catholic identity and stopped trying to maintain fidelity to the teaching Church, The Newman Guide compliments Thomas Aquinas College for its faithfulness and the faith of its students. "There are four Masses daily offered by three non-teaching chaplains who are of the Dominican, Jesuit, and Norbertine orders," the guide notes; "students also participate in an evening Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration and frequent opportunities for confession." It also celebrates the campus' new crown jewel, Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, which, it says, "enhances an already vibrant spiritual program." Finding that there "have been no questionable speakers on
campus," The Newman Guide says Thomas Aquinas College
"reflects a strong public witness to the Faith." As just
one example, it points out that roughly two-thirds of the student
body participates in the annual Walk for Life West Coast - "about
400 miles away." "A Wide Following"Echoing the findings of the various secular college guides, The Newman Guide comments on the high value of a Thomas Aquinas College education relative to its price. "The price for this nationally recognized education is well below the average for private colleges in California," the guide reports, while acknowledging that the College maintains "this high quality of education … without accepting federal or state government support." In the conclusion of its nine-page review, The Newman Guide
says, "In some ways, Thomas Aquinas College stands by itself
among Catholic colleges." The author attributes to the College
"an impressive intellectual rigor … matched by a commitment
to orthodox Catholicism," adding that "this combination
has attracted a wide following" that extends not only "around
the country" but has also "become international." -- Qtrly Newsletter, Fall 2009 |
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