Although members of the Thomas Aquinas College Board of Governors meet three times a year to conduct the business of the College, their fall gathering takes place in a more informal setting for fellowship, study, and prayer. This year’s fall retreat, held on the last weekend in October, provided the usual opportunity for Governors to visit with one another, with students, and with members of the faculty.
Reception for members of the faculty and the Board of Governors in St. Thomas Plaza
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Governor Michael Grace with Germaine and R. James Wensley, chairman of the Board of Governors
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Reception in St. Thomas Plaza
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Reception in St. Thomas Plaza
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Mr. DeLuca greets Governor Robert Barbera
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Governor Don Swartz, Vice President for Development Paul J. O’Reilly, General Counsel Quincy Masteller, and Governor Mark Montgomery
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
College Chaplain Rev. Cornelius Buckley, S.J., with Lannette Turicchi (wife of Vice Chairman of Board of Governors R. Scott Turicchi) and Governor Bernarda Neal
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Mr. O’Reilly and Governor Maria O. Grant
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Three alumni: Mr. O’Reilly (’84), Dean Brian T. Kelly (’88), and Governor Andy Zepeda (’79)
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Director of Gift Planning Thomas J. Susanka with Rev. Michael Sweeney, O.P., president of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, Calif. and guest chaplain and speaker for the retreat weekend
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Dinner in St. Joseph Commons
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
A performance by the student choral group Chrysostomos
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Maureen Ryland (’12) leads the singers in a traditional Shaker song
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Tutor Karen Zedlick is honored for her 20 years of service on the Thomas Aquinas College faculty.
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Tutors Carol Day and Richard Ferrier are honored for their 30 years of service on the Thomas Aquinas College faculty.
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
From left to right: Founder John W. Neumayr, Dean Brian T. Kelly, Founder Peter L. DeLuca, President Michael F. McLean, Founding President Ronald P. McArthur, and Librarian Viltis Jatulis; the founders and Mrs. Jatulis were honored for their 40 years of service
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
President Michael F. McLean watches as Founding President Ronald P. McArthur addresses students, faculty, and the Board of Governors
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Newest member of the Board of Governors Robert Barbera tells of his interest in and dedication to the College.
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Fr. Sweeney speaks about St. Thomas Aquinas
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Chaplain Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., offers the benediction.
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
Dr. McLean and his wife, Lynda, with one of the arrangements of flowers presented to faculty spouses in gratitude for their support
Slideshow: Board of Governors Retreat
The retreat began with a reception for Governors, members of the faculty and their spouses in St. Thomas Plaza. The group then moved on to St. Joseph Commons for an all-College dinner featuring a special guest speaker, Rev. Michael Sweeney, O.P., president of Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, Calif.
The next morning the Governors and their spouses reconvened at the Ojai Valley Inn, where Fr. Sweeney offered Mass. After breakfast, the group met for a seminar on lying, during which they discussed Mark Twain's short story, "Was it Heaven? or Hell?" and an article from the Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas on whether lying is always oppposed to truth. Lunch followed, during which two members of the Senior Class spoke about their time at the College and their post-graduation plans. The Governors then spent the remainder of the afternoon in formal session, followed by dinner at the Ojai Valley Inn.
Fr. Sweeny offered Mass once more on Sunday morning, after which the Governors met over brunch before heading home. “It was a great weekend and a true retreat,” says Chairman of the Board of Governors R. James Wensley. “This is always a wonderful chance for our members, many of whom live some distance from each other, to renew friendships and to get to learn more about the College, to which they devote so much of their time and energy. We left edified, refreshed, and more dedicated than ever to the College and its mission.”
