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About
Fidelity & ExcellenceThomas Aquinas College is unique among American colleges and universities, offering a faithfully Catholic education comprised entirely of the Great Books and classroom discussions.
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A Liberating Education
Truth MattersTruth, and nothing less, sets men free; and because truth is both natural and supernatural, the College’s curriculum aims at both natural and divine wisdom.
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A Catholic Life
Under the Light of FaithThe intellectual tradition and moral teachings of the Catholic Church infuse the whole life of Thomas Aquinas College, illuminating the curriculum and the community alike.
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Admission & Aid
Is TAC Right for You?Do you enjoy grappling with complex questions? Are you willing to engage in discussions about difficult concepts, with the truth as your ultimate goal?
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Students & Parents
Mind, Body & SpiritThere is always something to do at TAC — something worthwhile, something fulfilling, and something geared toward ever-greater spiritual and intellectual growth.
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Alumni & Careers
What Can You Do with a Liberal Education?Nothing speaks more to the versatility of the College’s academic program than the good that our alumni are doing throughout the Church and the world.
A mudslide that has shut down both lanes on Highway 150 between the College’s California campus and Santa Paula. Although the California Department of Transportation has begun preparations for clearing the roadway, officials do not expect to finish the work before sometime this summer. Therefore, if you will be traveling to campus from points south, please be sure to give yourself enough time to navigate the detour route, which will take you along Highways 126, 101, and 33. Directions to campus
A mudslide that has shut down both lanes on Highway 150 between the College’s California campus and Santa Paula. Although the California Department of Transportation has begun preparations for clearing the roadway, officials do not expect to finish the work before sometime this summer. Therefore, if you will be traveling to campus from points south, please be sure to give yourself enough time to navigate the detour route, which will take you along Highways 126, 101, and 33. Directions to campus
Following Fabre: Freshmen Collect Local Insects
All across Thomas Aquinas College, New England, freshmen can be seen running after butterflies, inspecting trees for caterpillars, and stalking the ground for beetles. The reason? It’s the time of year again for the Freshman Bug Project!
In the beginning of the Freshman Year, TAC students read and discuss the works of Jean Henri Fabre, a French biologist with a particular fondness for entomological observation. Through his detailed descriptions and philosophical musings, freshmen learn about the intricacies of the insect world: Why, for example, do even the smallest bugs have such ingenious design and flawless instinct? But, as Fabre himself recommends, the best way to get to know God’s creation is to observe it closely in its natural state.
Thus, the Bug Project. Freshmen are tasked with observing, catching, and organizing about 30 insects in the span of three weeks, culminating in a final presentation with a display board and a report. So, members of the Class of 2026 have grabbed their nets and containment vials, heading out into the fields and forests of Northfield.
Once the freshmen have collected most of the insects they need, they start organizing them into different groups. The project guidelines give full creative freedom on this part, so students can come up with any manner of classification they please. Some stick with more standard groupings, classifying their bugs by wing type, size, or color. Others take full advantage of the chance they have been given, classifying by danger level, crunchiness, or which Lord of the Rings characters each bug most closely resembles.
“It was really fun,” said freshman Giancarlo Coccia. “I felt like I was hunting: doing something really scientific that wasn’t out of a textbook. It felt more in line with the liberal arts.” Projects are due very soon, and most of the freshmen can’t wait to show off their work to their classmates and tutors.
