All College
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November 3, 2021
Last Friday evening, groups of about 18 Thomas Aquinas College students from all classes — seniors and freshmen, sophomores and juniors — gathered in classrooms on both coasts for the All-College Seminar.
In these semi-annual discussions, led by one or two tutors each, students consider great works from beyond the College’s classical curriculum. The gatherings also allow students to learn from peers outside their respective class.
Photos: New England All-College Seminar
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Friday’s event began on the East Coast, where New England students discussed T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral. Written in 1935, the story portrays the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral during the reign of Henry II in 1170.
“The seminar gives freshmen an example of upperclassmen who are more practiced in being engaged in the conversation,” says tutor Dr. Cunningham. Adds freshman Pedro De Silva, “The seniors helped guide us through the reading.”
Students were also able to draw conclusions on the meaning of martyrdom. “There is a big difference between peace — as in ‘worldly peace’ and ‘heavenly peace’ — that informs us to pursue martyrdom in the correct way,” observed sophomore Thomas Rust.
After the seminar, students and tutors enjoyed pizza and refreshments in the Tracy Student Center.
Photos: California All-College Seminar
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Three hours later, the California campus followed suit, when students met up to discuss William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A hilarious story of love and magic, the reading was thought provoking and gave way to rich conversations across campus. “It was a great reading for all-school because the overarching theme of love and its nature can be seen from so many diverse perspectives,” remarked sophomore Ricardo Madan. “Hearing from students in different classes was very insightful.”
Sophomore David Ivory recalled his freshman year, saying, “I love all-school because you get to see these different minds come together over one work. The seniors especially have such a way of speaking to and about the text to share their points. … It’s really encouraging to see how far along you can get.”
To end the night, students and tutors enjoyed pizza and refreshments in St. Joseph Commons as they continued to discuss the reading and enjoy each other’s company.
