Thomas Aquinas College is unique among American colleges and universities, offering a faithfully Catholic education comprised entirely of the Great Books and classroom discussions.
Truth, 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.
The intellectual tradition and moral teachings of the Catholic Church infuse the whole life of Thomas Aquinas College, illuminating the curriculum and the community alike.
Do you enjoy grappling with complex questions? Are you willing to engage in discussions about difficult concepts, with the truth as your ultimate goal?
There is always something to do at TAC — something worthwhile, something fulfilling, and something geared toward ever-greater spiritual and intellectual growth.
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.
After contemplating Oedipus Rex and the Euthyphro in Monday’s afternoon class, students on the 2022 California High School Summer Program came together on the lower campus Monday afternoon to compete in the Section Games!
At TAC, a section is a group of students, usually around 15 in number, who take their classes together. As a team, they parse through the Great Books and challenge, encourage, and support one another. On the fairway, they were divided into their sections and prepared to bond with their section-mates, compete with the other sections, and in doing so, bond with the other sections as well.
Emceed by Head Men’s Prefect Dillon Raum (’21), the games commenced with vigor once all the students took their places with their teams. Teams put their heads together — metaphorically and in some cases, literally — to overcome their rivals in hula-hoop relays, egg runs, gentle egg tosses, and egg throws to pelt male prefects for points!
As Section 6 relished in its victory, the prefects ambushed the programmers with a water-balloon fight, which culminated in everyone dashing to the nearby ponds to jump in and splash around. Smiles abounded as students grew in fellowship in the July afternoon heat.
After a rousing time of playing hard, it was time for dinner. Students changed and packed into St. Joseph Commons to enjoy beef ravioli, salad, and garlic bread. Despite the weariness from the Section Games, the Commons were noticeably louder with the sounds of socializing and merriment — classes and games brought them all a little closer. And a good thing for it, too: Student Clara C. was celebrating her birthday! Prefects served her a delicious strawberry cheesecake as her peers serenaded her with “Happy Birthday.” Graciously, Clara passed slices of cake along to all who asked.
Later in the evening, students moved into peaceful study, contemplation, and prayer. First the group headed over to St. Bernadine of Siena Library for two hours of quiet study. There, programmers poured over Sophocles’ Antigone and selections from the Pre-Socratic philosophers for today’s classes. Hours passed as students carefully devoted themselves to their texts, preparing for a fruitful discussion the next day …
… after which they made their way to Our Lady of the Most Trinity Chapel for evening Rosary:
To end the evening’s activities, students and prefects enjoyed a bustling social in the St. Patrick’s Coffee Shop. Some prefects jumped behind the counter to make French fries and milkshakes, while others mingled with the programmers. Groups of students talked, trading stories from the day and fostering friendships. In the adjacent rec-room, games of ping-pong, pool, and air hockey saw students give it their all, while onlookers cheered with electric excitement. Across the room, all manner of card games saw players vying to get the upper hand. Not a bit of space was wasted — some even took outdoors for nighttime soccer under the lights!
When the activity subsided, it was back to the residence halls and to bed. Come back to the Summer Blog this afternoon to see how students faired at today’s classes with Antigone and the Pre-Socratics!