Alumni and their families from throughout the region converged on campus Saturday for the Annual Alumni Day. The event began with Mass in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, followed by lunch in St. Joseph Commons. Later that afternoon, the College hosted two seminars — one for adults, the other for children in grades 6-12 — both on the subject of Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge.”

Columbus Day Weekend was a big time for basketball at Thomas Aquinas College, with men’s and women’s teams facing off in the annual Class Tournament. Among the men, the Seniors emerged triumphant, besting the Juniors in the finale. But the Junior Class was redeemed in the women’s division, triumphing over the upstart freshmen.

Posted: October 10, 2012

Two weeks ago the Thomas Aquinas College men enjoyed their annual campout, and this past weekend, the women had their turn. The group was led by tutor Carol Day; Assistant Dean Steve Cain and his wife, Mary; and College Chaplain Rev. Joseph Illo. The women prayed under the stars, sang by the campfire, and attended an outdoor Mass offered by Fr. Illo.

Posted: October 2, 2012

On Friday night, the College hosted the inaugural concert of this year’s St. Vincent DePaul Lecture and Concert Series. Members of the Symbiosis Ensemble played string trios by Mozart and Haydn in St. Joseph Commons. After the concert, the annual Students vs. Tutors game of Trivial Pursuit took place in the Dumb Ox Café, with the tutors emerging triumphant.

Judy Barrett, a dear friend and longtime benefactor of the College who writes for the California Catholic Conference website blog, has published a beautiful reflection about Andrew Moore (’14):

Each fall the sophomores, juniors, and seniors take turns hosting welcome events for the new freshman class. This past weekend, it was the seniors’ turn. The day began with a joint trip to the beach:

Then, that evening, the seniors held a country-themed dance, complete with student-produced entertainment,on the athletic fields:

Posted: September 24, 2012

By Michael J. Letteney (’88)

Note: Dr. Letteney is a tutor at Thomas Aquinas College. The following text is the transcript of a lecture he presented on August 24, 2012, as part of the the St. Vincent de Paul Lecture and Concert Series, endowed by  Barbara and Paul Henkels.

“On the Existence of God and Contemporary Physics: A Response to the So-Called New Atheism”

Rev. Robert Spitzer, S.J., delivered the following address on September 14, 2012, as part of the St. Vincent de Paul Lecture and Concert Series at Thomas Aquinas College:

Over the past weekend student prefect Jon Dickman (’13), Activities Director Andrew Rossi (’13), Admissions Director Jon Daly, and Chaplain Rev. Joseph Illo led a men’s campout and retreat of some 40 Thomas Aquinas College students.

Over the past weekend tutor Carol Day led a women’s campout for some 20 members of College’s Senior Class in the Santa Monica Mountains. After barbequing dinner and roasting s’mores, the group spent the night in tents, then arose the next morning for a hike through the foothills. There they enjoyed spectacular views of mountains, valleys, and the Pacific Ocean.

Posted: September 11, 2012