Current Students

Last weekend members of the Class of 2021 took a break from their studies for Sophomore Beach Day — a carefree evening of burgers and volleyball at nearby Rincon Beach. The highlight of the evening was the following fire poi performance from Garin Ballard (’21):

In a longstanding tradition, the younger classes at Thomas Aquinas College take turns each spring bidding farewell to the soon-to-be-departing seniors.

Last Saturday evening the juniors had their opportunity, hosting a reception for the Class of 2019 at the Hacienda, followed by dinner on the Chapel plaza and a dance on the patio behind St. Gladys Hall.

Each spring, in the final weeks of the semester, members of the Senior Class team up against the faculty in a highly anticipated softball game. In this year’s contest, which took place on the afternoon of Friday, April 27, the seniors won for the third year in a row, besting the faculty by a score of 9-6.

The athletic contest, however, is merely a warm-up for the night’s main event — the Senior Thesis draft-burning party:

Over the recently concluded Easter Recess, a group of freshmen who will transfer to Thomas Aquinas College’s new campus in the fall paid a quick visit to their future home. Joined by two members of the California faculty who are also making the move, as well as two of next year’s resident advisers, some 27 members of the first class set foot, for the very first time, on the campus of Thomas Aquinas College, New England.

With nearly half of the student body traveling during Easter Recess, the campus of Thomas Aquinas College grows quiet over Holy Week. After the final classes on Wednesday afternoon, the classrooms go dark. For a brief time, the work, the studies, the myriad activities that dominate campus life cease. Thoughts and hearts turn to Our Lord, His sacrifice, and His ultimate triumph. The Paschal Triduum — from the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper to Saturday’s Easter Vigil — is a solemn time of prayer on campus.

As part of their long farewell tour, members of the Class of 2019 gathered with the freshmen Sunday for a “midnight snack.”

Dispensed from their usual curfew, the seniors and freshmen stayed up late in St. Cecilia Hall’s Ken and Joyce Skinner Coffee Shop, enjoying treats and each others’ company in the waning days of the academic year. Commencement is less than a month away!

Just prior to the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Palm Sunday, students, faculty, and friends of the College gathered with Chaplain Rev. David Gonzalez, O.Praem. by the St. Bernardine of Siena Library for the blessing of the palms. The congregation then processed through the academic quadrangle and into Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel. Photos from the procession are available below:

“Every time we have hosted an event on our New England campus, it has been overwhelming to see how many people turn out,” says Thomas Aquinas College Admissions Director Jon Daly. “Sunday was no exception. It was wonderful to see how enthusiastic people are to welcome Thomas Aquinas College to the region.”

In a longstanding tradition, the younger classes at Thomas Aquinas College take turns each spring bidding farewell to the soon-to-be-departing seniors. This past Sunday the sophomores had their opportunity, preparing and serving an elegant, outdoor brunch for the Class of 2019, complete with many heartfelt toasts.

An end-of-the-year dance, Chez Martin has become one of Thomas Aquinas College’s most popular annual events. Put on by members of the Senior Class, it is a relaxed occasion for the seniors to say goodbye to the underclassmen. It also serves as a fundraiser, with proceeds going toward the seniors’ farewell gift to the College.