“Giving New Life to Dwight L. Moody’s Vision”

By Michael F. McLean, Ph.D.
President, Thomas Aquinas College
“The Northfield Celebration”
(event following New England Campus Transfer Ceremony)
Northfield, Massachusetts
May 2, 2017
Prepared text

Tuesday morning in Western Massachusetts’ historic Connecticut River valley marked, as President Michael F. McLean described it, “a monumental day in the history of Thomas Aquinas College.”

Each year, starting in the fall and continuing well into the spring, the seniors of Thomas Aquinas College labor to create what will be the culmination of their four years of academic efforts — the senior thesis. Based on a subject of each student’s own choosing, and drawing from the College’s classical curriculum, the thesis represents its author’s effort to apply his education to a matter of scholarly and personal importance.

Each spring, in the final weeks of the semester, members of the Senior Class team up against the faculty in the annual Senior-Tutor Softball Game. In this year’s contest, which took place on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 26, the seniors won for the first time in seven years, besting the tutors by a score of 8-7.

After the game, the College’s athletic fields became the site of another popular senior tradition — the thesis draft-burning party.

To celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy, Chaplain Rev. David Gonzalez, O.Praem., led a Eucharistic procession across the campus after Sunday’s 11:30 a.m. Mass. The procession visited each of the residence halls, where students kneeled, sang hymns, and prayed before the Eucharistic Lord.

Jesus, we trust in you!

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 2017, complete with many heartfelt toasts.

An end-of-the-year, outdoor 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.

This year’s Chez Martin began with dinner, and then proceeded with student-written and directed skits. The night ended with desserts and dancing on in St. Gladys Plaza.

Streaming Video

On the morning of May 2, in the Western Massachusetts town of Northfield, the National Christian Foundation will formally donate to Thomas Aquinas College the single largest gift in the College’s history — the site of its planned New England campus.

By Dr. Brian T. Kelly (’88)
Dean, Thomas Aquinas College

Note: The following remarks are adapted from Dean Brian T. Kelly’s report to the Board of Governors at its November 12, 2016, meeting. They are part of an ongoing series of talks about why the College includes certain texts in its curriculum.