Following last week’s excursion into the Sespe wilderness, a group of Thomas Aquinas College students explored the natural beauty surrounding campus this past weekend with a backpacking trip to Topatopa Bluff (alt. 6,367 ft.). The College’s head chaplain, Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., and Resident Assistant Sarah Dufresne (’14) led the effort, photos of which are available below:

Following last week’s Senior-Freshman Beach Day and Dance, the juniors took their turn welcoming members of the Class of 2020 on Saturday night with a dance of their own. The event, which took place by the Guadalupe Fountain on the academic quadrangle, began with skits and song before moving on to swing-dancing and refreshments:

Next up: The Sophomore Welcoming Dance!

On Sunday a group of students — led by tutor Dr. Greg Froelich and recently retired tutor Dr. Carol Day — hiked along the borders of the Sespe Wilderness to explore the unique flora and fauna that exist north of the Topatopa Mountains. As part of their daylong excursion, the group also viewed the ancient rock paintings of Skull Rock.

When one enters the bronze doors of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel there is, to the left, a mahogany cabinet that holds breviaries and hymnals, rosaries and information about Thomas Aquinas College. The cabinet also contains a slot, through which students and visitors can make donations, marked “for the missions.”

Where do these donations go?

“The Beauty of Truth and Sincerity”

By Dr. Brian T. Kelly (’88)

Note: The following remarks are adapted from Dean Brian T. Kelly’s report to the Board of Governors at its February 17, 2015, meeting. They are part of an ongoing series of talks about why the College includes certain texts in its curriculum.

Construction continues apace on the College’s newest building, the St. Cecilia Lecture and Concert Hall. Ventura County has approved the building’s design plans, and the retaining wall is now completed. Workers have also begun to drill the shaft for the elevator’s hydraulic cylinder.

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 welcome dance, complete with student-produced skits, in St. Gladys Plaza:

Friday night on the academic quadrangle, students hosted an ice-cream social that soon turned into an impromptu dance. See photos in the slideshow below:

Members of the Thomas Aquinas College community celebrated Pope Francis’ canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta on Sunday, recalling fondly her visit to campus nearly 35 years ago.