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As a measure of gratitude to the men who established Thomas Aquinas College — as well as to their wives and families, whose sacrifices made their work possible — the College has officially dedicated, in their honor, the plaza just to the north of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel. At a ceremony this morning, President Michael F. McLean presided at the unveiling of a plaque, affixed to the Chapel’s southern wall, declaring the area “Founders Plaza.”

“Our intention is to name this plaza ‘Founders Plaza,’” said President Michael F. McLean, “in the hope that all who will gather in, or pass through, this space will remember the founding of the College with gratitude and will offer prayers of thanksgiving to Almighty God for His providential care of the College and offer prayers as well for the intentions of all of those who contributed to its establishment.”

Officials chose March 7 for the Dedication, in part, because it is the feast of the College’s patron, St. Thomas Aquinas. The date is doubly significant on campus, however, because it is also the anniversary of the Dedication of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel and, as such, it is celebrated as a solemnity. “How appropriate a day this is to honor the founding of Thomas Aquinas College and to honor those who made the beginning of the College possible,” Dr. McLean said.

In his remarks, Dr. McLean honored all the founders of the College and, in particular, its four principal founders: Dr. Ronald P. McArthur, Mr. Marcus R. Berquist, Dr. John W. Neumayr, and Mr. Peter DeLuca. He credited these leaders for “their ability to powerfully articulate the case for Catholic liberal education, their ability to promote the College with eloquence and vigor, their commitment and discipleship to what is enduring and indispensable in Aristotle and in St. Thomas Aquinas, their abiding faith and trust in Providence, and their unstinting devotion to the teaching Church.”

The two surviving principal founders, Dr. Neumayr and Mr. DeLuca, were both on hand for the occasion, as were their wives and the widows of Dr. McArthur and Mr. Berquist. “Founding and sustaining the College was always something of a risk and a venture into the unknown,” said Dr. McLean. “It would not have happened without the help and support of the founders’ spouses and families.” He and his wife, Lynda, then presented Marilyn McArthur, Kay DeLuca, Bridget Neumayr, and Laura Berquist each with a bouquet of flowers.

As part of the Dedication, Dean Brian T. Kelly spoke of the College’s founding and its legacy. “I have been struck again and again by one common thread in the founding tutors that I was blessed to know,” he observed. “Although they had a high regard for the school that they founded, and were struck by its growing reputation, they were all remarkably humble about their role in it. …  They always recognized that God used their efforts for His own purposes and that they could only take credit as vessels of grace.”

To conclude the ceremony, Head Chaplain Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., offered a blessing and sprinkled both the plaque and Founders Plaza itself with Holy Water. “Almighty and Everlasting God,” he prayed, “may You be the protector of this college and, in a special way, of this Founders Plaza, and let no evil come upon it. Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas, our patron, and in memory of our founders, without whom this institution of higher learning would not exist, let Your peace come upon all who gather here.”

Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017
  • Founders Plaza Dedication 2017