Dr. Michael F. McLean Reappointed as President of Thomas Aquinas College

At its spring meeting, the Thomas Aquinas College Board of Governors voted unanimously to reappoint Dr. Michael F. McLean as president of Thomas Aquinas College. “Dr. McLean has served ably over the past six and a half years,” says Chairman R. Scott Turicchi. “On behalf of the Board of Governors, I extend to him my deepest gratitude and my sincere congratulations.”

Pursuant to its bylaws, the Board asked Dr. McLean last year if he wished to be considered for reappointment as president, to which he replied affirmatively. The Board and the College’s faculty then conducted an extensive review, consulting with many constituents, including tutors, administrative faculty members, founders, alumni, chaplains, and benefactors. “The consensus was a strong endorsement of Dr. McLean’s performance and a desire for him to continue as president,” says Mr. Turicchi. At the most recent meeting of the Board, the process concluded with the Governors’ unanimous vote and Dr. McLean’s formal acceptance of his reappointment.

Dr. Michael McLeanSpeaking for the Board of Governors, Mr. Turicchi praised Dr. McLean “for his leadership of the College during his first term, for his deep commitment to preserving the mission of the College as our founders envisioned it, and for his tireless efforts to secure its needs both now and for many years to come.” Dr. McLean, in turn, thanked the Board for its confidence. “I am grateful to the Governors for entrusting me with the honor of being reappointed as the president of Thomas Aquinas College for another term,” he said. “I pray for the graces to fulfill worthily this great responsibility, and I ask the College’s many friends to join me in this prayer.”

Per the College’s founding and governing document, the Board of Governors must select the College’s president from among the members of the teaching faculty. The College’s founders chose this arrangement, which is singular among American colleges and universities, so as to ensure the integrity of the College’s mission as an authentically Catholic institution committed to the highest academic standards. Dr. McLean is the College’s fourth president, having been preceded by Dr. Ronald P. McArthur (1971-1991), Dr. Thomas E. Dillon (1991-2009), and Mr. Peter L. DeLuca (2009-2010).