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What sets Thomas Aquinas College apart from other schools is not what is studied, but the way it is done. I have often been asked why I went all the way to California to study philosophy and theology when there are so many schools that teach these things. Most of us probably came for the method. But what some of us did not realize is that the method is more than just the fact that there are class discussions instead of class lectures. That something more is community. At Thomas Aquinas, we live in community, we eat in community, we relax in community, we study in community, and we go to class in community. By "community" I do not mean that we are simply in the same place with the same people all the time, but that we share a common purpose - the pursuit of truth and liberation of the mind, and that we help each other to reach this goal. The key to community life lies in helping each other - in a word,
service. As Our Lord said, "the Son of Man came not to be served,
but to serve" (Matt. 20:28). Without this deeply Christian
element, I think living in community may qualify as a form of torture.
However, community that is strengthened by the service of its members
is a great gift to all. Living in Community
When we arrived as freshmen, I remember being surprised by the generosity of the returning student body. They welcomed us to the school, took interest in our ideas, and gave us direction in the studies upon which we were about to embark. I went to class, and it dawned on me that it was imperative to the operation of the classes that students maintain an attitude of service. In order for the discussion method to be effective, students must put their pride on the line and be willing to be wrong. After a concept has been understood by someone, he or she does not sit back content, but shares with the class, offering a new perspective to the problem, so as to teach the others. In preparation for class, students stay up late, and even miss meals, to help each other with a difficult Latin translation, an abstract planetary concept in Ptolemy or Kepler, or a missing step in a Newton proposition. Each ensures that no one is left behind. The next thing I discovered is that not everyone is able to build
up the community in the same way. The gifts of some people do not
lie in class discussion, but in helping people with studies outside
of class. Some will organize events or productions to increase the
morale on campus. Others make themselves present as good listeners
and offer sage advice or perspective. Community is built up and
strengthened by each individual act of self-giving. The Class of 2009The Class of 2009 has been exemplary in this regard. Each and every one of you has selflessly given your time and talent, either publicly or privately, for the good of others. Here's to all of you graduating thespians who have worked hundreds of thankless hours in rehearsal, sacrificing free evenings and weekends for the sake of a single performance. Let us remember the filmmakers, the singers, the members of the orchestra, the musicians who perform at Schubertiades. You have served your community by increasing the culture on campus, sharing beauty, provoking thought, and spreading laughter. Let us remember the students on work study who, by working in the kitchen, the library, the bookstore, the faculty building, have maintained the campus and those who have made beautiful the ever-expanding grounds. You have served the community by enhancing our environment.
Thank you to those who have worked to aid us in our Catholic faith through serving at the altar, the Legion of Mary, the prolife group; to the athletes who have coached, captained, refereed; to the prefects who carry the responsibility of setting a good example and guiding students toward the common good; to those who have worked tirelessly for dances, making food, creating decorations, organizing entertainment, and cleaning up until the wee hours when the fun is over. And last but not least, thank you to all the servants of the intellectual life who have discussed differences in the hallways, proofread papers late at night, helped students prepare for classes, and organized extra lectures or even study groups to foster a love of learning. That being said, we have more than each other to thank for our
social and intellectual development. For the past four years our
tutors have extended themselves far beyond what is to be expected.
They have taken personal interest in our success, and possessing
a vision for our potential, these men and women have made countless
sacrifices on our behalf. Thank you for your dedication to us and
to the rest of the community. Two of the College's Greatest ServantsI now wish to acknowledge two of this college's greatest servants. Fr. Wilfred Borden, Oblate of Mary Immaculate, was a fellow Albertan who poured out his last healthy years into Thomas Aquinas College. He loved the mission, he loved the students and - I cannot tell a lie - he had a soft spot for sports and Canadians. He instituted many good things as the assistant dean for religious affairs, but he was also very down to earth and kept a meticulous eye on the condition of his Stations of the Cross. When Fr. Borden wasn't serving in the chapel, he was serving in his home, accommodating all our sports fans with coverage of the games and abundant snacks and refreshments. Loyola Hall was also home to our Canadian Thanksgiving feast every year. Food wasn't enough, Fr. B. also had flags, decorations, Canadian trivia questions ready when we arrived. He was an example to us all. Fr. Borden returned to Canada two years ago, having suffered a stroke, and he passed away Easter Week of this year. The news of Fr. Borden's death fell on already heavy hearts, so soon after we were shocked by the loss of our beloved president, Dr. Thomas Dillon. It would be impossible to speak about servants of the community without remembering this great man. Dr. Dillon was a part of Thomas Aquinas College from the start. He joined the teaching faculty just one year after the founding of this school and served as president from 1991 until his tragic death while traveling on behalf of the College. Dr. Dillon loved this school deeply and worked tirelessly for the good of the students, faculty, and staff. His charismatic personality drew people to the aid of the College, financially and otherwise. Not only did his work succeed in supporting an excellent financial-aid program - without which many people, myself included, would not have been able to attend this college - but in addition he oversaw the planning and construction of much of the beautiful campus you see today. His work enabled us to be here, to study in a fine library, to sleep in comfortable residence halls, and finally, to pray in a beautiful chapel. We, the graduating class of 2009, are blessed and honored to have celebrated our Baccalaureate Mass in this House of God. For my class, today marks the end of one stage of life and the beginning of the next. When we arrived as freshmen, we were welcomed into a community that had been created by the sacrifice of others. Now, we as graduates take our leave from this community, hopefully having enriched it. We are on the brink of using what we have gained through our experience at this school to have a positive impact on the world. Let us embrace the task ahead of us and serve our fellow man with all the gifts that have been given to us. Thank you. Upon graduating, Mr. Noster and his bride, Nicole (Dunn '07), returned to his native Alberta, where he will pursue a degree in education. -- Qtrly Newsletter, Summer 2009 |
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