Slideshow: Chicago Board of Regents Hosts Inaugural Event

Friends of Thomas Aquinas College from throughout the Midwest gathered earlier this month for an afternoon reception hosted by the College’s newly formed Chicago Board of Regents.

“This was our inaugural event and it was a great success,” says Peter Colarelli (’92), chairman of the Chicago Board of Regents. “We were able to reconnect with some familiar faces and establish new relationships with those in the community who are friends of authentic, Christ-centered liberal arts education.”

Serving as guest speaker for the occasion was attorney Kyle Duncan of Schaerr Duncan LLP, who spoke about an issue on which he has a great deal of expertise: religious liberty. In his former role as general counsel of the Becket Fund, Mr. Duncan was lead counsel representing Hobby Lobby in its challenge to the HHS mandate. Thomas Aquinas College President Michael F. McLean and Vice President Paul J. O’Reilly also attended the reception, which took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Umberto Brizuela. Dr. McLean addressed the group, discussing the College’s unique program of Catholic liberal education and its intention to launch a New England branch campus, contingent upon the approval of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

The government and public affairs manager at the CITGO Lemont Refinery, Mr. Colarelli spoke of the future of the Chicago Board of Regents, as well as his hopes for the support the Board will provide to the College in the years ahead. “We are excited to build upon all of the successes that have been accomplished over the years by incredible people in this region to advance the mission of the College,” he says. “We will be building upon this experience and hope that more and more people engage in our efforts as we continue to help others learn more about all that Thomas Aquinas College has to offer its students and our world.”