Under a bright California sky, on Saturday, May 12, Thomas Aquinas College celebrated its 38th Commencement exercises, welcoming the 66 members of the Class of 2012 as its newest alumni. The day began with the Baccalaureate Mass of the Holy Spirit in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, with the College’s head chaplain and assistant to the dean for religious affairs, Rev. Cornelius M. Buckley, S.J., serving as the principal celebrant:
Student acolytes lead the procession into Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel.
Slideshow: Baccalaureate Mass 2012
The women of the Class of 2012 process in …
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… followed by the men.
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Dean Brian T. Kelly and Commencement Speaker Mother M. Assumpta Long, O.P.
Slideshow: Baccalaureate Mass 2012
Chairman of the Board of Governors R. James Wensley and President Michael F. McLean
Slideshow: Baccalaureate Mass 2012
Members of the Class of 2012
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Co-founder and tutor Dr. John W. Neumayr delivers the first reading …
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… and Joshua Altic (’12) delivers the second.
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Head Chaplain and Assistant to the Dean for Religious Affairs Cornelius M. Buckley, S.J., offers the Eucharistic prayer.
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Director of Admissions Jonathan Daly offers the prayers of the faithful.
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Philip Knuffke (’12) and Mary Wise (’12) present the gifts of bread and wine.
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Fr. Buckley distributes Holy Communion to members of the faculty and the Class of 2012.
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The graduates at prayer
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Graduates sing, one last time, as members of the Thomas Aquinas College Choir.
Slideshow: Baccalaureate Mass 2012
Following the Mass, just outside the Chapel on the academic quadrangle, was the Commencement ceremony itself. Mother M. Assumpta Long, O.P, foundress and prioress general of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, delivered the Commencement Address. Along with two of the College’s founders and stalwarts, Mr. Peter L. DeLuca and John W. Neumayr, Mother Assumpta also received the College’s highest honor, The Medallion of Saint Thomas Aquinas:
President Michael F. McLean; Head Chaplain Rev. Cornelius M. Buckley, S.J.; and Mother M. Assumpta Long, O.P. walk toward the academic quadrangle for the Commencement ceremony.
Slideshow: Commencement 2012
Members of the Class of 2012 …
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… process down the staircase by the Guadalupe Fountain.
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Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., offers the invocation.
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Michaella E. Pape (’12) sings the National Anthem.
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Noel K. Bulger (’12) leads the Pledge of Allegiance.
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James W. Thompson (’12) delivers the Senior Address …
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… eliciting laughter from his classmates.
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Co-founder Peter L. DeLuca receives the Medallion of Saint Thomas Aquinas from Chairman of the Board of Governors R. James Wensley.
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Co-founder John W. Neumayr also receives the Medallion, the College’s highest honor.
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Mr. Wensley presents Mother Assumpta with the Medallion.
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Mother Assumpta prepares to deliver the Commencement Address.
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Fr. Buckley blesses the diplomas.
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Dean Brian T. Kelly hugs his daughter, Grace (’12) after fitting her with her graduate hood.
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Fr. Buckley distributes the diplomas.
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Avery M. Upchurch (’12) ceremoniously flips her tassel after receiving her diploma.
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Dr. McLean offers the Charge to the Graduating Class.
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Members of the Class of 2012 sing Non nobis, Domine, Domine non nobis, Domine Sed nomini, sed nomini, tuo da gloriam — “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory.”
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Chaplain Rev. Hildebrand Garceau, O.Praem, delivers the benediction.
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Congratulations to the Class of 2012!
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Posted: May 12, 2012
