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About
Fidelity & ExcellenceThomas Aquinas College is unique among American colleges and universities, offering a faithfully Catholic education comprised entirely of the Great Books and classroom discussions.
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A Liberating Education
Truth MattersTruth, and nothing less, sets men free; and because truth is both natural and supernatural, the College’s curriculum aims at both natural and divine wisdom.
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A Catholic Life
Under the Light of FaithThe intellectual tradition and moral teachings of the Catholic Church infuse the whole life of Thomas Aquinas College, illuminating the curriculum and the community alike.
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Admission & Aid
Is TAC Right for You?Do you enjoy grappling with complex questions? Are you willing to engage in discussions about difficult concepts, with the truth as your ultimate goal?
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Students & Parents
Mind, Body & SpiritThere is always something to do at TAC — something worthwhile, something fulfilling, and something geared toward ever-greater spiritual and intellectual growth.
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Alumni & Careers
What Can You Do with a Liberal Education?Nothing speaks more to the versatility of the College’s academic program than the good that our alumni are doing throughout the Church and the world.
Alumni Come Together, Break Records at 2024 Day of Giving
“We went with the theme of ‘All Together Now’ for the 2024 Alumni Day of Giving because it spoke to the idea of alumni uniting and giving our all out of love for Thomas Aquinas College,” says Alumni Association President Peter Colarelli (’92). “And did we ever live up to the billing!”
Over the course of March 7, the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas — and the 750th anniversary of the Angelic Doctor’s entrance into eternal life — 676 alumni gave 766 gifts, totaling a record of $316,069. That sum marks a 24 percent increase over last year’s giving, far eclipsing the $250,000 goal for the day.
To get the seventh annual giving day off to a strong start, College Governor Angela (Andersen ’87) Connelly and her husband, Jack, promised to match — dollar for dollar — the first $100,000 in gifts. “That gave us our initial momentum and carried us well into the afternoon,” says Mr. Colarelli. When alumni met the Connellys’ challenge, Joe Lyons (’94), Paul White (’95), and a few of their friends issued a $25,000 matching gift of their own, which the alumni met within a couple hours.
“We are profoundly grateful to all the TAC alumni whose hard work and generosity continue to make possible the College’s mission of Catholic liberal education.”
Finally, to close out the day, College Governor Andrew W. Zepeda (’79) and his wife, Anita (Grimm ’79), offered a late-evening matching gift, which — along with the scores of other gifts it inspired — quickly pushed the day’s total above the $300,000 mark. “We extend our deepest thanks to the Connellys for giving the lead gift; to Joe, Paul, and their friends, who kept the pressure up during the middle of the day; and to Andy, who not only got us over the $300k hump, but who was calling his friends and soliciting gifts throughout the day.”
In the much-watched inter-class competition, the Class of 2014 staged a come-from-behind victory, narrowly overtaking the Class of 1985 to continue its reign — for the third straight year! — as the class with the highest giving percentage. Close behind were the Classes of 1988, 2018, and 2003. To celebrate its accomplishment, the Class of 2014 will be honored with a plaque in the dinning commons on both campuses, as well as with a fitting recognition at its 10th anniversary reunion this summer.
Meanwhile, several alumni influencers enthusiastically rallied fellow TACers to the cause, most notably Bernadette (Coughlin ’05) Bergen, who inspired 56 gifts worth $7,898. In gratitude for her herculean efforts, Mrs. Bergen will receive a six-bottle shipment of fine wines from Doctor’s Orders Natural Wine Company, courtesy of alumni vintners Anna (Dunlap) and Dominic O’Reilly (both ’12). Simone (Kelly ’22) Cassidy brought hundreds of visitors to the Alumni Day of Giving website, earning her an heirloom-quality grilling set from St. Lawrence Grill Works, founded by Dorianne (Drogin ’11) and Matt Hull.
Additionally, all alumni who made gifts of $50 or more were entered into a raffle for a one-year supply of fine coffee from Verso L’Alto Coffee Roasters, thanks to its owners, Hannah (Flanders) and Johnny Richard (both ’13) and Samantha Flanders (’15). Winning the raffle and the coffee was William P. Gilles (’75), a member of the College’s first graduating class.
“Congratulations to all the alumni who earned and won prizes, and especially to the Class of 2014, which continues to set the example for us all,” adds Mr. Colarelli. “We are profoundly grateful to all the TAC alumni whose hard work and generosity continue to make possible the College’s mission of Catholic liberal education.”