Community
In its earliest days, Novitiate Normal School was a community in every sense of the word. The sisters who took their teacher training were also living together as a religious community. That spirit of community continued when the sisters opened their doors to lay women as the Normal School became first Sacred Heart, and then Marywood College, in the 1920’s. When the school expanded to include men and took the name Catholic Junior College, the student body and faculty remained closely knit. Small class sizes and a large number of core courses meant that students got to know one another very well in their time at the College. Social activities, such as the annual picnic at Johnson Park, and groups such as the Catholic Life Conference, the Women’s Club, the Men’s Club, and Le Circle Francais bonded the
community together. Sports were introduced in the late 1930’s, with basketball, then baseball, becoming the College’s first varsity teams. A Michigan Catholic article about the college reported, “Extra-curricular life plays a dominant part in the Catholic Junior College scheme. It is looked upon as a laboratory in which the fundamental teachings of the College are put into practice.” As the College expanded in the 1950’s, the close familial feeling remained strong, and was enhanced in the 1960’s with the addition of Regina and St. Joseph the Worker residence halls and Wege Center. The sense of a community that prays together, studies together, and serves the world together continues as graduates become part of the Alumni Association and maintain their ties of friendship and love throughout their lives.
The first post-World War II formal dance was held at the Blythefield Country Club in 1948.
Aquinas College 125th Anniversary
Ernie’s Run became a feature of Homecoming Weekend to commemorate the life of popular physical education instructor Ernie Romine. Teams dress up imaginative, themed costumes for the 5k walk/run.