MISSION STATEMENT Aquinas College, an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition, provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizes career preparation focused on leadership and service to others, and fosters a commitment to lifelong learning dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good.
VISION STATEMENT Aquinas College conducts an array of educational programs whose quality and effectiveness cause it to be considered consistently as a premier Catholic liberal arts college in the Midwest. In doing so, it is the college of choice for increasing numbers of students who seek a diverse, but inclusive, learning community that will enable them to increase their knowledge, hone their competencies, develop their character, and answer God’s calling to use their gifts and talents to make a positive difference in our world through their lives, work, and service. Aquinas strives to graduate students of competence, conscience, compassion, and commitment.
Editorial Team Laura Bennett-Kimble ’95 Marty Fahey, MM’06, staff Rene Palileo ’98, staff Sally Reeves, staff Julie Ridenour, staff
Contributing Writers Laura Bennett-Kimble ’95 Terry Bocian ’70, staff Eric Bridge ’92, staff Cecilia Cunningham, staff Stephan Davis, Ph.D., faculty Cindy Dorman, staff Marty Fahey, MM’06, staff Linda Nemec Foster ’72 Dave Fox, staff Brenda Hennink ’96, staff Jessica Higgins, senior Elizabeth Jensen, Ph.D., faculty Crystal (Lubbers ’01) Laska, staff Kristin Leamon ’93, staff Rabbi Al Lewis, D.H.L., D.D., L.L.D., staff Sr. Jean Milhaupt, O.P. ’45, staff Ben O’Hearn, senior Rene Palileo ’98, staff
Sally Reeves, staff Julie Ridenour, staff Ronda Varnesdeel ’01, staff William Weitzel, staff
Layout/Design D & D Printing, Grand Rapids Silvija Visockis
Design/Photo Archive Silvija Visockis
Photography Eric Bridge ’92 Mikel Cahill Mark Schmidbauer Brian Kelly The Saint Andris Visockis
Aquinas magazine, created in Spring 2002, is a semi-annual publication of Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is published in August and February each year by the College Relations Department for alumni, friends and benefactors of the College as well as parents of enrolled students. Aquinas is a private, four-year Catholic Dominican Liberal Arts College. Letters, comments and suggestions are encouraged. E-mail: collegerelations@aquinas.edu Mail to: College Relations Department 1607 Robinson Road, SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1799 Web site: www.aquinas.edu Alumni news: www.aquinas.edu/alumni Main number: (616) 632-8900 / (616) 632-2844 Fax: (616) 459-2563
Our Apologies In the spring 2006 edition, we profiled President Harry J. Knopke who retired from his post in June. In the article, we inadvertently omitted comments offered about President Knopke by one of our alumni. We provide those comments here: “Thanks to individuals, organizations, business entities, and many supporters, Aquinas has continued to grow and is an important education institution. From this long roster, the outstanding work of
President Harry J. Knopke is among those at the very top. He has brought to Aquinas a professional, friendly, and pragmatic attitude to his position. And, he applied these skills to the ever-growing business, social and community contacts that he has made and continues to make for Aquinas.” -Francisco M. Vega ’50, State Chairman of the Hispanic Assembly We apologize for the omission.
Correction: In the spring 2006 edition, we presented a picture of a group following a speech by Dr. Richard Lapchick. We inadvertently mis-identified Phil Hatlem as coordinator of the Aquinas Athletic Training Program. Phil is actually an assistant professor in the Sports Management Program and chairman of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.