WINTER/SPRING 2016
WINTER/SPRING THE MAGAZINE OF2016 AQUINAS COLLEGE THE MAGAZINE OF AQUINAS COLLEGE
CATHOLIC ROOTS & SUSTAINABILITY PAGE 18
Volume 15 :: Issue 1 :: Winter/Spring 2016 The Aquinas Magazine is the flagship publication of Aquinas College. This magazine reflects the heart of the College as expressed through its Catholic heritage and distinctive Dominican tradition.
IN THIS ISSUE 7 :: Eboo Patel’s Interfaith Dialogue 14 :: Q&A with Father Stan 16 :: New Chapel Defined 18 :: Sustainability and Catholic Social Teaching 26 :: Joining the Dominican Order 28 :: Dominican Sisters’ 800th Jubilee
Message from the President I am often asked about the difference between Aquinas College and other liberal arts colleges. When I first returned to my alma mater as president in 2011, my response likely would have been something about our engaged faculty and staff, the opportunity for students to experience the advantage of smaller, more personal classroom settings or the physical beauty of our campus surrounded by a vibrant city. Now, however, I realize that the difference runs much deeper than those fine attributes. The Aquinas difference is rooted in a tradition of prayer, study, service and community. Our Catholic and Dominican roots make us distinctively different. Our roots define us. As one of America’s Top 50 Catholic Colleges, our long history is infused with worship and reflection and serves as the foundation of our excellence in education. Here at Aquinas, we don’t just talk faith; we find ways to live faith. Faith shines in our commitment to inclusivity, our focus on entering into different dialogues to seek truth and the desire to explore issues from all points of view. Our Catholic faith tied to our Dominican roots helps us to respect the freedom of conscience and promote a healthy environment of ethical behavior. It demands that we enrich our human spirit with lifelong learning and that we remain committed to continuous self-improvement. In the coming months, you will learn more about our plans to build a new chapel. Our Lady Seat of Wisdom will stand as the centerpiece of campus. She will help us expand our spiritual ministry and provide more opportunities to engage in worship. Our Lady Seat of Wisdom will be the place for alumni to come home to Aquinas and celebrate special moments in their lives. True to our Dominican roots, Aquinas has used resources wisely over the decades. Now we are poised to leap forward, honoring our Catholic and Dominican heritage once again with expanded access to worship and celebration. Our roots remind us to follow in the footsteps of individuals like St. Dominic, who lived a life committed to building community. The Aquinas difference rests in our Catholic and Dominican roots. The value we place on the charisms of prayer, study, service and community anchor us to living our faith every day. So join us for an edition of the Aquinas Magazine that reflects the ideals on which our College was founded, and the individuals who make faith come alive on campus every day. Juan R. Olivarez ‘71, Ph.D., President
¡SI SE PUEDE! AQ STUDENTS AND ALUMNI TEACH, LEARN & GROW AT SAN JUAN DIEGO ACADEMY
Patricia Schlutt ‘16
San Juan Diego Academy is a Catholic elementary and middle school in Wyoming, Michigan and the only Catholic school with a predominantly Latino student body within the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Students of the academy take English classes in order to transition from mainly Spanish-speaking to bilingual.
Connections between the two schools are facilitated by Associate Professor of Spanish Shelli Rottschafer, Ph.D. and a handful of Aquinas alumni who teach at the academy. Molly Pelak ‘14 is spending her first year after graduation teaching seventh grade at San Juan Diego Academy. When reflecting on her first year as a teacher at San Juan Diego Academy, Pelak said, “Respectful, faith-filled and passionate about life are all characteristics of the people who are students, parents, teachers and staff at San Juan Diego Academy. I am teaching a group of seventh graders who are such vocal leaders [and] have an abundant amount of energy. Our school year has been flying by with so many activities and field trips taking place: one field trip being at Aquinas College during our ‘college week’ at San Juan Diego Academy.” 4::AQUINAS
The Aquinas College field trip for Pelak’s seventh graders is another demonstration of the interconnectedness of the two schools. Through a visit to campus, Aquinas infuses possibility into the everyday lives of the students. When children see college students volunteer in their classrooms and when they visit colleges, they are exposed to a myriad of opportunities available in postsecondary education. Students in Dr. Rottschafer’s Engaging Hispanic Grand Rapids course also serve San Juan Diego Academy through volunteer opportunities. By working one-on-one with the children, AQ students learn about and connect with Latino culture and heritage. Alicia Halberg ‘16 is a current student volunteer from Dr. Rottschafer’s class. Though she is busy with a double major in biology and Spanish, Halberg looks forward to Friday mornings spent volunteering for Pelak’s seventh grade class. “The students are great and I love working with them,” said Halberg. “I also answer questions when the kids are working on assignments.” Since she gets involved in classroom work, Halberg made the distinction that her work with San Juan Diego Academy is not just service learning but civil engagement. She noted that her time volunteering with San Juan Diego Academy is time that she spends participating in her community, not just providing a service. With education and the opportunity to serve, Aquinas students and alumni are becoming wellequipped to make a difference.
“ The students are great and I love working with them.” Alicia Halberg ‘16
“Even though the first year of teaching can be very busy, I really have Aquinas College to thank for preparing me so well in the field of education,” said Pelak. “I feel very blessed to have attended such a genuine college such as Aquinas that led me on my path to San Juan Diego Academy! God is so good! As we say every morning at San Juan Diego Academy as part of our ‘college-going culture:’ Sí se puede¡” (Yes, it’s possible!).
Annual Scholarship Highlights Dominican Charisms Lauren Fay Carlson ‘12 Prayer, study, service and community. Each year, AQ TRiO Student Support Services hosts the Four Dominican Charisms Scholarship Competition, an award that highlights students who exemplify each particular charism through a variety of activities. Student Support Services, who developed this Aquinas-specific scholarship opportunity, is a federally funded program located within the Aquinas College Academic Learning Services Department. Demonstrating “the very heart of what we say Aquinas is about,” according to Writing Center Director Julie Bevins, these students receive tuition dollars that help them continue to demonstrate a particular charism on campus and in their communities. In the fall, undergraduate students are invited to apply for the scholarship, asking to be considered for an award in as many of the four categories for which they could be qualified. As part of the application, each student (typically 25-30 apply), is required to define a particular charism in their own words, then express how they are demonstrating the charism in their daily life—on campus, in their studies, at work. One scholarship of $750 is awarded for each category, and often an honorable-mention scholarship is given of a lesser amount.
Katelyn Padalino ‘17, a biology major, received a 2014 scholarship in the category of service. “I think that the scholarship itself is great and I love how it recognizes the contributions that TRiO students are making to the community,” she said “I am an active volunteer because I love how it makes me feel when I serve others.” A demonstration of AQ’s dedication to the four Dominican charisms, the scholarship rewards students who actively embody this four-fold mission.
2015 WINNERS MARY WERNET ‘18 – Prayer LINDSEY FRIEND ‘17– Study JOHN AGAR ‘18 – Community DANIELLE FRENZEL ‘18 – Service
Ta H n E P O P E i n s i d e l o o k V I S I T S P H I L L Y Trish Castiglione ‘92
“Listening to him speak and stress the importance of taking care of each other, especially taking care of our families, really resonated with me.” Trish Castiglione ‘92
In September 2015, Pope Francis visited Philadelphia. Interim Vice President & Executive Director of the Aquinas College Foundation Trish Castiglione ‘92 had a rare inside look into the events, and shared her experience. I was fortunate to attend the festivities in Philadelphia for the remarkable visit from Pope Francis. I was the guest of my brother, Tom Monaghan, Jr., who was part of the management team and worked closely with officials during this remarkable weekend. The access that we were granted afforded a once in a lifetime experience seeing Pope Francis. We were in reserved seats at the Festival of Families, which was held on September 26, 2015, where Pope Francis celebrated families from around the world. This event was held at Eakins Oval Stage on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. On September 27, 2015, Pope Francis visited St. Joseph’s University where my brother is on staff. Tom and I had
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front-row seats, taking in this experience where the Pope was joined by Rabbi Abraham Skork—an old friend of his— for a ceremony at Joshua Koffman’s “Synagoga and Ecclesia in Our Time,” a statue recently dedicated outside the university’s chapel that commemorates the relationship between Catholics and Jews and the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate decree. The last and most amazing experience of the weekend was at Pope Francis’ invite-only departure ceremony at the Atlantic Aviation Hangar located at the Philadelphia International Airport, as the Pope left for Rome. This was an amazing, up-close and personal experience. Pope Francis spoke about the importance of family and taking care of each other. He also thanked the volunteers and donors for the wonderful weekend. Vice President Joe Biden and the Archbishop of Philadelphia Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap. were the hosts for the event.
Having the opportunity to be in the presence of Pope Francis during his visit to Philadelphia was definitely one of the great moments of my life. Listening to him speak and stress the importance of taking care of each other, especially taking care of our families, really resonated with me. Being in the presence of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church is something every Catholic aspires to achieve at least once in his or her life. Having grown up in the Catholic faith, I am blessed that I had that experience. As the trip got closer, my excitement grew in anticipation for my three days in Philadelphia. However, it wasn’t until I was in the same room with the Pope, that I realized how emotional the experience was going to be for me, and that I would be awe struck by his presence. I am so grateful for this amazing experience!
INTERFAITH
DIALOGUE
FOSTERS
UNDERSTANDING,
CONVERSATION
ON CAMPUS Patricia Schlutt ‘16
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n October 8, 2015, Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core, gave a presentation at Aquinas titled “Interfaith Leadership: Engaging Faith and Philosophical Diversity.” Patel is also a member of President Barack Obama’s inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships and the author of two books on interfaith dialogue (“Acts of Faith, Sacred Ground” and “Interfaith Leadership”). AQ’s Campus Life, Student Senate, Campus Ministry and Service-Learning departments partnered with Grand Valley State University’s Kaufman Interfaith Institute to bring Patel to West Michigan. As a Catholic campus, AQ is rooted in religious tradition. A champion of interfaith dialogue, Patel asserts that people of faith need to protect and learn from each tradition. A theme in his presentation was the persecution of Catholics throughout American history, which parallels the United States’ modern-day Muslim persecution. Patel also noted that one way to work against this persecution is to share through stories, asserting that stories touch what is deeply human in everyone. Everyone has a story, and religious traditions are overflowing with them. Through these stories, unity and compassion can be found despite differences. In addition to events such as the Interfaith Dialogue, Aquinas facilitates religious community and discussion through an interfaith service student intern position currently held by Allison Garstecki ‘16. Working with a variety of students, staff and faculty to plan interfaith events, Garstecki guides AQ’s efforts to unite faith traditions on campus. “Interfaith service at Aquinas College is for all religious, spiritual and secular identities to come together to voice our values, engage in meaningful dialogue and act for the common good. We are in partnership with the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University, Calvin College and the Interfaith Youth Core,” said Garstecki. “We are always better together.”
As interfaith student coordinator, Garstecki has initiated several programs that seek to involve people of different faiths to serve the community together. A partnership with Rays of Hope International has resulted in the Project + Interfaith Discussion (PAIL), which asks students to create small groups that nurture guided interfaith dialogue and fill a pail with supplies that will be sent to Haiti. She has also organized an Interfaith Day of Service that took place on campus and at Rays of Hope on November 18, 2015. Garstecki, working to foster a space for interfaith discussion, can often be found on campus in the Moose Café. Her work is designed to challenge people to get out of their comfort zones and learn from each other.
Interfaith dialogue is vital in counteracting religious division and prejudice. In his presentation, Eboo Patel emphasized the need to be able to assert and celebrate differences while respecting and learning from one another. These two skills can be refined by an ongoing interfaith dialogue. Aquinas College’s emphasis on interfaith work, evidenced in bringing Patel to campus and the work being done by the interfaith service student intern, is growing an atmosphere of love and respect on campus. With events and actions such as these, people from all religions can feel welcome in their beliefs and valued for their inherent dignity at Aquinas.
PROFESSOR EXAMINES
ANOREXIA NERVOSA IN NEW BOOK Mary Webster ’17
“My goal was to make sure that the insights that women in the study shared with me about their eating disorders were brought to light, made visible through the publication of this research.” Susan HaworthHoeppner, Ph.D.
Susan Haworth-Hoeppner, Ph.D. has been a professor in the sociology department at Aquinas for over sixteen years, and has also served as the director of the Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s Studies Center. Dr. Haworth-Hoeppner has written a book, “Culture, Family and the Self in the Development of Eating Disorders,” which will be published by Rutledge in the spring of 2016 as part of their Social Science Research Monograph Series. The book focuses on the eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, examining it from a sociological perspective, framing eating disorders as a social response to social conditions. Dr. Haworth-Hoeppner’s interest in this subject stemmed from an introduction to women’s studies class she taught at Oakland University in 1990. In an assignment, she asked her class of 25 students to write descriptions of their bodies. To her surprise, the 24 females in the class all mentioned at least one negative thing about their bodies, yet the only male in the class mentioned all positive things. “The assignment results piqued my interest,” said Dr. HaworthHoeppner, “so I continued giving the same assignment out in all my classes, until I had a total sample size of about 300. I factored in age, race and gender, and found that women, as a group, regardless of race and age, tended to talk about their bodies in ways that appeared to exist on a continuum of dissatisfaction—everything from ‘I like my body but … ,’ to ‘I need a complete transformation because … .’ Females’ negative bodily descriptions covered the gamut—from losing ten pounds to needing a nose job—yet males seemed to perpetually describe themselves positively, almost to the point where you would’ve thought they were all Adonis,” she said. After learning of this stark dichotomy, “body image and eating disorders became the subject of my dissertation research,” said Dr. Haworth-Hoeppner. Thus, “the central thesis of the book is that culture, family and the individual are critical components in any examination of the etiology of eating disorders. The rationale behind this view is that the way any woman feels about her body relates to issues of identity tied to group dynamics and situated in larger cultural processes.” She continued, “the central question of this book, then, is how the social processes that surround and inform culture, family and the individual conjoin to contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa.” Dr. Haworth-Hoeppner is looking forward to the book’s publication. “My goal was to make sure that the insights that women in the study shared with me about their eating disorders were brought to light, made visible through the publication of this research. I believe that I have successfully completed that goal now,” said Dr. HaworthHoeppner. “I hope others might benefit in some way from this work.”
PAINT & TRADITION: Dominican Portraits Newly Commissioned
Lauren Fay Carlson ‘12
With over ten art programs and an accomplished art faculty, Aquinas College exposes its students to a myriad of artistic possibilities. Firmly rooted as a Catholic institution, AQ melds religion with art, exhibiting religious artists and exploring Catholic artworks. Recently, aided by the enthusiasm of President Juan R. Olivarez ‘12, Ph.D., the College commissioned seasoned painter Yuri Kuchukov to paint three Dominican portraits—of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Dominic de Guzman and St. Albertus Magnus—to be installed on campus in the coming years.
In May of 2015, Kuchukov completed his first portrait, an oil painting of St. Thomas Aquinas. Including symbols such as the dove (the Holy Spirit) and stones and ferns (the narrow way), Kuchukov sought to create a painting that would accurately capture the importance of the saint to the Dominican order. “[It was] very important for me to create feeling of walking man, like levitating man … like flying … very light,” said Kuchukov. This first portrait temporarily hangs in the main staircase in the Wege Student Center.
Hailing from Russia, Kuchukov immigrated to the United States in the 1970s to continue studying art and obtain work as a painter. Soon garnering attention with exhibitions in New York City, New Jersey, Germany and France, Kuchukov found success, but not passion. “I wasn’t satisfied,” he said. Mainly painting mainstream subjects, Kuchukov discovered what he called the “emptiness of secular art.” In search of religious fulfillment, the artist began to study Russian iconography, and taught art in upstate New York for almost two decades.
Though the permanent location of all three pieces is not yet decided, the College looks forward to the completion of the artworks. “The Aquinas College community is deeply honored and grateful to receive a trio of portraits depicting St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Dominic de Guzman and St. Albertus Magnus. These works, recently commissioned as a gift for the College, will serve as highly visible and impactful reminders of our Dominican heritage,” said President Olivarez. “The portraits also support our efforts to increase the presence of our Dominican roots on campus. These celebrated Dominican theologians, scholars and saints will enrich the character of campus for years to come.”
In early 2015, a friend of the College viewed Kuchukov’s work for the first time and introduced the artist to Aquinas College staff. After a committed donor offered to commission the pieces, President Olivarez and others worked with Kuchukov to develop the ideas for the three portraits.
DOMINICAN CHARISMS RUN DEEP AT AQ
Daniel Treul ‘09
Aquinas College is deeply rooted in the Dominican tradition, at the heart of which lie the four Dominican charisms: prayer, study, service and community. Each of these charisms is uniquely integrated into the Aquinas experience. Whether it’s participating in one of the College’s service learning trips, engaging in civil debate or joining a spontaneous prayer at Bukowski Chapel, Aquinas students embody these Dominican values in different ways, each and every day.
PRAYER Not everyone comes to Aquinas with the same intention as freshman theology major Michael Gorman ‘19, who is discerning to be a Catholic priest. He believes the Dominican value of prayer manifests itself across campus, touching students in different ways, regardless of faith. As Gorman sees it, prayer “brings everyone together in a community. It unites everybody.”
Domenic Fusco ‘18 and Kascha Sanor ‘17
SERVICE “I try to live my life in service every day,” said Allison Garstecki ‘17, a senior biology major and Campus Ministry interfaith service student intern, who works crossdepartmentally on campus to plan events such as the Interfaith Dialogue on October 8, 2015. “To me, being a service leader means putting others first and serving the common good.” For Garstecki and other Aquinas students, that means venturing beyond what may be familiar—such as joining a service-learning trip to South Dakota to work on the Lakota reservation. “South Dakota really hit me hard,” said Domenic Fusco ‘18. Fusco, a sophomore studying business and communication, promised himself when he came to Aquinas that he would go on a service-learning trip at every possible opportunity. “That’s where I find happiness the most in myself,” he said.
On October 12, 2015, when Evan Kimball, freshman at Aquinas, was suddenly killed in a car accident, news of the tragedy reverberated across campus. Gorman remembers witnessing first-hand the power of prayer to unite. “Everyone felt that,” he said. “You could definitely see what the Aquinas community looked like. The night that happened, there was a swarm of people who went to the chapel and prayed together.”
“The beauty of the Dominican order is that they base it on communal and contemplative prayer,” said Chris Grote ‘17, a junior majoring in business administration and Spanish. Grote, an Indianapolis native who wanted to attend a Catholic school, emphasized prayer’s ability to create community on campus. “I actually go to a men’s group every Friday night, and we go to the chapel on campus and we pray the rosary together. It really goes off what the Gospel in Matthew says: ‘Where two or more meet in my name, I am there,’” he said.
Kasha Sanor ‘17, a junior studying German, international studies and community leadership, agrees. She calls Aquinas “a small school with a big heart.” As a Campus Ministry service learning assistant, Sanor helps coordinate the College’s 15 service-learning trips. “When we go and volunteer, we don’t just go for a week; we partner with a local organization 365 days a year.” According to Sanor,
“the Dominican charism of service is more about creating a community and engaging in social action issues, rather than putting a Band-Aid on it.”
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Chris Grote ‘17
COMMUNITY In study and beyond, the bonds of community run deep at Aquinas.
“I fell in love with the intimacy of the Aquinas community,” said Annamarie Pavlock ‘15, who studied
elementary education. “The students, staff and faculty at Aquinas … give so much of their time to make Aquinas better and to serve one another,” she said. “There is a strong sense of belonging to one another and to the community here.” “It means looking out for everyone ... reaching out and extending that arm to someone you don’t know,” said Aidan Anderson ‘18, a sophomore business major. Anderson says he came to Aquinas in large part due to the College’s sense of community. Anderson cites the new Aquinas Advantage Center, which houses student research, international programs and internships, as well as career services and alumni engagement, as just one of the College’s community-building offerings.
Annamarie Pavlock ‘15 and Aidan Anderson ‘18
STUDY
Creating community through engagement is central to Aquinas’ Dominican emphasis on study. Seth Kreeger ‘16, a senior philosophy and theology double major, came to Aquinas largely for its focus on critical discourse. Kreeger cited the third debate of Disputatio on April 29, 2015 that explored the notion of “just war” as a turning point in his study at Aquinas. Organized by Assistant Professor of Philosophy Bryan Pilkington, Ph.D., this third event in the campus debate series focused on civil discourse and critical thinking. “Every human being is a philosopher,” said Kreeger. “In study, we are completely open to that, to know the fullness of everything. I would argue that
the Dominican and Catholic worldview is open to everything— seeking to know the source of everything.” Professor of English Gary Eberle points to the building of a new chapel on campus as evidence of the College’s Dominican foundation in prayer. “It is a fundamental reminder of our Catholic origins,” said Eberle. The Dominican origins of Aquinas College are fully evidenced by the students’ embrace of the charisms of prayer, study, service and community. Yet some, like Grote, see prayer as forming a branch from which each value stems. “Within the four pillars, prayer is really wrapped around those,” said Grote. “The beauty of prayer is that it’s intertwined with the other charisms.” Seth Kreeger ‘16
RESOURCEFUL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE EMPOWERS STUDENTS, ATTENDEES Lauren Fay Carlson ‘12 Seeking to foster understanding and growth in the study of women, gender and sexuality, the Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s Studies Center hosts the Resourceful Women’s Conference every other year. The principal focus of the conference is the presentation of research papers by students from both AQ and other area colleges. Standout student submissions receive up to a $500 award, provided by Diane Herbruck ‘79, president of The Wordsmiths, Inc. In addition to presentations, the all-day event will provide other entertainment and host keynote speaker Kent County
Chief Judge Sara Smolenski. A 25-year 63rd District Court Judge, Smolenski is an avid volunteer for local organizations such as Resources Against Violent Encounters to Women of West Michigan and Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids Laughfest, and was recently awarded the Mabel Boardman Spirit of Volunteerism Award by the American Red Cross of West Michigan. An influential campus event, the conference also has a profound impact on its student participants. “For me, the contest was such an opportunity to grow as a writer and as a woman,” said Debra Duiven Dunning ‘13, who entered a piece titled “I Hate B(.)(.)Bs,” a personal
essay exploring body image, loss and mammograms, in the most recent conference. “Writing gave me a voice with range. I could whisper timidly or I could roar like a lioness. Words can be so powerful,” she added. The 2016 Resourceful Women’s Conference will be held on Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Donnelly Center. All are invited to attend, and can contact the Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s Studies Center to pre-register at 616-632-2979. JUDGE SMOLENSKI WILL PRESENT ON WOMEN AND MENTORING AT 1 P.M.
Beginning#
The
Aquinas College was founded in humble beginnings with vision for accessible education.
n a c i n i Dom n o i t c e n Con AQUIN AS FOUND ED AND FUELE D BY A V IS Daniel Treul ‘0 ION 9
In the 1870s, Mother Augustine Neuhierl, prioress of a group of Dominican Sisters in New York City, dreamed of her sisters working on an island in the far west. Michigan is a peninsula, not an island, but so goes the story of the beginning of what would one day become Aquinas College. Responding to a call from a priest of St. Francis parish in Traverse City, Mother Augustine sent Sister Aquinata Fiegler and five Dominican Sisters to Michigan in 1886 to establish the Novitiate Normal School—a teaching school for Dominican sisters. According to Gary Eberle, professor of English and author of “Aquinas College: The First 125 Years,” “Traverse City at the time was kind of a rough lumber town and port city … People paid their tuition in vegetables sometimes. It was really rough.” Nevertheless, the Dominican Sisters persevered, and over the next several years Sr. Aquinata began founding additional schools throughout Michigan. Around 1900, at the request of Bishop Henry Joseph Richter, the Dominican Sisters arrived in Grand Rapids to establish West Michigan’s first orphanage, St. John’s Home. Around the same time, the Sisters also founded a high school called Sacred Heart Academy. In 1911, they moved their Novitiate Normal School to Grand Rapids from Traverse City.
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Until 1922, the Novitiate Normal School only trained sisters to be teachers, but then some of the lay women who had gone to Sacred Heart Academy expressed to the Sisters their desire to attend the teachers’ training program but not become sisters. That same year, the Dominican Sisters established a two-year teacher training program for lay women, Sacred Heart College. (The college would soon be renamed Marywood College when the operation moved up the hill to what is now Dominican Center at Marywood.)
A Singular In#titution In 1931, Grand Rapid Bishop Joseph Gabriel Pinten challenged the Dominican Sisters to establish a junior college for both men and women. Distinguishing themselves among others in the junior college movement that was sweeping the United States at the time, Catholic Junior College became the first Catholic co-ed college in the United States to be run by a congregation of women, the Grand Rapids Dominicans. Catholic Junior College was located downtown at the corner of Ransom and Fountain Street, near the site of today’s Grand Rapids Public Library. CJC, as it was commonly known, served hundreds of students from 1931 through 1940, when Mother Evelyn Mackie and the Sisters determined to turn the College into a four-year institution. In 1940, they won approval from the accreditation agency and officially changed the name to Aquinas College.
Educating the Whole Per#on “As founders of the College, we have always influenced its direction and set, really, its mission,” said Sr. Maureen Geary, O.P., Prioress of the Grand Rapids Dominicans, who praises the administration for emphasizing Aquinas’ Dominican history and values. “Aquinas leaders have been very attentive to the sisters’ involvement,” said Geary. “The pillars of the Dominican order—prayer,
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study, service and community—have been thoroughly woven through all the College’s activities and approach to educating the whole person.” According to Eberle, “The Sisters and Dominican priests through the early 1960s made up almost all of the faculty. We had very few lay people in those years.” In the later 1960s, however, he said, “everything changed.” Norbert Hruby, Ph.D. was named the first lay president to lead the College, and the number of lay faculty and staff began to steadily increase.
Service and Community While there are far fewer Sisters working for the College today (there are just two Dominican Sisters teaching at Aquinas), the impact of the Grand Rapids Dominicans is felt across campus and beyond. “As our numbers on campus have changed,” notes Geary,
“our presence has changed, but it’s just as real … Those themes of faith and reason and the search for God, the search for veritas, or truth—a key Dominican charism—are very present on campus.” Beyond the classroom,
today the Dominican Sisters are involved in all manner of College activities. From hosting an Aquinas student ambassador orientation at
Marywood, to partnering with Aquinas students at the Dominicans’ mission in Chimbote, Peru, to serving on the board of trustees, the Grand Rapids Dominicans continue their active involvement with the College. In June 2016, Aquinas College will host representatives from the 15 other Dominican colleges in the United States at the 14th Biennial Colloquium of Dominican Colleges and Universities. The colloquium gives faculty, students and professionals of Dominican colleges and universities the opportunity to reflect on the rich heritage of the Dominican Order, celebrating 800 years of faith and fellowship, and to discuss important issues presented in Catholic Dominican higher education. In large part, the Dominican identity and mission are focused on service. “The emphasis we put on service learning and service to community is really a very Dominican trait,” said Eberle. “It’s education for a purpose.”
Di#cernment through Li#tening For students, the College’s Dominican identity also manifests itself in a unique manner of inquiry and discernment known in Latin as disputatio. Eberle describes this as a “method of inquiry developed by scholars like St. Dominic and Thomas Aquinas in which discernment occurs through listening. It’s not to say anything goes, but we listen.” Geary agrees. “It’s about discussion and trying to find truth.”
An Ongoing Legacy This year, the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids are celebrating 800 years of the Dominican Order as founded by St. Dominic. “The Aquinas College education is deeply integrated in this tradition,” said Geary. “With 800 years of history, and more than 125 years of Dominican involvement with the College, it’s a really unique foundation.” It’s the kind of foundation that can only start with a vision.
A Q U I N A S Lauren I N T Fay E RCarlson VIEW : ‘12
FATHER STAN
Father Stan Drongowski, O.P. leads campus religious life as AQ’s chaplain. Aquinas Magazine’s Lauren Fay Carlson ‘12 sat down with him to chat about duties, reflection and even Madame Bovary. WHAT LED YOU TO JOIN THE DOMINICAN ORDER?
In the early 1970s, I was attending a state university in Ohio and had an English professor who was a Dominican Sister. She was a superlative scholar and teacher as well as a spiritual touchstone on campus. I was drawn to what she was doing. I approached her and she became my mentor in vocational discernment. We remain in contact to this day. WHERE DID YOU STUDY?
I did my novitiate (boot camp for religious life) as well as philosophical and theological studies at The Aquinas Institute of Theology (it seems that Dominicans are uncreative in the naming of our academic institutions.). There, in 1980, I received a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in theology. In 1994, I returned to The Aquinas Institute, where I pursued doctoral studies. In 1997, I received a Doctor of Ministry degree in homiletics. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PART OF THE AQUINAS COLLEGE MINISTRY TEAM?
I arrived in Grand Rapids to begin my ministry at AQ on July 31, 2013. That makes me a junior.
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DESCRIBE YOUR DAILY ACTIVITIES. WHAT ARE YOUR DUTIES AS CHAPLAIN?
At AQ , my primary responsibility is for the pastoral care of all students, faculty and staff of the school, as well as alumni and friends of the College as called on. I also recently took on responsibilities for religious education for anyone seeking to receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and first Eucharist.
A day without direct student contact is not a happy day. Daily activities include liturgies, pastoral counseling, crisis engagement, homily preparation, meetings, casual student/staff/faculty engagement through campus stalking and, of course, meetings. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS? ANY IDEAL LOCATIONS FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION?
The Moose is my go-to place to meet with students. I also have use of a small space in the Carriage House where I can meet
privately with anyone unable to make it over to Browne Center where Campus Ministry offices are located. It is totally unnecessary to note how beautiful the AQ campus is. Particular spots to which I gravitate are (in nice weather) the north side of Holmdene, Wege Pond, the bench outside Bukowski Chapel and the path alongside the creek from Bukowski toward Hruby. When weather isn’t all that great, I like to skulk into Holmdene and, if there’s nothing going on, plant myself in the Loggia room. EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW CHAPEL?
I look forward to the day two years from now when I can include Our Lady Seat of Wisdom as my number one go-to interior spot for prayer and reflection. This place is going to meet so many of the liturgical, sacramental and spiritual needs of our campus community. TELL US ONE INTERESTING, UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF.
The most influential work of secular literature in my life has been Gustave Flaubert’s “Madame Bovary.”
(Okay, let’s face it, I’m not that interesting.)
FACULTY AND STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS SHELLIE JEFFRIES (Co-Director, Grace Hauenstein Library) wrote the chapter “Taking Flight at Snowbird: Reflections on a Library Leadership Institute” for “Creating Leaders: An Examination of Academic and Research Library Leadership” published in September 2015. SHELLIE JEFFRIES (Co-Director, Grace Hauenstein Library) and CHRISTINA RADISAUSKAS (Associate Instruction and Outreach Librarian) co-wrote the article “A conference of our own: Creating an inhouse professional development opportunity” published in College and Research Libraries News 76(8) in September 2015. AMANDA LAHIKAINEN, PH.D. (Assistant Professor of Art) presented in June 2015 at ScholarFest, a symposium at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of the Kluge Center. MICHAEL J. LORR, PH.D. (Director of the Community Leadership Program, Associate Professor of Sociology) wrote the chapter “Skateboarding as a Technology of the Collective: Kona Skatepark, Jacksonville, Florida, USA” for Skateboarding: Subcultures, Sites and Shifts, published in November 2015. BRYAN PILKINGTON, PH.D. (Assistant Professor of Philosophy) was appointed as a Paul Ramsey Institute Fellow in Bioethics for 2015-16. SHELLI ROTTSCHAFER, PH.D. (Associate Professor of Spanish) had her reviews for Michael N. McGregor’s text “Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax” and Ann Brigham’s text “American Road Narratives: Reimagining Mobility in Literature and Film” published in the 2015-2016 edition of “Current Reviews for Academic Libraries.” Dr. Rottschafer and AQ students Amanda Avella ‘16, Sydne Harris ‘14 and Peri Erhan ‘14, had their article “Engaging College Students in Experiential Learning: Learning through Serving, Inspiring through Experience, and Creating Identity through Bilingual Poetry” published in Journal of Literature and Art Studies. Vol. 5. No. 11, November 2015. Dr. Rottschafer had her review of “Picturing Argentina: Myths, Movies, and the Peronist Vision” by Currie K. Thompson published in the spring 2016 edition of “Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association Review.”
NEW FACULTY 2015-2016
FACULTY AND STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2015-2016 Nominated by students and peers, these staff and faculty were celebrated by the College in the awards’ inaugural year. RISING STAR: SARA HAVILAND, READING AND STUDY SKILLS SPECIALIST AND ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH The Rising Star category recognizes demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Aquinas College and strong student involvement, among other qualities, in an employee who has served three years or less. Sara serves as a reading and study skills specialist and program advisor in the Student Support Services division. Sara consistently builds impactful relationships with both students and colleagues and explores innovative ways to implement academic support initiatives for students. STAFF EXCELLENCE: BRIAN MATZKE ‘97, M.M. ‘02, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS The Staff Excellence category is based on a demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Aquinas College and significant contributions to College and departmental initiatives, student success and improving the student experience, among other qualities. Brian is known for giving 100% each and every day–and sometimes nights, too! Brian is dedicated to attending student events and demonstrates tireless leadership of numerous departments within his division. OUTSTANDING TEACHER: PAMELA DAIL WHITING, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH The Outstanding Teacher category is based on a demonstrated record of fostering critical thinking, general support for students, engagement of students in their learning, patience and approachability, among other qualities.
•C ARLOS M. BALDÓ, PH.D. (Assistant Professor of Business Administration) •K YLE HULL, PH.D. (Assistant Professor of Communication) •D INESH SHETTY, PH.D. (Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics)
Pamela is involved in the Insignis Honors program and frequently demonstrates amazing mentorship and encouragement toward her students and others. OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR: JOHN PINHEIRO, PH.D., PROFESSOR OF HISTORY The Outstanding Scholar category is based on demonstrated excellence in scholarly or professional achievement in the previous five years including publications and presentations.
SARA HAVILAND
BRIAN MATZKE
PAMELA DAIL WHITING
JOHN PINHEIRO
Along with serving as the director of the Catholic Studies Program, John is one of the nation’s leading scholars on the Mexican War and his book, “Missionaries of Republicanism: A Religious History of the Mexican War” was recently awarded the Fr. Paul J. Foik Award for the best book on Texas Catholic history.
AQUINAS’ NEW CHAPEL DEFINED NAME: OUR LADY SEAT OF WISDOM SUSTAINABILITY: DESIGNED WITH LEED CERTIFICATION IN MIND TIMING: BREAKING GROUND SUMMER 2016, ENCLOSED WINTER 2016 COST: THE PROJECTED COST OF CONSTRUCTION AND CAMPAIGN—$4 MILLION SIZE: OVER 7,000 SQUARE FEET LOCATION: THE CORNER OF WEGE WAY AND ELDERBERRY
NORTH & WEST AREA SITE IMPROVEMENTS: Landscaping, walkways, curbing and lighting. EAST AREA SITE IMPROVEMENTS: Landscaping, walkways, curbing, lighting and handicapped-accessible parking spaces.
President Juan Olivarez ‘71, Ph.D. at the chapel ground blessing during Homecoming 2015
16::AQUINAS
51' - 10 1/2" 173 SF
MUSIC STOR./ OFFICE
329 SF
CREDENCE TABLES
MECHANICAL ROOM 2' - 4"
2. F AITH SHARING AND RECONCILIATION ROOM: Sacrament of reconciliation will be offered. 3. MEETING ROOM: Designed to support a vibrant campus ministry as well as a gathering space during weddings and other celebrations.
CHOIR
3002 SF
NAVE
33' - 9 1/2"
PIANO
ORGAN
CANTOR STAND
10
ALTAR
8' - 8"
AMBO
4
PRESIDER
595 SF
SANCTUARY
TABERNACLE
TOILET
242 SF
UP
SACRARIUM
21' - 1 1/4"
SACRISTY
19' - 8 3/8" 13' - 10 1/4"
19' - 10 7/8"
34' - 11 1/2"
12' - 3 1/4"
9
1
6. NAVE: The main body of the chapel. It includes the entrance from the narthex and offers the central approach to the high altar. 7. PORTICO/VESTIBULE: The main entrance of the chapel and therefore a focal point of welcoming community members and drawing people to worship.
BOOK SHELVES
534 SF
NARTHEX
212 SF
PRAYER ROOM
7' - 6"
MEN
FONT
VESTIBULE
8
9. T HE SACRISTY: Sacred vessels and vestments are kept and where the clergy vests. 10. T HE SANCTUARY: Scriptures are proclaimed, the priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Jesus is reserved in the Blessed Sacrament.
51' - 10 1/2"
WOMEN
27' - 8" 7
31' - 4"
198 SF
3
8. T HE PRAYER ROOM: Utilized for Adoration or individual/group prayer and will have a prominent, visible part of the new sacred structure with 24/7 access.
10' - 3 1/4"
JAN. STORAGE/ COATS COR.
5
2
14' - 6"
10' - 3 1/4"
31' - 4 1/2"
218 SF
RECON. MTG. RM RM/ FAITH 250 SF SHARING
3' - 8"
13' - 2 1/2"
128' - 2"
4. MUSIC OFFICE AND STORAGE: Designed to support the liturgical music program and students majoring in liturgical music. 5. NARTHEX: A place of gathering, preparing people to worship the Savior.
6
1' - 6" 13' - 4"
1. CHOIR AND MUSIC SPACE: The increased size will significantly enhance the choir and music liturgy programs. The space will include 26 seats, an organ and grand piano.
WINTER 2016::17
A Shared Faith and Future
CATHOLIC ROOTS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Praise be to Thee, my Lord, with all Thy creatures, Especially to my worshipful brother sun ... Praised be my Lord, for sister moon and for the stars, In heaven Thou hast formed them clear and precious and fair. - from St. Francis’ “Canticle of the Sun”
Patricia Schlutt ‘16
“Being responsible stewards of this magnificent campus and this planet is just the right thing to do.” Jessica Eimer St. Francis’ “Canticle of the Sun” is one thread in a long, prayerful history of Christian reflection on the environment. Recently, Pope Francis’ second encyclical, “Laudato Si,” added to this rich tapestry. On November 15, 2015, AQ hosted a panel discussion on the encyclical, demonstrating the connection between the College’s Catholic roots and the responsibility to care for the Earth. During the panel, four panelists provided their perspectives, each connecting Pope Francis’ encyclical to his or her department and experience. Todd Yarbrough, Ph.D. discussed the economics of the encyclical; James Rasmussen, Ph.D. addressed the geographic implications; Stephan Davis, Ph.D. provided theological insight; and Sr. Mary Brigid Clingman, O.P. represented the expertise of the Dominican Sisters at Marywood. Dr. Davis explained that caring for the environment has always been an integral part of Catholic social thought, noting that the magisterium is overflowing with charges to care for the Earth, and numerous popes have commented on Earth-care as an element of Catholic Social Teaching. Sr. Mary Brigid Clingman expanded upon this, citing the Creation Psalms and St. Francis’ writings. The panelists also emphasized that the encyclical asks Catholics to live out their Christian calling by responding to the cry of the poor and suffering all over the world, especially those hurting because of environmental issues. By extension, Aquinas’ work with sustainability is one way of living out this Catholic mission. The Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College takes this calling seriously. As a nationwide leader in the sustainable movement, Aquinas has exponentially increased the AQ community’s awareness of the need for sustainability on college campuses and the effect that sustainable colleges have beyond their campuses.
Jessica Eimer, Director of the Center for Sustainability, said that “as a college rooted in the Catholic and Dominican traditions, our actions are clearly guided by ethics and empathy, and a call to care for the Earth. The Catholic social mission calls Aquinas to serve others and sensibly manage the resources available to us. Being responsible stewards of this magnificent campus and this planet is just the right thing to do.” “All of us can do something, and all of us together can do even more,” said Sr. Mary Brigid Clingman. As a college, we have incredible power to work together by carrying that message of sustainability and justice out into the world as alumni and future alumni.
30
INSIGNIS HONORS PROGRAM CELEBRATES
Mary Webster ‘17
Pictured from left: Dr. Kelly Dittmar ‘06, Gary Eberle (founder of the Insignis program), Dr. Heather Brown ‘03, Lindsey Friend ‘17, John Kroondyk ‘08, Joe Wenderski ‘17, Lukas Isenga ‘19, Ann Hardin ‘17, Dr. Bryan Pilkington, Dr. Molly Patterson, Dr. Michelle DeRose (current co-director) and Dr. Jennifer Hess (current co-director)
The Aquinas Insignis Honors Program was founded in 1985 by Professor of English Gary Eberle. The intensive program requires a specific amount of honors coursework per year that provides students with the opportunity to grow through intensified academic courses, service opportunities and relationship building. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the program’s faculty are proud of a tradition of equipping students with a complex, well-rounded experience that enables them to succeed in graduate school, career and life. “A major benefit of the program is the one-on-one mentorship with faculty,” said current Program Co-Director and Professor of English Michelle DeRose, Ph.D. This mentorship is particularly helpful as students undergo a rigorous academic schedule that includes a final project. “Each Insignis student is required to complete a senior research project that acts as a culmination of their studies. The project contains a formal proposal and review process that often leads to amended proposals, and final products are intended to propel students into their futures,” said DeRose. Insignis provides the opportunity for each student to undergo the process
and detailed scrutiny of a review board that gives these individuals not only real-life experience, but also the chance to grow academically and professionally. Current Insignis student Mary Campbell ‘17 highly recommends the program. “The Aquinas Insignis program enables students to master new perspectives and play a role in an engaging and intellectual community,” she said. The program also includes an integrated service requirement that is intended to help emphasize the importance of community and different perspectives. “The importance of fully embracing these different perspectives is what makes the Insignis program so beneficial,” Campbell added. In addition to rigorous academics and an emphasis on service, the program also encourages students to engage with one another to form a community. “The Insignis program is about more than just extra work,” said DeRose. “There are regular meetings for Insignis students in which we encourage community for students. Throughout the year we offer Insignis-only cultural and social enrichment events that cover everything from trips to local museums for opening exhibits to day-long visits to the city
of Chicago. Our goal is to equip our students academically, professionally and personally,” said DeRose.
“Our now 30 year-old Insignis program is intended to act as a springboard into the future and we have almost a 100% rate of our Insignis students becoming accepted to graduate school,” said DeRose. “Our alumni have gone on to become physicians, lawyers, teachers, authors, the list goes on and on. Though their futures have gone in many different directions, our feedback is primarily that the Insignis program properly equipped them for their futures, and that is exactly what tells us that the program is of immeasurable value and we as educators, our doing our jobs,” said DeRose.
Father Tyler Bischoff Father Tyler Bischoff left a lasting impression on the AQ community despite only attending the College for one year. The student-athlete flourished in his freshman year of cross country and track, and still holds one of the top five steeplechase performances of all time. Following his freshman year, Tyler could not resist God’s call, and left Aquinas to enter the seminary, and now serves as Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord, Michigan.
Q
&
Michael
WHAT DREW YOU TO AQUINAS COLLEGE? I was already seriously considering the priesthood and I knew I wanted to attend a Catholic college. When I came down to visit in the summer I was really impressed by the small-community feel of the campus. Aquinas was the perfect fit! WHAT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT AQ WAS MOST MEMORABLE? The friends I made. The other guys and girls on the cross country and track teams have remained good friends through the years. It was December of my first year when I asked Coach Woj if I could address the whole team and tell them of my decision to enter seminary. I was pretty nervous. It’s not easy making such a huge announcement to your peers. But I’ll never forget my teammates response. They were all so supportive and encouraging. They barely knew me, but some of the senior members of the team came up to me and told me that they thought I’d make a good priest. That meant a lot to me and it really helped me to follow God’s call into the seminary.
WHAT WAS THE #1 POSITIVE ASPECT OF BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE AT AQUINAS? The #1 positive aspect of being a student-athlete at Aquinas was the camaraderie and fraternity that we shared. My teammates became my family. Also, the practice of our faith was an important part of our team. HOW DID THE CATHOLIC DOMINICAN MISSION AT AQUINAS HELP DEFINE YOUR FUTURE? Before starting at Aquinas I knew very little about the Dominican tradition in the Church. My principal in elementary school was Sr. Monica Meyer, a Grand Rapids Dominican, and I’m sure she planted seeds in my heart that not only helped me to become a priest but probably steered me towards the Dominican charisms. Then in seminary at the North American College I earned my theology degree from the Angelicum, the international Dominican university in Rome. So throughout my formation for the priesthood, the Dominican tradition has played an important role. WHAT ARE THE MOST REWARDING AND MOST CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF BEING A PRIEST? The most rewarding part of my ministry as a priest has been celebrating the Sacraments with and for the people of God. It is such a powerful gift every time I have the privilege to celebrate Mass, baptize a child or visit the sick and anoint them. Honestly, the most beautiful part of being a priest has been sitting with families as the prepare to say goodbye to their loved one, to celebrate the Sacraments with the dying as they prepare to journey to the Lord and to then celebrate the funeral rites with the family and the whole community.
A
&
Wojciakowski ‘97
Julie WhElAn ‘84
Julie Whelan ‘84 was a member of the women’s softball team in the early 1980s. In an era when female athletics was just taking off, Whelan, along with basketball and softball coach Patti Tibaldi ‘73, helped pioneer the softball program at AQ. Whelan now leads the students and staff at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Grand Rapids as their principal.
WHAT DREW YOU TO AQUINAS COLLEGE? As the oldest of five children, I was the first person in my family to go to college. I was nervous about going away. I had a teacher that influenced me and who had attended Aquinas. Touring the campus—the trees, the size, the sense of community, the Catholic faith—I just knew “I fit” at Aquinas. It was the right place for me. WHAT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT AQ WAS MOST MEMORABLE? I loved my four years at Aquinas! For a small school, there were always so many things to do. Some of the most memorable include: winning a NAIA state championship my junior year, my time as an AQ Sports Information Director, being the only woman on the Aquinas men’s club hockey team and my senior year as a resident assistant at St Joseph’s Hall. WHAT WAS THE #1 POSITIVE ASPECT OF BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE AT AQUINAS? The most positive aspect of being a student-athlete was being mentored and influenced by a great coach and wise woman in Patti Tibaldi. Patti taught us all much more about life than just the skills and strategies needed to be successful in our sport. Goal setting, preparation, hard work, execution and teamwork are the fundamental building blocks to success in any endeavor. Sharing the student-athlete experience as a part of a team, a family of teammates who provided support, encouragement, friendship and fun was a bonus. HOW DID THE CATHOLIC DOMINICAN MISSION AT AQUINAS HELP DEFINE YOUR FUTURE? My faith has always been important to me. The Catholic mindset at Aquinas taught me that faith is to be studied and lived. I found that mindset most reflected in the people who worked for the college, staff and teachers alike. Once I had experienced that sense of community, I knew I desired to have that be a part of my professional career as an educator. WHAT PRINCIPLES OR VALUES WERE GAINED AT AQ THAT ARE STILL ACTIVE IN YOUR DAY TO DAY LIFE? Still today, I value my faith, I value others, I value community and I value learning because of my Aquinas experience. WHAT ARE THE MOST REWARDING AND CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF BEING A PRINCIPAL? The most rewarding part of my position as principal is to assist someone in overcoming a problem or difficulty. To listen. To reassure young people that they are good despite an unfortunate choice or decision. To marvel in the goodness, hope and wonder of young people. The most challenging part of my job is knowing students with difficult life circumstances and having little power to change those realities.
FALL SUPER SAINTS NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athletes Cross Country
Sydney Anderson ‘17, Grant Cook ‘17, Abby Heiler ‘17, Megan Huettner ‘17, Crysta Paganelli ‘16, Brad Perschbacher ‘16, Taylor Pryde ‘16, Ashlee Santiago ‘17, Megan Skinner ‘16, Nicholas Tarsa ‘17, Nick Whise ‘16
NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athletes Volleyball
Michaela Ryan ‘17, Sierra VanTil ‘16, Brooke Wieland ‘17
NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athletes Women‘s Soccer
Jablonski ‘17, Claire Krohn ‘16, Leeann Latsch ‘17, Julia Mauro-Vetter ‘17, Katelynn Stehlik ‘16, Anna Terzano ‘17, Colleen Vincent ‘17
NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete Men‘s Soccer Chris Grote ‘17, Michael Weber ‘16
NAIA Men‘s & Women‘s NAIA Cross Country All Americans Jeff Cherry ‘16, Kathy Middaugh ‘17
Women‘s Soccer NAIA All American Leeann Latsch ‘17
Lindsay Armstrong ‘16, Erica Erway ‘17, Hannah
FALL 2015 SPORTS WRAP-UP MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
• 2015 WHAC Champions • 13th WHAC title in the last 16 years • 13th place finish at NAIA National Championships • 16th consecutive trip to NAIA National Championships • Ranked in the NAIA Top 25 for 155 consecutive weeks
• 2015 WHAC Champions • 5th WHAC title in the last seven years • 4th place finish at NAIA National Championships • Highest finish at Nationals in school history (any women’s sport) • #1 All-Time Team Time (92:32) at NAIA National Championships
MEN’S SOCCER
WOMEN’S SOCCER
• 12-4-3 overall record, 6-2-3 WHAC record • 4th place finish in the WHAC • Set new school record for shutouts in a season (12)—the total ranked 3rd nationally • Ranked 7th nationally with a .631 goals against average • Had a 5:57:15 streak of holding the opposition scoreless
• 10-5-3 overall record, 6-3-1 WHAC record • 3rd place finish in the WHAC • Season-long winning streak of seven matches (October 7-28) • Signature victory - October 16 - a 2-1 victory at Siena Heights
VOLLEYBALL • 20-15 overall record, 11-10 WHAC record • 7th place finish in the WHAC • Season-long six match win streak • Signature victory - October 14 - five set win over Davenport
14TH BIENNIAL COLLOQUIUM OF DOMINICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: JUNE 9-12 Aquinas College is proud to host the 14th Biennial Colloquium of Dominican Colleges and Universities at our campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The colloquium gives faculty, students and professionals of Dominican colleges and universities the opportunity to reflect on the rich heritage of the Dominican Order, celebrating 800 years of faith and fellowship, and to discuss important issues presented in Catholic Dominican higher education.
aquinas.edu/colloquium
CONTEMPORARY WRITERS SERIES CONTINUES ITS 19TH SEASON WITH UNIQUE PROGRAMS by Linda Nemec Foster ‘72
Mardi Jo Link
On March 15, 2016, memoirist and journalist Mardi Jo Link will read from her published works. Her experience as a police reporter inspired her first book, “When Evil Came to Good Hart,” a comprehensive nonfiction work probing the cold case of a murdered family at their Lake Michigan cottage in 1968. Link’s memoir, “Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm,” is a moving story of a woman’s strength and success as a single mother. It was honored with a Michigan Notable Book Award in 2013. Internationally acclaimed poet Edward Hirsch will visit campus on April 14, 2016. He has published nine books of poems, including “Wild Gratitude” (winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award), “The Living Fire: New and Selected Poems,” and “Gabriel: A Poem,” a book-length elegy for his son that The New Yorker called a “masterpiece of sorrow.” Hirsch is also a tireless advocate for poetry, writing essays that champion the work of poets from Poland, Ireland, China and Romania. His numerous awards include a NEA Fellowship and a MacArthur Award. Currently, he is the president of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Both events begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Wege Center Ballroom and are free and open to the public. For more information, visit aquinas.edu/cw. WINTER 2016::23
Aquinas College Financial Statement The College Financial Statement provides you a report on the College’s assets, liabilities, net assets and other financial activities through fiscal year end June 30, 2015. This statement includes endowment revenue (all fundraising activities that are facilitated by the Aquinas College Foundation). The statement illustrates the College’s commitment to fiscal stewardship. Aquinas College is proud of its strategic stability and appreciative of all those on campus and in the community who contribute to our strength and viability.
FISCAL YEARS 2014 AND 2015 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
ASSETS 2014/2015
MAKE A PLANNED GIFT AND LEAVE A LEGACY
Cash and cash equivalents $993,293/$39,579 Accounts receivable $7,993,838/$6,058,687 Other assets $10,197,481/$9,809,804 Investments for long-term purposes $31,998,704/$37,098,869 Land, buildings and equipment $44,951,189/$48,918,931 Total assets $96,134,505/$101,925,870
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES 2014/2015 Total revenues, gains and other support $45,148,162/$39,704,638 Total expenses $35,773,811/$36,883,902 Increase (decrease) in net assets $9,374,351/$2,820,736 Net assets - beginning of year $57,005,170/$66,379,521 Net assets - end of year $66,379,521/$69,200,257
LIABILITIES 2014/2015 Accounts payable $5,462,161/$3,546,321 Bonds and notes payable $22,223,552/$27,592,569 Other liabilities $2,069,271/$1,586,723 Total liabilities $29,754,984/$32,725,613
NET ASSETS 2014/2015 Total net assets $66,379,521/$69,200,257 Total liabilities and net assets $96,134,505/$101,925,870
AQUINAS COLLEGE ENDOWMENTS 2014/2015 Net assets $42,061,590/$44,539,595
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OFFICERS DONALD BURNS ‘64, PH.D. CHAIR MATT WEY, M.M. ‘11 VICE CHAIR MARCIE HILLARY ‘97 SECRETARY MICHAEL LOWN ‘86 TREASURER
Whatever inspires you, whatever drives you—you can make a difference by supporting Aquinas College with a bequest directed at any purpose, program or scholarship. Planned gifts provide creative and flexible strategies for estate and charitable planning. Some planned gifts provide you with income, while others can reduce your taxes. The greatest benefit is the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting the mission of Aquinas College. Planned giving allows you to leave a lasting investment that benefits our students and sustains the community. Options for planned giving include bequests, trusts and other life income plans. You can make a gift through your estate plan without giving any money right now. We are ready to work with you to design a plan that works for your entire family. Regardless of the method you choose, you may designate your gift to the programs that matter the most to you, leaving your legacy at Aquinas College. If you’ve already made a planned gift, please share your plans with us. If you’re considering or would like more information, we’d be happy to help you. Please contact a member of our Planned Giving Team at (616) 632-2809 or plannedgifts@aquinas.edu.
TRUSTEES VINIT ASAR ‘89 RICHARD DUREL DENNIS ECHELBARGER ‘64 SISTER MAUREEN GEARY, O.P. KIMBERLY HANRAHAN ‘85 BILL MANNS JOHN NOWAK ‘63 SISTER MARY KAY OOSDYKE, O.P. ‘65 MICHAEL PRICE ‘84 THOMAS WELCH, JR. ROBERT C. WOODHOUSE, JR. ‘77, M.M. ‘92
Aquinas College 2015 Foundation Report The Aquinas College Foundation Report is one important component of the College’s Financial Statement. The Foundation Report includes an update on the endowment and other funds entrusted to the Foundation. The endowment has grown from $42,061,590 to $44,539,595 over the past year. Endowment funds live on in perpetuity, which means that future generations of students also will be able to benefit from these funds. The numbers below report on the amount of gifts received in five major areas of giving during the 2014/2015 fiscal year.
CAPITAL
TOTAL GIVING FOR FISCAL YEAR END JUNE 30, 2015 WAS $5,505,445.
5%
$280,250
Includes historical preservation of the campus, teaching and learning environments.
ENDOWMENT
46%
$2,526,050
RESTRICTED
7%
Includes scholarships and support to College-wide programs promoting the Institution’s mission.
Includes programs, scholarships and efforts to increase funding to the College.
$391,857 Allows the College’s leadership and board members to guide investments in ways that most broadly benefit the College.
UNRESTRICTED
21%
Includes our nationally recognized Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Aquinas and our Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s Studies Center.
$1,173,418
INSTITUTE
21%
$1,133,870 FOUNDATION BOARD
PRESIDENT JUAN R. OLIVAREZ ‘71, PH.D. CO-CHAIRS DENISE CHRISTY ‘82 JOHN JACKOBOICE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TRISH CASTIGLIONE ‘92
DIRECTORS MICKI BENZ SAM CUMMINGS ANDY HOLTGREIVE ‘94 NAZAR MASSOUH ‘95 FATHER MARK PRZYBYSZ ‘83 GILBERT SEGOVIA MICHAEL P. SMITH ‘76 LISA WURST ‘85
TREASURER LEN KOGUT SECRETARY DEB O’DONNELL
Joining the Dominican Order Three Alumni Journeys
Patricia Schlutt ‘16
FATHER FRANCIS (JOSÉ) OROZCO, O.P. ‘05
BROTHER JAMES-PETER TRARES, O.P. ‘10
BROTHER ANDREW (DREW) ANDERSON, O.P. ‘10
Father Francis majored in philosophy and Spanish, with a minor in Latin. Upon graduating, he was hired to work as a field service representative for State National Insurance, and during his three years of traveling for the company, he began to discern Dominican life. He had free time, books to read and co-workers whose questions fueled his discernment. After three years, he decided his vocation was to join the Dominican Order. He moved to Irving, Texas for his novitiate year, then entered the Aquinas Institute Seminary in St. Louis and was ordained. He currently serves in Catholic Student Ministry at Texas Tech University.
Brother James-Peter majored in liturgical music with a minor in theology. In his first and second years at Aquinas, he began seriously considering a call to the Dominican Order. He felt connected to the Dominican charisms because they were deeply rooted in the mission of the College. The Sisters at Marywood, the faculty and staff and the programs were permeated with the power of the charisms, and that power “resonated with what I am about,” he said. Finally, he came to the conclusion that “if I could live this Dominican life, I would be the happiest I could be.” He joined the Dominicans the summer after he graduated and went to Denver for his novitiate year. He crossed paths with fellow AQ alumnus Fr. Francis and Brother Drew at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis.
Brother Drew majored in geography and began his discernment process during his undergraduate studies. He had considered the priesthood and was introduced to the Dominican friars during his sophomore year, but was planning to enter the Marine Corps after graduating. A conversation with a friend changed that decision, and so changed the course of his life. The conversation reawakened his awareness of the calling he’d considered in his first years at Aquinas. Upon graduation, he worked at Aquinas as an area coordinator and began conversations with a vocation director. These conversations led to Brother Drew deciding that his path in life was clear: he was going to become a Dominican.
When asked about his favorite memory of Aquinas College, Father Francis replied: “It would probably be the Planet Walk on campus—you see it around but you never do it. My senior year, a friend and I did the Planet Walk. We went leisurely, seeing the students rushing around. It was peaceful; something I’d always meant to do.”
26::AQUINAS
Brother James-Peter’s favorite memory of Aquinas is “engaging in prayer and conversation at Knapp Hall. It really gave me a love for living as a community,” he said.
Spending his novitiate year in Denver confirmed his calling. He traveled to the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, where he is currently studying. When asked about his favorite memory of Aquinas, he laughed kindly. “There are so many,” he said. “The fondest memories are just having wonderful conversations with friends while walking through the beautiful campus.”
X U A E J G FAN
N I D N FI
ACE OF
RTHPL THE BI
RDER ICAN O ’17 N I M b O e ster Mary W THE D
The Fanjeaux Experience is a 14-day summer travel opportunity for faculty, staff and students from any organization that is part of the Dominican Order to visit the birthplace of the order in France. Hosted by Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, there are usually, 4050 total travelers each year. Each group learns about the history and traditions of the Dominican Order by spending time traveling through historical sights and locations, as well as spending time in sessions devoted specifically to understanding Dominican culture.
“Typically, mornings are spent on location traveling,” said Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Matzke ‘97, M.M. ‘02. “Each afternoon, faculty and staff [are] separated from students as students are required to take formal classes while the others spend their time in similar sessions, learning more about Dominican heritage.”
Matzke, who attended the trip in 2011, highly recommends the experience to anyone with even a slight interest. The trip is open to all Aquinas students, faculty and staff, and sometimes the Dominicans offer scholarships to assist with the associated travel expenses.
“If you get the opportunity to go, do so!” said Matzke. “Not only does the trip provide the opportunity to travel and explore Southern France, but the knowledge the trip provides about the history of Catholicism is incomparable and will absolutely change your life!”
CELEBRATE TH 800 JUBILEE
DOMINICAN SISTERS
Grand Rapids Dominican Sister, Megan McElroy, O.P., preached in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin on November 7, 2015, at the Evening Prayer celebration opening the 800th Jubilee of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). What follows is an excerpt from Sister Megan’s preaching. Last summer I walked the Camino de Compostela in Spain. It is not a journey for the faint nor the hard of heart. The terrain is both beautiful and brutal. To make this journey, you need good walking shoes, plenty of water and most importantly, good companions. Along the Camino, pilgrims pass one another with the greeting, “Buen camino!” That is, “good path.” “Buen camino” are words of encouragement but also blessing. A way of placing fellow pilgrims in the hands of God, praying that the journey will be safe and that along the way they will encounter Jesus the Christ. When you begin the Camino, you know your destination, but you have no idea where the path will take you—physically or spiritually—so you have to have an open heart. In the Gospels, we hear of Jesus sending his disciples on a Camino of sorts, a journey unlike any other they had ever taken. For this journey, they are told to take only what mattered: their love and friendship 28::AQUINAS
Pictured from left: Sisters Catherine Williams, Rosemary O’Donnell, Ann Mason, Joan Thomas, Diane Dehn, Aquinas Weber, Mary Kay Oosdyke, Jean Kramer, Marie Celeste Miller (glasses), Mary Ann Barrett, Alice Wittenbach, Maureen Geary
with Jesus. For love and friendship impel us to do things we never would imagine by ourselves. St. Dominic understood this. It was his love and affection for his Bishop and friend Diego that found him on a Caminolike journey. And because of Dominic’s intimate friendship with God, fostered through years of contemplation and prayer, he proclaimed a message of love and mercy that countered the Albigensian heresy with the teaching that God loves all creation. And it was his indefatigable spirit that drew men and women to follow him in mission from 1216 to this very day. What the 800th Jubilee year celebrates is all that God has done—and will do— through the Dominican family. In March of 2015, Pope Francis proclaimed this upcoming liturgical year “an extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.” Our 800th Dominican Jubilee Year is intimately connected to this extraordinary year of Mercy. This connection is providence, God at work in our midst. 800 years ago, God
envisioned an Order of Preachers, and Dominic responded. By virtue of our baptism, and for many of us by virtue of our profession and promise as Dominicans, we—men and women, nuns, friars, sisters, laity, associates, coworkers, neighbors—are sent as friends of God and companions of Christ, to be what Pope Francis has called “missionaries of mercy.” Offering compassion to the hurting, healing to the wounded, forgiveness to the broken, kindness to the outcast, understanding to the confused, reconciliation to those divided. The world needs us and the Church calls us forth. The preaching cannot wait. It is time to begin the Camino de Misericordia, the way of mercy. We go in confidence, lacking for nothing. For God has given us the gift of preaching. Buen camino!
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Campus Buildings Renamed Mary Webster ’17
During the fall 2015 semester, many of the buildings on campus were renamed. Seeking to pay tribute to the College’s Dominican heritage, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Matzke ‘97, M.M. ‘02 and others took on the task of renaming each building after an important Saint or Sister, reminding the community of its history and dedication to the Dominican tradition. Matzke explained, “I’ve had the idea to rename Aquinas buildings after Dominican Saints for quite a few years, before presenting the project to others. As the idea grew attention, a committee group full of student leaders, resident advisors and Dominican Sisters was born. The committee met in the fall of 2014 and the spring of 2015, and agreed the Dominican heritage needed to come alive on campus.” Once the decision was made to move forward with the project, the committee sat down to discuss names, narrowing the list down to the seven or eight that would be the perfect fit for Aquinas. After much discussion, the committee decided a mix of historically important Dominicans Saints, along with Dominican Sisters who were committed to the Aquinas College campus, was the way to go. These buildings were initially named after important Aquinas families, so in the renaming process, these buildings were re-named after impactful Dominican Sisters, such as Sister Mildred Hawkins and Mother Eveline Mackey. The committee decided to rename the Ravine Apartments after historically memorable Saints, such as Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Rose of Lima.
“The re-naming of these Aquinas buildings is a way for the College to share with the community what it means to be a Dominican Catholic college, as well as collectively honor these important historical and integral figures” said Matzke.
RENAMED CAMPUS BUILDINGS
Throughout the 2015 fall semester, a blessing and renaming ceremony was held for all of the renamed buildings. Each ceremony contained a short biography about that building’s namesake, Scripture readings and prayers of intercession. Afterwards, AQ chaplain Father Stan Drongowski, O.P. blessed each building with holy water, and those in attendance— AQ staff, faculty, students and Dominican Sisters—celebrated the blessing with refreshments.
1862 E. Fulton – MOTHER EUPHRASIA SULLIVAN HALL (Formerly Fulton House)
The renaming of these buildings serves as a reminder to the public, as well as to the wider AQ community, of the College’s commitment to its Dominican heritage.
37 Woodward Lane – FATHER BARTOLOME DE LAS CASAS HALL (Formerly Apartment B) 35 Woodward Lane – ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA HALL (Formerly Apartment C) 33 Woodward Lane – ST. MARTIN DE PORRES HALL (Formerly Apartment D) 134 Woodward Lane – ST. ROSE OF LIMA HALL (Formerly Apartment E) 1903 Robinson Rd. – SISTER MILDRED HAWKINS HALL (Formerly K House)
1905 Robinson Rd. – MOTHER VICTOR FLANNERY HALL 25 Woodward Lane – MOTHER EVELINE MACKEY HALL
HOMECOMING 2015 REVIEW by Brigid Avery ‘01 Homecoming 2015 was once again a smashing success. Amazing weather and the energy of alumni, students and the entire AQ campus added to the festivity of the weekend. The events kicked off on Thursday with the annual Awards Gala. On Friday night, alumni celebrated milestone reunion years at the All Reunion Class Party. On Saturday, many attended the blessing of the ground of the future Our Lady Seat of
Wisdom chapel. And on Sunday, the Golden Saints reminisced over brunch and traveled downtown to witness the ArtPrize exhibit at Cathedral Square. Additionally, Aquinas sponsored a viewing of the Papal Mass live from Philadelphia that afternoon. SAVE THE DATE FOR HOMECOMING 2016: SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2.
ALUMNI NEWS LORI BAKER ‘85, partner at Baker Holtz, received the Michigan Association of CPAs 2015 Public Service Award. Lori works with organizations such as Ele’s Place, the Kent County Parks Foundation, Davenport University and the St. Cecilia Music Center. ALICIA MARIE BELCHAK ‘98 is now senior communications specialist at the the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. Her work on the 2013 Annual Report recently earned an Excellence in Communications Award from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and was judged for “Best of Show” in August at the 2015 annual conference in Montreal, Quebec. BRIDGET CLARK WHITNEY ‘03, executive director of Kids’ Food Basket, was featured as one of the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty for 2015. ANTHONY J. FOSTER, M.D. ‘73 and his wife LINDA NEMEC FOSTER ‘72 were honored with separate but distinct awards in June, 2015. Anthony was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedicated and distinguished service as a physician and teacher by the Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners. Linda was honored with a Lifetime Community Award for her longstanding commitment as a poet, teacher, patron and advocate for poetry in West Michigan by the Dyer-Ives Foundation. Tony and Linda are the founders of the Contemporary Writers Series at Aquinas College. JIM GLOWSKI ‘69 was elected to the Flint Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1962-1965 St. John Vianney golf team. His team won four consecutive league and tournament titles, two regional titles and three consecutive state golf titles while compiling a four-year match record of 89-7-1 and a league record of 47-0-0.
TOM KUSLIKIS ‘05 was recognized by Credit Union Times as one of 12 Trailblazers 40 Below. Tom currently serves as interim CFO and vice president of internal audit and compliance at the University of Michigan Credit Union in Ann Arbor. BETH LAUNIERE ‘85, head coach of the women’s volleyball team at the University of Utah, earned her 500th win with a defeat over Oregon State in November 2015. LISA (BUSH) LEMANSKI ‘01 received the Outstanding Young Agent of the Year award presented by the National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. Lisa is a member of the Young Agents Council of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) and an independent insurance agent and office manager of Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance. PAT MILES ‘88 was the featured alumnus at the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty for 2015 and was honored on this list in 2002, 2005 and 2007. Pat is the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan. BRIAN MILLIRON ‘02 recently joined the staff at South Haven High School teaching AP U.S. history. EMMA POWELL ‘01, M.M. ‘09 joined the College of Humanities & Social & Behavioral Sciences at Central Michigan University as assistant professor. Emma is a doctoral candidate (A.B.D.) at Western Michigan University in public administration. RYAN SCHMALL ‘95 received a masters of arts degree in organizational learning and performance from Western Michigan University. Ryan is a physician recruiter for Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. CYNTHIA TRENSHAW ‘92 has written a book, “Meeting in the Margins: An Invitation to Encounter Society’s Invisible People.” The book was released in October 2015 by She Writes Press.
Aquinas is printed on 100% recycled paper using soy-based inks and wind power. Please recycle.
THE MAGAZINE OF AQUINAS COLLEGE WINTER/SPRING 2016 VOL. 15 NO. 1 INTERIM EXECUTIVE EDITOR LAUREN FAY CARLSON ‘12
FSC and WIND ENERGY LOGOS BLCK AND WHITE
ASSOCIATE EDITOR KATY MCAVOY ‘01 COMMUNICATION MANAGER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR PHILIP MITRI
Using 100% post consumer paper compared to 100% virgin fiber, we are saving:
COPY EDITOR DOUG SEITES ‘10 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS BRIGID AVERY ‘01
DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT/ INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR
LAUREN FAY CARLSON ‘12
68 TREES
6,671 LBS OF WASTE
65,204 GAL. OF WATER
21,882 LBS OF CO2
INTERIM EXECUTIVE EDITOR
TRISH CASTIGLIONE ‘92
INTERIM VP & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AQUINAS COLLEGE FOUNDATION
SISTER MEGAN MCELROY, O.P. LINDA NEMEC FOSTER ‘72 PATRICIA SCHLUTT ‘16 DANIEL TREUL ‘09 MARY WEBSTER ‘17 MIKE WOJCIAKOWSKI ‘97
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR
PROOFREADER SANDRA ERSKINE MITCHELL ‘91
(Equivalent to 705 days of water consumption)
(Emissions of 3 cars per year)
LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER ADAM BIRD PHOTOGRAPHERS BROTHER ANDREW ANDERSON, O.P. ‘10 AUTUMN JOHNSON BRI LUGINBILL FATHER FRANCIS (JOSE) OROZCO, O.P. ‘05
56 MMBTU
(Equivalent to using 274,296 60W light bulbs for one hour)
BROTHER JAMES-PETER TRARES, O.P. ‘10 ANDY VISOCKIS
Aquinas is published twice a year by the Aquinas College Marketing and Communication Office. Copyright ©2016 by Aquinas College. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the individual authors and subjects and do not necessarily reflect the views of Aquinas College. No portion of this magazine may be reprinted without express written consent of the executive editor. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Aquinas College Foundation, 1607 Robinson Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
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