CONTACT | Magazine for Alumni and Friends of St. Thomas University - Summer 2024, Vol. 23

MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY • SUMMER 2024 VOL. 23

DressingWorld

U thender the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, Dr. Ashlee Rzyczycki surveyed her students taking in the Paris afternoon and smiled. “This was the first experiential learning trip where I had total control of everything, from countries to venues to flights,” she recounted. “It was a lot of work, but incredibly rewarding. I was able to plan directly with the students to tailor the trip to their needs and interests.” For ten days, the students were immersed in the fashion merchandising business, visiting and learning from the best houses in Paris and London. This was the first study-abroad excursion for a young Fashion Merchandising program. “Merchandising is the business side of the industry,” explained Professor Rzyczycki. “Students were generally lacking in understanding of manufacturing, materials, processes, and the economies of fashion.” It is those “in-between” processes that Professor Rzyczycki laid out on the initial program proposal handed to President Armstrong. “Miami is an entirely different fashion Mecca from New York, but from an international perspective, it presents a viable option, particularly as the fashion infrastructure expands in South Florida. We are now the only accredited fashion program in the state of Florida,” beamed rofessor Rzyczycki.

President Armstrong understood the possibilities, as he praised Professor Rzyczycki on the best program proposal he had ever seen and gave her the green light to build the Fashion Merchandising program, housed in the Gus Machado College of Business. The program has tripled in size in as many years, and in the fall of 2024 will become Fashion Merchandising and Design. This step comes on the heels of the permanent closure of the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, which used to house a fashion design program. “When Art Institute (AI) closed in September of 2023, we immediately invited those stranded students to St. Thomas University, and explained they could continue their fashion studies with us,” said Professor Rzyczycki. “We not only added their students, but were fortunate to bring over experienced design faculty, and truckloads of equipment.” In the coming weeks, a new Fashion Merchandising and Design laboratory and workspace will come online at STU, adding that equipment, as well as computers, sewing machines, dress forms, and mannequins. Always in tune with everything stylish, the lab will not only be functional, but beautiful.

The tangible beauty produced by the students of the program has been on display three years in a row at STU’s Fashion & Food Showcase. In a partnership with the Culinary Arts, Tourism, and Hospitality Management program, the awe-inspiring fashion show has created spellbinding moments on the runway, and has featured brands such as Rene by RR, Original Penguin by Munsingwear, Lucchese Bootmaker, Judith Cabrera, and Miami Garden’s own world style makers, FlySupply. The 2023 show was hosted by reality TV star Guerdy Abraira, an STU alumna, and in 2024 by reigning Miss Florida, Juliette Valle. The show is entirely run by students, and although some of them have the opportunity to blaze the runway, the majority toil behind the scenes, dressing professional models, hosting VIPs, and handling show production. For a taste, visit stu.edu/fashion2024 and hold on to your –very stylish- hats!

Back in 2020, President Armstrong starred in a television and social media commercial expounding the merits of a magical college experience, based on a Gallop-Purdue report. Professor Rzyczycki still shares the results of that poll with prospective students. “The three things that differentiate STU, and indeed make it magical, are mentoring faculty, character formation, and experiential learning. The Fashion Merchandising and Design program uses those three components as pillars in our mission to graduate ethical fashion leaders,” she outlines during open house events replete with hopeful college prospects. “I worked in the business for years before deciding to become a college professor, and I came back inspired to help repair some of the wrongs I had experienced. Our program will not only make you a better designer, better business leader, and better communicator, but it will also strive to make you a better person. A person who is ready creatively and equipped to become change agents, all while leading the fashion industry to a prosperous and ethical future.”

When the last runway spotlight went dark at the culmination of this year’s Fashion & Food Showcase, the students were already visualizing 2025. Next year, the program is taking their talents to Italy. Professor Rzyczycki will immerse the students in the haute couture of Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome. They will experience an insider’s perspective on everything from concept design to manufacturing, bringing back priceless knowledge applicable to their own projects at STU. As the Fashion Merchandising and Design program continues to grow, it will be buttressed by the fresh imaginations of burgeoning fashionistas. Their future designs will be the stuff of legend, and the knowledge acquired both at home and abroad will be used to dress the world.

n a warm summer morning, as the sun broke over Lisbon, Portugal, the triumphant sound of EDM anthems served as the alarm clock for over 1.5 million young people who had spent the previous day and night at Parque Tejo. The scene, straight out of a music festival, was a waking call to Holy Mass, which would begin in a few hours.

The DJ dropping the giant beats was Father Guilherme Guimaraes Peixoto. The celebrant of the upcoming Mass was His Holiness Pope Francis.

O DayYouthWorld

The Mass was the capstone and finale of World Youth Day 2023 (WYD23), where a group of St. Thomas University Campus Ministry students distinguished themselves throughout the event. “The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops chose STU as catechetical sessions leaders and masters of ceremony,” remembered Director of Campus Ministry, Iván Díaz. “For three days, our students, along with priests from the Archdiocese of Miami, welcomed Catholics from around the world to the English language sessions, held at St. Christopher & St. Lawrence Church, standing on a hill above the capital’s center.”

For STU students Rosanne Sherman and Dylan Francisco, who emceed the catechetical sessions, WYD23 represented the culmination of a year of planning. “The connection with Lisbon for me might have been deeper than for most,” offered Dylan. “I am of Portuguese descent, so WYD23 was a homecoming of faith, as well as a personal homecoming.” Rosanne’s experience was confirmation of her beliefs. A newly converted Catholic, and a new bride, she reveled in the solidarity and optimism of the assembled youth. “Media would sometimes have you think that Catholicism is dying, but everything we saw that week, the people we met, and the message being shared only spoke of a bright future for Catholics. A united and hopeful future, all bound by our common faith, no matter where we came from,” beamed Rosanne.

St. Thomas University’s involvement with WYD23 began some months before the event. Director Iván, an accomplished musician, songwriter, and record producer, received a call from the Conference of Catholic Bishops, with a request to translate the event’s official song to English from the original Portuguese, and to record a music video. “My first call was to Father Capó, at STU. I wanted our students to be the faces in the video,” smiled Iván. “Once the music recording was ready for ‘Feel the Rush in the Air,’ we spent two days at the university shooting with a video producer from California.” STU Campus Ministry led the casting and over 30 young people ultimately participated in the video.

The six days in Lisbon were marked with indelible experiences, such as Pope Francis’ official arrival. “Seeing the Pope face-to-face, and receiving his blessing, was the most spiritual part of the trip for me,” relived Rosanne. “All of us were reduced to tears. The peace and grace we felt in that moment was insurmountable.” The last Saturday of the event saw Lisbon completely shut down, as legions of young people all walked to Parque Tejo for an evening vigil. With the Blessed Sacrament present, and Pope Francis in attendance, a Holy Hour of prayer and worship culminated the evening. Over one million young people radiating the joy of Christ slept under the stars, unaware of what awaited them come daybreak.

DJ Father Peixoto’s inspiring early morning music performance set the tone for a jubilant Mass, where His Holiness charged the assembled youth “to shine, to listen, and to be unafraid,” and declared the next World Youth Day, in 2027, to take place in Seoul, South Korea. “Going to WYD23 confirmed in my faith that Catholicism envelops the world, far beyond the walls of St. Thomas University,” concluded Dylan. STU’s Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Father Rafael Capó, and the rest of the Campus Ministry team are already looking forward to Seoul, and once more representing the University and the Archdiocese of Miami with an even larger delegation. The goal is to share St. Thomas University’s Catholic mission with young adults from every corner of the earth, and to rejoice before the world in our Catholic identity.

E Champions Underdogs to

very year, the Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition invites eight accredited law schools in Florida to participate in a three-day battle for courtroom supremacy. The carefully assembled and selected contending teams often represent the best-performing students at their respective institutions. They arrive studied and hungry to bring home first place from the most prestigious tournament in the state, presented by the Trial Lawyers Section of the Florida Bar. The best trial attorneys and judges from across the state preside over the championship, offering mentorship, critiques, and verdicts, ultimately deciding which team returns home the victors. In 2023 and 2024, St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law walked away with the winning trophy held high.

“As a smaller program, all we have is the passion and intensity that we can bring,” shared 3L Michael Rizo, STU Trial Team President, and 2023 Chester Bedell Best Advocate award winner. “I believe STU Law will always be the underdog, overcoming stereotypes, but it’s good to have a chip on your shoulder.” That chip has fueled two consecutive wins, and three wins in school history. Perhaps not coincidentally, one of the team members from that first win was STU Benjamin L. Crump College of Law Dean, Tarlika NuñezNavarro. “As an access school, we embrace underdog status,” added the Dean. “Please, continue to underestimate us. We dare you.”

Although the words “necrotizing fasciitis” may sound alien to most, to Dean Nuñez-Navarro and her former trial teammates they represented hours upon hours of case research, countless endless nights, and a level of attention to detail bordering on obsession. That insistent focus was the only way to win when she and standout attorney Ricky Patel ‘09 led STU’s Trial Team, and that focus is echoed by today’s team. Above and beyond the hours necessary to successfully complete a Juris Doctor degree, Trial Team demands constant drilling, and from one to two months of preparation before each competition. While conventional wisdom would paint Trial Team as a distraction, members of the STU Trial Team pass Florida’s General Bar Examination at a 95% rate, far surpassing their non-competing peers. “Less disciplined students are not usually prepared for twelve-hour Bar prep study session days. Trial Team members already have that skill set,” commented Dean Nuñez-Navarro. “They have developed the foundational habits of excellence, grit, and determination, because those habits have been engrained in the trial team’s culture.”

Adding to that experience is a returning cast of former STU Trial Team members and STU Law alumni, who lend their time and skills on weekends to assure continued success. Their most effective advice to students is to become the best version of themselves, and to stay authentic. “Juries can tell right away if an advocate is not being authentic, or if they are mimicking someone else. Authenticity is one of our greatest advantages,” confirms Dean Nuñez-Navarro. Another unrivaled advantage is STU Law graduate and current Trial Team Faculty Advisor, Professor Houson R. Lafrance ‘14. “His wisdom, effort, and time are a large part of our wins,” acknowledged Rizo. “Excellence demands consistency,” added Professor Houson. Our Trial Team has the potential to become a perennial Top 10 ranked program nationally. However, our greatest measure of success remains the positive impact we have on our students.”

With the 2025 Chester Bedell around the corner, STU Trial Team is knee-deep in preparation. Although it is never mentioned, a three-peat would be an unprecedented achievement. As the team bonds over countless hours of study, they drive each other to work harder, dig deeper, and do what is necessary to walk into the next contest ready to slay giants. And it is that constant pursuit of excellence that elevates underdogs to champions.

OneWeek STU at

Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dr. Benjamin Carson presents his book, Crisis In The Classroom.

BenjaminL.Crumpspeakstonewlawyersduringtheir FloridaAttorneyInductionCeremony.

STU hosts events celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Attorney Crump and Rod Skirvig lead symposium on Effective Policing in Our Communities.

D From StonesSilicone to

r. Tim Stafford is not exactly sure how or when he became the resident artificial intelligence (AI) expert at St. Thomas University, but his inherent curiosity usually nudges him towards thought leadership in the most surprising ways.

“There has to be somebody in the weeds, all the time,” smiled Dr. Stafford. “I was not planning to be that person, but I do not mind the charge. I believe this is important.” Important enough to yield his book, Ignite Learning Innovation: Unleashing the Potential of ChatGPT, Prompt Engineering and Prompt Chaining in Course Design, and a TED Talk entitled TheFutureofEducationisSelf-DirectedLearning. The book is available on Amazon, and the illuminating TED Talk can be accessed by visiting stu.edu/ted

“Thought leaders are always going to be able to think past where everybody else is,” shared Dr. Stafford. However, innovation of new technologies often suffers from a lack of a moral compass. “Everything STU does is based on a model of ethics, and we are a community of ethical inquiry. We are in the perfect position to bring ethical leadership to AI, and to teach students and instructors how to use the tools available within a moral framework.”

While the chasm between early adopters and cynics continues to widen, ChatGPT, Midjourney, Bard, DALL-E, and other large language models (LLM) and image creation models only gain ground with every update, becoming even more proficient tools. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) promises to be world-changing upon release and adoption. At every level of education and industry, these AI tools have been used to cheat, complete important tasks, and win prestigious contests, raising significant concerns. Dr. Stafford and other prominent academic leaders are advocating for the integration of AI into curriculums, cultivating an environment where the tools are used as enhancements, rather than unethical shortcuts. “Only when we teach instructors — so that ultimately, we can teach students — will we see AI’s value in research, learning, and course design,” assures Dr. Stafford. He is currently deeply involved in training STU faculty on how to engage AI through efficient prompt engineering, and was instrumental in the creation of an Applied AI Certificate program, with sights set on an eventual Bachelor’s level program.

Research into the use and ultimate capabilities of AI continues at the highest levels. In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, Fabien Lareyre and Juliette Raffort wrote, “LLMs are dependent on data that have been used for the training, they can be biased due to misinformation, errors, or outdated information in the training dataset. The models have no self-assessment of the generated content and, therefore, no control over whether the input information is true or accurate.” As with all computer systemrelated endeavors, in the simplest of language, garbage in, garbage out. “The AI is not thinking. It has no opinions, other than what it has been fed by humans,” continued Dr. Stafford. “This is the next evolutionary step in computing, but it is entirely driven by humans, and it is humanity’s responsibility to make decisions keeping the information accurate and unbiased.”

The future of large language models, AI image generators, and artificial general intelligence is set to deeply influence various fields. Large language models will enhance communication automation and information accessibility, while AI image generators are poised to revolutionize creative and analytical visual tasks. As for AGI, its potential to address complex global challenges is immense, yet it brings substantial ethical and societal risks. Navigating these advancements will require careful ethical oversight and proactive governance to ensure their responsible development and positive societal impact.

The preceding paragraph and the accompanying photo for this article were generated by ChatGPT and Midjourney. When prompted about its own future, AI itself seems concerned with “substantial ethical and societal risks.” Dr. Stafford’s work and his continuing education of faculty and students will greatly minimize that risk. Throughout the world, other ethical individuals and organizations are also working to make AI and its use a benevolent tool for mankind. The first large stone humans picked up was undoubtedly used as a weapon, highlighting our failings and fall from grace. As an Archdiocesan Catholic university, STU will strive to make sure this particularly large stone that is AI is always used to build, and not to destroy.

TheofRugby United States

Zimbabwe. Yes, the sport of rugby is huge in Africa. Sophomore Chemistry major Welton Charumbira was playing in his hometown of Harare, when he was contacted by STU Men’s Rugby Coach, Gavin McLeavy. “Welton, how would you like to come play flyhalf for a university rugby team in Miami?” was the challenge from Coach McLeavy. “When I heard Miami, just like any other kid, I immediately answered oh yeah, of course!”, recounts Welton.The reality of a fledgling rugby program in only its first year struck Welton, as he found only a handful of players already on campus. “Those first practices were heavy on the heart,” remembered Welton, “but by the end of that first semester we were able to fill out a 21-player competitive roster.”

Argentina. Yes, the sport of rugby is huge in South America. Freshman Sports Medicine major Maximo “Maxi” Testero was a member of one the best u19 rugby teams in his country, Club Gimnasia y Esgrima de Rosario. After attending a college scouting event, offers began pouring in for the six-foot tall, solidly built prop and second row player. “After some weeks, an email arrived with the subject line ‘Rugby in Miami,’” smiled Maxi, “and it was a golden moment. I instantly dialed Coach McLeavy.” Unfortunately, the reality of a first-year team was jarring for the college-bound young man. “But I made a bet on myself, and this team,” asserted Maxi, “and I packed my bags for a new life.”

Arizona, USA. No, the sport of rugby may not have the highest profile in the United States. However, Sophomore Sports Management major Jehron McGee is one of 1.2 million players changing hearts and minds with their passionate play throughout the country. A transfer from American International College in Massachusetts, Jehron brought experience to the position of flanker. “That first year was a struggle,” he remarked, “but this has been the best decision I have ever made.” Jehron’s confidence in his team and in his coach is infectious, and his leadership capabilities are a cornerstone for the program.

England. Yes, the sport of rugby is huge in the U.K. For Barrow, England, native, Coach Gavin McLeavy, rugby has been a way of life. Coach McLeavy played professional rugby for his hometown club before a worldwide whirlwind adventure which eventually landed him in Sunrise, Florida. Coach McLeavy continued his involvement with rugby stateside, and a chance meeting with President Armstrong netted him the head coach job at STU. Using established connections with rugby players across the world, McLeavy began building his team. The first year, the team went 7-1, losing only the inaugural game. The second year, the team went undefeated. “I’d like to have a crack at nationals this year,” McLeavy said of the Collegiate Rugby Association of America championships, which is run by USA Rugby. “If we don’t get there this year, then certainly next year.”

STU Men’s Rugby has already defeated FSU, UF, Eckerd, FIU, Florida Atlantic, and USF. “We are playing at a really high level across Florida,” commented Testero, “but sometimes we feel unseen by the Bobcat fans, who may not be familiar with rugby. This team will change that.” Beyond STU, the players believe they can put rugby on the map in Florida, and maybe even the country. “In my native language, we have a saying,” explains Welton, “you cannot wrap up something with horns. You cannot hide greatness. If we keep doing what we are doing, it will be impossible to stop us.” Indeed, the unstoppable Bobcats continue making their mark across the state, with D1 schools crushed in their wake. Yet as true rugby players, the camaraderie after the games is a joy to behold, as players from competing teams come together to celebrate their game and each other.

Assessed independently, rugby players are often the oddballs, the outsiders, the rugged individualists. However, once gelled into a team, they become brothers bound by athleticism, acceptance of each other, and respect. The Bobcat Men’s Rugby team have quickly become such a team, and their unifying goal is a National Championship. Editor’s Note: In April, 2024, STU Rugby won the D1AA State Championship, and defeated the Air Force Academy for the College Rugby Association of America’s Challenge Cup.

Biscayne Beyond

Mary Kennedy Hall rose out of the gravel, sand, and dust of a large parcel of undeveloped land in North Miami. In the early 1960s, the building represented the entirety of a fledgling Biscayne College. “It looked like something out of a science fiction movie, very modern,” remembered Professor Richard Raleigh. “And I thought, wow, wouldn’t that be exciting to teach there?” Professor Raleigh recounted how Kennedy Hall dominated the landscape, with the nearest construction being the buildings of Monsignor Pace High School. Biscayne College, the all-men Augustinian college and lineal descendant of the Universidad de Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Havana, Cuba, became St. Thomas University in 1984. To generations of alumni, and to graduates to this day, Biscayne College remains the heart of STU.

In memory of STU Board of Trustees Chairman John J. Dooner’s daughter, Kennedy Hall was rechristened Mimi Dooner Hall in 2014. Mr. Dooner is a Class of 1970 Biscayne College alumnus. By 2021, the art deco façade that saw John Dooner graduate was weathered beyond repair and replaced by decorative sails imprinted with the faces and accomplishments of current St. Thomas University students. Dooner Hall is still the administrative center for the University, and while STU has added over 400,000 square feet of new construction over the last five years, most students begin their college journey inside its hallowed halls.

The modernization of Biscayne College continued inside the building, where new flooring, lighting, accent walls with assorted colors in every room, and a lounge for the Honors College has been constructed. “At a public university, all those changes would have to go through eight committees,” Dean Colin Roche laughed. “But here, with the support of President David A. Armstrong, J.D., and of Provost Michelle Johnson-Garcia, we accomplished all of it quickly.” Dean Roche became Dean of Biscayne College in 2023 and immediately understood he had become the guardian of the legacy and rich history of Biscayne College. He set out to honor that history by updating both the look, and function of the college. Working with faculty and administration, Dean Roche appended the name of the college to Biscayne College for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

“STU’s goal is to produce workforce-ready graduates in multiple academic disciplines who possess essential career skills, like problem-solving, critical thinking, oral and written communication,” explains President Armstrong. “At Biscayne College we teach our students that what are usually referred to as ‘soft skills,’ are actually the essential and necessary tools for professional success.” Those skills are infused throughout the curriculums for nine undergraduate programs, five master’s programs, and three doctoral programs, which include English, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Communications & Media Studies, Political Science, Education, Organizational Leadership, Theology, and Ethical Leadership. This last program was established by President Armstrong in 2019 and concentrates on the application of leadership in the field, and promoting transparency and accountability. The program aims to teach students how to build bridges in politics, religion, and race, solidifying trust and credibility and creating environments of engagement and productivity. “Many early graduates of Biscayne College went on to become leaders of industry, John Dooner being a prime example of that,” relates President Armstrong. “The Augustinians made sure ethical leadership was always coded into to the very roots of our University. By establishing the Ethical Leadership Institute and its associated programs, we are celebrating our Augustinian heritage, and emphasizing our Mission of creating ethical leaders for our global community.”

Those future leaders take their first steps at Biscayne College. With more renovations and improvements in the pipeline, Dean Roche will continue to assure students an exceptional place of learning, blending the newest technologies and pedagogy with the grounding ideas of exemplary ability and outstanding leadership established at the founding of the college. The next sixty years will undoubtedly yield students and citizens of unquestionable skills and character, ready to face all challenges carrying the flag of St. Thomas University, and the banners of Biscayne College.

I Nursing theFuture

n the fall of 2016, a nascent STU Nursing program posted a total enrollment of 31. By fall of 2023, that number had surged to over 1,200 students, and included new master’s, post-master’s, and doctorate degree offerings. Today, the Nursing program competes effectively with Florida International University, University of Miami, and Barry University.

Dr. Doris Teran, Chief Nursing Officer, attributes the exponential growth of the program to prosperous collaboration with STU’s administration. “President Armstrong and Provost Johnson-Garcia encouraged Nursing to make the changes necessary for success,” explained Dr. Teran. “Nurses are the eyes of the doctors and the voice of the patients. In the end, we take care of people, and in many instances save lives. Those responsibilities demand a tough curriculum, and a program that instills that sense of commitment and duty in future nurses.”

Modern nurses are often required to perform beyond their training, serving as doctors, psychiatrists, and, at times, chaplains. STU Nursing prepares graduates to expect the unexpected, and through a combination of knowledge, leadership, grit, and empathy, contend with any challenge they may face on the job. The program concentrates on training future nurses in essential communication skills, allowing graduates to go beyond medicine to prioritize the humanity of their patients and concerned families.

The combination of competent technical preparation to enter the nursing field, as well as the importance placed on compassionate care of patients, continues to attract students regionally, and nationally through successful online master’s degree offerings. The Nursing faculty is enthusiastic about adding virtual reality and AI-assisted modeling to their labs and theory classes, continuing to differentiate STU Nursing through the adoption of the latest instructional advancements.

Sustaining the success of the program will rely on several factors, chief amongst them an emphasis on mentorship. Every faculty member teaching in the program directly supports an assigned group of students. Continuing education for faculty members is also a focus, assuring the latest techniques are taught in the classroom. These techniques demand new lab spaces and technologies, which will come in the shape of a new Nursing building. “A new Nursing building can be the catalyst that propels STU into the top of the leaderboard for healthcare programs,” asserted Dr. Teran. “It would also allow us to expand our healthcare related offerings with physician assistant, informatics, health technician, and other degrees.”

Dr. Ernest Grant, President of the American Nurses Association, has asserted, “The demand for nursing is expected to grow in the coming years, outstripping the supply unless we take significant steps to increase the number of students entering nursing schools and ensure they have the resources to succeed.” St. Thomas University Nursing is taking those steps, and graduating quality healthcare personnel, ready to become the custodians of holistic well-being, and embodying the fusion of science and compassion.

For one evening last December, St. Thomas University’s Fernandez Family Center for Leadership and Wellness became the epicenter of disco. The venue was transformed into a Christmas-themed concert hall featuring Miami legends, KC and the Sunshine Band. The dance floor was electric with the hustle, the bump, and a conga line stretching the width of the building. Hundreds of partygoers donned 1970s fashions, including bell bottoms, sequins, gold chains, and big hair. A fabulously hip Santa Claus made the rounds, and lasers and disco balls bounced off mirrored shades and glittered furniture. But no one shone brighter than a very special birthday celebrant: President David A. Armstrong, J.D.

Decked in his white disco suit, President Armstrong looked very much the part of big man on campus, as he worked the room with his beautiful wife, the First Lady of St. Thomas University, Leslie Armstrong. The idea to combine Christmas, disco, and his 60th birthday came to Armstrong as he dreamed about a party featuring one of his favorite performers, KC. Little did President Armstrong know just how true his dream would become. In the middle of KC’s high-energy set, as the Sunshine Band broke down the eternal hit Boogie Shoes KC called President Armstrong on stage. The band and the crowd serenaded the President with a raucous Happy Birthday, and KC presented him with a collector’s edition vinyl album of the Sunshine Band’s greatest hits, celebrating their 50th Anniversary. After a big hug, KC grinned, asked for a microphone, and handed it to President Armstrong. In a totally unscripted move, KC invited the President to sing with him as they closed Boogie Shoes. For three glorious minutes, David A. Armstrong, J.D. was not only a lawyer, coach, leader, father, husband, and university President, but also the most enthusiastic backup singer in the history of rock and roll.

Through every showstopping moment of the evening, not one guest lost sight of the real reason why they were there: student scholarships. The Disco Christmas Celebration while becoming the most talked-about event of the season, was also the most exhilarating fund-raising event of the year. Vice President of Philanthropy, Scott Koskoski, reminded everyone in attendance of the importance of giving. “I myself am a first-generation college student,” announced Koskoski as he took the stage. “The only reason I am here today is because of the generosity of

the

CelebrationChristmas Disco

people like you, who understand the power of your donations. It is about fostering our Mission and supporting the success of our students.” Together with President Armstrong, the pair announced that over $500,000 dollars were raised for student scholarships in just one night, all due to the generosity of sponsors, Board of Trustee members, guests, and friends.

The Disco Christmas Celebration was the capstone of a record-breaking year of fund raising for St. Thomas University. It started with the 60thAnniversaryCelebration and was followed by the record-breaking ShowYourLoveforBobcatAthleticsGivingDay. The runway was blazed, and even more money was raised at the Fashion & Food Showcase. A few weeks later, STU presented the most fun golf tournament in South Florida, Fore the Love of Education. The year closed with GivingSTUesday offering one last chance to make a difference.

“U.S. News & World Report ranked STU number one regionally for social mobility,” shared President Armstrong before leaving the stage.

“This ranking is clear evidence of the ROI a student receives from a St. Thomas University education. STU positively changes the financial trajectory of students and their families for generations. Events like tonight’s disco Christmas party are a chance for our community to make a difference in the lives of thousands of students who go on to become ethical leaders. Every dollar donated is significant and can make the difference between staying in college and dropping out.”

After the last KC and the Sunshine Band encore, the DJ gave in to the partiers’ requests for salsa, merengue, and reggaeton. The Bee Gees made room for Bad Bunny, and late into the night El Gran Combo shouted “¡’pa fuera! ¡’pa la calle!,” letting the diehard fun-seekers know the party was ending. Outside the Fernandez Family Center, a still enthusiastic small crowd reminisced about the evening, cigars and nightcaps in hand. Joining them were Leslie and President Armstrong, ever gracious and somehow still glowing with energy. As is always the case following STU’s rambunctious and successful events, whispers were heard already planning the next St. Thomas University celebration. Watch Video Here

Congratulations to Men’s Swimming & Diving for bringing home the first team National Championship in St. Thomas University’s history! Go Bobcats!

From the President’s Desk

As I write these words, St. Thomas University is in all-hands-ondeck mode, readying ourselves and our campus for Commencement Week. This is the time of year when we grant our STUdents the degrees they have earned through their determined, hard work. The days are marked by celebrations like the Student Academic Excellence Awards, the International Students Ceremony, the Faculty Excellence Awards, Baccalaureate Mass, President’s Champagne Toast, and —perhaps the most anticipated— the Commencement Ceremonies. This year, we will once again graduate the largest class in STU’s history, and we will acknowledge the many accomplishments of our students, a small percentage of which you may find on these pages.

After the last of the graduates and their families have gone home, our faculty and staff will hold a General Assembly. Four times a year, we gather to speak about finances, academics, enrollment, philanthropy, and more. It is at these assemblies where I deliver a state of the university address, and charge the faculty and staff with a directive for the year. Since the beginning of the Fall 2023 term, that charge has been the drive for excellence. In our continued quest to become the great Catholic university of the South, we will strive for excellence in every detail of our daily work.

When I first arrived at STU, the college had fallen on difficult times. Today, thanks to the constant, diligent work of our faculty and staff, the university is not only surviving, but thriving. We call all of us who work for St. Thomas University STUwards because it is our responsibility to steward our institution toward a prosperous future. Almost seven years into my presidency, the results of that stewardship are evident in every meaningful statistic, and moreover, they are evident in a renewed Bobcat pride. As I travel across the country, I often meet alumni, young and old. As our university’s accomplishments grow, so do the smiles on the faces of the proud graduates of STU, and Biscayne College. The word is definitely out on our triumphs, and what was once South Florida’s best kept secret is now a beacon of academic and athletic distinction, and the world is watching.

Today, we look back on another record-setting academic year, but only for a minute. We will not rest on our laurels. As Napoleon is often quoted, “the moment of most danger is right after victory.” Our university will continue to strive for excellence in the classroom, on the field, across our campus, in our service, and in our Catholic mission. We will celebrate our milestones, but we will not become complacent. Our country and our world are in dire need of transformative ethical leadership. We will persevere in our quest to educate those leaders. We will continue to change the trajectories of our students’ lives, gifting them the ability to lift themselves and their families far beyond expectations. We will redouble our focus on excellence, and on the goal of elevating St. Thomas University to becoming the great Catholic university of the South.

I would like to extend an open invitation to visit our beautiful campus. If you have not been here in a while, you may not recognize the grounds. Our STUdents and STUwards would love to meet you, and I would be thrilled to shake your hand and share in our Bobcat pride. We hope you have the opportunity to reacquaint yourself with St. Thomas University and join us as we soar to new heights.

God Bless and Go Bobcats!

David A. Armstrong, J.D.

STU’S

IN THE LAST SIX YEARS

Five straight years of record enrollment growth.

Grew from an $85 million to $204 million organization.

400,000 square feet of new buildings and athletics spaces.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Institutional accreditation reaffirmed until 2033.

Tripled on-campus housing.

Three straight years of record fundraising.

Operating revenue increased by 54%.

Record number of sports qualifying for the NAIA National Playoffs, and first team National Championship.

72% passing rate on the February 2024 Florida Bar exam. Second in the state.

Mock Trial team wins the prestigious Florida Bar Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition for the second year in a row.