Welcome to Aquinas College
A Letter from Sister Mary Peter, O.P.,
President of Aquinas College
Dear Friends,
Things continue to be very busy at your College, lately!
Since my last letter, I was fortunate enough to be among the eyewitnesses of Pope Benedict XVI’s historic pastoral visit to the United States in April when I attended the Papal Mass and theHoly Father’s Address to Catholic Educators in Washington, D.C. As we continue to implement our plans for the future, I intend to share some of Pope Benedict’s wisdom and its application to Aquinas College with the faculty and staff at our monthly meetings during the 2008-2009 academic year.
Closer to home, it was a real blessing to be among the faculty and staff who joined the proud friends and family of 162 graduates at the 46th Aquinas College Commencement in May. The splendor of that glorious spring day was a fitting climate for the generous outpouring of support that our graduates received from their loved ones. Congratulations to our newest Aquinas College alumni!
As you may know, The Dominican Campus has developed a strategic growth plan to enhance the academic and spiritual experience for our students and alumni. The most extensive plans involve Aquinas College with the expansion of academic programs, the creation of residential life, and an increase in enrollment that will enable Aquinas to a provide a more traditional college experience.
The initial emphasis of the project will focus on a significant expansion of our renowned Associate of Science Nursing (A.S.N.) program in order to help alleviate the dramatic nursing shortage in the Nashville area and beyond. In tandem with the A.S.N. program expansion, Aquinas College will also increase the range of four-year academic degrees it offers in business and liberal arts.
On June 12, we took the first step toward realizing these plans when Aquinas College filed an application for Institutional Overlay zoning, an ordinary designation established for college and universities by the Metropolitan Government. The process for approval will run through December, and we are excited to be moving forward on the strategic vision to which so many have so thoughtfully and energetically contributed.
Finally, it is with deep sorrow, and yet gratitude and faith, that I announce two significant losses suffered by the Aquinas College family recently. On June 15, Dr. Linda Watlington, Program Director of the RN-to-BSN Program, passed away in the home of her uncle following a long struggle with cancer. Later in the week, news reached the campus of our dear friend Mr. Monroe Carell, Jr.’s death on June 20. Dr. Watlington and Mr. Carell have made innumerable contributions to the mission of Aquinas College, and they both will be greatly missed. May they rest in peace.
In Christ
Sister Mary Peter, O.P.
President
Quoting . . .
The best way for you to come to know us is to "come and see." I encourage you to consider a personal visit to our campus. God bless you.
Sr. Mary Peter, O.P. President, Aquinas College