Aquinas Welcomes New Dean to School of Education — Aquinas College - Nashville, Tennessee

Aquinas Welcomes New Dean to School of Education

Posted on Friday, September 4, 2020

Sister Mary Grace Watson, O.P.
Sister Mary Grace Watson, O.P., dean of the School of Education.

 

A familiar smile is now gracing the halls at Aquinas. Sister Mary Grace Watson, O.P., ’02 returns to Aquinas College as dean of the School of Education. Having just completed six years as principal of St. Patrick School in McEwen, Sister sees this as a sort of homecoming.

“Years ago, I chose Aquinas College as a lay student and moved to Nashville for my undergraduate education because of the solidly Catholic program I discovered there,” Sister Mary Grace says.

Sister later became a member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, the college’s founding religious congregation. She graduated in 2002 from Aquinas and set out on the road of the congregation’s mission: the education of youth.

“Now, after teaching and serving as an administrator in a variety of schools,” Sister Mary Grace explains, “it is with joy that I return to my alma mater to give back for what I have received: a deep understanding of the gift and mission of Catholic education.”

Sister Cecilia Anne Wanner, O.P., president of Aquinas, stated, “We welcome Sister Mary Grace back to Aquinas. We are grateful for the gifts she brings to our college, and we look forward to her leadership as the new dean of the School of Education.”

Sister Mary Grace assumed the deanship in July. She received a Master of Arts in Theology at the University of Steubenville this past summer and holds graduate degrees from Xavier University and Christian Brothers University in Elementary Education and Educational Leadership, respectively.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to form future teachers who will bring the light of truth and charity to their students,” Sister Mary Grace says.

“Following a long line of dedicated educators in the School of Education, I look forward to working with our faculty to continue to provide a quality program of teacher preparation, for both our Dominican Sisters and the laity.”

Aquinas College welcomes all students regardless of race, color, ethnicity, or national origin who desire to be part of the faith-based mission of the College to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the College. It does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in administration of its education policies, admission policies, scholarships and loan programs.

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