Aquinas Alumni Bachus and Lemley Honored at TICUA Hall of Fame Induction

Posted on Tuesday, November 2, 2021

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Nashville, TN – Aquinas College recently held an induction ceremony for two alumni who have been chosen for the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA) Hall of Fame. The TICUA Hall of Fame was instituted to honor the distinguished alumni of its 34 member institutions while highlighting their contributions to our state, nation, and world.

“We launched the TICUA Hall of Fame last year to honor the accomplishments and impact of graduates and the institutions who helped to prepare them,” said TICUA President Dr. Claude Pressnell. “We are proud to once again recognize an astounding group of alumni who have made significant contributions to their institutions, communities, and society. Their stories are worthy of recognition and accolade and, on behalf of our member institutions, we are proud to offer this small token of our appreciation for their achievements.”

The late Rebekah Lemley ’05 was named a 2020 Honoree in the TICUA Hall of Fame in October 2020. Due to Covid-19, a formal induction ceremony was postponed. Earlier this month, Steve Bachus ’80 was named a 2021 Honoree in the TICUA Hall of Fame. On October 28, 2021, both Lemley and Bachus were honored at an induction ceremony at Aquinas College. Dr. Claude Presnell, Jr., President of TICUA, joined Sister Cecilia Anne Wanner, O.P., President of Aquinas College, in the induction ceremony for these two honorees.

Rebekah Lemley was a graduate of the Aquinas College Associate of Science in Nursing program. Her sisters Marissa ’01 and Abigail, as well as her parents, were present to accept this honor on Rebekah’s behalf.

Sister Matthew Marie Cummings, O.P., a professor at Aquinas College, offered a tribute to Rebekah during the induction: “Rebekah wasn’t exactly a blank slate when she arrived, but her disposition, formed so beautifully by her family, set the foundation that allowed her to flourish, exploring and developing explanations for the deeper matters of life. The graces received from her Aquinas community of friends, faculty and staff enriched her spiritually and academically… Rebekah served as an exemplary ambassador of the mission of Aquinas College through preaching the Gospel and serving others in truth and charity. Rebekah’s success in engaging culture with this mission, and encouraging others to do the same, designates her as a distinguished alumnae of Aquinas College. May we continue in this tradition, to be witnesses to the hope and love which marked Rebekah’s life.”

Read more about Rebecca here:

https://cdn.ymaws.com/ticua.org/resource/resmgr/hall_of_fame/ticua-hall-of-fame-v4-spread.pdf

Steve attended Aquinas College, then known as Aquinas Junior College, on a basketball scholarship. Steve played two seasons for the Cavaliers and graduated with honors in 1980. He studied accounting at Aquinas and completed his baccalaureate degree in accounting at Middle Tennessee State University two years later.

Rev. Mr. Mark Faulkner, a member of the Aquinas College Board of Directors, offered congratulations to Steve as part of the induction ceremony: “Your loyal service to the College, through years of history with it, has been an immeasurably valuable resource and asset to everyone who loves the College and holds it dear… Mother Anna Grace and the whole Congregation benefits from … the wise counsel that you provide for all of the fiscal activities of the College. Your expertise truly is appreciated. Your commitment is admired and valued. I join everyone in saying congratulations.”