In a few weeks I will move to my new home, Thomas Aquinas College (“TAC”). I thought you might like to know a little more about it.
Three professors from St. Mary’s College near Oakland established TAC 40 years ago. They wanted to provide a pure liberal arts curriculum, challenging students to work through the masters of western thought, from Plato to Augustine to Einstein. Every student takes exactly the same courses (a “single, integrated curriculum”), fostering intelligent student discussion outside of class. Students study only original works — 100 “great books” of Western civilization. They don’t study textbooks about geometry or physics or philosophy — they actually read the original works of Euclid, Galileo and Aristotle.
Three professors from St. Mary’s College near Oakland established TAC 40 years ago. They wanted to provide a pure liberal arts curriculum, challenging students to work through the masters of western thought, from Plato to Augustine to Einstein. Every student takes exactly the same courses (a “single, integrated curriculum”), fostering intelligent student discussion outside of class. Students study only original works — 100 “great books” of Western civilization. They don’t study textbooks about geometry or physics or philosophy — they actually read the original works of Euclid, Galileo and Aristotle.
The founders also sought to establish a college of the highest Catholic standards. The $22 million chapel is the center of the campus, and all dorms are named after saints. Three full-time priests provide four Masses and 10 scheduled confession times a day. While most Catholic colleges often promote student life contrary to Catholic morality, and teach courses opposed to Catholic doctrine, TAC is joyously faithful to the teaching authority of the Catholic Church.
Currently, 360 students come from 38 states and six foreign countries, and there is one teacher to every 11 students. The campus is situated about a half hour east of Ventura on 131 acres of steeply wooded land. The Princeton Review and US News and World Report both rated TAC “Top Tier” and “Best Value” among American colleges in 2010. I invite you all to send your children to TAC, at least for a visit. You can see the College on its website and are most welcome to visit me on the campus at any time. It’s one of America’s finest Catholic schools, and I am most privileged to be associated with Thomas Aquinas College.
Currently, 360 students come from 38 states and six foreign countries, and there is one teacher to every 11 students. The campus is situated about a half hour east of Ventura on 131 acres of steeply wooded land. The Princeton Review and US News and World Report both rated TAC “Top Tier” and “Best Value” among American colleges in 2010. I invite you all to send your children to TAC, at least for a visit. You can see the College on its website and are most welcome to visit me on the campus at any time. It’s one of America’s finest Catholic schools, and I am most privileged to be associated with Thomas Aquinas College.
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