November 2026

Friends,

My wife, Laurie, and I were back home on Saturday and handed out candy to more than 1,200 little trick-or-treaters on a beautiful Halloween day. We live on one of the busiest Halloween blocks and were reminded of what a gift it is to be young, have fun, and demonstrate spirit. 

Here at the College, we try to bring that same sense of joy to our 1,200 students and, in fact, we promise them “the best four years of their lives.” To deliver on this promise, we surround them with a dedicated team of caring educators and provide meaningful activities that help them build lasting friendships and become part of a close-knit community. 

Just last week, we hosted Spartan Spirit Week, filled with fun and excitement: 

• Spartan Pride Day 
• Oktoberfest
• Fun and Game Night 
• Pep Rally & Bonfire 
• Six Flags Fright Fest Trip 
• Spartans Sunday in the City 
• Senior Day Men’s Soccer Game (we clinched the ECC title!!!)

At the same time, we teach our students to give back to the community and help others experience the same joy. A wonderful example is our Toys for Tots partnership, through which our students will help collect and distribute 3,000 toys to children in need in our community this holiday season. Likewise, our Women’s Basketball team is welcoming fourth grader Sydney Glastein through Team IMPACT, a charitable organization that connects children with serious disabilities to college athletic teams, forming lifelong bonds and relationships. Sydney brings an incredible spirit and determination that will inspire our players, coaches, and staff.

As we move into November and the second half of the semester, our students are working hard in the classroom and serving others beyond the classroom — all while finding time to have a bit of fun along the way!

So, please read below to see what’s happening at STAC … and come join the fun!

Regards,

Our Spartan Spirit Week was an absolute blast! Students, parents, alumni, employees, and friends gathered together to enjoy a bonfire night, athletic games, and tons of activities where the "Spartan Spirit" energy was unmatched.

This year, we were especially excited to recognize our Golden Spartans, who have been proud alumni for 50+ years! 

We also held our inaugural Spartan Spirit Alumni Awards event, where we recognized the Spartan G.O.L.D. (Graduates of the Last Decade) 10 Under 10, celebrating 10 exceptional alumni who are making an impact in their professions, communities, and beyond. Read more about our alumni in the Spartan Stories section below. Congratulations!

The best way to discover what makes St. Thomas Aquinas College special? Experience it for yourself!

Our Fall Open House was held at the end of October, and over 250 students and families met with faculty, Admissions, and Financial Aid, learned about our programs, and toured our campus on a beautiful sunny day.

We look forward to our next Open House followed by the Winter Wonderland Family Festival on December 5!

Toys for Tots and St. Thomas Aquinas College Students: A Win-Win Partnership!

Public relations students under the guidance and expertise of Professor Elaine Winship, are spending the fall semester working with the Rockland County Chapter of Toys for Tots, applying classroom concepts to a real client while helping the organization reach younger audiences and gaining professional experience that can be carried into their careers.

The semester will culminate in a student-led event, fundraising initiatives, and a toy collection, with students setting a goal of collecting 3,000 toys for local children.

STAC Athletics and the Women's Basketball team was thrilled to officially welcome its newest teammate to the Lady Spartan family through Team IMPACT! Fourth grader Sydney Glastein signed her Letter of Intent in Aquinas Gymnasium and has joined the Women’s Basketball roster. We cannot wait to have Sydney on the sidelines, in the locker room, and cheering everyone on as a core member of the team!

Team IMPACT is a unique national non-profit that connects children facing serious illnesses and disabilities with college athletic teams, forming lifelong bonds and relationships. Sydney brings an incredible spirit and determination that will inspire our players, coaches, and staff. Go Spartans!

STAC Men’s Golf delivered a commanding 30-stroke victory to take home the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championship!

Returning to the CACC for the first time since 1998-99, the Men's Golf team captured the 2026 CACC Championship, with a decisive 30-stroke victory over runner up Felician University, following three days and 54 holes of competition at Jeffersonville Golf Club in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The conference title is also the first for the maroon and gold since 2007, when they won in the East Coast Conference (ECC) before the sport championship was discontinued. Congratulations, Spartans!

The STAC Men's Soccer team clinched its third East Coast Conference Regular Season title in program history, with a 3-2 Senior Day victory over Daemen University. Their record for the regular season was 9-4-4.

Yesterday at Spartan Field, the maroon and gold took on Mercy University in the East Coast Conference Men's Soccer Semifinal and brought home the win! The Championship game will take place on Sunday, November 8 here at Spartan Field. Let's go, Spartans!

Join St. Thomas Aquinas College for AI: The Future of Work, an engaging webinar on Thursday, November 19 at 2:00 PM.

The future of work is taking shape now—and higher education has a vital role in shaping what comes next. St. Thomas Aquinas College is embracing this future by advancing new ways to learn, engaging with emerging technologies, and building the knowledge and human skills that drive innovation.

Featuring Gregory Edwards, Vice President of AI & Learning at Rize Education, and moderated by Dr. Mike DiBartolomeo, Vice President for Enrollment Management at St. Thomas Aquinas College, the discussion will explore AI’s impact on careers, responsible AI use, and skills for the future.

Acclaimed musician Bob Telson, an Emmy, Tony, Oscar, and Grammy nominee, took the stage with his trio at the Sullivan Theatre on October 29 to close out St. Thomas Aquinas College’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.

The Spartan community came together to enjoy this special performance and enjoyed every minute! Special thank you to Dr. Oscar Gonzalez-Barreto, Associate Professor of Spanish and Education, for organizing this event!

The STAC Alumni & Friends Travel Club recently ventured to Portugal! From historic palaces and Atlantic coastline views to wonderful dinners together, Portugal gave our alumni an unforgettable adventure.

Shout out to Linda LoRe, the College's Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, who joined in on this exciting opportunity and was proud to represent the Spartans abroad! Special thanks to Professor Maria Roglieri for coordinating such an unforgettable trip!

We are saddened to share that Dr. Mary Ann Biller-Fischetti, the fifth president (1970-1974) of St. Thomas Aquinas College, passed away on October 25, 2026, at age 91 in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, after a wonderful life of caring and sharing. An educator, academic leader, philosopher, and advocate for justice and equity, she devoted her life to learning, teaching, and service.

Mary Ann will be remembered for her remarkable intellect, passion for learning, devotion to her students, and the lasting impact she made on the communities she served. Above all, she will be remembered for the many lives she touched as a teacher, mentor, colleague, family member, and friend.

Check out St. Thomas Aquinas College's feature stories! We are delighted and proud to introduce you to the following individuals:

Boglarka (Bogi) Kiss '27

 Finance Major

Data Analytics Minor

Vincent (Vinny) Vazquez

Assistant Director, Admissions for Recruitment