December 2024

Friends,

As our students return from a long Thanksgiving break, we have kicked off the Holiday ‘Season of Giving’ here at the College.  

We are proud of the so many ways in which our students are supporting one another and our local communities at this time of year. We recently hosted another “Spartans Take a Beat” day to help promote mental health and wellness, while celebrating with “Friendsgiving” and Thanksgiving Day brunch. Our students also demonstrated “STACsGiving” by delivering 800 care packages to senior citizens … feeding the hungry on the Breadlines … donating books and pajamas … welcoming local Veterans to our campus … and providing a fitting student tribute at the Memorial for former President Donald T. McNelis.

This week, our focus shifts to the Christmas holiday season as we host our Tree Lighting ceremony and Holiday concert … and we are expecting a visitor from the North Pole at our special Winter Wonderland Family Festival on Saturday, December 7 (come join the fun!). Next week, I will be teaching my class at the Aquinas House as we will be learning about building teams and engaging communities over a nice lunch. Then, it is time for term papers … group projects … presentations … and final exams … as our students finish strong after another semester of learning, developing, and giving back.

As you know, tomorrow is Giving Tuesday — thank you for joining me in giving the “gift of education.”

Regards,

Join us on December 7 from 12:00-6:00 PM for our fourth annual Winter Wonderland Family Festival!

The Winter Wonderland Family Festival is a half-day event with great food, vendors, and family entertainment, inflatables, and more!

Students in our Hospitality Events Planning and Management program under Professor Angela McDonnell have worked diligently throughout the Fall 2024 semester to plan this event. It's the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

In advance of the Winter Wonderland Family Festival, join us for our Open House on December 7 at 10:00 AM to experience the spirit of our close-knit community, tour our campus, and discover what students love most about the College. All student attendees will receive a $1,000 Visitor’s Grant when they attend an open house in person and enroll in a full-time undergraduate program for 2025 or 2026!

Join us in-person or virtually for our upcoming Graduate Open House on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:00 PM. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about your program, financial assistance opportunities, and connect with me about your next steps.

On November 14, we celebrated and honored our benefactors and raised money for student scholarships at our Annual Tribute Dinner. This year, surrounded by 200 attendees, we honored Javier L. Evans, who received the Aquinas Medal, Sr. Margaret Oettinger, O.P. ’67, who received the Founders Award, and Martin Cottingham, who received the Mission Impact Award.

The College's "Spartans Take a Beat" Day in the Romano Student Alumni Center was a success! The entire Spartan community came together and focused on self-care and mental health awareness. The Spartan community took time mid-semester to unplug, recharge, and reset.

Spartans enjoyed relaxation stations and activities with coloring, crafts, and Legos, as well as comfort food. Therapy dogs and bunnies also stopped by to brighten the day of our students and employees!

Our Spartans are always ready to lend a helping hand! Members of the STAC community (Sister Peggy Scarano - Trustee Emerita, Ms. Barbara Keegan, Mr. Tom DeLucci, and five students — Drew Basile, Kevin DeLucci, Bryanna Ely, Michael Keegan, and Kelwyn Sanguil) traveled into Manhattan at 5:45 AM to serve at the St. Francis of Assisi Church Breadline. Following the Breadline, our Spartans distributed Thanksgiving turkeys and trimmings from the Church Food Pantry. 

We are very proud of our Spartans and thank them for living the College's Mission and making a profound difference in the world!

Our students held a "Friendsgiving" event with a buffet style dinner, movies, and games in the Romano Student Alumni Center!

Spartans gathered together and enjoyed a nice evening on campus.

The Mental Health Club hosted a "Santa Came Early" event, which was a huge success that raised funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Families from the local community came to campus, met with Santa, and enjoyed hot cocoa, crafts, and snacks.

On Veterans Day, our St. Thomas Aquinas College community saluted the brave men and women who have selflessly served to protect our freedom. Local Veterans — including Board of Trustees Chair, Dom D'Adamo — their families, and members of the STAC community gathered to honor our Veterans at a special luncheon so they could be recognized and thanked in person for their sacrifice and service. To all Veterans who have served with courage and honor — "thank you for your service."

On November 19, St. Thomas Aquinas College Communication Arts students were serving Thanksgiving spirit at their "STACsGiving" Event in the Romano Student Alumni Center. They assembled Thanksgiving care packages to spread holiday cheer to over 800 homebound seniors in Rockland County as a semester-long-service-learning-project with Meals on Wheels Rockland. Watch our video here.

On November 15, the College held a beautiful Memorial Mass at the Sacred Heart Chapel and reception in the Romano Center to recognize and remember the life of President Emeritus Donald T. McNelis.

Please see the special tribute video made for Dr. McNelis, which was shown at our Annual Tribute Dinner.

First Lady Romaine McNelis Delivering Eulogy at Memorial Mass

Check out St. Thomas Aquinas College's feature on three of our incredible Spartans! We are delighted and proud to introduce you to the following individuals:

Maureen Mulhern

Director of Career Development

Fanta Diop '27

Finance Major

Patrick D'Auria '75

Retired Insurance Professional and Full-Time Educator