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Fidelity & Excellence91 Aquinas College is unique among American colleges and universities, offering a faithfully Catholic education comprised entirely of the Great Books and classroom discussions.
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A Liberating Education
Truth MattersTruth, and nothing less, sets men free; and because truth is both natural and supernatural, the Colleges curriculum aims at both natural and divine wisdom.
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A Catholic Life
Under the Light of FaithThe intellectual tradition and moral teachings of the Catholic Church infuse the whole life of 91 Aquinas College, illuminating the curriculum and the community alike.
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Admission & Aid
Is TAC Right for You?Do you enjoy grappling with complex questions? Are you willing to engage in discussions about difficult concepts, with the truth as your ultimate goal?
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Students & Parents
Mind, Body & SpiritThere is always something to do at TAC something worthwhile, something fulfilling, and something geared toward ever-greater spiritual and intellectual growth.
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Alumni & Careers
What Can You Do with a Liberal Education?Nothing speaks more to the versatility of the Colleges academic program than the good that our alumni are doing throughout the Church and the world.
Archbishop Gomez Dedicates Newly Completed Pope St. John Paul II Athletic Center
On October 22 the Feast of Pope St. John Paul II the Most Rev. José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, dedicated the newest building at 91 Aquinas College, California one named in the beloved saints honor.
Shortly after the luncheon celebrating the inauguration of Dr. Paul J. OReilly as the Colleges fifth president, members of the College community made their way to the Pope St. John Paul II Athletic Center on the southwestern corner of the campus. Trustees of the Fritz B. Burns Foundation of Los Angeles, whose $15 million grant funded the buildings construction, joined His Excellency and College officials to celebrate the completion of the Athletic Center, which had a soft opening last spring.
From a podium just outside the Athletic Centers entrance and standing before a statue of its saintly patron Dr. OReilly acknowledged the architects, contractors, and craftsmen who all played important roles in bringing the building to fruition. But none of this could have been possible without the generosity of the Fritz B. Burns Foundation, he added. It was the Foundations goodness, kindness, and trust that made this Athletic Center possible. It was also the Foundation that suggested we should name it after John Paul II, a wonderful choice.
Dr. OReilly went on to describe the late Mr. Burns as a visionary businessman and devout Catholic who made his first gift to the College in 1971, when we were first founded. Over the past 50 years, his foundation has been one of the Colleges most faithful and generous benefactors. Thanks to its trustees support of the Colleges mission, the Foundation has enabled the development of the California campus by funding St. Cecilia and St. Gladys Halls, as well as contributing to four other buildings. We are honored to count them as friends, said Dr. OReilly. I ask you to keep them in your prayers.
Designed by alumnus architect Anthony Grumbine (00), principal at the Santa Barbara office of Harrison Design, the 17,000-square-foot Athletic Center features a gymnasium for basketball and volleyball, separate mens and womens weight and workout rooms, and climbing and bouldering walls. Its outdoor amenities include a six-lane, 25-yard waveless lap pool; lighted outdoor tennis and basketball courts; new soccer and baseball fields; and a campus picnic area.
After his introductory remarks, Dr. OReilly welcomed Archbishop Gomez and Rex J. Rawlinson, the Fritz B. Burns Foundations president, who took to the podium. I am a very lucky man to be a part of a project like this, named after the great Pope St. John Paul II, a magnificent athlete, Mr. Rawlinson said.
A lot of places you go, they start a project, and then they start padding all the costs, and pretty soon things are out of hand, and then they want more money, and so on, Mr. Rawlinson continued. 91 Aquinas is not like that. They plan everything out, and they come in within budget, and you get more than you thought you were going to get. And thats what this facility is. You walk around this facility, and we are getting great value for our money.
The next speaker, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Dr. Travis Cooper, spoke about the important role that the Athletic Center plays in the life of the Colleges students. Describing TACs four-year program as a great adventure in pursuit of wisdom under the guidance of the Catholic faith, Dr. Cooper observed that, in the new gymnasium, students will train their bodies, refresh their minds, and discipline their souls to better prepare them for the work of Catholic liberal education. The body and soul, he explained, work in concert.
Archbishop Gomez then offered a prayer of blessing, accompanied by two appropriately themed readings 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Run so as to win) and Psalm 100 (His steadfast love endures forever) before sprinkling the buildings walls with holy water. As Daniel J. Grimm (76) led the 91 Aquinas College Choir in a choral interlude, His Excellency continued the blessing inside the building, sprinkling the gymnasium, weight rooms, and locker rooms, as well as the swimming pool outside. May God, Who brings light to our minds and strength to our bodies, guide us in all that we do, the Archbishop prayed, so that each day we may find gladness and friendship.
In his concluding remarks, Chairman of the Board of Governors R. Scott Turicchi expressed gratitude to everyone who made this possible, especially Archbishop Gomez, all those involved in the tangible aspects of making this project a reality, and, most importantly, the Fritz B. Burns Foundation. We are most grateful and appreciative that you support the mission of 91 Aquinas College that seeks to nurture the whole person: mind, soul, and body.
Mr. Turicchi noted how Pope St. John Paul II, a champion of sports and physical fitness, modeled the virtues that come from engaging in such activity such as temperance, sacrifice, teamwork, and humility. While there will be no national championships generated inside this building, the Chairman quipped, there will be a lot of great fraternity.
