Sister Mary Sarah, O.P. - Aquinas College

32 Pages·2011·2.17 MB·English

FALL/WINTER 2011 MAGAZINE
Sister Mary Sarah, O.P.
Advancing the mission into the next 50 years
page 4
Celebrating 50 Years An Alumna’s Journey Home
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Friends of Aquinas College, rate prayer into their daily work. Those who
visit Aquinas comment that they are struck
Every once in a while you get the opportunity to repay some-
by the joyful, peace-filled atmosphere of our
one who has done a great favor for you. I had this sense when I
buildings. Our faculty and staff have invited
became the president of Aquinas College this past June. Aquinas
Christ, the Master Teacher, to join them at
served as my gateway to the intellectual life in the Dominican tra-
work, to guide their teaching, to supply wis-
dition, as I received an associate’s degree from the College in the
dom, and to guard and protect this impor-
late 1980s. I will always be grateful for that initial introduction.
tant work of education in His name.
Upon returning to the College more than 20 years later, I found
Plans for the future of Aquinas are under-
that some things had changed while others had remained the SEPTEMBER 2011
way! We are currently developing master’s
same. The same magnanimous spirit that marked Aquinas from
degree programs in nursing science and
the beginning is still here. I have had the opportunity to meet
teacher education and we are planning for residence halls in the
one-on-one with nearly every member of the faculty and staff
near future. This past year we added degrees in philosophy and
and am impressed with the caliber of their professional expertise
secondary English education. Aquinas has grown over these last
and the excellence of the degree programs. It is apparent that
50 years and has made a substantial contribution to education in
the faculty, staff, and administration of Aquinas have worked
the city of Nashville and beyond. We are looking forward to the
hard to keep the house in good order. During the past year, the
unfolding of the next 50 years!
nursing and education departments were reaffirmed along with
an accrediting visit to the entire school. All noted the outstand-
Thank you for helping to make this great mission possible by
ing quality of education at Aquinas. In a time of soaring student
your financial support and the support of your prayers. I hope
loans, Aquinas has managed its internal costs well so that tuition
you enjoy this issue of Aquinas College’s magazine.
is affordable to our students. And the College’s budget is bal-
anced and is debt free.
Gratefully,
As wonderful as these things are, what has impressed me the
most about Aquinas College has been the unity of voice among
the faculty and staff. They want what is best for Aquinas, and
they wish to know Christ and to place themselves at His service
Sister Mary Sarah, O.P.
through this great work. Many have a strong faith and incorpo-
President
SEPTEMBER 1961
Sister Dominica, O.P., Dean of Students, surveys the hallways on the first day of Aquinas Junior College’s existence in September 1961. Sister would serve
the College until her retirement in 1989.
2 AQUINAS COLLEGE www.aquinascollege.edu
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President FEATURES
Sister Mary Sarah, O.P. Sister Mary Sarah, O.P.: Aquinas College’s New President ............................ 4
The Year of Jubilee ............................................................................................ 20
Executive Director
of The Dominican Campus
CAMPUS HAPPENINGS
Sister Catherine Marie, O.P.
Freshman Formation ......................................................................................... 14
Vice President Alumni Pool Party .............................................................................................. 14
for Institutional Advancement
Aquinas College Writer’s Night .......................................................................... 15
Timothy J. Stransky
2011 Commencement ...................................................................................... 16
Director of Admissions Scholarship Brunch .......................................................................................... 18
Connie Hansom Evening of Excellence ....................................................................................... 19
Director of Development DEPARTMENTS
and Community Relations
Nursing: Code of Ethics ..................................................................................... 12
Jeanne “Rickey” Chick Schuller
Board Member Profile: Patrick Sharbel ............................................................ 23
Graphic Design/Art Direction
Michael Ann Zinser ALUMNI
In memoriam..................................................................................................... 26
Contributing Writers
Profile: Jeanne (Rickey) Chick Schuller (’77).................................................... 27
Sister Jane Dominic, O.P.
Sister Margaret Andrew, O.P.
Brother Ignatius Perkins, O.P., Ph.D., IN EVERY ISSUE
R.N., F.A.A.N. In The Dominican Tradition: Fifty Years of Sisterly Support ........................... 8
Aaron Urbanczyk
Cavalier Chronicles............................................................................................. 22
Father Jacek Kopera, O.P.
Development....................................................................................................... 24
Steve McCarthy
Jeanne “Rickey” Chick Schuller
Timothy J. Stransky
Paul Downey
Photography FALL 2011 SCHEDULE AQUINAS COLLEGE
Sister Mary Christopher, O.P.
Ed Rode (www.edrode.biz)
Paul Downey
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 | St. Cecilia Academy Theater | 6:30 p.m.
Taking the Power Back from the Bully
By Jim Williams | Motivational speaker | Sponsored by the Overbrook Parents’ Club
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 | Aquinas College Main Building Room 103 | 6:30 p.m.
Yearning to Breathe Free: A Critique of America’s Immigration Policy
By James Chesser | Attorney and immigration expert
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 | Aquinas College Main Building Room 103 | 6:30 p.m.
The Pauline Chapel: Michelangelo’s Unknown Masterpiece
By Eric Hansen, Ph.D. | Historian and Vatican art expert
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 | Aquinas College Main Building Room 103 | 6:30 p.m.
Medical and Moral Issues
By Sister Mary Diana, O.P. | Physician and Member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation
Please visit www.aquinascollege.edu/SMD to submit questions.

All events are free of charge, but reservations are recommended. Please contact The Dominican
4210 Harding Road Nashville, TN 37205 Campus at [phone] or [email protected] for reservations.
[phone] or [phone]
www.aquinascollege.edu 4210 Harding Pike Nashville, TN 37205 615.297.7545 www.aquinascollege.edu
www.aquinascollege.edu AQUINAS COLLEGE 3
FEATURE: SISTER MARY SARAH, O.P.
Aquinas
College’s
New President
Sister Mary Sarah
Galbraith, O.P.
By Sister Jane Dominic, O.P.
W
hen Archbishop Charles Chaput was installed
as the Archbishop of Philadelphia he likened the
ceremony to a kind of ‘arranged marriage’ and
said that the matchmaker in his case was in Rome.
God’s While he didn’t know why he was chosen, he
acknowledged that one should have confidence in
the skill level of those making such arrangements.
better beauty,
It is no less a conviction for the Dominican Sisters
grace of St. Cecilia that their assignments are divinely
arranged and so are spiritually and practically
strategic. In this 50th year of the founding of
Aquinas College, God has provided a college
president with extensive experience in academia,
administration and the apostolate of the heart.
Who is this “match” sent to carry the mission for-
ward at the start of the next 50 years? Where has
she come from and how has she been prepared
for this most recent call from God?
FAMILY LIFE
Sister Mary Sarah Galbraith was born the fourth
child of James Galbraith, a nuclear engineer from
Kansas City, Missouri, and Joan Briggs Galbraith
of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Jim and Joan had
met each other singing in the Church choir at St.
Augustine’s Catholic Church. Together, they cre-
ated a warm family life for their children. Their
days were full of adventures outdoors, roaming
through a lush green 700 acres spotted with dams,
waterfalls, and ruins of old houses. The only gift
4 AQUINAS COLLEGE www.aquinascollege.edu
FEATURE: SISTER MARY SARAH, O.P.
esteemed more highly than humor in the
Galbraith home was also very much alive
and present: the gift of faith. “Mom’s and
Dad’s example had an impact on all of us.
They took the faith seriously and had a
deep devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary,”
explained her brother Ed, five years older
than Sister Mary Sarah. “This is the reason
that Sarah was able to interiorly feel a call
to religious life. At school, she was popu-
lar and had lots of friends. She knew she
had a religious vocation and that she had
to pursue it; but, that’s never stopped her
from being herself. In fact, she was voted
‘Most Witty’ by her high-school classmates.
She still brings joy wherever she goes. She
has an eye for when things are getting too
serious – either for herself or for others –
and she knows how to diffuse that tension
in a non-confrontational way. She is a born
diplomat.”
Mary, the oldest girl in the Galbraith family,
Galbraith Family Reunion
reflected, “Out of the five of us, Sarah had
the most refreshing outlook on things. She
thought outside the box before it was cool
crisis, she sheds some outside perspective
to think outside the box. She is resourceful, AQUINAS COLLEGE
on the situation for us. She knows how to
optimistic, a hard worker, and lighthearted.
weather a crisis with good grace and how
But, watch out; she’s just as creative in her “Aquinas is an amazing place. One of the
to lift up everyone around her.”
mischief as she is in her work.” things I love about it is that it has grown
incrementally, organically. There is noth-
Betsy, two years Sister’s junior, added, “I
Clare, seven years older than Sister Mary ing forced about its growth. It has been a
think what attracted her to the Nashville Do-
Sarah, said, “She is a wonderful blend of natural process, free from excessive am-
both our parents. Dad was the contempla- minicans was their joy, their sense of humor. bition. The Sisters, with the faculty and
tor. He considered all sides and weighed the Just looking at them you could see a lively staff, have been both prescient and provi-
outcomes before coming to a decision. He spirit, a real toughness, a joy, and a humor, dent. They set in place a liberal arts core
thought it was important to have balance all blended into their whole outlook on life.” but attached practical programs to it. To
in life and to reason things out. He taught address the battle of the mind, they insti-
his children to think before they spoke. Dad RELIGIOUS LIFE AND tuted the Education Program. To address
the battle for human life and dignity, they
was a humble man; he spent a lot of time THE APOSTOLATE OF EDUCATION
instituted the Nursing Program. To ad-
in prayer. Mom is the achiever. She’s pas-
dress the battle for humane growth in the
sionate about life. She’s good at planning, Sister Mary Sarah entered the Nashville
marketplace, they instituted the Business
organizing, and accomplishing things. She Dominicans in August of 1988. After the
Program. What Aquinas College is today
loves her children dearly and cares deeply period of initial formation, she began
is clearly a result of careful thought and
about their growth and well-being.” teaching in elementary schools while
prayer. What we have achieved here is all
continuing her own higher studies and that is needed for a well-formed person to
“While exploring her vocation,” Ed professional formation. Soon, she became make a genuine contribution to our soci-
recalled, “Sister Mary Sarah looked into an administrator, a task that would lead ety through groundedness in a rich tradi-
many different orders, including a com- her into a wide variety of experiences and tion.”
munity that worked with prisoners on challenges.
Death Row, a branch of the Poor Clares, ”Aquinas has been able to accomplish
and Mother Teresa’s order, the Mission- Sent to work in an urban school in Chica- all of this in a balanced way for the past
aries of Charity. When she heard about go, Sister Mary Sarah and her companion 50 years. When Ex Corde Ecclesiae was
the Nashville Dominicans, she went to Nashville Sisters arrived to find a school promulgated, instead of having to insti-
visit them. Upon her arrival, she knew facing the challenges of so many inner city tute changes, we received an affirmation
it was the place for her. The Nashville schools: financial, academic, and spiritual. of what we had already been doing. The
foundation that is now in place will make
Dominicans are a great fit for her and a Sister Mary Sarah was appointed prin-
our further growth, with additions such
great fit for us. We’ve been really blessed cipal. A Sister who served in the middle
as the Master’s programs and residential
by her prayers and her vocation. When
life, possible and sure.
the family is in the midst of struggles or a
continued on page 6
www.aquinascollege.edu AQUINAS COLLEGE 5
FEATURE: SISTER MARY SARAH, O.P.
she would support them 100%. I don’t 50 Catholic Schools by the Acton Insti-
continued from page 5
know what else to say except that it was tute. Sister Mary Patrick, Sr. Mary Sarah’s
school explained what happened there:
a transformation. They were like sleeping successor, said, “The things she set in
“The people in Chicago were struggling.
giants of the faith just waiting to be awak- place are thriving now. It was through
The seemingly insurmountable obstacles
ened, and Sister knew just how to do it.” her administrative action that academics
they were facing left many of them demor-
Cardinal Francis George recognized Sister were brought to a higher level. She was a
alized. So, what Sister Mary Sarah did was
Mary Sarah’s contributions by nominat- key player in writing the strategic plan;
she reminded them of who they were. She
ing her a fellow of Leadership Greater meanwhile, she also chaired the entire re-
awakened in them a memory of their faith
Chicago, a prestigious program reserved accreditation process for the North Central
by being one with them. She loved them
to Chicago’s most promising leaders. Accreditation Association.”
authentically. She was in there with them,
shoulder-to-shoulder. A job had to be
Lou Rangel, expressing his gratitude to Marc Lenzini, Theology Department Chair
done and she didn’t wait for someone else
the Sisters, put it this way: “We had for- at Machebeuf, said, “Sister Mary Sarah is
to come do it.” Through extensive work on
gotten what it was to be Catholic. You girls the best administrator I’ve ever worked
the curriculum, enhancing communication
came and reminded us of who we were as with. She has something special on all dif-
community-wide – by means such as in-
Catholics. We’ll never forget you.” Under ferent levels. It is a remarkable ability. She
augurating the school’s first website – and
the leadership of Sister Mary Sarah, the worked with teachers and staff members
a series of spiritual- life initiatives, Sister
Sisters’ work in Chicago has had a lasting of all different backgrounds and ages, and
Mary Sarah brought new and deeper life
effect on many levels. we were all convinced that she was our
to the school and parish community.
best friend. In my 20 years at Machebeuf,
A new level of challenge came with she is the first administrator I’ve worked
A fellow religious Sister commented, “Be-
Sister’s assignment as Assistant Principal with who not only understood what
fore we knew it we were having Eucha-
and Academic Dean at Bishop Machebeuf Machebeuf was as a high school, but also
ristic processions in the streets, a Rosary
High School in Denver, Colorado. Here Sr. what it could be. And so she was instru-
Club after school, overnight adoration
Mary Sarah secured a grant to purchase mental in making it what it is today. All
retreats, youth retreats, and so many other
and integrate technology school-wide, of this happened in large part because of
Catholic devotions and events. Of course,
greatly increasing productivity, commu- Sister Mary Sarah’s determination. She
not all of the initiatives came from Sister
nication, and professional and academic took things in very quickly, understood
Mary Sarah, but her enthusiasm and her
excellence. During her tenure there, she the demographics, the difficulties, the
optimism were contagious. So, we Sisters
led Machebeuf to be recognized for the challenges, and recognized what needed
would come up with different ideas, and
first time in its history as one of the Top to be done. Then she made it happen.”
GRADUATE WORK AND
MINISTRY TO COLLEGE STUDENTS
Academic studies in locales as diverse as
Nashville, Chicago, Denver, Rome (Italy),
and Sydney (Australia), give texture to
Sister Mary Sarah’s cultural life experi-
ence and intellectual perspective. With
a Master’s degree in Medieval History
and a Ph.D. in Early Modern History,
she understands the processes of human
thought and action–the extensive con-
sequences of decisions ill or well-made.
As a contemplative religious, she under-
stands the longings and struggles of the
human heart. It was especially her time
in Sydney that afforded her the opportu-
nity to put her insights into practice by
serving the chaplaincy of the University
of Sydney. “As does America, Australia
faces the enormous challenges of secular-
ism,“ explained Sister Mary Madeline, the
first superior for the Nashville Dominican
mission in Australia. “This is one of the
reasons the Holy Father chose Sydney as
the host city for World Youth Day 2008.
Sister Mary Sarah hosts a cookout with students from the University of Sydney. He hoped for a rejuvenation of the Faith
6 AQUINAS COLLEGE www.aquinascollege.edu
FEATURE: SISTER MARY SARAH, O.P.
FROM THE SOURCE
When asked about her appointment as
Aquinas College President, Sister Mary
Sarah remarked, “It is exciting to be a part
Aquinas College, to be involved in higher
education at this point in the history of
the Church and of secular society. We
are at critical point. The definition of the
human person and so of the dignity of the
human person is now at stake. Colleges
and universities are the places where ideas
are forged, where integrity is lived out,
and where we discover more deeply what
it means to be human and to be Christian.
Reflecting on the uniqueness of Aquinas
College, she observed, “Meeting face-to-
face with the people at Aquinas now, I’m
impressed by the clarity of voice on the
vision and mission of Aquinas College. I
believe this is a manifestation of the pres-
ence of the Holy Spirit.”
IN CONCLUSION
Chair of the Board of Directors and Prior-
ess General, Mother Ann Marie Karlovic,
2011 Aquinas College graduation (l to r): Sister Elizabeth Anne, O.P., Vice President of Academic
said, “Sister Mary Sarah will build on the
Affairs; Sister Mary Anne, O.P., Director of the Teacher Education Program; Sister Margaret
legacy that has been given to her by those
Andrew, O.P., Secondary Education Coordinator; and Sister Mary Sarah.
who have gone before her. She already has
a real love for Aquinas and the Aquinas
in Australia. Materialism, moral relativ- atmosphere, and her deep faith enables
community. I know that she will lead the
ism, hedonism, and the hopelessness others to come to her with questions and
College to become a flourishing academic
that attend them are painfully present in receive insight.”
institution that will be a gift to our country
Australian society. Sadly, Australia has a
and to the world. After all, this is what Do-
high suicide rate, but the openness of the We miss her already,” added Sister Cecilia
minicans have been doing in the Church
people and the grace of the Spirit are bear- Joseph,’ and so do the students at the
for centuries.”
ing fruit.” University of Sydney. Through her kind-
ness and goodness, Sister won their trust
Sister’s mother Joan added, “Some of the
Sister Mary Rachel, present superior for and so was able to lead them to a deeper
characteristics I think Sister will bring to
the Sydney mission, observed, At the knowledge of themselves and, ultimately,
the Presidency are her dedication to the
chaplaincy, Sister Mary Sarah brought to of God. They still remember her and
goal, her courage, her openness to collabo-
the Catholic and non-Catholic students ask about her often. The foundation she
ration, her energy, her respect for people,
the ability to sift through a very secular helped to lay in those crucial years follow-
and her sense of humor. This is a great
culture. She met with students to study ing World Youth Day is now being built
moment for her and my pride in her is
the Scriptures and also to study the work upon by the increasingly large number of
exceeded only by my prayers for her.”
of St. Thomas Aquinas. The clear think- students becoming involved in their faith
ing she showed them was for them a rare and in the chaplaincy in various ways.
Perhaps it’s best to end where we began,
and precious gift. The students felt able to Sister has a marvelous gift for extending
with the oldest Galbraith sibling. Ed
bring Sister their questions about culture kindness, gentleness, and peace to others –
closed his interview with these words:
and conscience. All of their concerns she as if you were the most important person
“Sister is by nature someone who works
met with compassion, understanding, in the world. Sister is farsighted, prudent,
well in a collegial atmosphere. She puts
and truth. Sister also gave numerous talks and wise. Most importantly, she has a
the right people in the right places and
to meaning-eager youth throughout the deep love for the Lord which overflows
then depends on them and their skills.
Archdiocese of Sydney as well as in New into a life filled with joy, a joy shared with
She will empower people, but also bring
Zealand. These talks became occasions of others. I can think of no one better to walk
a sense of perspective. In terms of grow-
spiritual growth for them. Everyone finds with the Lord and St. Thomas Aquinas,
ing the college, I believe she will bring
in Sister a warmth and friendliness, a great leading Aquinas College into the next
wisdom and perseverance.” n
conversationalist who is interested in the phase of its growth and development.”
other. Her sense of humor lightens the
www.aquinascollege.edu AQUINAS COLLEGE 7
IN THE DOMINICAN TRADITION
Sister Mary Leonard with students in the 1960s.
Fifty Years
of Sisterly Support
Benefit Dinner to Honor Mmainstays of the College
8 AQUINAS COLLEGE www.aquinascollege.edu
IN THE DOMINICAN TRADITION
By Sister Margaret Andrew, O.P. ing lives and culture through truth and charity.”
O
n January 25, 1959 the Church convened the Second Vatican On the evening of Wednesday, November 9, Aquinas College
Council. While the Dominican Sisters prayed for its success, they will honor five of these Dominican Sisters who accomplished
worked on plans of their own. For many years the congregation what Catholics from other regions of the United States considered
had prepared their own sisters for teaching through an affili- impossible: the foundation of a Catholic college in the “Buckle
ation with The Catholic University of America. The new idea of the Bible Belt.” They will be recognized at the 2011 Aquinas
before them was an expansion of this program to provide for the College Benefit Dinner for their cumulative experience of close
education of lay students who would be equipped to learn about to 100 years. Their love and concern for the students, staff, and
and respond fully to the Church’s “universal call to holiness.” faculty embodies a dedication that began and continues to deepen
Aquinas College was an inspiration that would grow and, with a unique educational tradition that today is filled with vibrancy.
the passage of time, eventually thrive. Through the hard work Sister Mary Leonard Colorigh, O.P., Sister Mary Bernard Curran,
of the Dominican Sisters and the collaboration of a dedicated O.P., Sister Robert Ann Britton, O.P., Sister Mary Evelyn Potts,
faculty, this institution has for the past 50 years strengthened the O.P., and Sister Mary Dominic Pitts, O.P. have served the College
Nashville Community and lived its core purpose of “transform- with many gifts but the same indomitable spirit.
before they entered her classroom. with a distinctive academic integrity
and all of the Aquinas College degrees
Deborah Phillips, a former student of Sr. with solid reputations. As Sister Henry
Mary Leonard, speaks for the numerous Suso, President from 1967-77, worked to
alumni of Aquinas who appreciate the promote Aquinas College in Nashville and
impact she had on them as students: Middle Tennessee and to initiate vari-
As a young 17-year-old I attended Aquinas. ous medical and criminal justice related
Sister Mary Leonard was my biology instruc- programs, Sister Mary Bernard developed
tor and an amazing role model. Not only did a solid curriculum in English composition
she provide academic instruction, she also loved and literature. As an active member of the
and nurtured us. It is because of her that I real- faculty at Aquinas College and later on
ized that I had the potential to achieve my goals, the Board of Trustees, Sister Mary Bernard
even if I stumbled along the way. Her encour- gave thoughtful support to four Presidents
agement and tough love when I was a young with whom she worked. Her background
girl have helped me to become the person I am in the studies of English literature and phi-
today. She will always have a special place in losophy enabled her to encourage people
my heart. with similar interests to help Aquinas by
teaching at the College. One such faculty
member was Jane Sullivan, who was con-
sidered by Sister to be a great asset to the
English program. Jane and her husband
Walter, a writer and professor at Vander-
bilt, had a number of literary friends who
Sister Mary Leonard and Sister Mary Michael enriched the college by their lectures and
help celebrate athletic success. company.
SISTER MARY LEONARD, O.P.
Her students have long spoken of the
Sister Mary Leonard gave of herself
influence she has had on them. Rickey
selflessly for over 30 years as an instruc-
Schuller (’77) reflects back on her days as
tor of biology and anatomy. As a gifted
an Aquinas student,
educator, she put to good use an excellent
Sister Mary Bernard not only taught English.
education gained at St. Patrick School and
She taught us the importance of great litera-
St. Cecilia Academy, along with under-
ture. Most importantly, through her support of
of Sisterly Support graduate studies at George Peabody Col- our writing and the opportunities she provided
lege for Teachers and graduate studies in
us for the publication of our works, she helped
microbiology and biology at The Catholic
us understand that we each had within us the
University of America. Sister gave stu- Sister Mary Bernard, O.P. potential to write well. That lesson has never
dents confidence, meeting them where
left me, and at very important times in my life,
they were academically and encouraging
SISTER MARY BERNARD, O.P. it has made all the difference.
them to believe in themselves as students.
Sister Mary Bernard Curran’s gift for en-
Many teachers, nurses, police, and other
couraging those with whom she worked, After her tenure at Aquinas College, Sister
professionals acknowledge the fact that
both fellow teachers and her administra- Mary Bernard continued her academic
Sister Mary Leonard challenged them to
tors, provided the humanities department
see more in themselves than they ever had continued on page 10
www.aquinascollege.edu AQUINAS COLLEGE 9
IN THE DOMINICAN TRADITION
Sister Mary Evelyn, O.P.
the College, worked long hours to bring
the college library to a four-year status
Sister Robert Ann, O.P. at a nurses’ pinning ceremony during her tenure as President. in a very short time. Mrs. Chance never
considered the task at hand or the hours
mitment of a $1.8 million grant over a nine demanded too difficult. She was a most
continued from page 9
year period to underwrite the expense of loyal employee who endured through
pursuits. A life-long learner, she has been beginning and maintaining the Aquinas difficult times because of her love for the
published in numerous academic journals Nursing Program.” Dominican Sisters and Aquinas College.
and earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the As benefactors, Dr. Daphine Sprouse and
University of Memphis. Sister Robert Ann’s quiet efforts and faithful Mr. Joel Cheek supported Aquinas College
vision strengthened Aquinas College’s ca- in every way. They supported Aquinas
SISTER ROBERT ANN, O.P. reer program in significant ways. Certainly, financially because of their belief in the
Sister Robert Ann Britton became Presi- the outstanding reputation of Aquinas College’s mission.”
dent of Aquinas College in 1976. Up nurses is largely due to the initial support
until that time, Sister had served as an she provided and the outstanding faculty Likely the person who worked the most
elementary school teacher and principal in she hired. Her nine years of administration closely with Sister Mary Evelyn was Bren-
Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, and Ohio. at the College continues to bear fruit. da Kincaid, her personal assistant of eight
Initially intimidated by the appointment, years. She summed up the contributions of
she attended her first meeting of the Aqui- SISTER MARY EVELYN, O.P. Sister’s leadership most appropriately:
nas Board of Trustees composed of Ken- In 1974 Sister Mary Evelyn Potts assumed Sister Mary Evelyn was always true to the mis-
neth Shoen, Thomas Wall, J. A. Grannis, the financial challenge that went with the sion of Aquinas College. Sister loves Aquinas,
Raymond Bottoms, Oscar Hofstetter, Jr., growth of Aquinas College from a two- and she gave of herself unselfishly. Sister was
and the Sisters who served on the Board. year to a four-year institution. During her called upon to accomplish an almost impossible
Sister recollects, “I certainly was nervous, eight years as President of the College, not task during her time at the College, and she
but after meeting these fine men, I felt only did she establish the infrastructure worked tirelessly day after day and often nights,
more relaxed and was grateful for their for a four-year institution but she also be- as well. Due to her efforts, the College continues
helpful advice and support.” During Sister gan the Business Program. The library was to grow and offer our students the benefit of a
Robert Ann’s tenure as President, Aquinas expanded and transferred to the Library of Catholic education in the Dominican tradition.
College’s relationship with St. Thomas Congress Catalog System. The computer Sister truly deserves to be honored at our 33rd
Hospital became stronger. “A meeting system for Aquinas and the entire cam- Annual Benefit Dinner.
with Sister Juliana, head administrator pus was updated. Although Sister Mary
of St. Thomas Hospital, Sister Dominica, Evelyn initiated changes that helped to SISTER MARY DOMINIC, O.P.
and me [took place] to discuss a nursing secure Aquinas College’s future, she is Sister Mary Dominic Pitts, a linguist,
degree program…Sister Juliana was as quick to acknowledge the contributions scripture scholar, musician, and lover of
eager as we were to begin a Catholic nurs- of those people who made the changes literature possesses a rare combination of
ing school which was much needed. St. possible. “Mrs. Peggy Chance, who was intellectual and artistic gifts and humility.
Thomas Hospital made a financial com- the librarian during the level change at For 20 years she has shared her many tal-
10 AQUINAS COLLEGE www.aquinascollege.edu