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Greetings from President Ken Daly

Dear St. Thomas Aquinas College Community:

“... to whom much has been given, much will be required ...” (Luke 12:48)

I am so appreciative of the support I have received from the entire STAC community and I am especially proud of how well our students have responded and adapted to these challenges. They are demonstrating such resilience, respect, and care for one another and I am hopeful that this experience will make them even stronger and better prepare them for their future.

I am delighted to report that on February 1st, 2021, — on the first day of our Spring semester and on the first day of Black History Month — we proudly announced the launch of our new Center for Social Justice. The Center for Social Justice is being launched at such an important time for our country — and our students — as together we strive for respect and opportunities for everyone.

While we address the current challenges firsthand, I want to assure you that we are also laser-focused on the future of the College — an exciting future of growth, investment, and enhanced support for our students. We have launched a campus-wide AAA goal of “Access, Affordability, and Admissions” as we strive to eliminate any roadblocks to providing students with access to an affordable education.

We are significantly investing in the campus — with a new 72-bed residential housing building in Fitzpatrick Village and technology updates to every classroom — and plans underway for a new Admissions office, new Career Services office, a complete makeover of our Romano Center Dining Hall, and new signage across the campus. We are also investing in our staff and faculty and are developing and hiring a diverse and talented team of educators to best support our students and to ensure that we not only provide a high-quality education, but also help our students have a wonderful College experience that leads to the successful launch of their careers.

As I start this new journey, the warm welcome I have received makes it feel as if I have been part of the STAC family team forever and, so, I commit myself fully to leading the College and supporting our students as they work to reach new heights in the future.

Best regards,

Dear St. Thomas Aquinas College Community:

“... to whom much has been given, much will be required ...” (Luke 12:48)

As I proudly walk the campus on my first day as the new President of St. Thomas Aquinas College, I am humbled by the opportunity to achieve my lifelong dream of leading such a special college. I thank the Board, President-Emerita Margaret Fitzpatrick, and the entire STAC community for the warm welcome I have received over the past 6 months, especially as I am transitioning into this role at a very challenging time. I will spend my first day — and most of my early days — engaging with students, faculty, Cabinet members, and STAC supporters; planning for our COVID-19 response and our September 8 re-opening; and building upon our important conversations on Social Justice and Equity.

I commit to:

• Being a purpose-driven leader by engaging with all of our stakeholders as we advance our Mission and unite our community on a shared journey of developing students to their fullest potential.
• Caring for students as they navigate the current societal changes by providing them with access to affordable education in order to prepare them for college, community service, and career success.
• Fostering a dialogue with students to ensure all voices are heard and where inclusion, equity, and diversity are enhanced as part of our values.

There has never been a time when a quality education is more important. Education opens doors by providing students with a voice to express their views and compassion to understand one another; in this way, education develops leaders who can help solve the current and future societal challenges. When we face challenging times, there is no better guide on how to respond than to learn from those who came before us.

In 1898, long before the college was formed, there was a terrible fire on the prior campus which destroyed ten buildings. So, how did our founding Dominican Sisters respond? They responded by heroically running into the burning buildings and saving the lives of 350 children by leading them through the raging fires. They immediately rebuilt the campus and have since left their lasting impact on the many generations of students they have educated here at the college.

Now, it is our turn to educate the next generation of students ... to lead them through the current fires that we face ... to make a lasting impact ... and to advance our proud Mission of developing each student who joins us here as we proudly walk together on campus.

With humility, respect, and responsibility for our students,

Best regards,