Thomas Aquinas College x. RBN Foundation
Thomas Aquinas College x.
RBN Foundation
Thomas Aquinas College (TAC) is a private, Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Santa Paula, California. The college was founded in 1971 with a focus on classical education and the study of the great books of Western civilization. Its curriculum is entirely based on the Catholic intellectual tradition and emphasizes the development of critical thinking and reasoning skills.
The college is known for its Great Books program, which involves reading and discussing influential works of Western philosophy, theology, and literature in small seminar-style classes. Thomas Aquinas College has been consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States and has a strong tradition of producing successful alumni in various fields.
THE CONNECTION
In 2006, Berni Neal made the three hour drive from Newport Beach to Santa Paula wanting to go deeper in her faith. “I loved the idea of conversation built around faith. So when given an opportunity to be back in a classroom setting pursuing a dialogue on truth, it was eye-opening. I had a public university education. This was different. For the first time I finally understood what a Catholic liberal arts education could be.”
After joining an advisory board for the college, Berni went on to join the Board of Directors. Believing that an institution like TAC could shape a new generation of world leaders, the Neals invested more in the college’s future.
Berni Neal explains why she and Rob donated to TAC: “Our $5 million gift to Thomas Aquinas College was because we wanted to invest in this kind of education for future generations. Liberal Arts education is here to stay. Here in California, yes, but why not everywhere?”
Expanding to an East Coast campus allows Thomas Aquinas College to reach more students.
THE OPPORTUNITY
In 2017, Thomas Aquinas College announced that it would be opening a second campus in Northfield, Massachusetts, expanding its presence beyond California for the first time. The new campus, located on the grounds of the former Northfield Mount Hermon School, would allow the college to accommodate more students and broaden its reach to the East Coast.
The new campus was designed to reflect the architectural style of the original campus in California, with buildings modeled after classic European structures. The campus includes dormitories, academic buildings, and a chapel, as well as extensive outdoor space for recreation and reflection.
The expansion into New England was seen as a significant milestone for Thomas Aquinas College, as it allowed the college to reach a broader audience and offer more opportunities for students to engage with the college’s unique curriculum. The new campus opened in 2019, and the college has continued to grow and thrive in both California and Massachusetts.
In the News
The Story Behind the Transformation of Thomas Aquinas College’s Chapel Dedicated to Our Mother (2023)
NC Register | Not many college chapels that originated as a Protestant chapel have been transformed into a beautiful Catholic one. Nor have many beautiful chapels received a major award for their transformation. Read More
Thomas Aquinas College comes to Massachusetts (2019)
The Boston Pilot | The newest Catholic college campus in America is one of the best I’ve seen. …This college is the New England campus of the famed Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California. Read More
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