Aquinas College, Adelaide

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Aquinas College
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Lucere et Ardere
Established 1950
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Location North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Homepage http://www.adelaide.edu.au/Aquinas/

Aquinas College is a Catholic Residential College for tertiary (predominantly university) students to live at whilst studying at one of South Australia's three major tertiary institutions, the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, and the University of South Australia.

Founded in 1950 by the Catholic Bishops of Adelaide and Port Augusta to provide services for country students attending the University of Adelaide. The College has since catered for students attending Flinders University, the various campuses of the South Australian College of Advanced Education institutions (CAE's) and the Institute of Technology students (both at North Terrace and the Levels campuses.

The campus is situated atop Montefiore Hill in North Adelaide. It overlooks both the CBD of Adelaide and Adelaide Oval. The statue of Light's Vision is opposite the college grounds.

The administration building and surrounding grounds were the residence of Sir Samuel Way, a South Australian legal practitioner, former member for Sturt, Attorney General, Chief Justice of South Australia and Lieutenant Governor of South Australia. Gleeson House was the former residence of the Darling family. Roach House was designed in 1904 for A. Earnest Ayers. Other buildings have been purchased or rented in the College's history, including one each on Strangways Terrace and opposite the College on the eastern side of Palmer Place.

Until the end of 2001, the College was administered by Jesuits, with a Rector and Chaplain living on the grounds. Fr Shannahan, an Eastern-States diocesan priest, assumed the duties of Rector between 2001 and 2004. With his departure, the Jesuit presence within the College concluded. From 2005 onwards, the College has been presided over by dedicated Catholic Heads of College, Mr. Sam Armstrong (2005) and Prof. Denis Ralph. Three Marist Brothers arrived in 2006, and now assist with the spiritual and pastoral life of the college.

Students entering the Hannan/Beovich Houses of the College see the College moto Lucere et Ardere over their heads, which means to enlighten with knowledge and enliven with faith (incidentally, also the motto for St Mark's College, Port Pirie).

Aquinas College is named in honour of Saint Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican medieval philosopher and teacher.

Aquinas College competes in an inter-college sport competition known as the Douglas Irving Cup against the other residential colleges in Adelaide, their main rival being St. Mark's College. The grounds house a tennis court and gymnasium.

Contents

[edit] Rectors

  • Fr Finn SJ (Fr. Finn, the founding Rector, is the only priest after whom a college house is named)
  • previous rectors need to be supplied
  • Fr Theo Overberg SJ
  • Fr Michael Head SJ
  • 2001 - 2004 Fr John Shanahan

From 2005 onwards, after the last priest retired as rector, the position of Rector was replaced with Head Of College

  • 2005 Mr. Sam Armstrong
  • 2006 - 2007 Prof. Dennis Ralph

Prof. Ralph is a proffessorial Fellow of Flinders University, and a former student at the College.

[edit] Dean

The position of Dean of Studies and deputy Head of College is currently held by Br. John Furlong FMS. He assists students with thier pastoral, academic, and general needs, and is responsible for the coordination of Academic Tutors.

[edit] Chaplains

The current college Chaplin is Br. Rod Thompson FMS, who joined the college in 2006. Former Chaplins include:

  • Fr Michael McShane SJ
  • Fr Paul Fyfe SJ

[edit] Student Club

The Student club, of which all students are members, is run by students for the benefit of its members. The responsibilities of the student clud are:

  • promoting the welfare of students.
  • organising religious, cultural, social, and sporting activities.
  • liason between the College Administration and the student body.
  • maintenance of some equipment, such as gymnayisum and sports equipment.

The post of President of the Student Club has been in existence since the founding of the college. Recent Presidents include:

  • Andrew Serwan
  • Peter O'Donnell
  • 2003 Emma Coffey
  • 2004 Heath McBain
  • 2005 Mark Beare
  • 2006 Simon Callahan
  • 2007 Nathen Doyle

2007 Student Club President - Nathen Doyle Vice-President - Erin Law Treasurer - David Segui Secretary - Sam McIntyre Sports Secretaries - Danielle Rosenzweig & Brodie O'Dea Social Secretaries - Afton Kay & Glen Newman

[edit] See also