Dear Aquinas Alumni and Friends, When I began my term as the fourth President of Aquinas on June 19, I was immediately humbled at the passion and love for this school. Being an outsider can have its challenges, but I have been welcomed with open arms from a wonderful school community including students, families, alumni and friends. You have all made my transition so much easier with the outpouring of support that you have offered to me. The fall semester got off to an incredible start! We welcomed 718 students to start the school year, and they have delivered from the opening bell! We began the year with a reminder to all of our students about the words that mean so much to so many people in the Aquinas community, “Teach me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge.” From all of my conversations with alumni, trustees, donors and faculty it was important that we place a renewed emphasis on living those words, the roots of what the Basilian Fathers brought to Dewey Avenue. This is how we began our year and how we will work together moving forward. The fall athletic season created incredible joy around our campus. Winning a Section V Championship is a big accomplishment as we all know. Well, Aquinas won three Section V Championships in boys soccer, girls soccer and cheerleading. Not only that, the boys soccer team went on to win the New York Class A State Championship. To be able to raise four banners in one season is a testament to the true dedication of our coaches and young student-athletes. In addition, our middle school cross country team secured the Private/ Parochial League Championship. As we enter the ever so important recruiting season for new students to attend Aquinas next year, it is as challenging as ever with the declining birth rate in Monroe County. A continued effort to maintain a safe campus, challenging academic curriculum and rigor, and a strong external brand campaign will be at the forefront of our efforts. We are also excited to welcome a new Director of Communications to campus beginning in January to help us craft and tailor our message to the Rochester community. A year ago the Aquinas Board of Trustees approved a new strategic plan for the school. We have begun to put that plan to work with a continued emphasis on Catholic identity, facilities, academic rigor, enrollment, finance, governance and student life. To the thousands of stakeholders who helped us craft the plan, I say thank you! Our working title is Planning for Growth and Sustained Excellence. I look forward to continuing to visit as many AQ alumni as possible over the next several months. I plan to “hit the road” this winter to see some great folks that wear the maroon and white from a distance. I hope to meet as many of you as possible and, together, generate the necessary resources to keep AQ shining for years to come. Aquinas Evermore, Dave Eustis President President’s Letter 3
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