The story behind the Aquinas Alma Mater is a prime example of ‘good’ not being ‘good enough’ at Aquinas. In 1912, soon after Cathedral High School––the forerunner of Aquinas––was founded, the school began publishing a Senior Annual, the yearbook that changed its name to Arete in 1919. Beginning in those early years, the book contained original poems, essays, even songs. In 1915 the book printed an original unsigned composition, Farewell to Alma Mater suggesting it be sung to the tune of ‘Juanita’ and two years later, another unsigned poem, Alma Mater was published in the yearbook. Both were quickly forgotten. In 1931, John Cummings, thenhead of the music department at Aquinas composed Hail to Aquinas but, according to the Maroon and White––the student newspaper started that year–– “some students complained that it is not the type of alma mater song for Aquinas.” By 1933 Ray Hasenauer had replaced Cummings as the school’s director of music––and the November 1933 issue of the Maroon and White reported, “Mr. Hasenauer is now working on an alma mater song for Aquinas.” Actually, he wasn’t. He was composing March on Aquinas, an energetic victory march for the school. When it came to an alma mater, Mr. Hasenauer suggested that should be written by the students and/or the alumni of the school; he believed it was their story to tell. And so, he launched a contest, asking students and graduates to write the words and music to an alma mater befitting Aquinas. In the 1934 Arete, a senior, D. Hilbert, contributed his version that, in part, said: “We love the name Aquinas; It is a treasure true; Because, dear alma mater; Aquinas means just you.” A year later, an unidentified student wrote (in part): “O Aquinas, dear Aquinas; Your name shall always be; Like a guiding star to lead us; Ever on to victory.” Good? Maybe. Definitely not good enough for Aquinas. That’s when George Kupferschmid ’36 got inspired. George was one of fourteen basses in the forty-seven member Glee Club, a club increasingly popular since Aquinas had begun offering Regent’s credit for participation. In addition to singing, George played football and intramural basketball; in his senior year, he was secretary of the science club, poetry editor of the Maroon and White newspaper, and treasurer of the class. On Tuesday evening, May 12, 1936, when George was just weeks from graduation, and the school was a year from welcoming the Basilians, the Aquinas Music Department gave their annual concert in the auditorium. That night, the Glee Club presented five vocal selections. The last, called Alma Mater, had this note: “The music was written by Friedrich Flemming to the Ode, Integer Vitae, of Horace. The text as presented here was conceived by George Kupferschmid ‘36.” It was, of course, a bit of a compromise; an Aquinas student wrote the words, but the music came from a physician in Berlin who composed it 125 years before. Nobody seemed to mind because it expressed exactly and deeply about how everyone felt about this special school. It began, “Thou place of rev’rie…” As proof of its enduring value, consider this comment from an anonymous teacher in the Arete of 2011, three-quarters of a century after the song had been written: “My favorite Aquinas moments are when everyone sings the Alma Mater because that’s when we are at our best––united, proud and happy, surrounded by friends and the Aquinas family.” In 2026, the Aquinas Alma Mater will celebrate its ninetieth anniversary. Thou Place of Rev’rie This excerpt was written by Bob Gibbons ’65 in celebration of the Aquinas Alma Mater’s upcoming ninetieth anniversary. At Aquinas, pride runs deeper than spirit—it’s woven into the very traditions that have shaped generations. In this special reflection, Gibbons traces the humble, persistent, and ultimately inspired creation of our Alma Mater, a song that for nearly 90 years has united students and alumni in one proud voice. It is a story not only of musical legacy, but of what makes us AQ Proud: a relentless pursuit of excellence, a belief in student leadership, and the understanding that Aquinas is more than a school—it is, as the song begins, “Thou place of rev’rie.” alumni events & news 14 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SUMMER 2025 Thou Place of Rev’rie Praise We and Uphold Thee In Retrospection We See Thy Intention Always to Strive For That Which We Were Made For Aquinas Evermore Dear Alma Mater May You in All Hours Be the Outstanding Be the One Commanding And of Those Striving Be the One Surviving Triumphant Over All Alma Mater Bob Gibbon’s book Becoming Aquinas, the first comprehensive history of the school, is available now! This story-based book is illustrated with dozens of vintage photographs and chronicles the school’s enduring traditions in music, sports, drama, and debate, alongside its everyday experiences over the decades. Proceeds from the book sales will directly support the Aquinas Institute and its mission. To purchase your copy today, visit our website or scan the QR Code.
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