Dear Aquinas Alumni and Friends, With the graduation of the Class of 2025 on June 7, we proudly marked a major milestone — 100 years on Dewey Avenue. That’s a century of faith, tradition, learning, and service. As the last remaining Catholic high school within the Rochester city limits, Aquinas stands strong in our mission, continuing to serve as a beacon that welcomes all who enter our halls. This past year was filled with remarkable achievements. For the first time in our school’s history, the Aquinas Fund surpassed $1 million in contributions. I extend heartfelt thanks to the more than 1,300 alumni who made a gift — marking a historic moment for alumni engagement, with over 10 percent of our alumni giving back. Your generosity supports the academic and extracurricular programs that benefit more than 700 current students. As I shared in the previous issue of the Landmark, the transformative gift from Tom Golisano has already begun to make a meaningful impact. It has allowed us to award onetime bonuses to our teachers and implement annual raises over the next four years, helping close the gap in pay between Catholic and public-school educators. Retaining exceptional faculty is essential to providing high-quality education, and this investment ensures we can continue to do just that. Our Aquinas Endowment, managed by the Aquinas Foundation Board, has surpassed $30 million. The endowment plays a crucial role in our long-term stability, making it possible to offer vital financial aid that keeps an Aquinas education accessible to families. As Catholic school enrollment declines across the Northeast, Aquinas has maintained steady enrollment — a testament to our strong foundation and mission. Continued growth of the endowment will be key to our future success. If you’re interested in supporting this effort, I invite you to reach out to me directly. There are so many meaningful ways to leave your legacy at Aquinas. To all the wonderful alumni and families I have met over the past two years — thank you for welcoming me so warmly into the Aquinas community. It is a true privilege to serve this school and build upon the foundation you helped create. As always, we remain committed to the Basilian values of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge, preparing our students to be College Prepared. Life Ready. Thank you for your continued support. Aquinas Evermore, Dave Eustis, President As I reflect on my first year and a half at Aquinas, I feel a deep sense of appreciation and pride. From day one, I have been surrounded by inspiring students, supportive families, passionate educators, helpful staff members, and a President who leads with purpose and heart. Every morning as I walk through our halls, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to be part of this one-of-a-kind community. Though I did not attend Aquinas as a student, I can say with complete sincerity—I am AQ Proud. I feel it when I’m cheering from the sidelines at a game, when I meet with our alumni and hear about the impact Aquinas has made on their lives, when I represent our school in the greater Rochester community, and most profoundly, when I see our students walking the halls every day, their smiles beaming as they embody the spirit of Aquinas. During our Landmark cover shoot, I asked each participant to describe what being AQ Proud meant to them. The answers were diverse, yet a common thread wove through them all—faith, belonging, pride, tradition, and family. Those words speak volumes, and they’ve stayed with me ever since. This edition of the Landmark is built around that theme: AQ Proud. It’s a celebration of who we are—past, present, and future. It honors our traditions while embracing the energy and evolution of today’s Aquinas. It’s a reminder that pride in our school isn’t just worn on a T-shirt or painted on a banner. It’s lived in the small, everyday moments—supporting a classmate, pushing through a challenge, living out our Basilian values of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge. As we step into the 2025–2026 school year, I look ahead with hope and excitement. I believe we are on the brink of even greater opportunity. I am committed to helping grow this school, preserve the spirit that defines us, and continue fostering a culture of innovation, inclusion, and inspiration. This magazine is a labor of love. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who contributed—photographers, alumni, families, faculty, and most importantly, our students. You amaze me every day with your joy, curiosity, faith, and resilience. You are the heartbeat of this place. And to the parents and guardians raising these exceptional young people, and to the faculty and coaches who guide them with dedication—thank you. Your example shows up in their character, their kindness, and their confidence. I hope this issue of the Landmark makes you smile, reflect, and feel proud—AQ Proud. All my best, Colleen Brett, Director of Communications Welcome 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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