Dear Aquinas Alumni and Friends, As we reflect on another remarkable chapter in the history of Aquinas, I want to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support. This year, your recordbreaking contributions to the Aquinas Fund have once again demonstrated the extraordinary generosity and commitment of our alumni community. Your investment in our students, faculty, and mission ensures that Aquinas continues to provide an exceptional educational experience rooted in our enduring values. Thank you for believing in our school and for making a lasting difference in the lives of today’s students. At Aquinas, we are proud to honor our rich traditions while embracing the opportunities of tomorrow. We remain committed to connecting our proud past with an innovative future by enhancing academic programs, expanding opportunities for students, and preparing young men and women to lead in an ever-changing world. Innovation at Aquinas is not about leaving our history behind—it is about building upon the strong foundation established by generations of alumni who came before us. Our students continue to excel both in the classroom and on the field. This year, our comprehensive athletic program celebrated five Section V championships, a testament to the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and supporters. Equally impressive, every varsity team earned New York State Academic Honor Roll recognition, reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence in both athletics and academics. These accomplishments embody the Basilian belief that character, discipline, and achievement go hand in hand. I also want to thank the many alumni who generously participated in the Aquinas Capital Campaign Feasibility Study. Your thoughtful feedback and engagement are invaluable as we plan for the future of our school. We look forward to sharing the results of the study with you in the near future and are excited about the possibilities ahead as we continue strengthening Aquinas for generations to come. As we move forward, we do so from a position of great strength. Aquinas remains debt-free, and our endowment has surpassed $32 million, providing lasting stability and opportunity for our students. Guided by the Basilian charism of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge, we remain steadfast in our mission to educate young people of character, faith, and purpose. Thank you for your continued partnership, your generosity, and your belief in Aquinas. Together, we will preserve our proud legacy while boldly shaping the future of our beloved school. Aquinas Evermore, Dave Eustis, President There is something about the word ‘Connection’ that feels both simple and increasingly rare nowadays. We are more connected than ever in the ways that dominate modern life: text messages, emails, social media updates, I needn’t digress. And yet, in conversations with alumni, parents, and even students, I find myself hearing the same quiet truth underneath it all: staying meaningfully connected to a place, a community, and to one another takes real intention. That idea is what shaped this Summer 2026 issue of Th e Landmark. When we began planning this edition, I kept coming back to a question: what does it actually mean to stay connected to Aquinas, and not just while you are a student here, but long after graduation, after your last game, your last performance, your last walk through these halls? The answer, I think, is not found in one moment or one event. It is found in the ongoing relationships, shared values, legacy, and the steady choice to remain part of something bigger than yourself. Aquinas has always been a place where connection is not just nostalgic, it is active. It shows up when alumni return to coach, become part of our faculty, volunteer at sporting events, and support students – whether through a gift or through their time. It shows up when former classmates still gather decades later and pick up conversations as if no time has passed. In a world that often feels fast-moving and fragmented, those gestures matter more than ever. Staying connected is not passive; it is a form of care. And it is also a form of giving back. One of the most meaningful parts of working in this role is witnessing how that spirit of giving and connection takes shape across generations. Whether it is supporting current students through scholarships, volunteering time and expertise, or investing in programs that help Aquinas grow, our community continues to show that connection and contribution are deeply linked. As you turn the pages of this issue, you will see that idea reflected throughout. Each piece, though different, is part of the same larger story about The Aquinas Connection and the importance of staying connected. Perhaps that is what truly makes Aquinas different. People don’t just pass through these halls – they remain connected to this community long after they’ve left. My hope is that this issue offers not only stories to read, but moments that spark your own sense of connection: to classmates, to memories, to mentors, to students, and to this AQ community that continues to grow and change while still holding tightly to faith and tradition. Because in the end, staying connected to Aquinas is not about looking back. It is about choosing, again and again, to remain part of its story. Colleen Brett, Director of Communications Welcome 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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