Dear Aquinas Alumni and Friends, It is with great pride and gratitude that I write to you as we share this latest edition of our Landmark magazine. Each issue offers an opportunity not only to reflect on recent achievements, but also to celebrate the enduring community that defines our institution—a community made strong by you, our alumni, for over 123 years. Over the past months, our school has continued to advance its mission in meaningful ways. Our students are learning, leading, and serving with energy and purpose. Our faculty and staff remain deeply committed to excellence, innovation, and mentorship. And across campus, we see daily reminders that the values instilled here extend far beyond the classroom. None of this progress happens in isolation. It is built on the foundation you helped create—as students, graduates, mentors, volunteers, advocates, and supporters. Your continued engagement and belief in our mission make a tangible difference, opening doors of opportunity for today’s students and strengthening the school for generations to come. As you read through this issue, I hope you will take pride in the stories shared and the accomplishments highlighted. They reflect not only where we are today, but where we are going together. We remain focused on preparing students for lives of purpose and impact, while honoring the traditions that make our school unique. Thank you for staying connected, for supporting our work, and for carrying the spirit of this institution into the world. We are proud to call you alumni, and we look forward to all that lies ahead. Aquinas Evermore, D E , President It was a beautiful late August day when our faculty and staff gathered for our annual retreat in the St. John Fisher University Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great. We meet just before the school year begins to reconnect, share summer stories, and set new goals for cultivating a strong, faith-filled community— fostering student engagement, integrating our values, and continuing to teach Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge. Our Director of Mission & Ministry, Mrs. Jodi Schott P’29 & ’32, guided a thoughtful discussion on education as a vocation. I quickly realized that for many, working at Aquinas is more than a job—it’s a calling. Stories surfaced of alumni returning to teach, even those who had never planned on a career in education. Principal, Ted Mancini ’88, P’26, shared that while he was pursuing his theater dreams, Fr. Dennis Noelke, CSB, invited him to teach at Aquinas. What he expected to be a one- or two-year role as Director of Theatre grew into a decades-long journey at Aquinas, one that continues today in his role as principal, fueled by his deep love for the school and its mission. Other teachers echoed similar sentiments: there is an unmistakable AQ difference that sets our school apart. As I sat in the chapel, reflecting on what makes Aquinas so beautifully unique, I listened as faculty and staff shared their own unique stories of the school. Stories I had never heard before, yet spoke volumes. In that moment, I realized just how many stories make Aquinas truly special, many of which go unnoticed. I wondered how many in our community have yet to hear them. And, how many more stories remain to be discovered. With that said, this issue of the Landmark shines a spotlight on just some of e Hidden Stories of AQ. Past and present, big and small, student-centered and community-centered, heartfelt or simple—stories that may have gotten lost in the years between them or stories shared quietly with just a few. Each one offers a glimpse, a spark, a reminder that Aquinas is full of people making a difference, often in ways the world doesn’t always see. I hope you enjoy discovering them as much as I have. C B , Director of Communications Welcome 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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