Journal of Dave Werthmann

Usually in this BLOG I like to talk about my travels to places I go spreading the word about Aquinas Institute of Theology and attempting to stir up interest in our school among prospective students. But this past weekend we held an Open House and this time prospective students came to us.

As usual, the mix of attendees was impressive: a young woman finishing her undergraduate degree in philosophy at a local state university; a religious sister interested in knowing more about Aquinas’ graduate certificate programs; a college librarian looking to move his career in a different direction; a young mother who recently quit her job in order to stay at home with her three small children but looking to deepen her awareness of God so she can be of greater service to members of her Protestant church community.

Here are some interesting facts about Aquinas Institute of Theology:
Aquinas started in 1925 in River Forest, Illinois as the seminary for the Dominican friars. In 1955 it moved to Dubuque, Iowa. Shortly after Vatican Council II, Aquinas became part of the first ever ecumenical consortium of theological schools. The other schools involved were Wartburg Seminary (Lutheran) and the University of Dubuque Divinity School (Presbyterian). About that same time, Aquinas opened its doors to lay persons who wanted to study theology. 

Aquinas moved to St. Louis in 1981 and affiliated with Saint Louis University which is operated by the Jesuits. In January 2006, Aquinas Institute moved to its current building, just one-half block south of the Saint Louis University campus. Our students have full use of the libraries, computer labs, fitness center, health care plans, and all the religious and cultural activities that take place at the university.

Today,
-Aquinas Institute is the third largest Catholic theology school in the U.S.
-just over 50% of our students are female.
-about 15% of our students are not Roman Catholic - we believe this mix adds much to class discussions and helps each student better understand other denominations while appreciating more their own faith tradition.
-4% of our students come from countries outside the United States, including Canada, India, Vietnam; the Philippines, Nigeria, and Iraq.

We invite YOU to come visit Aquinas Institute anytime you can. If you are considering graduate studies in theology, seeing the building, meeting other students, talking with faculty members, joining us in prayer, and sitting in on a class can help you know whether this is the right place for you. I THINK IT WILL BE !

Give us a call (314-256-8800) or send us an email (admissions@ai.edu) and we can set up time for your visit that is most convenient for you.

Hi again!

Last week I spent 3-1/2 days at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. No I wasn’t there going to school, and no, I wasn’t there to recruit students because it is currently SUMMER VACATION. I was there because about 100 professors, staff members, and administrators were gathered from 17 different institutions of higher education operated by various groups of Dominican friars and sisters. They gather like that very 2 years to interact, to give presentations on topics of interest, and to pray together.  

The theme for this year’s Colloquium was “Educating Toward a Just and Compassionate World.” The opening plenary session was given by Sr. Toni Harris, OP, who works in Rome as a Dominican International Co-Promotor for Peace and Justice. It was very interesting and informative. For example, did you know that there are about 6,000 Dominican Friars, 3,500 contemplative Dominican Nuns, and 23,500 apostolic Dominican Sisters throughout the world? But it doesn’t stop there . . . about 144,000 lay people belong to Dominican associations, doing ministry as lay people and carrying on the Dominican charism.

Besides me, two of our professors represented Aquinas Institute of Theology at this colloquium: Sr. Mary Margaret Pazdan, OP, preached at the closing ritual on Sunday afternoon. She was a fulltime faculty member way back when I studied for my masters degree here at Aquinas. Now she is an adjunct professor. Her specialty is the Christian Scriptures.

Also, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, gave a workshop entitled ”Forging a Lasting Peace.”  Fr. Scott teaches systematic theology which is the study of doctrine. His great area of personal interest is interreligious studies and dialogue. Click on his name or his picture to get to his web site. It is fascinating.

“Good morning! This is Dave at Aquinas.”

I’m saying that to you because that’s how I answer the phone when it rings in my office. I’ve been at this job seven months now, and while I graduated from Aquinas Institute of Theology with a masters degree several years ago, it has required a very steep learning curve on my part since I started working here because a lot has changed since I wore that mortar board and graduation gown.

Only two professors are still here from my student days: Sr. CarlaMae Streeter, OP, (she was my faculty advisor) and Fr. Harry Byrne, OP. And the old building is gone - no longer rented from St. Louis University. Aquinas now has its own building a half a block away on the corner of Spring Ave. and Forest Park Blvd. It is an old abandoned factory that has been rehabbed into a beautiful edifice that provides a modern environment conducive to learning, to building community, and to prayer. You should come see it. You really should!

So what goes on in an admissions office? Well a major part of my responsibility is recruiting students - you see, Aquinas is a graduate school of theology and ministry. As our mission statement says, we prepare men and women “to preach, to teach, to minister, and to lead.” To recruit these students I visit colleges and universities primarily throughout the Midwest. I also attend graduate school fairs and careers fairs to make connections with people whenever I can. In addition, I visit parishes and diocesan offices because a lot of our students are people who are already involved in ministerial careers but want to update their academic endeavors or even obtain credentials they need to continue doing what they do.

I will be talking a lot about those travels on this BLOG and posting dates and places I will be so that if I’m in your neighborhood and you are interested in knowing more about Aquinas Institute we can get together while I’m in town.  

When I’m in St. Louis and in my office the phone rings a lot. Also, there are many email inquiries about the various graduate programs Aquinas offers that need responses. Plans for future travel need to be made and reports about recent travels need to be written. One of the most important overall tasks is simply to keep track of prospective students for the coming semester.

Fortunately, I have the two best staff members in the whole world. If ever you call our office for information (314-256-8806) you will most likely hear the voice of Marlene. Her title is “Assistant to the Director of Admissions,” but really, I am HER assistant. She knows everything about running the office and holds down the fort while I’m on the road.

In addition we have a part time student intern named Jen. Jen is a full time M.Div. student from Maryland. She graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island and started here this past fall. She seems to be a whiz with technology. If you want to know what it’s like at Aquinas Institute from a student’s perspective, ask Jen. Her email address is: AquinasVisit@ai.edu

Well this is my introduction to you. I’ll update this BLOG frequently, so please come back often. I also look forward to hearing your reactions to what I write.