The Class of 2021 recently moved one step closer to commencement by submitting and defending their Senior Theses. With topics ranging from critiques of cultural Marxism, social Darwinism, and radical Feminism, to positive explorations of private farming, Church architecture, and the U.S. Constitution, the theses represented the fruits of a year’s worth of research and writing.
“Something I love about the senior thesis,” says Mr. Fred Fraser, Fellow and Guildmaster, “is that students show themselves as mature scholars who have found their own interests and are willing to defend them in an academic setting.” After a months-long process of writing and revision, two days are set aside for faculty and the student body to attend the Theses Defenses. The defense takes the form of a formal presentation—from 12 to 15 minutes in length—followed by a period of questioning by the faculty advisor, a second reader, and a third member of the faculty.
“This year, I enjoyed the privilege of being able to attend nearly all of the Senior Thesis defenses,” says Dr. Patrick Powers. “I say privilege because, without exception, their maturity as “senior” students was on display. I say enjoyed because listening as one seeking to learn, I was not disappointed.”
“Working on one project throughout the year really helped me to build mental endurance and foster commitment to worthwhile ideas,” says Patrick Kuplack, whose thesis was on T. S. Eliot’s poem, The Four Quartets. “The thesis defense was a great opportunity both to let that work show and be challenged on my position.” Mr. Kuplack will begin teaching at a private school in Kentucky next fall.
“What I enjoyed the most about my thesis,” says Pauline Kroger, who wrote on beauty and the formation of the intellect in children’s literature, “was connecting so many of my courses from my four years at Thomas More. I drew from freshman Way of Beauty, junior year De Anima, and senior year Metaphysics, to name a few. I was able to connect my liberal arts education to my career focus: elementary education.” After graduation, Mrs. Kroger will begin teaching elementary students at a classical academy in Texas.
“My thesis considered how cultural Marxism contradicts what is necessary for genuine human flourishing,” explains Eva Marie Solak. “I argued for the alternative goods that are actually necessary, these being encompassed in the Christian hope of beatitude. I found it to be incredible how while I was studying and preparing to defend my thesis, what I was reading in my other courses—especially Humanities—aptly considered the wisdom of the ages and aided my own discussion of what is always good for the human person.” Miss Solak and her fiancée, senior Elijah Moorman, will wed on June 5. This year, Miss Solak will be working for the College in the Admissions Department. She intends to continue her education at a graduate school next fall and hopes to teach in the future.
“I greatly appreciate seeing the seniors in the defense,” adds Mr. Fraser, “in which they find themselves sitting opposite three professors arguing their case. It is amazing to think that four years ago these were freshmen beginning their inquiry in the liberal arts.”
As Dr. Powers notes, “The faculty are looking forward to the Seniors’ final academic challenge on Friday afternoon, when they present their thesis precis to their parents in gratitude for their four years of support.”
Below is a complete listing of graduating seniors and their thesis topics.
CLASS OF 2021
SENIOR THESIS TOPICS
Zoë Becher
“Fulfillment of the Feminine: On the Vocation of Women”
Benjamin Davis
“An Explanation of the Ends and
Means of the American Government”
Joseph Kervick
“Habitavit in Nobis: The Church as a House of God”
Patrick Kuplack
“The One Annunciation:
An Exploration of Prayer in Eliot’s Four Quartets“
Pauline Kroger
“The Importance of Good Literature for Children”
Declan McArdle
“Private Farming: A Model for Meaningful Work”
Elijah Moorman
“On the Stability Provided by the United States Constitution”
Emma Neville
“Work, Leisure, and Art:
A Consideration of the Useful and Fine Arts”
Taylor Sbat
“‘Gift of Self’: Man’s Path to Fulfillment”
Hannah Smith
“Pity in the Polity: The Effects of Pity on the Common Good”
Eva Marie Solak
“A Kingdom of Man: On the Ideology of Cultural Marxism”
Sean Tuffy
“Nationalism and Social Darwinism
as Ideological Causes of the First World War”
Owen Zaleski
“Bread Alone: The Art of Cooking and the Beauty in Food”
For further reading:
Dr. Robert Royal Appointed St. John Henry Newman Visiting Chair in Catholic Studies
