By Peter Rao ’24
On Saturday, August 26, 2023, Thomas More College welcomed the Freshman class to campus. With the first full week of school under their belts, four members of the class of 2027 sat down to share their thoughts on their background, the College, and their hopes for what the school year has to offer.
It was during his years in public high school that Andre Carty ’27 realized the importance of a liberal arts education, as he recognized an apparent lack of the fullness of truth in the public education system. His interest in the pursuit of truth in light of the faith is part of what brought him to TMC, and what appealed to him in particular about the College was the abundance of opportunities for spiritual growth, such as the student-led Rosary walk and Lauds (morning prayer). He described TMC as having “an atmosphere you can find your vocation in.”
In his free time, Mr. Carty enjoys reading the writings of the saints. He also expressed a deep appreciation for his previous job as an activities manager for dementia patients at a nursing home in his hometown of Pittsfield, MA. “I could do that for the rest of my life,” Mr. Carty said, “and be more than happy.” Mr. Carty hopes to spend some time volunteering there during breaks between semesters or on weekends.
Valerie Hurth ’27 has come a long way from her home in northern Minnesota to be at TMC. She discovered the school through the Newman Guide while “searching for a college that really centered around the Catholic faith.” Miss Hurth also appreciates the smaller size of the College, as she felt that “a smaller community would be better for learning and growing.” In regard to classes, Miss Hurth expressed her liking for the discussions held in her humanities course and for the more conversational aspects of the Latin class.
In her free time, Miss Hurth enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities, including hiking and kayaking, and was happy to hike Mount Washington during freshman orientation in the White Mountains. She also expressed appreciation for the College’s events, which she finds rounds out the curriculum by giving students a chance to break from their studies and enjoy each other’s company outside of the classroom. “I think that this is an amazing school,” Miss Hurth concluded. “I’m so glad I’m here, and I’m so grateful that I get to be here.”
Growing up in Kansas City, KS, Greta Schnake ’27 attended solid Catholic schools that exposed her to the beauty of a classical education. Her background with sincere, excellent teachers inclined her to pursue different subjects such as history, literature, and theology. “But after high school,” Miss Schnake explained, “I didn’t think that a college like TMC was an option, mostly because I’d heard people write off liberal arts colleges.”
Miss Schnake went on to study pre-med at Kansas University, but she found the community there to be practically non-existent. She returned to school later for architecture but still felt something lacking. “I still loved the studying,” Miss Schnake explained, “but there was no real beauty in it. It just felt very practical and wasn’t fulfilling. I wasn’t being formed as a whole person.” Miss Schnake heard about TMC through her sister, Mary Schnake ’26, and through lectures given by President William Fahey at St. Martin’s Academy, a nearby Catholic high school for boys. Since her arrival on campus, TMC has exceeded Miss Schnake’s expectations. “This feels like home,” she said, “since the minute I got here. There’s real charity that I can see in everybody.” Miss Schnake is hopeful about what the school year will bring and remarked that she sees in her classmates “so much potential. This is exactly the place to be to reach that potential.”
Before attending TMC, James Greydanus ’27 spent several years working in construction and on an oil rig. His interest in authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien led to conversations with Joseph Pearce, TMC’s emeritus St. John Henry Newman Visiting Chair in Catholic Studies, who highly recommended the College.
During his visit to TMC at the spring Open House, Mr. Greydanus noted the growth in thought and articulation between students in their freshman and senior years. Additionally, he was impressed by the professors’ ability to guide the class conversation and strike a balance between lecture and student participation. Mr. Greydanus also remarked on how much the school has to offer beyond the classroom to help students thrive. “There are so many good things to fill your schedule with,” he explained. “You can really go to bed feeling like you’ve lived a complete day and accomplished important things.”
TMC wishes the students of the Class of 2027 the best as they embark on the first year of a fruitful four-year journey. The whole community looks forward to their formal introduction to the College at Convocation on Friday, September 15.
For further reading:
Why Study the Great Books? One Professor’s Apologia for a Thomas More College Education
