By Brendan McDonald ’25
A new class of students has been integrating into the Thomas More College community these past few weeks, and several took the time to describe their background and what brought them to the College.
New Hampshire native Matthew Salafia ’28 said that he learned of the College from one of its visiting priests, Fr. Rory Traynor. It was Thomas More’s community life, where students jointly pursue intellectual and spiritual goods, that attracted him.
As a result of that community, “not only do you end up knowing most people on campus,” Mr. Salafia reflected, “you also know that they care about you, and about your growth as a person.” He continued, “As a freshman, I have received so much advice regarding good study habits, how to manage my time effectively, how to prepare for certain classes, and offers of tutelage from almost every student I have met here.”
Caleb Beale ’28, who hails from Virginia, concurred with Mr. Salafia’s assessment. “Rigorous academics, beautiful liturgy, and vibrant community events weave a tapestry of beauty, wonder, and—in my short time here—lots of joy,” Mr. Beale reflected. He has interests in theology and philosophy, and a friend of his thought that Thomas More College would be a solid fit.
An early experience Beale found compelling was freshman orientation, which he called “gloriously beautiful.” This year, the orientation trip—which usually involves hiking Mt. Washington—was a pilgrimage to the martyrdom site of Fr. Sébastien Rale, a French Jesuit missionary to the Abenaki Indians in Maine. This year is the 300th anniversary of Fr. Rale’s death, which occurred at the hands of English militiamen. “It provided a time to bond with peers in the struggle of a strenuous hike,” Mr. Beale said. “The experience as a whole prepared me well for the beginning of the academic year with my new classmates.”
Mr. Salafia and Mr. Beale, along with the rest of the class of 2028, officially joined the Thomas More College community at Convocation on September 13, 2024. Traditionally, students and faculty take the day to discuss a reading from or about our patron saint. This year’s Traditio readings featured descriptions of St. Thomas More’s youth from his son-in-law William Roper, his friend Erasmus, and two modern historians.
During the evening’s ceremony, Dr. Denis Kitzinger, Fellow and Dean, officially called the College together. As he read their names, each new student came up to sign the College’s matriculation book.
After the ceremony, students celebrated in the library with a jam session and refreshments. For Lillian Grimes ’28, Thomas More’s music culture in particular stood out when compared to other colleges. “Folk music—the singing of it, but also the study of it—has been a huge part of my family culture for several generations now, and my love for folk music has vastly influenced me as a person,” Miss Grimes said. “I was delighted to find a school that put similar emphasis on something so important to me.” She continued, “The jam sessions are the highlight of student life for me. I love learning new songs and sharing the ones I know with others.”
As the new students settle into the routine of classes, the College community looks forward to getting to know them better over the coming years.
For further reading:
Walter J. Thompson Concludes His Service as Dean of the College
