By Brendan McDonald ’25
Every summer, Thomas More College invites high school students to experience life on its New Hampshire campus during its Great Books Summer Programs. In June and July, the College hosts two separate two-week programs that involve canoeing, beach trips, visits to historic estates, mountain hiking, dances and dance lessons, Italian nights, and classes that introduce students to TMC’s academic life.
Each of the two programs has a special theme. The first session is dedicated to developing skills in debate and rhetoric, which ends in a final public debate; the second to preparing students to perform in a play, which culminates in the presentation of one of Shakespeare’s works to parents and community members.
High school students arrive for the programs with various expectations: some plan to apply and attend the College; others are unsure of their goals or are just looking for a new experience and to make new friends. A large proportion (roughly 40 percent) of the TMC student body however started by attending one of the Great Books Summer Programs.
Senior Gabriella Braaten ’25, who is graduating this spring, initially became interested in attending a summer program after visiting an Open House during her senior year of high school. Miss Braaten was unsure of whether she wanted to apply to college, but she became intrigued with TMC after her brief visit over the winter. “I did take a gap year before applying,” she explained, “but I definitely ended up going to Thomas More primarily because of the summer program.” The Minnesota native expected to find during the summer “the same sense of community and academic challenge that I had briefly glimpsed during the Open House.” She continued, “The texts, in particular, captured my interest, but everything else—from the classes to the adventurous off-campus activities—confirmed my expectations.”
Freshman Gianna Niemann ’28 discovered the summer programs after receiving emails advertising them. She had previously heard about the College from a family friend who had attended. “I thought they looked fun and informative, so I signed up and went,” she said. Before attending, Miss Niemann researched the College’s culture and community but was amazed by what she found on campus. “I had never experienced a culture like the one I stepped into when I arrived,” she remarked. “I was blown away by every aspect of the College, from the campus to the classes.” She continued, “Over the two-week program, I found that every positive expectation I had was met and matched by what Thomas More offered in terms of academic rigor, community life, and foundation of faith.” In fact, by the end of the program’s first week, Miss Niemann was convinced. “I had been considering other colleges, but after visiting them and seeing their communities, I wasn’t impressed. They all felt too big, too impersonal and anonymous,” she assessed. “Thomas More’s academics and integrity inspired and intrigued me, but it was the community that really drew me in. In a place where fellowship, music, and a unified desire for truth bring people together, I knew that I would grow and flourish in ways that were previously neglected.”
Both students expressed gratitude for being able to participate. “The summer program prepared me for the rigorous education at Thomas More and ultimately led me to apply and attend,” Miss Niemann said. “For this, I am so grateful.” For Miss Braaten, “In my final semester at Thomas More, I am filled with gratitude for all of the blessings I have received, and I thank God that I had that opportunity to attend the summer program.”
High school students, particularly rising Seniors, can apply to attend the debate program from June 22 to July 5, 2025 and the Shakespeare program from July 13 to July 26, 2025. The application deadline is March 31, 2025.
For further reading:
A Brief Taste of the Intellectual Life: TMC’s 2023 Summer Programs Close on a High Note
