Welcome to the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

A few days before the beginning of each academic year, the faculty and entering students of Thomas More College make a pilgrimage to the majestic White Mountains of northern New Hampshire as part of the orientation program for the new freshman class. The trip is an occasion for physical and spiritual refreshment, as the new students meet one another and are introduced to the College’s academic and community life.  The students’ experience of the mountains, terrain and wilderness, its rhythm of ascent and descent, serves as a fitting metaphor for and as a rite of passage into the students’ every day itinerary as they embark upon that most challenging and most rewarding ascent toward truth and the possession of wisdom.

New Hampshire promises cold winters and hot days, especially in September and May. Bear that in mind as you pack for Merrimack. You might also like to know that the New England area offers plenty, from the White Mountains to sandy beaches, to the lovely town of Portsmouth and the apple orchards of neighboring Hollis.

Dorm/Campus Life

Dormitories are not air-conditioned. The purchase of a fan is recommended. The laundry rooms are equipped with irons and ironing boards as well as washers and dryers. Laundry cards can be purchased ($1.25 per cycle).

Necessary Items

• Twin sheets
• Pillow and pillow cases
• Light blanket
• Heavier blanket
• Towels (bath, hand, face)
• Toiletries
• Bath sandals
• Hair dryer
• Your medication (if applicable)
• Sleeping Bag (for orientation and trips)

Recommended Items

• Mattress pad/memory foam
• Fan
• Laundry detergent
• Ibuprofen, allergy relief etc.
• Extra lamp
• Coffee/tea mug
• Umbrella
• Sun screen
• Bug spray
• Rain/muck boots

Classroom:

A limited number of computers are available but we strongly recommend you bring your own laptop. Internet connection is provided in the library and study halls only. Printers are available in the study hall. There is no internet available in the dormitories. Please note that electronics are not permitted in the classroom or to be used in the cafeteria at meal times.

Clothing 

Students are expected to dress modestly, respectfully and appropriately for each occasion. For chapel, class, and meals, ladies may wear dresses, blouses/formal shirts and skirts or trousers (not beach clothes or sportswear). Men may wear trousers (not jeans) and collared shirts. More formal, dressy wear is appropriate for special occasions such as feast days and lectures.

For sports and hiking trips as well as day trips, especially during orientation, students may wear t-shirts, trousers and jeans or shorts, and appropriate footwear. Having a backpack is very helpful.

Books

Books may be sent to the College’s address and can be collected upon arrival.
The College’s Address: 6 Manchester St. Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054

Directions from Boston and Manchester Airports and Information

Please let the Admissions Department know of your travel arrangements so we can coordinate the shuttle service. The college will provide two shuttles for arrival in Boston (both Boston Logan Airport and Boston South Station (train station)) and frequent shuttles for arrival at Manchester Airport and Nashua Exit 8.

Should you arrive in Boston, we encourage you to use the Boston Express, which runs conveniently and frequently from both Logan Airport and South Station to Nashua, Exit 8. (Cost $17; see http://www.bostonexpressbus.com/)

Please feel free to contact Admissions or Student Life with any questions.

Manchester – Boston Regional Airport MHT

http://www.flymanchester.com/

Boston Logan International Airport BOS

http://www.massport.com/Logan/default.aspx

The area code for the college and surrounding areas is 603.

• Dean of Students, Dr. Denis Kitzinger
  •   603 880 8308   ext. 25
• Director of Admissions, Mr. Jonathan Rensch
  • 603 440 4615
• Business Office, Mrs. Pamela Bernstein
  • 603 880 8308   ext. 18
• Ladies’ Proctor, Miss Maire Wood
  • 805 618 8815
• Men’s Proctor, Mr. Clark Ingram
  • 603 377 1244

Sunday 8/26: New students arrive

• 12:00 – 4:00 pm New students arrive
• 12:00 – 1:30 pm Light luncheon offered in the cafeteria.
• 4:30 pm             Holy Mass; Confessions at 4:00 pm
• 5:15 pm Reception with new students and parents in the Piazza/Introduction to the College by President Dr. William Fahey
• 6:00 pm  Dinner
• 8:00 pm Bonfire

Monday 8/27: Departure to Pine Mountain

• 7:00 am Holy Mass; Confessions at 6:30 am
• 8:15 am Breakfast; packed lunch
• 9:00 am Departure in vans to Crawford Notch
• 11:00 am Hike Mt. Willard
• 12:30 pm Lunch on the Ledge at Mt. Willard/Short talk on the White Mountains by President William E. Fahey
• 4:30 pm Welcome Talk by camp manager
• 5:00 pm Reading time/explore camp/games
• 5:45 pm Rosary led by faculty member
• 6:00 pm Dinner
• 7:00 pm ‘On the Pursuit of Wisdom – Introduction to the Liberal Arts’, Academic Dean Professor Walter J. Thompson
• 8:30 pm Bonfire, Music, Story
• 10:30 pm Compline/Night prayer – Learning to Pray the Divine Office

Tuesday 8/28: Hiking in the White Mountains

• 6:30 am Reveille / Bell – rung by Freshmen Men
• 7:00 am Holy Mass on Chapel Rock
• 8:00 am Breakfast
• 8:30 am Departure of vans for Pinkham Notch and Appalachia trailheads – (Meet at the Bell)
• 5:45 pm Rosary led by faculty member
• 6:00 pm Dinner (prepared by faculty families)
• 11:30 pm Compline with proctors and RA’s

Wednesday 8/29: Return to Merrimack, registration

• 6:30 am Reveille / Bell – rung by Freshmen Men
• 7:00 am Breakfast
• 7:45 am Camp cleanup
• 9:00 am Departure for Campus
• 11:30 am Holy Mass on Campus
• 12:30 pm Lunch at Merrimack Campus
• 1:00 pm Registration
• 1:30 pm Blessing of Dormitories – Fr. Healey
• 5:00 pm Work Study Student Meeting – Mrs. Pamela Bernstein, Miss Hannah O’Connor

Thursday 8/30: registration

• 9:00 am Registration
• 11:30 am Holy Mass in the college chapel; Confessions at 11 am
• 3:30 – 5:30 pm Introduction to Student Life and Christian Conduct –
  • President Dr. William Fahey, Director of Collegiate Life
    • and Teaching Fellow Dr. Sara Kitzinger, Dean of Students
    • and Fellow Dr. Denis Kitzinger

Friday 8/31: classes begin

• 9:00 am Classes begin
• 11:30 am Holy Mass in the college chapel; Confessions at 11 am
• 1:00 pm Blessing of Campus

Academic-Calendar-2018-19

Roommate Request Form for Incoming Students

If you know who you would like to room with you may make a request by emailing dkitzinger@thomasmorecollege.edu. Please understand that we cannot guarantee that you will room together but will do what we can.

Banking (close to the college)

• TD Banknorth
  • 300 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, NH 03054 (3 miles from the college)
  • (603) 440 6100
• St. Mary’s Bank
  • 14 Spruce Street, Nashua, NH 03060 (4 miles from the college)
  • (603) 669 4600
• Nashua Bank
  • 188 Main St # 100, Nashua, NH 03060
  • (603) 882 2700
• Bank of America
  • 157 Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060 (4 miles from the college)
  • (800) 432 1000

Cell phones

While other carriers also work, Verizon provides the best coverage on campus. The closest Verizon store is at:

258 Daniel Webster Highway
, Nashua, NH 03060

Phone number: (603) 888-2000

Hotels (within a few miles of the College)

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (3 miles from the college)
  • Mention Thomas More College for a discount
  • King or Two Queens $89.00, Suites $109.00
  • 4 Amherst Rd, Merrimack, NH 03054
  • (603) 429-3600
• Comfort Inn (2 miles from the college)
  • $79.99+ — 242 Daniel Webster Hwy, Merrimack, NH 03054
  • (603) 429 4600
• Hampton Inn by Marriott (3.3 miles from the college)
  • $110.00+ — 407 Amherst St, Nashua, NH 03063
  • (603) 883 5333
• Residence Inn by Marriott (2 miles from the college)
  • ~$139.00 — 246 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, NH 03054
  • (603) 424 8100