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As everyone tucked into dessert and coffee, the evening’s program continued. Dr. Michael Letteney, dean of the California campus, honored Dr. David Appleby for 20 years of service as a member of the teaching faculty. Formerly a tenured professor of history at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Dr. Appleby embraced the challenges of teaching at the ������ý with characteristic humor and aplomb, aided throughout by his wife, Marilyn. In recognition of their dedication, Dr. Letteney presented the Applebys with a bottle of wine, flowers, and a commemorative medallion. “From gatekeeper on up, this is a great community to be a part of,” said Dr. Appleby. “It’s a second home.”

Dr. Paul O’Reilly then delivered a reflection on the virtue of gratitude, weaving Scripture and St. Thomas with the thoughts of Lincoln and Washington in an eloquent reminder that “there is always a need to acknowledge our blessings.” 

Among those many blessings was a musical performance by student choral group Chrysostomos, whose rendition of classic hymns rounded out the festivities.

Chaplain Rev. John Chung closed the evening with a prayer, after which all dispersed — to study and to sleep — with the event’s thoughts and music on their minds. 

In New England, students gathered with faculty in Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Student Center, conversing with their tutors and playing with their tutors’ children, before everyone took their seats. Head Chaplain Rev. Greg Markey opened the night with prayer, after which Christopher McCann (’24) led the community in the Pledge of Allegiance and Trinity Duggan (’24) in the National Anthem. As counterpart to Dr. Strader in California, Tutor Dr. Peter Cross (’11) read Lincoln’s Proclamation.

Consistent with Lincoln’s expectation of “thanksgiving and praise,” dinner-goers enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings. Before dessert, Dr. Steven Cain, dean of the New England campus, rose to address the gathering. “We, too, are receiving God’s mercy and love at this ������ý,” he reflected. “We have been given a great gift of spending part of our lives here, attempting to see Jesus for who He is. The success of this college, beginning from its founding, has been guided and protected by the provident and loving hand of God, and it is a mercy. We do not deserve the mercies He has bestowed on us, but if He has bestowed them on us, we must be exceedingly grateful.”

To conclude the evening, the ������ý choir, under the direction of Stephen Grimm (’75), performed several pieces, including “Come Ye Thankful People, Come” and “Oh, Shenandoah,” adding to the abundance of gifts that God has given to Thomas Aquinas ������ý over the years, and for which the students, faculty, and staff were glad to return their humble thanks.