University of St. Thomas

Dr. Tom Harmon, UST’s associate director of Catholic Studies asserts, “Learning theology with a laser-sharp focus on forming culturally adept evangelists is exactly what is needed now.”

He explained that students in the new program engage rigorously with the thinkers, ideas, and practical methods necessary to effectively proclaim the Gospel’s peace and joy to a secularized and tech-saturated world.

Learn more here:
https://news.stthom.edu/ust-houston-and-word-on-fire-institute-launched-their-ma-in-evangelization-and-culture/

University of St. Thomas celebrated the outstanding achievements of its faculty at the annual Opening Day Ceremony, recognizing three distinguished professors for their exceptional contributions in teaching, research, and service. The awards presented were the Saint Thomas Aquinas Excellence in Teaching Award to Dr. Crystal Tran, the Saint Edith Stein Excellence in Research Award to Dr. James Matthew Wilson, and the Joseph M. McFadden Excellence in Service Award to Dr. Michael E. Sullivan.

You can see more details by clicking our newsroom story:
https://news.stthom.edu/ust-honors-excellence-with-faculty-awards-at-opening-day-ceremony/

Our continued partnership with The Cardinal Newman Society is one that we are proud to be a part of. Over the summer the University of St. Thomas (UST) hosted a leadership summit with Catholic higher education leaders from across the nation. Click the link below to see Dr. Ludwick’s amazing speech!

"A Vision for Collaboration & Unity Among Newman Guide Colleges" presented by Dr. Richard Ludwick, President, University of St. Thomas (Houston).

Another great speech from our summit this summer.

Watch the full video: https://vimeo.com/996020597

The University of St. Thomas (UST) kicked off the 2024 academic year with a celebration of its Taiwan & East Asia Studies Program (TEASP) and the community partners who have been instrumental in its success. The event, part of UST’s global Greater Things 2030 Strategic Vision, was highlighted by significant contributions from prominent members of Houston’s Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American community.

A highlight of the event was the recognition of Mr. Wang’s more than a decade of service in promoting international academic and student exchange between UST and universities throughout Taiwan.

Read more about our global partnership here:
https://news.stthom.edu/taiwan--east-asia-studies-program-celebrates-community-support-new-grant-and-celt-study-abroad-scholarship-gifts/

🌟The exciting news is out, and it’s the “tac o' the town.” University of St. Thomas-Houston alumni, Marcia Galatas, M.Ed ’95, and her son Rodney Galatas II, MBA ’11, will co-chair UST’s annual party of the year, which happens to be the Alumni Association’s biggest scholarship fundraiser—the one and only Two Saints and a Taco Tasting on Nov. 7 at Saint Arnold Brewing Company.🌟

Click the link to read more!
https://news.stthom.edu/announcing-two-saints-and-a-taco-tasting-co-chairs-marcia-and-rodney-galatas/

University of St. Thomas-Houston is set to host a momentous and joyful event Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m., at the River Oaks Country Club: The Nesti Center for Faith & Culture’s Annual Faithful Citizenship Dinner. This year’s dinner marks the 30th anniversary of the Nesti Center and honors its founder, Fr. Donald S. Nesti, CSSp.

Under the theme, “Illuminating the Way,” the gathering will celebrate three decades of unwavering service and commitment to the study of faith and culture. Thirty years of bringing the Catholic voice to the ongoing conversation about the meaning of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness held in common as Americans.

To learn more about this event, click the link below!
https://news.stthom.edu/faithful-citizenship-dinner-celebrates-the-nesti-centers-30th-anniversary-and-its-founder/

The University of St. Thomas is offering low-cost ($5-$20/session) counseling services to the greater Houston community. The sessions can be either in-person on UST’s campus or be provided through a HIPAA-compliant tele-mental health video conferencing. All sessions will be conducted by CMHC counselors-in-training and supervised by the Clinic Coordinator.

Get in touch to book your appointment at 713-525-3879.

We're proud to highlight the incredible expertise of our UST faculty and alumni who will be presenting at the upcoming conference at St. Mary's Seminary!

Our esteemed faculty will be sharing their deep insights:
-Dr. Dominic Aquila: "Casella and Cato: The Interplay of Aesthetics and Ethics in Dante’s Purgatorio"
-Dr. Clinton Brand: "The Divine Worship Funeral Rites and the Imagination of Death"
-Dr. Jon Kirwan: "The Paschal Mystery and the Doctrine of the Redemption: Revisiting a Liturgical Debate"

Our alumni continue to make us proud with their scholarly contributions:
-Salvatore Aquila: "Thy Face, Lord, Do I Seek": The Spirituality of Linear Perspective
-Dr. Francisco Plaza: "On the Natural Intersection between Religion, Culture, and the Good"

Join us in supporting their work and exploring these profound topics. The conference is open to the public—don't miss the chance to register and be part of the conversation!

🔗 Register here: https://liturgysociety.org/page/Conference2024

In this episode of MaxStories, USTs Associate Vice President of Marketing and Navy Veteran Christopher Zeglin talks about his time working in anti-terrorism, the loss of his mother and brother, and the importance of prayer.

Prayer in tragedy and war | Chris Zeglin | MAX Studios Chris Zeglin's experiences have shaped him, and he has realized what’s most important by turning to prayer in tragedy.

We are pleased to announce the addition of three esteemed writers to its Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program: Ryan Wilson as Associate Professor of Poetry, Katy Carl as Writer-in-Residence, and Brigid Pasulka as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Fiction. This expansion marks a significant step in the program’s mission to cultivate literary excellence grounded in the beauty of being and holistic formation of the human person.

Read more about our extraordinary team by clicking the link below.
https://news.stthom.edu/mfa-program-welcomes-three-distinguished-writers/

The University of St. Thomas-Houston’s vibrant Esports Program is being sponsored by Lenovo, a technology giant providing cutting-edge solutions for the gaming community and beyond. For the award-winning St. Thomas teams, it means more opportunities to travel, compete and represent the University nationwide.

UST Esports Coach Jonathan Baadsgaard said, “We’re very excited that this Lenovo gift will enable us to travel to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and showcase our competitive edge in the upcoming and highly regarded annual HUE Fest collegiate esports tournament there.

Click the link below to read more!
https://news.stthom.edu/lenovo-sponsors-ust-houston-esports--elevates-esports-and-academic-excellence/

UST is incredibly proud of the hard-working students in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. They recently attended their pinning ceremony, an experience that is rich in symbolism and meaning.

“We are so excited to have graduated our 10th Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing cohort! Sixty-seven new nurses will enter the field and join the 541 alumni who have graduated from our accelerated program. Our pinning ceremony is rich with symbolism and with a history of tradition dating back to the Crusades of the 12th century. Students receive a nursing pin unique to each school, recite the nursing pledge, which was adapted from Florence Nightingale's nursing pledge, by our first graduating nursing cohort when the school reopened. And, finally, the graduating students receive a Blessing of the Hands to go forth and use their healing hands for the sick."
- Dr. Kristina Leyden, Professor and Undergraduate Nursing Division Dean

On the feast of St. Augustine we would like to spotlight the incredible work of our faculty expert, Dr. Tom Harmon, Professor and Scanlan Foundation Chair of Theology and Associate Director of Catholic Studies.

In his new book, "The Universal Way of Salvation in the Thought of Augustine," Harmon examines Augustine's critique of his Roman predecessors to reveal key aspects of Christ's mediation of the universal way of salvation.

Click the link to see his new writing:
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/universal-way-of-salvation-in-the-thought-of-augustine-9780567712127/

Or listen to a recent podcast episode: Dr. Thomas Harmon on Augustine and Philosophy
https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-6mxgf-20955097

Cheers to Dr. Kenneth Davis in new education leadership role

Dr. Kenneth Davis, M.Ed. '99, the newly named executive director for middle and K-8 schools in Springfield, Missouri, says his Master of Education in Elementary Education from UST has been "directly responsible for my success as an education leader." Dr. Davis was happy to share his clear vision for making a difference in his new position.

Read more about his story here:
https://news.stthom.edu/alumni-spotlight-dr-kenneth-davis-med-99--in-new-education-leadership-role/

Another triumph by James Matthew Wilson
Cullen Foundation Chair in English Literature and Professor of Humanities
Director, MFA Program in Creative Writing

With his latest collection of poems, "St. Thomas and the Forbidden Birds," the acclaimed poet, James Matthew Wilson, has authored 14 books. Once again, the Cullen Foundation chair in English Literature and founding director of UST's MFA in Creative Writing program is receiving stunning reviews like this one from California Poet Laureate Dana Gioia: "Wilson is the most conspicuously talented young poet-critic in American Catholic letters."

View the book and podcast interview by clicking the link below!
https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/saint-thomas-and-the-forbidden-birds

Calling all golf enthusiasts! 🏌️‍♂️ The University of St. Thomas Celt Classic Golf Tournament is back on November 18th! Join us for a day of golf, fun, and giving back to our student-athletes. Your support will help provide them with the resources they need to succeed both on and off the course. Become a sponsor today! https://buff.ly/3M5AR4i

We are excited to welcome our second cohort of TheDream.Us scholars to UST! TheDream.Us is the nation’s largest college and career success program for immigrant students that provides them with several resources to be successful. We will have thirty new students in the program this year.

"I look forward to continuing to work with each of them one-on-one to support them throughout their time here at UST and beyond, both for themselves and for our community." Sol Herrera (Special Programs Manager)

Welcome back, Celts. We missed you!
Wishing you all a great Fall ‘24 semester!

On August 30 and August 31, Cor Mundi Center for Sacred Music presents Dante e la Donna: journeying through earthly to celestial love! Join us at UST Cullen Performance Hall for a rare and unforgettable evening of newly-penned music in Italian by Daniel Knaggs.

Prepare to ascend to the heights of love in this captivating musical journey of world premieres and works only previously performed in Italy. From the brand new Dante Songs and Zita di Lucca (chamber opera), to Tre Inni Mariani, and the unveiling of the newest installment in Knaggs's 50-Year Ave Maria Project (Ave Maria No. 20), this concert promises to be an experience filled with passion, artistry, and beauty you won't want to miss!

Watch the short trailer below:
https://youtu.be/mnDDYGhTUSQ?si=1PQSRM1trcR0nXuR

Get your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/concert-dante-e-la-donna-tickets-932367966687?aff=oddtdtcreator

UST Back-to-School Opening Day: A Heartfelt Reunion and Call to Service

In a packed Jerabeck Gym, UST faculty and staff gathered to reunite with fellow colleagues and welcome new faces at the annual Back-to-School Opening Day event. The atmosphere was filled with camaraderie and excitement as we prepared for another year of excellence.

Dr. Chris Evans presented three prestigious awards:
- Dr. Tran received the St. Thomas Aquinas Excellence in Teaching Award
- Dr. James Matthew Wilson was honored with the St. Edith Stein Excellence in Research Award
- Dr. Michael Sullivan was bestowed the Joseph M. McFadden Excellence in Service Award

In his inspiring address, Dr. Ludwick declared this year the Year of Prayer, urging us to strive for greatness with unified faith and mission. He emphasized the importance of leading with the pillars of our faith: goodness, knowledge, discipline, and community. Ludwick reminded us that Christ is at the center of our school and encouraged us to bring each other and our students closer to Him.

The event also highlighted the reinstatement of our Celt Food Pantry, in partnership with the Houston Food Bank. This resource, operating on a good faith basis, aims to meet the most fundamental needs of our students, ensuring that everyone has access to essential food supplies.

As we embark on this new academic year, we are encouraged to use our gifts, knowledge, and skills to leave a lasting impact on our community and beyond. Let's move forward with the spirit of service and faith that defines UST.

Photo Credit: Cainan Alves, Senior Multi-Media Producer of MAX Studios at UST

UST-Houston announces new Director of Communications: Steffani Aquila

Award-winning social media influencer—and University of St. Thomas-Houston alumna—Steffani Aquila has “come home” to St. Thomas as the University’s new director of communications for the Marketing Communications division.

Among her professional communications accomplishments, Aquila founded a ministry and business where she inspires people to live joyful lives by engaging in the customs and traditions of the liturgical year. She is a national Catholic speaker and author of the upcoming book “Festive Faith.” Motivated by her faith, Aquila has 16 years of experience serving in Catholic institutions in a variety of administrative roles.

Learn more about our new hire here:
https://news.stthom.edu/ust-houston-announces-new-communications-director--social-media-influencer-steffani-aquila/

“If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.”

Happy Feast Day of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Today we honor the Patron Saint of radio operators, addicts, prisoners, and journalists.

Do you always follow your conscience? Do you understand what to do with your liberty?

Dr. David P. Deavel, Chair of Theology at the University of St. Thomas-Houston, delivered thought-provoking talks on the crucial matters of conscience and freedom at Acton University’s recent four-day conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Read more about those talks by clicking the link below.
https://news.stthom.edu/dr-deavels-thought-provoking-talks-at-acton-university/

The University of St. Thomas-Houston's new dean of the Cameron School of Business brings 30 years of business experience to his new role.

Bob Keith started serving in the role on July 1 and aims to grow the program through his and students' real-world experience.

"UST enthusiastically welcomes Bob Keith to lead the Cameron School of Business to greater heights in keeping with the University's Greater Things 2030 Strategic Vision," said Chris Evans, St. Thomas Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, in a statement. With Bob's academic experiences, proven business achievements, and transformative spiritual entrepreneurship ideas, CSB will become a model and a premier destination for Catholic higher education in business."

Read more about Bob Keith in his recent interview with the Houston Business Journal:
https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/07/30/university-stthomas-names-bob-keith-business-dean.html

Social scientist Brad Vermurlen, Ph.D, has joined the University of St. Thomas-Houston’s Nesti Center for Faith and Culture in a unique research role and as assistant professor of sociology. Dr. Vermurlen brings a wealth of experience having published multiple peer-reviewed articles and a book titled “Reformed Resurgence: The New Calvinist Movement and the Battle Over American Evangelicalism.” He is poised to significantly elevate the published research standing of UST and the Nesti Center.

Read more about Dr. Vermurlen here: https://news.stthom.edu/social-scientist-brad-vermurlen-to-elevate--nesti-centers-research-profile/

While some campuses go mostly dormant for the summer, not so at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. Amid the present activity is the powerful crunching of enormous data sets by eight computer science students conducting research. Led by UST computer scientist Dr. Carlos Monroy and biologists, Drs. Maia Larios and Albert Ribes-Zamora, along with collaborators from Rice University, students are participating in the final leg of a three-year, National Science Foundation-funded research program in computational methods applied to ongoing biology research projects.

Read more here!

NSF funds UST Computer Science computational research UST-Houston computer science students are powerfully crunching enormous data sets to conduct research led by Dr. Carlos Monroy and Drs. Larios and Ribes-Zamora