Aquinas College Viewbook

AQ U I N AS CO L L E G E

i can DO ANYTHING. So get ready to say “so long” to that little voice of doubt that whispers you can’t. Instead, believe that you can make all the difference in the world.

Then get to work.

95% of AQ grads land jobs or head to grad school within six months of graduation.

And you can, too.

AQUINAS COLLEGE Our namesake, St. Thomas Aquinas, embodied “I can.” The 13th century Dominican priest is considered one of the world’s greatest thinkers. To us, he’s a modern-day role model.

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Dare to be a mode It starts with two li can pursue my passion Not only did Emma Antel ’18 help create AQ’s first Outdoor Adventure and Recreation club, she also served as president and connected students with all the awesome outdoor activities around Grand Rapids. The English major/communication minor is now working on her master’s and teaching sixth grade English.

“My professors really care about my education.

Now I can use my AQ experience to make a difference with my own students.”

can make a difference Whether he’s on the basketball court, mentoring residents, or leading a student organization, AJ Atwater ’19, political science major/legal studies minor, is working to improve the community he calls home. “There’s a great sense of community at AQ. And I’m learning not just that I can make a difference, but how to do it.”

AQUINAS COLLEGE

ern-day Dominican. ittle words: can. can seek truth AQ’s four pillars inspire and guide Annie Newton’s ’19 AQ experience.

Through her studies, the philosophy major/ business administration minor is prepared to seek truth. “Through prayer, I can grow deeper in my Catholic faith. Through our community, I’ve fostered relationships and encountered fresh perspectives. And through service, I’ve contributed to campus, Grand Rapids, and beyond.”

can act with courage Mitchell Rogowski ’19 never lets anything stop him. He’s on the golf team. Serves on AQ’s student senate. And works as a student ambassador. The business and communication dual major credits the abundance of opportunities at AQ with preparing him for the future. “I can proudly contribute to an ever-changing global workforce because of the amazing experiences I’ve had at Aquinas.”

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Learn by doing.

And doing. And doing. And doing.

Want to manage a professional hockey event? You can. Impact climate change?

You can. Study the stars from an Australian point of view? You can.

Get ready for mind-expanding exploration that propels you from the classroom into the world. Research carbon management among West Michigan companies. Discuss climate change with the United Nations in Paris or Peru. Promote literacy.

Or immerse yourself in the national conversation on immigration.

You can do all of this and more.

Choose from 60+ majors ranging from biochemistry and molecular biology to data analytics to community leadership. Learn in small classes led by dedicated and caring Aquinas professors who will urge you to challenge untruths, question the status quo, and discover new ways of thinking. They’ll be your greatest champions, helping you discover your purpose in life and map your academic path.

At AQ, learning is hands on, hearts on, minds on. In the end, you’ll discover you really can make all the difference in the world.

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student-faculty ratio

AQUINAS COLLEGE

Niche lists Aquinas among the Best Catholic Colleges in the U.S.

Our Can-Do spirit led us to develop the country’s FIRST Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Business program.

The AQ Way: Small classes (16 students on average). Intense intellectual debate (guaranteed).

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Best River Town – Outside magazine

#3 best college location in Michigan Niche

Top 7 fastest growing economy according to Forbes Entrepreneur magazine and the National Policy Research Council named Grand Rapids one of the top metro areas to start and grow a business.

New York Times selected Grand Rapids as one of its “52 places to go in the world.�

Ranked 4th smartest city in the U.S. by Forbes

Forbes called Grand Rapids one of the best places to land a job.

Best place to live. To visit.

To be a college student.

AQUINAS COLLEGE

Grand Rapids ranked #1 in U.S. for job growth by Headline Data

Grand Rapids shows up on tons of “best of” lists. Our hometown is a green city. A dream city. A fastest growing city. And one of the safest – and most exciting – cities to get started on your future.

Surrounded by trees on campus, it can be hard to believe you’re in the heart of a city that offers outstanding art, music, and food; a robust nightlife; and extraordinary outdoor adventures. There’s no limit to the opportunities here. And according to Forbes, our “fun and recreation” city is also one of the best places to land a job.

West Michigan is home to 130 international companies, making it one of the most diverse markets in the country.

Check out live music at 20 Monroe Live. Stay caffeinated (and get in some study time) at Eastown’s coffee shops. Marvel at the creations of thousands of artists from around the globe at ArtPrize. Or hit Reed’s Lake for a paddleboarding session, just five minutes from campus.

With more than 70,000 students living here, Grand Rapids is the perfect place to explore your passions and build your life.

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Don’t just pursue your passion.

Go out and grab it.

Intern in D.C. or at Disney.

Collaborate on cross-cultural research with partners in Ireland. Improve literacy. And if you don’t have a passport, get one. Now. While you’ll be comfortable and happy here, you’ll also be challenged (intellectually and spiritually) to go out and explore the world. Your launch pad: AQ’s Advantage Center. It’s a clearinghouse of real-world internship, study away, career services, and student research opportunities that will help you

Don’t wait until senior year to visit Career Services. They’ll help you design a fouryear plan to take advantage of every opportunity.

AQUINAS COLLEGE

AQ students do original research on everything from land management to bacteria affecting the immune systems of zebra fish.

AQ students know the value of a good internship: American Cancer Society, Walt Disney World, Clear Channel Radio, and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s are just a few places you’ll find our students.

107,000 AQ student service hours – just last year.

explore your interests, build your skills, and connect you to your future.

Get started right here in Grand Rapids.

Project Unite, our freshman service day, will introduce you to your new community serving in local schools, parks, and shelters. You can also intern with organizations like the Detroit Red Wings/Olympia Entertainment, the Ford Motor Company Fund, and Hello West Michigan – Aquinas has strategic relationships with more than 200 companies across the country. You’ll also have plenty of chances to venture out farther away through service,

research, and study away trips in such locations as Italy, Japan, Costa Rica, France, Spain, Germany, England, and Ireland. And right on campus, you can build your own independent research project.

Just don’t limit yourself. Here, you’re free to seek new truths in any academic area and around the world. aquinas.edu/study-away

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Business. P Justice. Fait And ukulele

AQUINAS COLLEGE

The four Dominican pillars of prayer, study, service, and community are the foundation of all our students do – and they do great things.

Politics. ith. Trees. es.

AQ has been featured in the Sierra Club’s “Cool Schools” for sustainability list since 2011.

Aquinas has been called Michigan’s “most beautiful small college.” We like to think of it as a natural habitat for deep thinking and discovery.

Our 117-acre campus looks like a private country estate. That’s because it once was. We preserved some elements, like the manor house, terraced gardens, and acres of wooded grounds. And we added some stately resources of our own, including the state-of-the-art library, laboratories, residence halls, and new chapel.

Your peers – 1,900 of them – come from 25 states and 22 countries.

They represent many faith traditions – including (but certainly not limited to) Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim. They speak 14 languages.

They’re smart, dedicated, talented, and genuinely nice.

Being a Saint means being open to new adventures. Every event-filled week is an opportunity to get involved. With more than 60 clubs and organizations, you can take the lead in student government.

Write for AQ’s The Saint. Take over the airwaves with AQ Sound. Join the AQ Players. Or start something new.

Whoever you are and wherever you come from, you can choose to be a modern-day “Dominican.” It’s that simple – and that challenging. aquinas.edu/life-aq

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AQ was named a fivestar “Champion of Character” institution by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in recognition of the RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, INTEGRITY, SPORTSMANSHIP, and SERVANT-LEADERSHIP of our players.

AQUINAS COLLEGE

200+ All-Americans and 300+ Academic All-Americans all say can. Loudly.

Being an Aquinas Saint is hard work. It requires blood, sweat, even a few tears. But as you’ll see, it’s worth it.

On the fields, we’re a competitive lot. To date, our Saints have earned 11 All-Sports Trophies in the WolverineHoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC).

Our can-do spirit is contagious: Onethird of AQ students are athletes.

You can choose your intercollegiate game – from basketball to our ACHA D3 National Champion men’s hockey program. Or jump into intramurals – from volleyball to indoor soccer and everything in between.

You’ll be challenged and inspired practicing and competing in the Alksnis Athletics and Recreation Building. Our 70,000 square-foot, LEED-certified fieldhouse provides space for as many as 11 different sports, a 200-meter track, and community gatherings.

Go ahead, say “I can.” aqsaints.com

AQUINAS SAINTS’ SPORTS

Baseball (M)

Dance (W)

Outdoor Track (M,W)

Basketball (M,W)

Golf (M,W)

Soccer (M,W)

Bowling (M,W)

Ice Hockey (M,W)

Softball (W)

Cheerleading (co-ed)

Indoor Track (M,W)

Tennis (M,W)

Cross Country (M,W)

Lacrosse (M,W)

Volleyball (M,W)

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can. did.

AQ grads are everywhere – from boardrooms to classrooms to operating rooms – saying “I can” and making all the difference in the world.

In four years at AQ, you’ll hone your skills as a communicator, a critical thinker, and most important, a person of conscience. After that the world is wide, wide open.

You’ll find AQ graduates all over the state, the nation, and the world, working for such organizations as Ernst & Young, Spectrum Health, Steelcase, and Volkswagen, to name a few.

Ask our graduates. A whopping 95% of all majors are employed or enrolled in grad school within six months of graduation.

But success is defined in many different ways. We believe that one of the greatest measures of lifelong success is the number of times – instead of giving in to the voice of doubt – you stand up and say “I can.”

Seven out of 10 AQ applicants recommended by our PreMed Advisory Committee are admitted to medical school.

Most are accepted into their chosen graduate programs – at Duke, Rutgers, Oxford, and more.

And 100% of nursing and chemistry graduates are employed within six months of graduation. We also have one of Michigan’s top accredited education programs. You get the picture.

For more info about our alumni, go to aquinas.edu/ican

AQUINAS COLLEGE

#16 Best Value Midwestern school – U.S. News & World Report

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What kind of person seeks truth, thinks freely, acts with courage, and makes all the difference in the world? You.

The world could use a few more Saints.

Nearly 100 percent of Aquinas students receive some form of financial aid.

Maybe that’s why U.S. News & World Report calls AQ a “Best Value.” It’s one more way AQ helps you say “I can.”

Schedule a visit: Call (800) 678-9593 or (616) 632-2900 Apply online for free at aquinas.edu/admissions Contact us: admissions@aquinas.edu Connect on social: #IcanAQ Take a virtual tour: aquinas.edu/virtualtour

99% 60 25,000 14 24 9 2 11-1 117 0

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MAJORS

RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID

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TREES

SERVICE-LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

MILES FROM DOWNTOWN

INTERCOLLEGIATE & CLUB SPORTS

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

ACRE

CAMPUS

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO

WASTE

60+ CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

1,900 STUDENTS

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Admissions Office 1700 Fulton St. E. Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1801

PROGRAMS OF STUDY Accounting Art Art History Ceramics Drawing Painting Photography Printmaking Sculpture Studio Art Visual Arts Administration Biology Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Business Administration Business Administration/Accounting Business Administration/Art Business Administration/Chemistry Business Administration/Communication Business Administration/Music Business Administration/Sport Management Business Administration/Theatre Economics International Business Marketing Sustainable Business Catholic Studies Chemistry Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Communication Community Leadership

aquinas.edu

GRAND RAPIDS, MI PERMIT NO. 101

Computer Information Systems Management Information Systems Web Design/Networking/Analyst Data Analytics Education Elementary Certification Secondary Certification Engineering English Literature Teaching Writing Environmental Studies Geography Health Science History International Studies Irish Studies Kinesiology Exercise Science/Pre-Allied Health Exercise Science Health Education Teaching Minor Physical Education Teaching K-12 Recreation Mathematics Computer Science Music Instrumental Supervision Jazz Emphasis Liturgical Music Music Education/General

Performance Emphasis Piano/Voice Choral Supervision Nursing Philosophy Physics Chemical Physics Political Science Pre-Dental Pre-Law/Legal Studies Legal Studies Pre-Medicine Pre-Occupational Therapy Pre-Physical Therapy Pre-Physician’s Assistant Pre-Veterinary Professional Accountancy Psychology Child Life Counseling Human Development Industrial/Organizational Social Science Sociology Theatre Theatre/Communication Theatre for Social Change Theology Urban Studies Women’s Studies World Languages French/German/Japanese/Spanish Translation and Interpretation