Editing St. Thomas University (Canada)

{{Short description|Small liberal arts university in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada}}
{{Infobox university
| name = St. Thomas University
| image_name = STUCoatOfArms.svg
| logo = [[File:St._Thomas_University_(New_Brunswick)_Logo.svg|250px|frameless]]
| motto = ''Doce Bonitatem Scientiam et Disciplinam'' ([[Latin]])
| mottoeng = Teach me Goodness and Knowledge and Discipline<ref>Psalm 119, Verse 66; also, motto of the [[Basilian Fathers]].</ref>
| established = 1910; 110 years ago
| former_name = St. Thomas College (1910–1960)
| type = [[public university|Public]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Roman Catholic]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://w3.stu.ca/stu/about/mission/default.aspx |title=Mission statement |publisher=St. Thomas University |date=2014 |website=stu.ca |access-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https:// web. archive.org/web/20141028093255/http://w3.stu.ca/stu/about/mission/default.aspx |archive-date=28 October 2014 }}</ref>
| academic_affiliations = [[Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada|UACC]] <br/> [[Canadian University Press|CUP]] <br/> [[Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate|CUSID]]<br/> [[International Council of Universities of Saint Thomas Aquinas|ICUSTA]]
| chancellor = [[Graydon Nicholas|Hon. Graydon Nicholas]]
| head = Christian Riesbeck (as [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint John, New Brunswick|Bishop of Saint John]])<ref>Founding Member, Board of Governors, https://www.stu.ca/bog/</ref>
| head_label = [[Visitor#Canada|Visitor]]
| president = M. Nauman Farooqi<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stu.ca/about/administrative-offices/president/|title=President}}</ref>
| registrar = 
| students = 1,733<ref name="Atlantic Universities">{{cite web|url=https://www.atlanticuniversities.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PreliminaryEnrolments_22-23_Oct1422-3-FTPT-2.pdf|title=2022–2023 Full-Time plus Part-Time Enrolments|date=2022-10-01|publisher=Association of Atlantic Universities|access-date=2023-10-09}}</ref>
| undergrad = 1,712
| postgrad = 21
| doctoral = 
| profess = 
| city = [[Fredericton]]
| state = New Brunswick
| country = Canada
| campus = Urban
| free_label = 
| free = 
| colours = {{color box|#FDD017|Gold}} and {{color box|#00502F|Green}}
| nickname = [[St. Thomas (Canada) Tommies|Tommies]]
| athletics_affiliations = [[U Sports]] - [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]] <br/> [[Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association|CCAA]] - [[Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association|ACAA]]
| sports = 
| fightsong = 
| affiliation = 
| footnotes = 
| website = {{URL|http://www.stu.ca}}
| address = 
| publictransit = 
| telephone = 
| coor = 
}}

'''St. Thomas University''' (also '''St. Thomas''' or '''STU''') is a  Catholic, English-language [[liberal arts college|liberal arts university]] located in [[Fredericton]], New Brunswick, Canada. It is a primarily [[Undergraduate education|undergraduate]] university offering [[bachelor's degree]]s in the arts ([[humanities]] and [[social science]]s), education, and [[social work]] to approximately 1,900 students. The average class size is 30 and no class is larger than 60.<ref>{{cite web|title=St Thomas University|url=http://www.aucc.ca/canadian-universities/our-universities/st-thomas-university/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114053/http://www.aucc.ca/canadian-universities/our-universities/st-thomas-university/|archive-date=2014-08-26}}</ref>

The university offers recognized majors in [[Criminology]], [[Journalism]], [[Human rights|Human Rights]], and Communications and Public Policy. St. Thomas is the home of the Frank McKenna Centre for Communications and Public Policy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frank McKenna donates $1M to STU|publisher=CBC News New Brunswick|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/frank-mckenna-donates-1m-to-stu-1.1341228}}</ref> The university is unique in Canada for its sole focus on liberal arts and its commitment to social justice.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

St. Thomas' notable [[alumni]] includes a Canadian prime minister, [[Brian Mulroney]], a New Brunswick premier, [[Shawn Graham]], federal and provincial cabinet ministers, prelates, university presidents as well as several Rhodes Scholars.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.macleans.ca/schools/st-thomas-what-its-really-like-to-attend-this-new-brunswick-school/|title=St. Thomas: What it's really like to attend this school|website=macleans.ca}}</ref>

==History==
St. Thomas University [[Land acknowledgement|acknowledges the land]] in which the school is built on as traditional territory of Indigenous communities. These communities include the [[Wolastoqiyik]] / [[Maliseet]], and the [[Mi'kmaq|Mi'Kmaw]], and [[Passamaquoddy]] / [[Peskotomuhkati]] Tribes / Nations, who signed [[Peace treaty|peace treaties]] with the [[The Crown|British Crown]] in the 1700s.

St. Thomas University traces its institutional origins to the establishment of a Catholic academy in the former community of [[Chatham, New Brunswick]] (now [[Miramichi, New Brunswick|Miramichi]]) in the late nineteenth century. Due to an influx of Irish immigration in northwestern New Brunswick, Chatham saw a need for more centers of education and religious instruction. Officially opened in October 1860, St. Michael's Academy was inaugurated by Bishop [[James Rogers (bishop)|James Rogers]] of the newly formed [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst in Canada|Diocese of Chatham]].<ref name="auto">Church, Politics, and STU: The Relocation of St. Thomas University from Chatham to Fredericton, p. 3-4.</ref>

St. Michael's Academy catered to young English-speaking males in the Miramichi River Valley and the growing port town of Chatham. A women's academy was created a year later. St. Michael's consisted of a single wooden structure constructed near the seat of the Diocese of Chatham, the new [[St. Michael's Basilica, Miramichi|St. Michael's Cathedral]]. The institution offered a classical education and was intended to prepare students to study for the diocesan priesthood. From 1865, the school was known as St. Michael's College. It closed for several years in the 1870s and 1880s.<ref name="auto"/>

Its uneven operation was curbed by the [[Basilian Fathers]], a religious order who assumed the administration of the College in 1910. Since the Toronto-based religious order already had a Catholic college in the Ontario capital, named [[University of St. Michael's College|St. Michael's College]] (a federated component of the [[University of Toronto]]), St. Michael's in Chatham was renamed St. Thomas College after [[Thomas Aquinas]]. It remained a high school and a junior college; however, in 1934, the institution gained degree-granting status from the Government of New Brunswick.<ref name="auto"/>

[[File:St. Thomas University New Brunswick Canada lower campus.jpg|thumb|left|STU's lower campus in [[Fredericton]]]]

After 1923, the Basilian Fathers transferred the administration of the college to the Diocese of Chatham.<ref>Church, Politics, and STU: The Relocation of St. Thomas University from Chatham to Fredericton, p.3-4.</ref> The diocese was restructured as the Diocese of Bathurst. Its seat was moved to the primarily francophone community, [[Bathurst, New Brunswick|Bathurst]], north of Chatham. While St. Thomas College remained in Chatham, its future remained uncertain. In 1959, the college was subject to territorial changes in the reorganized [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst in Canada|Diocese of Bathurst]]. English-speaking parishes and the college were transferred to the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint John, New Brunswick|Diocese of Saint John]] with its seat in New Brunswick's major [[Saint John, New Brunswick|port city]].<ref>Church, Politics, and STU, 53-55.</ref> The Bishop of Saint John became the Chancellor of St. Thomas.  By mid-century, the economic and social significance of post-secondary institutions saw an increased role of state intervention. In 1960, the institution was renamed St. Thomas University by an act of the [[New Brunswick Legislature]].<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.stu.ca/about/history/|title=History - St Thomas University|website=stu.ca}}</ref>  Under the government of [[Louis Robichaud]], the Royal Commission on Higher Education was launched. Headed by [[John James Deutsch]], a professor and administrator from [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]], the commission recommended greater centralization and public funding in post-secondary education.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gnb.ca/cpse-ceps/05-e.asp|title=Commission on Post-Secondary Education in New Brunswick|website=gnb.ca}}</ref>

Arising from the Commission's recommendations, St. Thomas University was encouraged to relocate to the campus of the [[University of New Brunswick]] in Fredericton to share facilities. Not without controversy and animosity, St. Thomas University moved to the provincial capital and abandoned its secondary school curriculum.<ref name="auto2"/> A new campus was built in the [[Colonial Revival architecture|Neo-Georgian]] style by the architects of the University of New Brunswick (Larson & Larson) to complement the campus of its institutional neighbour.<ref>Church, Politics, and STU, p.176-177.</ref> It officially welcomed students in October 1964.<ref name="auto2"/>

==Relationship with UNB==

St. Thomas University and the [[University of New Brunswick]]'s Fredericton campus are located in the College Hill neighbourhood in [[Fredericton]]. The two institutions share facilities for their student unions, libraries, athletics, and a common heating plant and building maintenance services. Students from STU are permitted to take a certain number of classes at UNB and vice versa.  However, STU and UNBF itself are financially and academically separate. STU is able to offer many amenities other smaller schools cannot, in large part to its UNB partnership. The two universities enjoy a good-natured rivalry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vredshockey.com/history/battle.htm|title=WWW.VREDSHOCKEY.COM - History - Battle of the Hill|website=vredshockey.com}}</ref>

[[File:UNB_Old_Arts_Building.jpg|thumb|right|Now sharing a campus with the [[University of New Brunswick]] (pictured), STU relocated to Fredericton from [[Chatham, New Brunswick]] in 1964<ref name="auto2"/>]]

==Academics==

STU offers the following programs: [[Bachelor of Arts]], [[Bachelor of Applied Arts]], [[Bachelor of Education]], [[Bachelor of Social Work]], and a Bachelor of Arts Aviation Stream.<ref>https://www.stu.ca/academics/</ref>

==Athletics==
STU offers athletic programs for men's and women's basketball, cross-country, soccer, and volleyball, as well as women's rugby and hockey.
Collectively, the Tommies have won 41 ACAA titles and 3 AUS titles. Student-athletes have achieved 404 [[Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association|CCAA]] National Scholar and 417 [[U Sports]] Academic All-Canadian awards.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gotommies.ca/landing/index | title=STU Tommies Athletics | date=8 November 2023 }}</ref>

STU participated in [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]] men's hockey until 2016 (winning the championships in 1961 and 2001),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlanticuniversitysport.com/sports/mice/records/pastchamps|title=Atlantic University Sport - Men's Hockey Past Champions}}</ref> and men's and women's track and field from 2011-2022.

==Campus life==

[[File:St. Thomas University Fredericton New Brunswick Brian Mulroney Hall.jpg|thumb|left|[[Brian Mulroney]] Hall]]

There are six academic buildings on campus housing classrooms and faculty offices: James Dunn Hall, Edmund Casey Hall, George Martin Hall, Brian Mulroney Hall, Holy Cross House, and Margaret Norrie McCain Hall. Additionally, there are three residence buildings at St. Thomas University, all located on campus: Harrington Hall, Vanier Hall, and Holy Cross House. 

The university maintains its own campus police force, comprised by students hired annually by the University to maintain security at campus events.<ref>[http://w3.stu.ca/stu/currentstudents/employment/default.aspx Employment on Campus]</ref> The student newspaper, ''[[The Aquinian]]'', is available on campus and throughout the city during the regular academic year.
[[File:St. Thomas University (Canada) T-ring.jpg|thumb|right|Graduates may choose to wear the traditional T-ring]]

==Chancellors==

[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst in Canada|Bishop of Chatham]] (1910–1938) after [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst in Canada|Bishop of Bathurst]] (1938–1959)
* Thomas Francis Barry, 1910–1920
* Patrice Alexandre Chiasson, C.I.M., 1920–1942 
* Camille-André LeBlanc, 1942–1959
[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint John, New Brunswick|Bishop of Saint John]] (1959–2019)
* A.B. Leverman, 1959–1968
* [[Joseph Neil MacNeil]], 1969–1973 
* Arthur Gilbert, 1974–1986
* J. Edward Troy, 1986–1997
* J. Faber MacDonald, C.S.C, 1998–2006
* [[Martin William Currie]], (acting chancellor), 2006–2007
* [[Robert Harris (bishop)|Robert Harris]], 2007–2019
[[Laity#CatholicChurch|lay]] Chancellors (2020–Present)
*[[Graydon Nicholas]], since 2020

==Presidents and Vice Chancellors==

*Nicholas Roche, C.S.B., 1910–1911
*William J. Roach, C.S.B., 1911–1919 
*Frederick Meader, C.S.B., 1920–1923 
*Raymond Hawkes, 1923–1927
*James M. Hill, D.D., 1928–1945 
*Charles V. O'Hanley, 1945–1948 
*A.L. McFadden, 1948–1961 
*Donald C. Duffie, 1961–1975 
*George W. Martin, 1975–1990 
*Daniel W. O'Brien, 1990–2006
*[[Michael W. Higgins]], 2006–2009
*[[Dennis Cochrane]], C.M., 2010–2011
*Dawn Russell, LL.M., 2011–2022
*Kim Fenwick, Ph.D. (Acting), 2022—2023
*M. Nauman Farooqi, Ph.D., 2023—Present

==Notable alumni==
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Guy Arseneault]] – Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and former member of parliament<ref>https://nbliberal.ca/team/guy-arseneault/|New Brunswick Liberal Association, MLA profile</ref>
* [[Lewis C. Ayles]] – former justice of the [[Court of Appeal of New Brunswick]] and former Member of the [[Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick]]<ref>https://www.martindale.com/attorney/lewis-c-ayles-1308037/|Martindale profile</ref> 
* [[Daniel Joseph Bohan]] – 7th Catholic [[Archbishop of Regina]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.archregina.sk.ca/ArchivesArchbishopBohan.htm|title=Archdiocese of Regina Archives, Archbishop Bohan|date=January 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114151027/http://www.archregina.sk.ca/ArchivesArchbishopBohan.htm|archive-date=2010-01-14}}</ref> 
* [[Frank Branch]] –  56th [[Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gnb.ca/legis/speakers/bios/branch-frank-e.asp|title=Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick|website=gnb.ca}}</ref>
* [[Greg Byrne]] – former cabinet minister and [[Office of the Attorney General (New Brunswick)|Attorney General]] of New Brunswick 
* [[Roger Clinch]] – former member of parliament 
* [[Chris Collins (Canadian politician)|Chris Collins]] – 67th [[Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gnb.ca/legis/speakers/bios/collins-chris-e.asp|title=Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick|website=gnb.ca}}</ref>
* [[Ivan Court]] – 65th [[Mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick]] 
* [[Matt DeCourcey]] – Former [[Fredericton (federal electoral district)|member of parliament]]
* [[James Doyle (New Brunswick politician)|James Doyle]] – former Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick 
* [[Sheree Fitch]] – author, poet
* [[Raymond Fraser]] – author
* [[Shawn Graham]] – 31st [[Premier of New Brunswick]]<ref name="auto1"/>
* [[Stephen Horsman]] – former Deputy Premier of New Brunswick and cabinet minister
* [[Al Kavanaugh]] – former Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick 
* [[J. Fraser Kerr]] – former Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
* [[Carl Killen]] – former New Brunswick MLA
* [[Kelly Lamrock]] – former cabinet minister and [[Office of the Attorney General (New Brunswick)|Attorney General]] of New Brunswick
* [[Carolyn Layden-Stevenson]] – Justice of the [[Federal Court of Appeal (Canada)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stu.ca/alumni/alumni-awards/carolyn-layden-stevenson-distinguished-alumni-award/|title=Carolyn Layden-Stevenson Distinguished Alumni Award - St Thomas University|website=stu.ca}}</ref>
* [[Claudius Léger]] – former judge and Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
* [[Paul Lordon]] – former MLA
* [[Sandra Lovelace Nicholas]] – [[Senate of Canada|senator]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/lovelace-nicholas-sandra-m/|title=Senate of Canada - Senator Sandra M. Lovelace Nicholas|first=Senate of|last=Canada|date=October 13, 2016|website=Senate of Canada}}</ref>
* George W. Martin – former President of St. Thomas University 
* [[Joseph R. Martin]] – former MLA and Mayor of [[Chatham, New Brunswick]]
* [[Frederic McGrand]] – physician, senator, MLA and 42nd [[Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gnb.ca/legis/speakers/bios/mcgrand-frederic-e.asp|title=Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick|website=gnb.ca}}</ref>
* [[J. Killeen McKee]] – former judge and Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick 
* [[Michael McKee (politician)|Michael McKee]] – former judge, provincial cabinet minister, and New Brunswick MLA
* [[Ralph McInerney]] – former New Brunswick MLA
* [[Brian Mulroney]] – 18th [[Prime Minister of Canada]], (alumnus of St. Thomas College, Chatham)<ref>{{cite web|title=CBC Digital Archives: "Looking Back on the Mulroney Years."|url=http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/looking-back-on-the-mulroney-years/}}</ref> 
* [[Joseph Leonard O'Brien]] – former Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, 38th [[Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick]], member of parliament, and 21st [[Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gnb.ca/legis/speakers/bios/obrien-joseph-e.asp|title=Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick|website=gnb.ca}}</ref> 
* [[Candy Palmater]] – lawyer, comedian, aboriginal and gay rights activist
* [[Al Pittman]] – poet, playwright
* [[David Adams Richards]] – senator, author, screenwriter<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stu.ca/news/all-news/2017/david-adams-richards-appointed-to-the-senate-of-canada.php|title=David Adams Richards Appointed to the Senate of Canada|date=August 30, 2017|website=stu.ca}}</ref>
* Bernard Riordon – Director Emeritus of the [[Beaverbrook Art Gallery]] and past director of the [[Art Gallery of Nova Scotia]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stu.ca/alumni/alumni-awards/carolyn-layden-stevenson-distinguished-alumni-award/2014-/|title=2014 - St Thomas University|website=stu.ca}}</ref> 
* [[Carmel Robichaud]] – former provincial cabinet minister and New Brunswick MLA
* [[Anna Silk]] – actress
* [[Jake Stewart (politician)|Jake Stewart]] – Member of Parliament and former provincial cabinet minister
* [[Greg Thompson]] – New Brunswick MLA; former federal cabinet minister and member of parliament 
* [[Lyman Ward (actor)|Lyman Ward]] – actor
* [[Doug Young (politician)|Doug Young]] – former federal and provincial cabinet minister, former [[New Brunswick Liberal Association|Leader of the Liberal Party of New Brunswick]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stu.ca/events/all-events/special-announcement-at-st-thomas-university.php|title=Special Announcement at St. Thomas University|date=May 16, 2019|website=stu.ca}}</ref>
}}

<gallery class="center">
File:Shawn Graham 2007.JPG|[[Shawn Graham]], former [[Premier of New Brunswick]] 
File:Mulroney.jpg|[[Brian Mulroney]], former [[Prime Minister of Canada]]
File:Thecandyshow.jpg|[[Candy Palmater]], [[Miꞌkmaq]] comedian & activist 
File:David Adams Richards - DanH-4021 (cropped).jpg|[[David Adams Richards]], [[Senate of Canada|Senator]] & author
File:Greg Thompson w poppy.jpg|[[Greg Thompson]], [[Minister of Veterans Affairs (Canada)|Minister of Veterans Affairs]] 
</gallery>

==Notable faculty and staff==
* [[T.J. Burke]] - first Indigenous person elected to a legislative assembly in Atlantic Canada and former [[Attorney General of New Brunswick]]
* [[Mike Eagles]] – former NHL hockey player<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gotommies.ca/information/directory/bios/Michael_Eagles-_Athletic_Director?view=bio|title=STU Tommies Athletics|website=STU Tommies Athletics}}</ref>
* [[Noël Kinsella]] – former [[Speaker of the Senate of Canada]]
* [[Kelly Lamrock]] – former provincial cabinet minister and Attorney General of New Brunswick
* [[Graydon Nicholas]] – first Indigenous [[Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick]], former judge, and first Indigenous law graduate from Atlantic Canada
* [[David Adams Richards]] – former writer-in-residence 
* [[Jan Wong]] – journalist and author
* [[Shannonbrooke Murphy]] - Author of The Human Right to Resist in International and Constitutional Law

==See also==
* [[Higher education in New Brunswick]]
* [[List of universities in New Brunswick]]
* [[Atlantic University Sport]]
* [[Canadian Interuniversity Sport]]
* [[The Thomists]] (21-piece big band based at the university)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Fraser, J. A. ''"By Force of Circumstance": A History of St. Thomas University''. Fredericton: Miramichi Press, 1970.
* Spray, William and Anthony Rhinelander. ''Church, Politics, and STU: The Relocation of St. Thomas University from Chatham to Fredericton''. Fredericton, NB: STU, 2014.

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website|http://www.stu.ca/}}
*  [https://www.gotommies.ca/landing/index STU Tommies Athletics]

{{NB Uni}}
{{ICUSTA}}
{{Universities in Canada}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|45|56|37.18|N|66|38|48.40|W|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Thomas University (New Brunswick)}}
[[Category:St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)| ]]
[[Category:Education in Fredericton]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1910]]
[[Category:Catholic universities and colleges in Canada]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Fredericton]]
[[Category:1910 establishments in New Brunswick]]