Pursuing a Catholic university education

Monday, November 10, 2008

Msgr. Franklyn Casale - St. Thomas University

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I’m often struck by non-Catholic students and their families who tell me how much they appreciate the education they receive at our Catholic institution. That always causes me to think how even more important it is for Catholic students to continue their education at a Catholic college or university. I also know that employers give tremendous consideration to graduates of our Catholic universities because they do have a different value-set and world view.

People think the greatest obstacle to a Catholic education degree is the expense. You would be surprised at how much scholarship money and financial aid is available for Catholic students to continue their education here at St. Thomas University.

Our university declares that it is in the business of developing leaders for life. St. Thomas has produced congressmen, CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies, mayors, police chiefs, bank presidents, principals, and partners in law firms. They are great people and I know many of them personally.

The excitement about the university is in its growth and development and in the types of programs that we have here. Our students are studying with some of the best faculty that you can find anywhere, highly credentialed and caring of each one of their students. Our beautiful campus has the latest equipment and many new buildings. St. Thomas students study in our programs in Spain and at the United Nations, and travel to Haiti and many other places that serve as laboratories for their learning experience. In fact, St. Thomas University is a laboratory for life in the coming decades with so many interesting people of many cultures and Catholic values.

The exciting part of my day is the interaction with our students. Students are both serious and fun. I love their probing questions, their search for knowledge and the fact that once
in a while they think they can put something over on the President.

Recently I had a neat experience. Archbishop Favalora blessed and dedicated our brand new Carnival Cruise Lines Science and Technology Building on September 22nd. The featured speaker was Dr. Mae Jemison, the first female black astronaut to go into space. What a great woman! I gave her a private tour of the facility and she was astounded by the building and what we are doing in our space program.

We are a family here, we are a Catholic family, and that makes us something special.

Msgr. Franklyn Casale
President, St. Thomas University

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Comments from readers

Fatima Roman - 11/11/2008 11:51 AM

As I read this article it brought me back memories about how I always thought about the cost for attending the University. My two children are currently attending St. Thomas and believe me God made it possible. My daughter receives a merit scholarships and many other awards and my son also receives a number of awards from the University since he began in 2005. He is a senior and hope to see both of my children graduate from St. Thomas. I have been very blessed with all the help I got from the faculty and staff. My children are very active in the University and they told me they feel at home when they are there. Thank you for making a difference in their education. We are Roman Catholics and my children have developed within their Catholic identity at St. Thomas University.

Lucia Mor - 11/10/2008 05:43 PM

My two children attend Barry University also a Catholic University in Miami, and I agree with you 100%. They are not a number, the teachers know them individually for who they are. The classes are small and the teachers are great. They both received more than 50% in merits scholarships, plus they were able to use their Florida Bright Futures and their own Florida Prepaid. My son received an extra ten percent discount for having a sibling in the school. He also receives an extra $4000 for being in the Honors Program. Making Catholic Private Education affordable to us. Confession is available in Campus (yes, I still remind them) and on days of obligations, there is a Mass they can go on Campus.

Fatima Roman - 11/11/2008 11:51 AM: As I read this article it brought me back memories about how I always thought about the cost for attending the University. My two children are currently attending St. Thomas and believe me God made it possible. My daughter receives a merit scholarships and many other awards and my son also receives a number of awards from the University since he began in 2005. He is a senior and hope to see both of my children graduate from St. Thomas. I have been very blessed with all the help I got from the faculty and staff. My children are very active in the University and they told me they feel at home when they are there. Thank you for making a difference in their education. We are Roman Catholics and my children have developed within their Catholic identity at St. Thomas University.

Lucia Mor - 11/10/2008 05:43 PM: My two children attend Barry University also a Catholic University in Miami, and I agree with you 100%. They are not a number, the teachers know them individually for who they are. The classes are small and the teachers are great. They both received more than 50% in merits scholarships, plus they were able to use their Florida Bright Futures and their own Florida Prepaid. My son received an extra ten percent discount for having a sibling in the school. He also receives an extra $4000 for being in the Honors Program. Making Catholic Private Education affordable to us. Confession is available in Campus (yes, I still remind them) and on days of obligations, there is a Mass they can go on Campus.