University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)

University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) is a private Roman Catholic university with its main campus in St. Paul and a secondary campus in Minneapolis. Founded in 1885 by Archbishop John Ireland, it is the largest private university in Minnesota. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs through its several colleges and schools.

History

The institution was established in 1885 as the St. Paul Seminary by Archbishop John Ireland to educate priests for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. It began offering lay education in 1894 with the founding of the College of St. Thomas, named after Thomas Aquinas. The college was initially an all-male preparatory school and junior college, evolving into a four-year institution in 1910. Significant growth occurred under the leadership of Monsignor James P. Shannon in the mid-20th century. The university adopted its current name in 1990 to reflect its expanded graduate and professional offerings, and it became coeducational in 1977. Its history is deeply connected to the Catholic Church in the Upper Midwest.

Academics

The university is organized into several colleges and schools, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the Opus College of Business, the School of Engineering, the School of Education, and the School of Law. It offers over 150 undergraduate majors and minors and more than 85 graduate degree programs. The Opus College of Business is particularly noted, with its MBA program consistently ranked by publications like *U.S. News & World Report*. The curriculum emphasizes liberal arts and integrates Catholic social teaching. The university is a member of the Council of Independent Colleges and holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Campus

The primary 78-acre campus is located in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul, featuring a mix of historic and modern buildings like the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas and the Anderson Student Center. The university also operates a downtown Minneapolis campus, housing the School of Law and graduate business programs. Other facilities include the Schulze Hall for the business school, the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex, and the O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center. The university has expanded its presence with facilities in Rome and Owatonna.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Tommies, compete primarily in the NCAA Division I Summit League, a move made in 2021 after a long history in NCAA Division III and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Their mascot is Tommie the Terrier. The football team has a notable history, including the 2012 Division III national championship game and the 2015 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. The men's hockey team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. School colors are purple and gray.

Notable alumni and faculty

Notable alumni include television host Michele Tafoya, former White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, and former U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy. Business leaders include former Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly and Securian Financial CEO Chris Hilger. In sports, alumni include Major League Baseball player Jack Morris and National Football League executive Mike Zimmer. Distinguished faculty have included theologian Terence J. Nichols, philosopher Paul Gavrilyuk, and legal scholar Robert K. Vischer, who serves as the university's president.

Category:Universities and colleges in Minnesota Category:Roman Catholic universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1885