Thomas Aquinas College president killed in auto accident

April 16, 2009

Dr. Thomas E. Dillon, president of Thomas Aquinas College since 1991, died in an automobile accident in Ireland on April 15. He was 62.

The California college is known worldwide for its fidelity to the Magisterium and its principled commitment to the study of the Great Books (rather than textbooks) and the use of the seminar method (rather than lectures). Dillon presided over-- and raised funds for-- the construction of a campus built in the Mission style, with its architecture drawing attention to California's Catholic heritage. Last month saw the completion of the campus, with the consecration of the college’s $23-million Chapel of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.

Dr. Dillon “wasn’t just well-connected like a politician,” college tutor Richard Ferrier recalled. “He was well-connected like a man with a lot of friends. They were responding to his goodness.”

 

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Further information:

• Thomas Aquinas College president dies in Ireland (Ventura County Star)
• Consecration of Thomas Aquinas College Chapel of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (Adoremus Bulletin)
• Thomas Aquinas College
• Editorial: Thomas Dillon's glorious vision (Ventura County Star)
• Irish police: Thomas Aquinas College president died in solo crash (Ventura County Star)
• Colleagues praise life of Thomas Aquinas College president (CNA)
• A Collection of Tributes to Dr. Thomas Dillon (Love2Learn Blog)
• More on Dr. Dillon (Studeo)