From Havana Roots To South Florida: St. Thomas University Celebrates 50th Anniversary

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Sep 16, 2011, 05:17 ET

MIAMI, Sept. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Founded in 1961 as Biscayne College by the Augustinian order, a small Catholic men's college known as "Villanova of the South" emerged in North Dade County. Miami's St. Thomas University had its roots in the Universidad de Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Havana in 1946 when the American Augustinian friars from Philadelphia founded the private Catholic college. In 1961, Fidel Castro's regime confiscated the school's land and expelled the faculty and priests and many of the administrators, faculty and students came to Miami. In view of the increasing Cuban exodus, the Diocese of Miami invited the Augustinians to start a new college – Biscayne College.

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By 1984, with the establishment of the School of Law and other graduate degree programs, the School, now coeducational, became St. Thomas University. In 1988, the School became the only Archdiocesan-sponsored University in the State of Florida. Today, it is renowned for a legacy in leadership development in justice, science, business and ministry and is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. It now houses Biscayne College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; School of Business; School of Law; School of Leadership Studies; School of Science, Technology & Engineering Management; and the School of Theology and Ministry.

From global entrepreneurship and undergraduate scientific research to divinity studies, intercultural human rights and a liberal arts college that includes a Study-in-Spain program and United Nations internships, St. Thomas is poised to elevate leaders to reach their full potential for the next 50 years. Its distinguished academic reputation lies in a prestigious faculty who challenges students to develop ethical standards, a spirit of service, and analytical skills as well as its small-class structure.

"St. Thomas' blueprint for the future will have a lasting impact on students for many generations to come, whether from the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia or Africa. As one of the leading Catholic universities in the southeast United States, we have been graduating ethical and multifaceted leaders for 50 years," says STU president Monsignor Casale. "The college experience of a small, intimate setting - with an average class size of 15 students - reflects one of the smallest student-faculty ratios in the country. These elements combine to give students the competitive edge as they search for career opportunities in a tough market."

September 21, 2011 will gather students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees and other members of the St. Thomas University community. The annual Mass of the Holy Spirit will be concelebrated by Archbishop Thomas Wenski and St. Thomas University President, Rev. Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale at 12:15 p.m. at the Chapel of Saint Anthony. Following the liturgy, the Archbishop and University President will dedicate the new STU Jubilee 50th Anniversary Tower. The group will then celebrate at the 50th Anniversary Community Luncheon – to be held at the Evelyn and George Goldbloom Convocation Hall. For additional information please visit www.stu.edu, contact Marivi Prado, Chief Marketing Officer at [email protected].

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SOURCE St. Thomas University