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President’s Letter

What are God’s plans for you in 2018?

hen two disciples first saw Jesus, they asked “Where are you staying?” Jesus said, “Come, and you will see”
(John 1:38, 39). This is all Jesus asked of the first disciples, followers who barely knew him. It’s all Jesus
Wasks of us today.

It’s the time of year when we roll out the old and bring in the new. It’s the time for making new resolutions. We
resolve to spend more time with family, we resolve to work efficiently, and we decide to become healthier by dieting
and exercising.

The start of a new year is an opportunity to assess our dreams, hopes and goals for the coming year. But the question
that the scriptures and our teachers here at Aquinas invite us to reflect on is: what are God’s plans for us this year?
This January, the Board of Trustees adopted a new five-year strategic plan, which outlines the initiatives and goals
Aquinas will use to guide us to where we need to be in the future, and equally important, where Jesus is calling us as
a Catholic school to “come and see.”

Aquinas Institute continues to be a beacon of light for our community. We have 744 students, 180 full- and part-
time employees, and over 14,000 living alumni. The results of our faith-based education are excellent! Young men
and women prepared for college and life beyond; tomorrow’s leaders in our family, business and community who
are ready and anxious to answer God’s call to “come and see.” This issue of The Landmark provides examples of how
members of our Aquinas community were called to serve, and how they answered the call.

We don’t know what the future holds for us. Rather than just pray for what we want, can we resolve to pray more
often and pray that we hear God’s voice when he calls us? In 2002, I prayed for guidance on my next career move.
I answered the call, which brought me to Aquinas. I signed-up for seven years and 15 years later, I am still here. I
continue to commit myself to serve Aquinas as President. I do so with great joy because of the dedication of our fac-
ulty and staff, the sense of pride and accomplishment I get with each graduating class, and because of the dedicated
support we receive from alumni and friends through their volunteering, prayers and financial gifts.
With God’s grace and your support, we will work our strategic plan and fulfill our mission that is God’s plan for our
school. Thank you for your continued support. As you establish your goals for 2018, I invite you to prayerfully con-
sider what God’s plan is for you and let your response be “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”

Happy New Year!

Michael R. Daley, 1979
President

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