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With the end of the academic year upon us, we thought it would be appropriate to reflect on the 2007-08 school year.

Beyond the usual Homecoming, Spring Formal and St. Thomas Aquinas Week that occur annually, this year proved to be very eventful.

It started out before most students even arrived on campus — over the summer interim president and provost C. Edward Balog was named the new permanent president of the College, and the following fall festivities would prove to be some of the biggest that the campus had ever seen.

The College also switched from Coca-Cola to Pepsi this year, an effort led by the Social Action Committee.

Also, Aquinas finally decided to take care of the problem of a quickly growing student body by pursuing a new apartment complex, a building that is scheduled for completion this summer.

Then there was the infamous “peeping tom” who gazed into Regina Hall windows, and kicked off a mini-crime spree around the Aquinas campus. Two students were also mugged in nearby Eastown and Fulton Street.

But Viva! brought some light to campus once again, celebrating Balog’s appointment to the presidency. Viva! was a common word heard throughout campus this fall, and everyone remembers the night when English Chair Gary Eberle got up on stage and recited an ode about president Balog, while Sociology Chair Michael Cushion entertained with an Elvis rendition in Balog’s honor.

Balog discussed the “garages of creativity” in Google and Apple in his address to the campus, saying that “the core mission of the College should be liberal arts…and the Dominican tradition.”

The College reflected on Spanish professor Mary Orlicki, who died of cancer in early October. She was remembered in early November with a tree planting. Aquinas graduate Courtney Myers described Orlicki as “a friend, a mentor and a role model for all women out there, young and old.”

Later in November, theology students and representatives from the Center for Inquiry debated the ultimate question — does God exist? The event sparked interest throughout campus, and The Great Debate, as it was called, was considered an immediate success.

Crime struck again on the Aquinas campus in late November, this time with a thief entering the Academic Building. Sara Cox of the Academic Achievement Center had her purse stolen from her lower level office. The thief was described as “bold,” as he was spotted on all floors of the building walking around with a cell phone in hand.

“No one down here gets cell phone reception,” said Cox.

Bad news struck the campus in the coming weeks, as Aquinas prepared to go on Christmas Break. The College got word of the Grand Rapids Planning Commission denying its plan to build the new apartment. Though Aquinas planned to appeal the decision, the College eventually gave in to the Commission and made changes in order to start construction.

As Aquinas was breaking ground on the new apartment over Christmas Break, another project was well underway — the second floor of the Academic Building. Despite banging and falling ceiling tiles during classes, the nearly finished work has excited many.

“There will be furniture, tables, vending machines, etc…a place where students can gather, chat and eat,” said then-interim provost Don Chafee.

In January, Aquinas added to its news — this time all the way from Las Vegas. Former Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund — who was coached by Dave Weinandy, Special Assistant to the Provost for Campus Life — won the Miss America contest.

Adding to the excitement in the Campus Life office, the department put on the Wake Up People Blowout, featuring musical guests Josh Rouse and Matt Wertz, as well as the final round of AQ Idol 2.
MarQuinn Curry topped off the night of festivities and won the Idol crown, in an event that was comparable to the excitement of fall’s Viva! Balog party.

Confusion soon struck the campus, however. For the first time in the College’s history, a Student Senate election was forced to go into overtime. With John Kalinowski and Brad Bosserman securing the Chair and Vice Chair positions, respectively, the Secretary spot was still up for grabs between Kasey Baker and Amanda Chatel.

After a run-off vote, however, Baker took home the title and succeeded Kara Martin as secretary.
Thursday, April 3 was a day for the history books, however. The College announced that, after a long and tedious process, History Chair Chad Gunnoe would take over as the permanent provost.

The excitement, however, soon diminished when Aquinas announced the postponement of gay-rights moralist John Corvino’s event that was scheduled for that night.

The postponement drew concern for future campus events, and eventually led to the cancellation of Corvino’s visit, sparking controversy with students, faculty and staff. It’s still considered one of the “talks of the campus.”

This year will certainly be remembered for quite a few things — Viva Balog!, the Wake Up People Blowout and the John Corvino cancellation to name a few.

But what else does the College have to look forward to? There’s Spring Fest on Thursday, graduation on May 3, and in the coming months, the College should set out a policy in order to make sure that a repeat of the John Corvino incident doesn’t occur in the future.