52 Hours to Give
Begins at 5:00 pm on April 14 thru 9:00 pm on April 16
Our fourth annual 52 Hours to Give recognizes the founding year of St. Thomas Aquinas College (1952) and is a call to action to invest in the future of students and the College as a whole. We need the generosity of the entire St. Thomas Aquinas family — alumni, friends, and parents — to empower and inspire our Spartans to ignite their passions!
Student Spotlights
Meet Spartan student, Gino Ganzior ‘25
Finance
Favorite place on campus: My friends would probably say my favorite place on campus is the Bloomberg Lab, yet my favorite place on campus is the soccer field.
Favorite professor: Dr. Trendafilov, Professor Cahill, and Dr. Mihall, all of whom I’ve personally seen go above and beyond for every student they teach, but more importantly they do that outside the classroom, as well.
Favorite STAC memory: Since my experience is dual-faceted, academics and athletics, it is only fair to mention one for each. Going to Los Angeles as part of the International Ethics and Sustainability Case Study Competition – not only was it my first time on the west coast, but we WON the competition! The second is definitely winning the ECC Men’s Soccer regular season title in 2024.
My story: What I have valued most about my experience at the College is that I have the feeling that everything is possible. Everyone from President Daly president to caring and generous alumni give everything they have to help every individual student realize their passion, hopes and dreams.
At St. Thomas Aquinas College, there is such commitment and opportunity to open doors to every student who’s willing to put in the effort and work hard. Since the College is a small community, people really get to know each other deeply, which leaves you with such a good feeling impression on a daily basis. People are willing to help you and work with you to uncover and grow your passions and achieve your goals.
Being a student athlete has made lasting impacts in every area of my life, and I am proud to be a goalkeeper on the Men’s Soccer team. Beyond athletics, I am also involved in the Investment Club on campus – and will serve as their newly-elected president, and I’m also a member of the Business Club.
Although I don’t yet have a specific career in mind, I know one of my passions is to be an agent to drive change for sustainability.
I am so appreciative for both the academic and athletic scholarships I’ve received. Only through these financial blessings was possible for me to attend college. To all those who have chosen to give to support students like me, I extend my deepest thanks for making my incredible Spartan experience possible. For me and my fellow students, you have provided the opportunity to get a great education at a great college – not only changing our lives for the better but setting us on a course for life-long success!
Meet Spartan student, Chanelle “Sunshine” Russell ‘25
Computer Science with a Minor in Economics
Favorite place on campus: The Dining Hall in the Commons. If you needed to find me, I’d be there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner…even when it’s empty, as I need a quiet place to work.
Favorite professor: I have a few…Dr. Mihal, Dr. Lee, Professor Brennan, and Professor Basile have all made a significant impact on my life, not just in the classroom but in my life and personal growth experience, as well.
Favorite STAC memory: There are so many, but what really stood out was the welcoming atmosphere. That welcoming spirit wasn’t just a first day thing but has been a constant presence throughout my entire Spartan journey.
My story: My St. Thomas Aquinas College experience has been built on community and environment. I love the size of the campus, the population, and the relationships we can develop with the Dean, professors, staff, and students. As a result, the experience I value the most is the close-knit community and the genuine connections I’ve made.
The College has something for everyone, and not just that, they also have someone for everyone. The school is equipped with caring, kind, knowledgeable people in departments that are willing to help you. The Career Services team, Student Success Center, Financial Aid, and the Training Center all work to ensure our future, body, and soul are in good hands. It’s not just about the place or the campus, it’s the people that make STAC what it is.
The faculty has helped open my eyes to the possibilities in my major and field of interest, and they’ve encouraged my love for what I’m doing. They always have something new to share, feed into my love for learning and treat students as more than just some random person they’re lecturing to —they help us grow as people.
I am a student-athlete and a part of the NCAA Women’s Triathlon Team. I’ve also been a member of the Ambassador for Christ, Odyssey Hiking Club, and STEM Club. In my upcoming year, I will be the President of Ambassador for Christ and the Secretary of the Odyssey Hiking Club.
My career goal is to assist companies and organizations in making decisions that aid their development and increase profitability, somewhat like a financial consultant. My ultimate dream is to interact with people and encourage them to be the best they can be.
I am so grateful for the financial assistance I’ve received through scholarships and the opportunity to take part in an on-campus internship program. To those who make an investment in students like me, my heartfelt thanks goes out to you. Your gift has not been given in vain, and because of you, my fellow Spartans and I are able to experience an impact on our lives in many life-changing. It’s great to have so many guardian angels out there looking out for us!
Areas of Support
Provides unrestricted funds to address current and most pressing needs at the College, and is also a key source for supplemental student financial aid.
Provides emergency financial support to at-risk students who are facing unforeseen challenges that could keep them from beginning or continuing their education at St. Thomas Aquinas College.
A primary focus at St. Thomas Aquinas College — has programs and resources dedicated to ensuring the social, emotional, and physical well-being of our Spartans so they can thrive in college and beyond.
Provides the opportunity for our Spartan student-athletes to gain life long knowledge, build determination and sportsmanship, develop critical skills, and make lifelong friendships on and off the field of play.
President Daly is committed to the gift of education, and our students need your help now more than ever: “Simply put, we will not allow financial need to prevent a deserving student from receiving an education.”