Aquinas College in Nashville–the faithful Catholic college run by the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia, popularly know as the Nashville Dominicans–announced today the establishment of a residence life program inspired by the Oxbridge model.

After forming an agreement with next-door St. Thomas Hospital, Aquinas College is now able to offer a significant portion of the hospital’s hotel-like Seton Lodge as student residences.  The floors will be gender-specific “in a safe and secure setting,” according to the College.

College spokesman Ron Kerman told The Cardinal Newman Society that 30 students will live in the residence complex this academic year and the College hopes to triple that number for 2013-14.  Plans are in place to construct new residential facilities in 2014.

Following the Oxbridge model of residence life, the program will:

…promote a confluence of the College’s living and learning experience and will represent a unique approach to fulfill its core mission: to teach and to serve the whole person. “Houses,” as defined by the Oxbridge model, will foster life-long relationships and will consist of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. House activities will be as diverse as study groups, prayer, social events, internships, service missions, and athletic competitions. There will be four houses for women and four houses for men, each sponsored by a patron saint.

The bishop of Nashville, a graduate of Aquinas College, has voiced his support of the new residence program:

“I welcome with great satisfaction and whole-hearted support the news that Aquinas College and St. Thomas Hospital have collaborated to offer residential opportunities for Aquinas College students. I am most grateful to everyone who had anything to do with making this possible.”

The establishment of a residence life program at Aquinas will supplement the College’s already rigorous and faithfully Catholic academic offerings focusing on nursing, business and education.

Aquinas College is included in The Newman Guide by The Cardinal Newman Society for its strong Catholic identity.

Catholic Education Daily is an online publication of The Cardinal Newman Society. Click here for email updates and free online membership with The Cardinal Newman Society.