Formerly known as the Adducci Science Center’s Hoffman and Brother Charles Halls, this newly renovated science, nursing, and business facility on the Winona Campus has a new name. On Tuesday, Aug. 24, we will bless and host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the building, which will be known as Aquinas Hall. You’re invited to join in person or via livestream, (Info to be shared soon.) We will maintain our COVID-19 protocols for those attending live.
Aquinas Hall is named after Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Dominican Catholic theologian, philosopher, and priest who is the patron saint of students, philosophers, academics, universities, and schools. That our newest and most innovative building would bear his name is appropriate, and we are grateful to have him watching over the collaborative learning that will be taking place inside.
Combining the theological principles of faith with the philosophical principles of reason, Aquinas asserted that “both kinds of knowledge ultimately come from God” and were therefore compatible. Not only were they compatible, according to Thomas’s ideology, but they could also work in collaboration: He believed that revelation could guide reason and prevent it from making mistakes, while reason could clarify and demystify faith.
This also marks a return of Saint Thomas Aquinas to the Winona Campus, as Vlazny Hall, constructed in 1953, was formerly known as Aquinas Hall.
The Advancement and Marketing and Communication teams are working on a recognition wall for Brother Charles Severin, FSC, Ph.D., and John Hoffman, Ph.D., our legendary and long-term science faculty, for whom the two wings of the original building were honorifically named. The Adducci family also continues to be recognized inside for their generous sponsorship of the Anthony ’59 and Sandra Adducci Family Makerspace.
We also invite you for the public dedication Friday, Oct. 15. More information will be shared at a later date.