Not all students live in the residence halls, eat in Wege Cafeteria, or even carry backpacks. Some earn their degree on nights and weekends or stolen afternoons, all while maintaining a career and raising a family. To celebrate these non-traditional learners, including both continuing education and graduate students, AQ hosted its fourth annual Non-Traditional Student Recognition Week during the spring 2011 semester. Non-Traditional Student Recognition Week is designed to recognize these students and those who support them as they return to the classroom.

The week began with “A Night at Aquinas New Sturrus Sport & Fitness Center,” named for Peter Sturrus ’77, a generous donor and former continuing education student. During the event, students and guests took part in a Feldenkrais exercise session, dinner in the newly furnished suite overlooking the main court, and a tour of the unique fitness center. Tuesday brought poet Jack Ridl to campus as part of the AQ Contemporary Writer’s Series.

On Wednesday, students attended a Financial Fitness class provided by Huntington Bank Vice President, Mike Bryson. On Thursday, students filled Kretschmer Recital Hall in the Art and Music Center for “An Evening with ArtPrize 2010 Winner Chris LaPorte.” The resident artist was approachable and modest as he described his famous drawing “Cavalry, American Officers, 1921” and answered questions such as, “How many times did you sharpen your pencil?” from one teacher and graduate student’s fifth grade class.

For Friday's grand finale event, students, faculty, staff and their guests were invited to “Motown Night” in the Wege Ballroom, complete with live music from Sounds Like Fun, gourmet dessert and cheese buffet, elegant décor, and a candlelit atmosphere. One attendee commented, “Sounds Like Fun is a great group. High energy, engages audience, and super talented. I haven't enjoyed a musical group like that in a long time.” Another said, “That was so much fun! The food was good, the music was impossible NOT to dance to and company, as always, was excellent. What's not to like?”

This collection of events was enjoyed by over 200 non-traditional students and their guests, those who support their continued education. Said one student, “Aquinas is a wonderful school and the support system put into place for continuing education is an asset that other four year colleges do not offer or come close to.”