Sister Jean Milhaupt, O.P., Ph.D., ’45 has a long history with Aquinas College. Her memories of her alma mater begin before WWII and continue through the millennium, often including unique insights and humorous anecdotes about the development of the College and the many changes that have occurred over the years. Once a promising high school student at Mt. Mercy Academy in the late 1930’s, Sister Jean is now the resident archivist of the College, with a list of accomplishments including serving as a professor for over 40 years in the English department, developing the Sampler, teaching in the humanities program, founding of the Aquinas College Historical Commission, and diligently maintaining the Dominican tradition of the College.

During Sister Jean’s undergraduate education, “There were hardly any men left in the College,” she said. Though Aquinas had transitioned to a co-ed campus before her freshman year in 1941, the draft of WWII left the College virtually deserted of male students until the end of the war. In addition, the majority of the professors were Sisters from the Dominican order.

Although many changes have since taken place at Aquinas, the value of strong foundational education has remained. “We got a very good liberal arts education,” said Sister Jean. She also mentioned the positive impression Aquinas students made on their graduate school professors due to rigorous preparation for the next step in either an educational or professional capacity.

After graduation in 1945, Jean pursued her passion for religious study by joining the Dominican Order at Marywood. “They were the most attractive community I knew,” she said, due to their open and welcoming attitude and devotion to study. After three years, Sister Jean (then Sister Maris Stella) was sent to continue her education at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. There, she earned her master’s degree in medieval literature.

In 1949, Sister Jean began a two-year teaching position at Marywood Academy, as well as a part-time position at Aquinas, where she eventually was hired as a full-time faculty member in the fall of 1951. For the next 44 years, Sister Jean taught a variety of courses in the English literature department, while taking only a three year break to earn her doctorate in Renaissance Literature at the University of Michigan. During this time, she fostered much of the unique programming the College is proud to host today.

In 1985, Sister Jean began developing the Sampler, which included the work of talented students and writers. The publication replaced Visions and Revisions, a “simple, little homemade product,” which contained only literary works. With the assistance of the art department and later of English Professor Miriam Pederson, the Sampler has flourished and published unique poems, prose, and visual art.

Sister Jean also worked to foster the education of her students off campus. On multiple occasions, she accompanied her students to Shakespeare festivals in Stratford, Ontario, and particularly enjoyed assuming the student role in a course regarding all aspects of the 17th century during a summer study in Oxford. “That was a very enriching experience,” said Sister Jean.

In 1995, Sister Jean transitioned from a part-time teaching position to become the volunteer archivist for the College. She was also a founding member of the Aquinas College Historical Commission. The organization was charged with recording the history of Aquinas and keeping its Dominican heritage alive. At the suggestion of former president Norbert J. Hruby, Ph.D., the Commission produced “Historically Speaking,” a five volume oral history of Aquinas, based on interviews with former and present personnel. Through this and other events such as St. Thomas Aquinas Week activities, Sister Jean has worked to maintain the College’s rich heritage.

Now, as she continues her position as the College archivist, Sister Jean is proud to have dedicated her life’s work to an institution which provides consistent learning and fulfillment. “Aquinas College is a good place to give your life to,” she said. As a 1945 graduate accepting the 2011 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Sister Jean continues to uphold the Aquinas tradition. “I accept it, not only in my name but for all the Dominicans who have worked so hard for this college from the very beginning,” she said.