By Lauren F. Carlson, '12

Published on

Valentine’s Day on the Aquinas campus is a community celebration designed to reflect on the joy of the winter holiday in the midst of snow shoveling and test preparation. Although this holiday is generally reserved for romance, members of the AQ community have developed numerous events which are sure to brighten any student’s dreary winter afternoon. From themed lunches to special deliveries, students will feel the love from their fellow students, faculty and staff on campus.

On the official holiday, AQ Dining Services will be dishing out divine additions to the already warm and friendly atmosphere in the Wege Cafeteria. A surf and turf menu, complete with crispy fried shrimp and succulent steak will be available, with red velvet cake and chocolate covered strawberries for desert. With this delectable menu, students and staff will enjoy the comfort of gourmet style food to couple the heartwarming holiday.

Brigid Avery, director of Alumni Relations, has designed a heartfelt welcome for alumni who either attended Aquinas with their sweethearts, or met their spouse during their four years on campus. Over 1,200 couples, notes Avery, owe their romantic bliss to their experience at Aquinas. Those couples have been invited to celebrate AQ Date Night, an evening including Spanish wine tasting, tapas and truffles, and a special keepsake.

Heather Hall, Director of Student Activities and Orientation, has put her Programming Board students to work seeking unique events for the on-campus community. In order to remove the anxiety from Valentine’s socializing, the organization will host an evening of speed-dating to ensure a lovely evening for single students. According to the Campus Life website, this event allows Programming Board to be the “best wing man on campus” and adds a casual, fun atmosphere for an official dating holiday.

Later in the week, students will have an opportunity to bring their newly found dates to a Love Actually film event complete with date night gift baskets. Campus Life is also hosting AQ I Love You, an opportunity for family members to order discounted Saints’ Squad apparel to send as a Valentine’s gift to their AQ student.

The Aquinas campus will be buzzing with exciting Valentine’s events designed to include all students whether romantically involved or blissfully single. This holiday, the qualms of Valentine’s naysayers will not go unheard, as the variety of programs at Aquinas demonstrates the College’s dedication to the love of their fellow man – or student – this February.