Eastown in Grand Rapids in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Aquinas College

Photographed By Nathan Bierma, June 3, 2022

1. Aquinas College Marker

Inscription.
Aquinas had its beginning in 1887 as the Novitiate Normal School of the Dominican Sisters of Marywood. In 1922 it became Marywood College of the Sacred Heart. When the college was moved downtown in 1931, it became the coeducational Catholic Junior College. It began operating as a four-year college in 1940 and was named in honor of the great medieval theologian and philosopher, Saint Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas is primarily a liberal arts college. It was moved to this campus, the former Lowe estate, in 1945.

Erected 1962 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number S235.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 42° 57.703′ N, 85° 37.763′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in Kent County. It is in Eastown. Marker is on White Pine Lane east of Honeysuckle Lane, on the left when traveling west. The marker is south of the main parking lot west of the main entrance to campus, across from the southeast corner of the athletic center. It stands about 300 feet southwest of the Thomas Aquinas statue at the main entrance. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1580 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids MI 49503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mathias Alten Home & Studio / Mathias Alten (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holmdene (about 600 feet away); Shrine of Our Lady War Dead Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boy Scout Troop 15 / Eagle Scout Gerald "Junior" Ford (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ramona Park (approx. 1.2 miles away); Central Reformed Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); Voigt House (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Castle (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.

Also see . . . Aquinas College (Michigan).

The Congregation of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), today commonly known as the "Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids", led by Mother Aquinata Fiegler, OP, founded the Novitiate Normal School in Traverse City, Michigan in 1886. The school's mission was to educate young women who had yet to make their vows in the Order (i.e., novices), to be parochial school teachers throughout Michigan. It trained and sent forth numerous sister teachers successfully. In 1911, the school was transferred to Grand Rapids, along with the motherhouse of the sisters,
Photographed By Nathan Bierma, June 3, 2022

2. Aquinas College Marker
pursuant to an invitation of the bishop of the young Diocese of Grand Rapids.

(Submitted on June 3, 2022, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan.)

Aquinas College Marker with the statue of Thomas Aquinas in the distance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Nathan Bierma, June 3, 2022

3. Aquinas College Marker with the statue of Thomas Aquinas in the distance

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2022, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 3, 2022, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.