The Claritas Initiative
Beauty, goodness, and truth are described in Catholic intellectual tradition as “transcendentals,” or properties of reality at its very roots. According to this way of thinking, beauty, goodness, and truth “transcend” particular things, and they pertain to everything that exists.
President Rob Vischer spoke about these values during his when he announced a new initiative to invite all ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó community members to “experience the many ways in which truth, beauty, and goodness are lived out each day across our campus.”
Through its wide-ranging and interdisciplinary programming, the Claritas Initiative seeks to both reclaim and illuminate insights regarding beauty, goodness, and truth and, in doing so, reframe the education of students at ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó.
Upcoming Events
Our discussions, performances and experiences are designed to help community members explore ways that all of us in our unique roles can nurture beauty, goodness and truth.
Hoedeman Gallery of Sacred Art
Iversen Center for Faith
Daily, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m
The Hoedeman Gallery of Sacred Art is currently featuring "Beuronese - Icons of Revival" by artist Nicholas Markell. Inspired by the liturgical art of Benedictine monks from 19th century Germany, Markell's art reflects a union of the Material/Spiritual, Earthly/Heavenly, and Natural/Supernatural. Admission is free, and all tours are self-guided.
"Work and the Good Life" Speaker Series Event #1
Anderson Student Center, Room 340 (Iverson Hearth Room)
September 15th, 5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Quentin Moore, ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó alum and vice president of advancement at Ascension Catholic Academy, will speak about meaningful work and life beyond the student experience. The Melrose & The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership invites all to this free event.
"Organ Spectacular"
Chapel of ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó Aquinas
Sept. 28th, 3:00 p.m.
Renowned for her virtuosity and stylistic mastery, international concert organist Lynne Davis opens the 2025-26 Chapel Arts Series with profound music by Alain, Demessiux, Durufle, Frank, and beyond.
Every Chapel Arts Series event is free, open to the public, and followed by a reception held in the Hoedeman Gallery fo Sacred Art.
"Work and the Good Life" Speaker Series Event #2
Anderson Student Center, Room 340 (Iverson Hearth Room)
October 6th, 5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Erica Neubert Campbell, chief development officer of Second Harvest Heartland, will speak about meaningful work and life beyond the student experience. The Melrose & The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership invites all to this free event.
"The Terrain of Relationship"
O'Shaughnessy Educational Center Auditorium
October 8th, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
What gets lost when democratic societies attend to questions of the good only as personal preferences or electoral choices? In this inaugural event in the Selim Center's "Good Society" series, President Rob Vischer will reflect on the challenges to consider why a good society must cultivate "relational space," a place of encounter where individuals develop and practice their values through engagement with one another. (and is free to ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó faculty, staff, & students with a UST ID).
"A Tour of Nations"
Chapel of ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó Aquinas
October 16th, 7:00 p.m.
ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó guitar professors Jared Waln and Jeffrey Thygeson offer an eclectic program featuring music spanning the globe and stylistic genres including classical, jazz, film music, and more.
Every Chapel Arts Series event is free, open to the public, and followed by a reception held in the Hoedeman Gallery fo Sacred Art.
"Work and the Good Life" Speaker Series Event #3
Anderson Student Center, Room 340 (Iverson Hearth Room)
October 27th, 5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Galon Miller, president and CEO of Cyber Intelligence Cyber Security, LLC, will speak about meaningful work and life beyond the student experience. The Melrose & The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership invites all to this free event.
"Twin Cities Virtuosi"
Chapel of ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó Aquinas
November 13th, 7:00 p.m.
David Brubaker, first violinist of the Minnesota Orchestra, collaborates with pianist Miryana Moteva and organist Jacob Benda for an autumn evening of violin sonatas and virtuosic variations.
Every Chapel Arts Series event is free, open to the public, and followed by a reception held in the Hoedeman Gallery fo Sacred Art.
"Sixty Years of Challenge and Hope: The Future of Jewish-Catholic Relations"
Woulfe Alumni Hall, Anderson Student Center
November 5th, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Drawing on his lifelong commitment to interfaith dialogue - and his close friendship with Pope Francis - Rabbi Abraham Skorka will reflect on significant progress and achievements as well as remaining obstacles and challenges as they relate to building bridges between faith communities. Free and open to the public.
"Luminous Night of the Soul"
Chapel of ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó Aquinas
December 11th, 7:00 p.m.
Conductor Patrick Schneider and the Cathedral Choir of the Basilica of St. Mary join ÄÐÈ˲ؾ«¸ó faculty Jacob Benda and Allison Ostrander for a performance inspired by the seasons of Advent and winter.
Every Chapel Arts Series event is free, open to the public, and followed by a reception.
About the Claritas Initiative
The Claritas Initiative cultivates appreciation of beauty, goodness, and truth with the aim of re-framing and enriching the educational experience of our students, and the professional lives of our faculty and staff.
About the Name
Why Claritas?
Thomas Aquinas uses the Latin term claritas in his theory of beauty. To Aquinas, beautiful things have claritas, which translates most straightforwardly as "clarity," but which also involves a certain luminosity, a shining quality. Things that are beautiful radiate something enthralling to the observer. The term claritas thus captures a potent, multifaceted aspect of beauty in Aquinas’ thought.
Claritas Initiative Partners
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CARA ANTHONY
Professor of Theology and Fellow with the Office for Mission -
JACOB BENDA
Director of Music, Liturgy & Sacred Arts at the Chapel of Saint Thomas Aquinas; Faculty Member in Music -
BERNIE BRADY
Professor of Theology; Associate Director, Office for Mission -
GRETCHEN BURAU
Director, American Museum of Asmat Art -
FR. CHRISTOPHER COLLINS
Vice President for Mission -
MARIA DAHMUS
Director, Office of Sustainability Initiatives -
HEIDI GIEBEL
Professor of Philosophy -
HANS GUSTAFSON
Director, Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies; Faculty Member in Theology -
MANUELA HILL-MUNOZ
Director of Student Development Strategy; Co-Director of the First-Year Experience -
BILLY JUNKER
Catholic Studies Associate Professor; Director of the CSMA Program -
JOANNA KLEIN
Assistant Professor of Biology -
CHRISTOPHER MICHAELSON
Director of the Melrose Toro Center; Professor of Ethics and Business Law -
EA PORTER
Program Manager, School of Education -
DAVID WILLIARD
Director of the Selim Center; Professor of History -
KHA YANG
Associate Vice President; Inclusive Excellence
Beauty transports us out of ourselves and leads us to engage the world, goodness inspires us to reach our highest aspirations and truth provides shared understanding for our lives together.
Seed funding for the Claritas Initiative was generously provided by the .