Spotlight

Year: Junior
Major: Biology and Catholic Studies
Hometown: Elk River,MN
High School: Elk River High School

Organizations or activities: St. Thomas Knights of Columbus, Nordic Ski Club, Chamber Singers, Catholic Studies Leadership Intern, Cantor and Hospitality Minister (at St. Thomas Chapel).

What do you like to do in your spare time? Playing piano, cross country skiing, reading, baseball.

Anticipated career after college: I am undecided.... possibly a high school teacher in science or the humanities. Or I may work with a bioethics non-profit.

Why did you come to UST?
I chose to come to UST primarily because of the Catholic Studies Program. During my senior year in high school I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in, but I figured that whatever I did, Catholic Studies could make a good second major, and would keep me ever focused on Christ. Also, Catholic Studies’ Rome program was something I really wanted to take advantage of.

What does it mean to you to be selected as an Aquinas Fellow?
I see this fellowship as both an affirmation and a challenge. On the one hand, it affirms that I’ve been mindful of my vocation in the past, prayerfully trying to discern God’s will in my life. But it also beckons me forward, reminding me to never forget to listen to His call, and to continually turn to Him for help amidst the evil we must face in our daily life.

What has been your most valuable experience at UST?
I would say that Eucharistic Adoration here on campus has been one of the most important elements of my growth over the past two years. Regular adoration, even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes, helps me practice centering my thoughts on God, making it easier to stay focused on doing his will all the day long. It also increases my awareness of Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist.

How will being an Aquinas Fellow help you discern and work towards your vocation?
On a very practical level, this fellowship is helping me to pay for college, and that in itself is a huge help in discerning my vocation. A vocation is a calling, and on a very fundamental level we are all called first and foremost to be followers of Christ. My classes here at UST, specifically my Catholic Studies classes, help me to learn more about the person of Christ and the true nature of man, which helps in the pursuit of a virtuous, Catholic life.

What advice would you give a student about discerning their vocation?
I know that it’s said very often, but I think it’s very true; make time for regular prayer! If we really believe that the Church teaches truth and that God wants us to spend eternity with him in heaven, then our whole life should be directed towards that end. This doesn’t mean that everyone needs to pursue a specific religious vocation (like the priesthood), but it does mean that we need to keep God in mind with every decision we make. Regular prayer, even 10 minutes a day, trains our minds to do this.

Aquinas Fellowship Recipients
VIEW OTHER SPOTLIGHTS	Gregory Crane Aquinas Fellow
	Year: Junior Major: Biology and Catholic Studies Hometown: Elk River,MN High School: Elk River High School Organizations or activities: St. Thomas Knights of Columbus, Nordic Ski Club, Chamber Singers, Catholic Studies Leadership Intern, Cantor and Hospitality Minister (at St. Thomas Chapel). What do you like to do in your spare time? Playing piano, cross country skiing, reading, baseball. Anticipated career after college: I am undecided.... possibly a high school teacher in science or the humanities. Or I may work with a bioethics non-profit. Why did you come to UST? I chose to come to UST primarily because of the Catholic Studies Program. During my senior year in high school I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in, but I figured that whatever I did, Catholic Studies could make a good second major, and would keep me ever focused on Christ. Also, Catholic Studies’ Rome program was something I really wanted to take advantage of. What does it mean to you to be selected as an Aquinas Fellow? I see this fellowship as both an affirmation and a challenge. On the one hand, it affirms that I’ve been mindful of my vocation in the past, prayerfully trying to discern God’s will in my life. But it also beckons me forward, reminding me to never forget to listen to His call, and to continually turn to Him for help amidst the evil we must face in our daily life. What has been your most valuable experience at UST? I would say that Eucharistic Adoration here on campus has been one of the most important elements of my growth over the past two years. Regular adoration, even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes, helps me practice centering my thoughts on God, making it easier to stay focused on doing his will all the day long. It also increases my awareness of Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist. How will being an Aquinas Fellow help you discern and work towards your vocation? On a very practical level, this fellowship is helping me to pay for college, and that in itself is a huge help in discerning my vocation. A vocation is a calling, and on a very fundamental level we are all called first and foremost to be followers of Christ. My classes here at UST, specifically my Catholic Studies classes, help me to learn more about the person of Christ and the true nature of man, which helps in the pursuit of a virtuous, Catholic life. What advice would you give a student about discerning their vocation? I know that it’s said very often, but I think it’s very true; make time for regular prayer! If we really believe that the Church teaches truth and that God wants us to spend eternity with him in heaven, then our whole life should be directed towards that end. This doesn’t mean that everyone needs to pursue a specific religious vocation (like the priesthood), but it does mean that we need to keep God in mind with every decision we make. Regular prayer, even 10 minutes a day, trains our minds to do this.