Sister Cecilia Anne Wanner, O.P. Appointed 13th President of Aquinas College

Nashville, TN – With the support of the Board of Directors and the General Council of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, Mother Anna Grace Neenan, O.P., Chair of the Board of Directors and Prioress General of St. Cecilia Congregation, has appointed Sister Cecilia Anne Wanner, O.P. as the 13^th President of Aquinas College.   

Having earned her post-baccalaureate teaching license at Aquinas College in 2006, Sister Cecilia Anne returned to the College this past August to serve on the faculty of the School of Education. Sister is currently completing her Ph.D. in Math Education at Middle Tennessee State University.  She received an M.A. in Thomistic Studies from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington D.C., as well as an M.S. in Science Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg.  Sister has taught at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels. She has also had administrative experiences at the secondary and collegiate levels, and she has worked in the advancement office for St. Cecilia Congregation. Sister Cecilia Anne has embraced this new challenge and is delighted to serve with the faculty and staff of Aquinas College.

 In 2017 Aquinas College reconfigured its programs to focus on the education, preparation and formation of teachers.  Aquinas College seeks to be a leader in the formation of educators who are sent forth to teach, preach, and witness to Truth and Charity for the salvation of souls and the transformation of culture.  Sister Cecilia Anne will continue the important work of the Strategic Plan, Sent to Witness, approved by the Board of Directors in the spring of 2018.  In addition to the Strategic Plan, the College faculty and staff are preparing for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaffirmation site visit in March of 2021. The College is also developing a local and national outreach to the Catholic Education community through the Centers for Catholic Education and Evangelization and Catechesis.   In her capacity as President of the College, Sister Cecilia Anne will continue to work with the Aquinas College community in furthering these efforts to support Catholic education and assist Catholic educators to grow and thrive in the vital mission of preaching the Gospel and teaching children and young people.

The Aquinas College community looks forward to celebrating its 60^th Anniversary in 2021 under the leadership of Sister Cecilia Anne Wanner.