On May 2, 2023, Sister Mary Aquinas Weber, O.P. will celebrate her 100th birthday. Sister Aquinas
has lived a remarkable life full of achievements that have made her a pillar of not only the
Aquinas College community, but also the larger West Michigan community. Though humble
about her awards and titles, Sr. Aquinas has held leadership roles in the Dominican Sisters,
Aquinas College, the Eastown Community Association, and a number of local businesses and
organizations.
Sr. Aquinas was born in Kingsley, Michigan in 1923. After graduating high school and working in
a pharmaceutical company in Detroit, she chose to take her vows and became a Dominican
Sister. Sr. Aquinas then served as a teacher and principal at schools in East Grand
Rapids, New Salem, Bay City, and Taylor, Michigan before taking over the House of Studies at Marywood.
In 1966, at 43 years old she was elected Prioress of the Dominican Sisters, the youngest to
ever occupy the role. Sr. Aquinas led the Dominican Sisters through the changes of Vatican II.
She was the first Prioress to reject the title “mother superior,” instead continuing to be called
“sister.” More freedom of dress, travel, and occupation among the sisters were permitted for the
first time during Sr. Aquinas’ term as Prioress, which ended in 1972.
At 50, sent by President Norbert Hruby, Sr. Aquinas went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in
Urban Studies. President Hruby recognized that if Eastown continued to decline it would affect
Aquinas College. Sr. Aquinas joined a group of Aquinas faculty in the project which would
eventually become the Eastown Community Association. She was a fixture at Grand Rapids
City Commission meetings, advocating for improvements to Eastown.
At Aquinas College, Sr. Aquinas has occupied several roles. She served for a time as Vice
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, liaison between Eastown businesses and the College,
Director of the Emeritus College now known as OLLI, head of the Development department,
Chancellor, and finally Chancellor Emerita. Sr. Aquinas has retired five separate times, but
continues to return, insisting there is more that she can give. As Chancellor Emerita, Sr.
Aquinas can still occasionally be found in an office at Holmdene, personally calling donors. She
has served all nine presidents in the College’s history.
Sr. Aquinas has served on a long list of boards: the YMCA, Saint John’s Home, The Gleaners of
West Michigan, Porter Hills Presbyterian Village, The Hugh Michael Beahan Foundation, The
Porter Hills Foundation, the Salvation Army, The Hospice of Michigan – Greater Grand Rapids,
the Grand Rapids Housing Authority, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and she
was the first woman to serve on the board of Old Kent Bank and Trust Financial Corporation,
now known as 5/3rd Bank.
Her many awards include Notre Dame Club Honoree, the Jewish National Fund Tree of Life
Award, the Aquinas College Reflection Award, the Sr. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from Sisters
of Charity in Cincinnati, the National Kidney Foundation Galaxy Award, the Grand Rapids
Rotary Award, the Second Harvest Gleaners Food Bank Award, the Salvation Army Award, the
Porter Hills Foundation Award, the Hugh Michael Beahan Foundation Award, the Edward J.
Frey Sr. Distinguished Achievement Award from the Junior Achievement West Michigan
Business Hall of Fame, the President’s Award from the Association of Fundraising
Professionals, an Honorary Doctorate from Aquinas College, and the Slykhouse Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Economic Club of Grand Rapids.
Celebrate Sr. Aquinas:
May 3
7 to 8 p.m.
A musical performance will be held at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel at Aquinas College
featuring Dr. Alicia R Cordoba, DMA, president of Aquinas College who will be joined by faculty,
staff, students and alumni to celebrate the importance of our faith life and provide a moment of
reflection on the importance of Sr. Aquinas as a spiritual and artistic advocate. The performance
is open to the public.
Information copied from a release provided by Aquinas College
