Undergraduate Catalog

Facilities

Chapels

Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas

The present Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas was built in 1917. E.L. Masqueray, who also designed the St. Paul Cathedral and the Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis, was the architect. The university’s chapel is an excellent example of the classicized mode of design that emanated from the Ecole des Beaux Arts during the early years of the twentieth century.

The luminous stained glass, designed by Chester Leighton of Minneapolis, and the paintings containing sacred and secular details by Joseph Capecchi and Carl Olson, were installed in the 1940s. The chapel was renovated in 1978 and in 1987, a three-manual 56-rank mechanical action pipe organ, designed and built by Gabriel Kney of London, Ontario, was installed.

The Chapel was renovated again in 2008 by designers Alexander Tylevich and Fr. James Notebaart with the addition of an 11-ft-tall altar crucifix, sanctuary gates, a new altar and ambo. 

The Chapel underwent a renovation the summer of 2019 to improve the lighting, replace the pews, and add air-conditioning.

Florance Chapel

The Florance Chapel is the lower chapel in the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. An award-winning design in its renovation, it incorporates modern furnishings in the prairie school style of Frank Lloyd Wright along with some of the oldest sacred sculptural artwork owned by the university.

St. Mary’s Chapel

St. Mary’s Chapel of The Saint Paul Seminary was begun in 1901 and consecrated in 1905. Designed by Minnesota architect Clarence H. Johnston in the basilica style, it blends Romanesque and Byzantine architecture. Artist Bancel LaFarge of New Haven, Connecticut, completed the installation of the stained glass and murals in the 1930s.

The chapel was renovated in 1973, and more extensively in 1988. This project was undertaken with the assistance of liturgical consultant Frank Kacmarcik. A new sanctuary area was created in the north end of the chapel allowing the apse area to become the environment of the baptismal font and new access to the chapel.

In the spring of 2000 a two-manual, 27-rank mechanical action pipe organ designed by Noack Organ Company of Georgetown, Massachusetts, was installed.

St. John Vianney Chapel

The university seminary chapel was redesigned in 1998 by the Rev. Peter Christensen, the rector at that time. The theme of the chapel is “The Tree of Life.” The chapel, an adjoining Eucharistic chapel, and an adjacent prayer room, replicating a medieval monastic cloister, are open for anyone wishing to use them. The seminary has become a focal point for contemporary religious art, including the iconic triptych in the foyer and the mosaic behind the altar.

A small one-manual Van Daalen organ was moved to the chapel in 2000.

Albertus Magnus Chapel - Sitzmann Hall

The Albertus Magnus Chapel, located in Sitzmann Hall-Catholic Studies Building, is dedicated to Saint Albertthe Great, the Dominican philosopher, theologian, scientist and later bishop who was the teacher of Saint Thomas Aquinas. The Chapel incorporates stained glass windows from a closed parish outside of Boston.  The windows depict four saints: Augustine, John the Baptist, Joan of Arc, and Louis, King of France.  The chapel contains statues of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Albert the Great as well as relics of Saints Augustine, Monica and Thomas More; Philip Neri, Blessed John Henry Newman and Dominic Barberi; Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas; Elizabeth Ann Seton and John Neuman.

St. Thomas More Chapel

Located in the School of Law on the Minneapolis campus, the two-story St. Thomas More Chapel features colored art-glass windows, seating for more than 100 and a striking bronze crucifix. A meditation room overlooking the chapel on the second floor provides a quiet respite and a place for reflection.

In the summer of 2019, a two-manual Van Daalen pipe organ was installed in the chapel.

University Libraries

The University Libraries warmly welcome all St. Thomas students, faculty, and staff to use our collections, spaces, services, and resources. 

Collections

In our effort to meet the needs of today’s researcher, the University of St. Thomas libraries now provide anytime/anywhere access to 383 databases that include 400,000 online books, 58,000 online journals , and more than 77,000 streaming audio and video titles. In visiting our libraries, you can still find more than 700,000 volumes to meet your needs, or you can use our  Interlibrary loan service to borrow materials from libraries around the nation and the world , which often includes overnight service through our special relationship with CLIC (a network of Twin Cities private academic libraries) and MINITEX (the University of Minnesota + 200 other regional libraries). 

Library Services

Library staff offer a wide range of services to support coursework and research for all members of the University of St. Thomas community, including research help both in person and via chat and email.  Subject librarians teach classes and are available for one-on-one consultations on research strategies that address your specific projects or assignments.  Collaborative study spaces are available throughout the libraries, some of which can be booked online.

O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library

The O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library Center is the principal library on the main campus with the largest collection of books, journals, and media.  It also has a coffee shop, comfortable seating, quiet study spaces, and spaces for group work. Throughout the year, you will find a variety of events taking place at this library including book readings, lectures, exhibits, concerts, therapy pets, and more! This library also houses the university Archives and Special Collections. In it, you will find treasures such as the Celtic Collection, one of the most outstanding collections of its type in this country, and a notable collection of the work of Hilaire Belloc and G.K. Chesterton. 

Charles J. Keffer Library

The Charles J. Keffer Library, located in Opus Hall on the Minneapolis campus, serves the School of Education, School of Counseling Psychology, the Opus College of Business, and the Dougherty Family College, as well as the variety of centers, institutes based in Minneapolis. Students of the School of Law are served by the Schoenecker Law Library on the Minneapolis campus.

Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library

The Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library, located on the south campus, is the graduate theological library.  It serves seminarians and lay students in graduate and continuing education programs, as well as UST undergraduates and archdiocesan parish professionals. The Ireland Library collection is highly regarded by theological scholars.

Website: St. Thomas Libraries 

Computing Resources

The University offers a wide variety of computing resources for students including use of public computers, printers, scanners, Microsoft Office on personal devices, software, and access to the St. Thomas network.  

Public computer labs are provided to students for coursework or personal use in our libraries located on the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses. These general-purpose computer labs are furnished with both PC and Macintosh computers and offer printing services.  Specialized departmental labs are available to students who are enrolled in classes within that discipline or working on course specific assignments. The majority of residence halls on campus also offer computer labs that are open to St. Thomas students who live in the residence halls.

In addition, support for research, writing, information literacy, and computer application is available at the Information Commons in O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library on the St. Paul Campus to assist students in developing papers, presentations, and projects.

More information on technology-related services for students are available on the Innovation & Technology Services (ITS) website.

The Luann Dummer Center for Women

The Luann Dummer Center for Women was established in 1993 by a special bequest from the estate of Dr. Luann Dummer, longtime member of the Department of English and founding director of the Women’s Studies Program at the university. The center addresses the needs and aspirations of women through educational programs, activities, and resources that are available to all students, faculty, and staff at St. Thomas. These services foster the intellectual, spiritual, and personal development of women and promote an inclusive and equitable campus environment.

The center serves as a meeting place for women and allies where they can share their expertise and experience. Located in the O’Shaughnessy Educational Center, at the crossroads of campus activity, it offers a supportive environment for women on campus where issues of equity and diversity can be explored by the entire university community in a spirit of respect and understanding. The center sponsors many co-curricular programs related to women and gender, including its annual Women’s History Month lecture by an acclaimed speaker. The center also offers a number of grants to support students, faculty and staff. The center collaborates with the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program (WGSS) and the University Advocates for Women and Equity (UAWE).

Science and Engineering Facilities

The Frey Science and Engineering Center, comprising the O’Shaughnessy Science Hall and the Owens Science Hall, houses the classrooms, instructional and research labs, and faculty/staffc offices for the departments of biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, mathematics, Center for Applied Mathematics, physics, and quantitative methods and computer science. It also houses special support facilities such as an attached greenhouse and one-third of the university’s computer terminals.

Science and Engineering Facilities

Auditoriums

The O’Shaughnessy Educational Center (OEC) auditorium has 330 seats on the main level and 292 seats in the balcony level and hosts a number of guest lectures, teleconferences, and student assemblies.

The auditorium in the John R. Roach Center (room 126 JRC) has 194 seats and contains state-of-the-art technology. It is used for course lectures, meetings, conferences and is the site for many student activities including film viewings.

The Baumgaertner Auditorium in Brady Educational Center (BEC), located on the south campus, has 348 seats and is used for musical performances and community events. Musical concerts are also presented in the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel.

The 3M Auditorium, located in Owens Hall of the Frey Science and Engineering Center, has 143 seats, is technologically advanced, and hosts a number of course lectures, teleconferences, and community events.

The Thornton Auditorium, located in the 1000 LaSalle Building at the Minneapolis campus, serves as the site for a number of lectures and presentations. 

Athletic Facilities

The athletic facilities at the university provide opportunities for student participation in a variety of varsity, intramural and recreational sports and activities.

The Lee and Penny Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex (AARC) includes venues for basketball, volleyball, running, swimming, tennis, weight and aerobic training and many other recreational activities. Locker rooms and other support areas are also located in this facility.

A six lane, 200 meter track is the focus of the field house which supports varsity track and tennis activities and provides recreational space for the university community.

Schoenecker Arena seats 2000 and accommodates varsity and recreational volleyball and basketball sports and activities.

The AARC also includes an eight lane swimming/diving pool for varsity and recreational activities.

State of the art weight and aerobic training equipment and facilities are included in this complex.

The McCarthy Gym, located on the South Campus, offers 2 collegiate gyms, weight and cardio equipment, racquetball/handball courts, and locker space for additional varsity, intramural, club and recreational activities of the campus community.

Outdoor facilities include the O’Shaughnessy Stadium (football, track and field, intramural and recreational activities), the North Field (baseball and track) and the South Field (fastpitch softball and soccer). 

Anderson Student Center

The 225,000 square foot Anderson Student Center officially opened in January 2012. Highlights of the student center include:

  • A three-story atrium with a spiral staircase connecting all four levels. Adjoining the atrium is a large open area which serves as a “living room” for the St. Thomas community. There are 9 flat panel screens located in this area that broadcast digital signage.
  • Dining facilities include T’s which has a variety of made-to-order and grab-and-go options; the View, named for fantastic views of Palmer Field, O’Shaughnessy Stadium and the Lower Quad. Students may select from fresh, local and sustainable product to be prepared right in front of them by one of St. Thomas' talented chefs.
  • Scooters - 6,900 square feet of recreational space including a pool table, air hockey, bubble hockey, gaming tables, and a 1500 square foot dance floor. 
  • Lower level gaming area - this recreational facility includes flat screens with gaming consoles (Wii U, Xbox one, Playstation 4) and table tennis tables.
  • create[space] – A student, faculty, and staff driven hub of creativity and innovation. The space features 3D printers, vinyl cutters, laser cutters, sewing machines, and more. 
  • Eleven meeting rooms.
  • Art Gallery
  • Tommie Central - the university's main information desk and switchboard operations.
  • Woulfe Alumni Hall - 9,600 square foot multi-purpose room for banquets, concerts, etc. Lounge of 2,900 square feet of space with soft seating furniture and a baby grand piano.
  • Hearth room - fireplace.
  • Leadership Center - 6,000 square feet of student collaborative work space. Offices for Undergraduate Student Government, STAR, DAB, Tommies Together Volunteer Center.
  • Bowling - 4 bowling lanes, pinball, and skeeball.
  • Dance - 3,000 square feet with front stage area. Dance floor of 960 square feet. 
  • Summit Market Place - convenience store and food emporium.
  • Tommie Shop - retail store. 
  • The Loft - specialty coffee drinks and smoothies.

University Bookstores

The St. Paul campus Bookstore is located in the Murray-Herrick Campus Center. The store sells or rents new and used textbooks.  We also offer a large selection of eBooks.  The bookstore also offers a complete line of school and office supplies,  computer supplies, St Thomas clothing and gifts, candy, class rings, cards, and gifts.

The Minneapolis campus Bookstore, located in Terence Murphy Hall, sells and rents new and used textbooks for classes taught on that campus and most off-campus graduate classes. It also carries all of the same items mentioned above.

Check out the Tommie Shop in the Anderson Student Center. The Tommie Shop carries all the latest styles and best sellers in clothing and gifts.

Visit our Website at https://tommiebooks.stthomas.edu for hours of operation or to shop 24 hours a day