![Students walk through the Arches during the senior class March Out of the Arches.](/_media-library/_images/about/1920x1080/stthomas-students-walk-through-arches.jpg)
About St. Thomas
How far you go depends on where you go
The »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ is the largest private university in Minnesota and one of the largest Catholic »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵs or universities in the nation, with more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students at our eight schools and »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵs.
We are ranked as a "Top National University" and "Best Value »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ" by U.S. News & World Report, and are in the top 25 in The Princeton Review's list of "Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Programs", thanks to the .
Our founding was inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, a 2,000-year-old practice of uniting faith and reason to explore the world. Rooted in this Catholic identity, we are committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I); our convictions call us to protect and enhance the dignity of every human and to work for a more just and equitable society. At the »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ, we develop future leaders of all faiths looking to make a positive impact on the world.
Who, What & Where
![Banners with mission statements hang on campus lightpoles](/_media-library/_images/about/770x770/stthomas-banners-mission-statements.jpg)
Mission, Convictions and Heritage
![Hunter Santos speaks to a group at the grand opening celebration of the Intercultural Center.](/_media-library/_images/about/1200x800/stthomas-intercultural-center-santos.jpg)
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
![Composite image of the Bernardi, St. Paul, and Minneapolis St. Thomas campuses.](/_media-library/_images/about/1920x1080/stthomas-campuses-composite.jpg)
Our Campuses
History/Our Founder John Ireland 
![Archbishop John Ireland posing for a photo.](/_media-library/_images/about/1200x800/stthomas-archbishop-john-ireland.jpg)
![A typewriting class being held a the University of St Thomas.](/_media-library/_images/about/1200x800/stthomas-typing-class.jpg)
![View of the Interior of the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas on the grounds of the College of St. Thomas, 1945.](/_media-library/_images/about/1200x800/stthomas-aquinas-1945.jpg)
![A historic photo with the first ever female graduates at St Thomas.](/_media-library/_images/about/1200x800/stthomas-first-women-graduates.jpg)
![Students holding signs protesting the proposed name of the University.](/_media-library/_images/about/1200x800/university-of-stthomas-sign.jpg)
![Work being performed on the clock tower of Terrence Murphy Hall.](/_media-library/_images/about/1200x800/stthomas-terrence-murphy-hall-clock.jpg)
Our Beginnings
1910: Growth of a College
1946: Welcome Veterans
1977: Becoming Coeducational
St. Thomas became coeducational in the fall of 1977, enrolling its first 211 women undergraduates.
1990s: From College to University
1992: A Minneapolis Campus
![president vischer smiles while standing in regalia](/_media-library/_images/president/president-vischer-robes-flag.jpg)
Office of the President
The President is responsible for the direction of the University, and believes our mission compels us to cultivate three values: the true, the beautiful and the good.