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University of St. Thomas (UST), the only Catholic university in Houston, formally installed Dr. Sinda K. Vanderpool as the university\u2019s 10th president at a special Mass and installation ceremony on Friday, Nov. 21,\u00a02025\u00a0at the Co-Cathedral of the\u00a0Sacred\u00a0Heart in Houston,\u00a0Texas.\u00a0The Mass and ceremony\u00a0was\u00a0followed by a celebratory brunch\u00a0on the St. Thomas campus.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Inauguration Mass and Installation Ceremony was on the 203rd anniversary of the Basilian Fathers\u2019 founding in France. The alignment of these events underscores a moment of continuity and renewal, linking the Basilian legacy that shaped UST\u2019s past with the leadership that will guide its future.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMany ask me, \u2018What is your vision for UST?\u2019 And my short answer is to become a great Catholic university, known throughout the U.S.,\u00a0located\u00a0right in the heart of Houston,\u201d Dr. Vanderpool said on Friday. \u201cI do see clearly and have great confidence that the University of St. Thomas will become a vibrant campus where faculty and students gather for enriching intellectual conversations regularly; where the art that adorns our spaces and the books we read together foster a lasting and living love of learning and spurn a deeper commitment to love and serve others.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
In May 1945, the Most Reverend Christopher E. Byrne, DD, Bishop of Galveston, announced that a Catholic university, named after Doctor of the Church St. Thomas Aquinas, would open its doors to students in September 1947. Since its founding, UST has embraced the rich history of the Congregation of St. Basil, striving to live out its charisms of goodness, discipline, knowledge, and community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Most Reverend Joe\u00a0Va\u0301squez, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston\u00a0and UST Class of 1980, presided over Friday\u2019s installation Mass, and Dr. Vanderpool\u2019s family, including her children and granddaughter, were gift bearers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Dr. Vanderpool, who grew up in Houston and is UST\u2019s first female president, brings more than 20 years of leadership in Catholic and Christian higher education, having served as President and Vice-Chancellor of St. Mary\u2019s University in Calgary and previously at Baylor University. A scholar of French literature with a Ph.D. from Princeton University and a B.A. from Davidson College, her background complements this historic moment for the University.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During her first few months at UST, Dr. Vanderpool held a series of listening sessions, helping her to get to know her new community, from students to staff and faculty. She is leading efforts to strengthen the Catholic mission, expand academic excellence and broaden access and opportunity for all students \u2013 ushering the University into its next chapter with purpose and promise.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n In her remarks Friday, Dr. Vanderpool likened her role as University President to that of an orchestra conductor, with the whole community aligned for success. She outlined a \u201cmultipronged approach\u201d for UST that includes\u00a0building out\u00a0student housing, increasing community engagement and academic\u00a0excellence, and\u00a0continuing to win sports titles.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI celebrate the leaders who have come before me to lay the groundwork of dedication and sacrifice for the mission of this university,\u201d Dr. Vanderpool said. \u201cThank you for entrusting me with this next phase of leadership for the University of St. Thomas. I look to all of you for prayer, for your voice and for your sacrifice in the shared mission to meet the needs of all whom we serve \u2013 our students,\u00a0parents\u00a0and community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Archbishop J. Michael Miller opened the evening in prayerful gratitude for the mission of UST and Dr. Vanderpool\u2019s leadership. Board Chair Craig Jarchow gave a wonderful toast celebrating the future of UST and Dr. Vanderpool\u2019s aptitude to lead this community. Dr. Vanderpool also offered her gratitude for the confidence in her in leading the next phase of the University.\u00a0<\/p>\n On Thursday, the Allbritton Art Institute\u00a0Ribbon Cutting was the highlight of UST\u2019s Inauguration Week events celebrating Dr. Vanderpool. This special moment was the grand opening of the Allbritton Art Institute wing of Doherty Library, featuring a remarkable collection of 4,000 art history volumes. A delicious reception followed\u00a0in\u00a0the library lobby.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Attendees then enjoyed the Allbritton Art Institute Annual Lecture featuring Dr. Kimberly Jones, who presented on \u201cThe Radicality of Mary Cassatt.\u201d\u00a0Founded in 1997 by philanthropists Joe L. and Barbara Allbritton, the Allbritton Art Institute fosters the study and appreciation of art history, with a focus on impressionism and post-impressionism.\u00a0<\/p>\n James Piccininni, UST Dean of Libraries, said this collaboration is simply outstanding.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The community looks forward to embracing Dr. Vanderpool\u2019s\u00a0leadership in the coming\u00a0weeks,\u00a0and Dr. Vanderpool is ready to lead with humility.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI stand before you in deep humility seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in my endeavors as President of University of St. Thomas,\u201d she said in her address to the community following the inauguration. \u201cThank you once again for being here and for your confidence, for your prayers, and for your actions. Your presence is a gift. May God bless you and the greater UST community. \u2026 And may God bless the University of St. Thomas!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/800_boarddinner1.png\")
Other installation week events included a Presidential Picnic on Wednesday for the UST community\u00a0followed that evening by\u00a0a special dinner for Dr. Vanderpool hosted by the University of St. Thomas Board of Directors at La Colombe D\u2019or Hotel.<\/p>\n![\"Allbritton](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/800_ribboncutting_nov20-9.jpg\")
\u201cOur efforts to support education in the arts\u00a0have\u00a0been strengthened and enhanced with this collection. It is with gratitude that we announce the addition of this art book collection, knowing that there will be many students who will\u00a0benefit\u00a0from these resources, today, and for many years to come.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n