History in the making
News
Adelaide’s only Catholic tertiary residential college has its first female head, Sarah Moller.
Dr Moller’s appointment comes as Aquinas College celebrates its 75th anniversary year.
With a background in Catholic education, Dr Moller (pictured) joined the college in 2017 and has held leadership positions of academic director and vice rector. She also led the college in an interim capacity from late 2024 as acting rector while a competitive recruitment process was undertaken for the retitled head of college position.
Aquinas opened in 1950 in Montefiore House, formerly the home of chief justice Sir Samuel Way after the property was purchased by the Adelaide Archdiocese. Fr Cornelius Finn SJ, the founding rector, welcomed the first 19 students on March 8 1950.
Originally a men’s college, Aquinas became co-residential in 1975 and now offers 195 places for students attending the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia.
A Jesuit community lived at the college and provided the rectors until 2000. In 2006 the Archbishop of Adelaide invited the Marist Brothers to establish a community, and from 2014 to 2022 three Marist Brothers were rectors. In 2022 the governance of the college was assumed by Catholic Education SA and the first lay rector was appointed.
“With Sarah’s deep understanding of the college’s history and purpose and, acknowledging her work with alumni, we look forward to celebrating this milestone year with the College community past and present,” said CESA executive director Neil McGoran.
A practising visual artist, Dr Moller completed a Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Visual Arts, undertaking research for this qualification at Johannes Gutenburg University, Germany. She holds a post-graduate qualification in Education from the University of Adelaide, along with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Adelaide and a Bachelor of Visual Arts (First Class Honours) from Charles Darwin University.
Dr Moller said she had a “genuine love” of Aquinas College.
“Aquinas is a family, where all are included and all belong. At the centre of what we do is commu-nity: we know our students by name, we have hopes and expectations for them academically, personally and socially, and we hold them accountable,” she said.
“As an educator, I have found great fulfilment in being able to accompany students on their tertiary journey, watching them flourish as members of our unique educational community.
“I believe passionately in the mission of our College and the quality of the Aquinas experience; taking on leadership of this special family on a long-term basis is a blessing, an honour and a privilege.”
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