AMU Names Student Union for Bob Thomas
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Published on Tuesday, 16 December 2008 22:27
AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY NAMES STUDENT UNION BUILDING IN RECOGNITION OF $5 MILLION GIFT
Campus Center Named in Honor of Former Chairman of the Board, the late Robert Thomas
AVE MARIA, Fla. (December 12, 2008) – The Student Union Building on Ave Maria University’s (AMU) campus has been named the “Bob Thomas Student Union” in honor of former chairman of the board, Robert (Bob) Thomas, in recognition of his family’s gifts to the university in excess of $5 million. Following a Noon memorial Mass in the Oratory yesterday, members of the Thomas family joined representatives from AMU for a small dedication ceremony and unveiling of the new building signage.
The Bob Thomas Student Union is the second building on campus to be named, joining the Canizaro Library, which was named in August 2007 in recognition of a $5 million gift by Joseph and Sue Ellen Canizaro.
Thomas received an honorary doctorate from the university shortly before passing away in 2007. He was instrumental in the university’s development, succeeding founding chairman Thomas S. Monaghan in 2004, and serving as chair through 2006. Mr. Thomas has also held the positions of trustee at Franciscan University of Steubenville and chairman of the board of trustees at the University of Tampa. Aside from his involvement in education, Thomas was an accomplished businessman with an extensive history in agricultural facilities, industrial facilities and Port of Tampa development.
Thomas was known for his generosity and commitment to his Catholic faith. He founded the Joshua House, a shelter for abused and abandoned children in Hillsborough County. In addition to serving as chairman of the board of trustees at Ave Maria University, he was also a supporter of Jesuit High School, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Metropolitan Ministries, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Diving Providence Food Bank and New Life Dwelling Place. For ten years Thomas also produced a radio program, “Appreciating the Bible,” on WBVM-FM in Tampa, Fla.
“This is a fitting memorial to one of the most dedicated and generous Catholic layman in the United States,” said AMU President, Nicholas J. Healy, a long-time friend of Thomas.
The newly named Bob Thomas Student Union is the heart of Ave Maria University’s campus life. It houses not only the central dining rooms and kitchen, but also games room, chapel, multi-purpose rooms and student organization offices. The 64,833 square foot building features a two-story atrium as the central entry, which serves a place of casual social interaction for the entire university community.
