La Riviere Society plans to fund at least four $2k scholarships to deserving students as they enter their Aquinas senior year. Plan is to also fund an annual $1k Excellence in Teaching Award.

Fr. La Riviere taught at Aquinas from 1959 to 1969 and looking back many students say he was an inspirational catalyst, guiding students in growth and maturity. His students look back with gratitude for the ability to think critically and to express themselves with confident voices. He was a towering presence, with a piercing gaze and hearty laughter. His individual attention particularly became a force in students' lives with a strict disciplined approach to learning and individual student accountability. His example shows how any one of us can make a positive impact on many, many others, improving the world greatly one person at a time.

Selection criteria:
La Riviere scholars should be:

• a SOLID CITIZEN... a displays an admired civic integrity...a courteous and honorable community citizen
• an AVID LEARNER...a student who strives within their individual ability for personal academic achievement
• a MORAL MODEL...has a character that is seen by others as a model of personal ethical values.

These attributes supersede traditional measurement benchmarks of grade point average, academy tracks, student body elected office, athletic success, and financial need. The primary selection characteristic is CHARACTER.

IMPORTANT: While the selection of the La Riviere Scholar is independent of financial need, a scholar's family background and socioeconomic obstacles, and efforts and success at overcoming those obstacles can also be considered.

Selection Process...

The Principal will serve as Chair of a Selection Committee with the President and two Assistant Principals and an ex-officio Aquinas Alum ’59-’69 who was taught by Father La Riviere (when feasible) who come together to review a 1500 word essay on "Reflections on “What makes a great teacher?” using the information from this website (see about and memories), and their own learning experiences.

Selectee Recognition

La Riviere Scholars will be recognized with:

• announcement and or presentation at the annual Spring Scholarship Dinner
• announcement in the Aquinas Alumni news (picture with President, Principal, Chuck Street and Chuck at the La Riviere Grotto)
• recognition at the Annual Aquinas Academic Awards ceremony
• publication on this LaRiviere Society web site, Scholarsips page.

Want to contribute?

We'd be happy to have you join & Contribute to LRS Annual Scholarships and Endowment Fund.

If this leaves you with questions, please email info@larivieresociety.org for more information.