About
Marcus R. Berquist was a founding tutor and key figure at Thomas Aquinas College, established in 1971. As a scholar deeply rooted in Aristotelian and Thomistic philosophy, he emphasized rigorous liberal arts education grounded in Catholic tradition. He taught philosophy at St. Mary’s College, Santa Clara University, and later became a full-time tutor at Thomas Aquinas College, where he helped shape its curriculum and intellectual direction. His academic focus centered on philosophy, theology, and classical education, reflecting his belief in the pursuit of wisdom as an inexhaustible endeavor.
Education: B.A. in Philosophy (College of St. Thomas, 1956), Licentiate in Philosophy (Université Laval, 1958). Though he pursued doctoral studies under Charles de Koninck, he never completed his dissertation. His scholarly legacy includes contributions to liberal education theory and the integration of faith with reason.
Research interests revolved around Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, and the application of philosophical principles to theological doctrines like the Assumption of Mary. Later in life, his work shifted toward theology, blending philosophical rigor with doctrinal exploration.
Awards: Co-recipient (with wife Laura Berquist) of the Paideia Prize for contributions to classical education. His intellectual influence extended beyond academia through his role as an adviser to Mother of Divine Grace School, a homeschooling program co-founded by his wife.
Labs/Teams: Co-founder of Thomas Aquinas College, collaborating with Dr. Ronald McArthur and Dr. John Neumayr to establish its unique discussion-based curriculum focused on the Great Books and Socratic dialogue.
