St. Thomas University

St. Thomas University (STU) is a Catholic, English-language liberal arts university located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Primarily an undergraduate institution with about 1,900 students, STU offers bachelor's degrees in arts, education, social work, and applied arts, with majors in criminology, journalism, human rights, and communications and public policy. Known for its focus on social justice and liberal arts, it maintains small class sizes (average 30, max 60). STU's origins trace back to St. Michael’s Academy, founded in 1860 in Chatham, later becoming St. Thomas College in 1910 under the Basilian Fathers. It gained degree-granting status in 1934 and became a university in 1960. In 1964, STU relocated to Fredericton, sharing facilities with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) but remaining academically and financially independent. The campus was designed in the Neo-Georgian style to complement UNB's architecture. STU maintains a strong academic partnership with UNB, allowing students to cross-register for select courses while enjoying access to shared facilities. The university also hosts the Frank McKenna Centre for Communications and Public Policy and emphasizes Indigenous land acknowledgments. Notable alumni include Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and several Canadian politicians and Rhodes Scholars. STU’s academic model and institutional history reflect its dedication to accessible liberal arts education, religious heritage, and community development.