FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (March 10, 2025) – Thomas More University announces an affiliation with Covington Latin School following a unanimous vote of its board of trustees on March 6, 2025 that gives final approval for Covington Latin School to become a part of the university.

“This is a transformative step forward for Catholic education in Northern Kentucky,” says Thomas More University President Joseph L. Chillo, LP.D. “The affiliation unites the academic rigor and Catholic classical education Covington Latin School is known for with the resources of Thomas More University to enrich the mission and academic programs of Covington Latin and secure a thriving future for generations of students.”

The announcement follows a comprehensive, year-long assessment to define the benefits and processes of affiliation. The assessment was conducted by a team that includes members of the diocesan Curia and university leadership. Through townhall-style forums, surveys of alumni, parents, teachers and staff, and one-on-one meetings with stakeholders, the team has utilized feedback from the Covington Latin School community to create a strategic vision for the school as part of the university.

“True to its mission as a classical Catholic school for gifted learners, for over 100 years Covington Latin School has formed students to engage with the world thoughtfully and critically, fostering a sense of responsibility to contribute positively to society and the Church,” says Bishop John Iffert of the Diocese of Covington. “I am truly grateful to the Thomas More University Board of Trustees for its support of the affiliation and to Dr. Chillo and his team for continuing the Covington Latin School legacy of teaching ‘Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge.’ I am confident that Covington Latin School’s affiliation with Thomas More University will enhance its rigorous academic standards by providing access to advanced resources, faculty expertise and a broader academic community, while maintaining a deep commitment to the values of the Catholic faith.”

While plans for curriculum are still being fully formed, under the affiliation Covington Latin School students will be able to access Thomas More University courses as part of defined pathway programs and dual credit. This integrated approach will allow Covington Latin students to begin their college journey early and explore their academic interests.

“Knowing the success of university-affiliated schools in the United States, it is exciting for Thomas More to be the first instance of a private, nonprofit university in the Commonwealth to undertake this model,” Chillo says. “It is yet another demonstration of the innovative mindset that is shaping the future of Thomas More University as the regional leader in Catholic higher education.”

Thomas More University and Covington Latin School share close ties and histories. In its early decades as Villa Madonna College, Thomas More University was located in close proximity to Covington Latin School in Covington, Kentucky, and remains deeply rooted in the Diocese of Covington as one of just 12 diocesan universities in the United States. Thomas More and Covington Latin also share a notable network of alumni known for their values-driven leadership and excellence in their respective fields.

Donald Saelinger, M.D., serves as chair of the University Advancement & Outreach Committee of the Thomas More Board of Trustees. Reflecting on this affiliation, he notes, “As an alumnus of both Covington Latin School and Thomas More University, I am excited about the academic and co-curricular opportunities this affiliation poses for Catholic education and for gifted learning in the region. Both institutions were formative in my education and had a tremendous impact on my life and career. This partnership ensures that legacy lives on under one umbrella.”

A list of responses to frequently asked questions for Covington Latin families is available here. More information about the affiliation will be released as it becomes available.

About Thomas More University

Founded in 1921, Thomas More University stands as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation, challenging students to Make It More. Deeply rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, this timeless foundation supports a transformative educational experience as students looking to Be More are guided in the pursuit of knowledge, ethical leadership, and the integration of faith and reason. Through the high-quality, liberal arts education provided at Thomas More, students examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their responsibility to others which leads to the ability to think critically and contribute meaningfully to the world. Serving more than 2,300 students, Thomas More takes its place as the premier Catholic university in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, being named one of the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal. For more, visit thomasmore.edu.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Kristen Gallagher, director of communications & PR, [email protected], 859-344-3309