St. Thomas College, Thrissur

St. Thomas College, Thrissur is located in Thrissur City, the Cultural Capital of Kerala State, India. Founded by Fr. Medleycott in the early-20th century, this college played a very important role in the development of Kerala. It gave birth to the thoughts of the communist leader and Kerala's first chief minister E.M.S Namboodiripadu. His government was the World's first communist government which was elected to power in a democratic manner. Kerala's education minister Prof. Joseph Mundassery was a professor of St. Thomas College, Thrissur; it was he who brought the revolutionary Education bill which is thought to have transformed the face of Kerala.

St. Thomas College, Thrissur is the first Roman Catholic college in Kerala, India. It is conducted by the Arch Diocese of Trichur. It was found by the Rt. Rev. Dr. John Menachery, the Bishop and Vicar Apostolic of Trichur in April 1919 for the service of the people in the field of higher education. The stated objective are not only intellectual excellence and imparting of skills but mainly formation of good citizens of character and ability, committed to the service of their fellow man.

The vision is enshrined in the motto: "Veritas Vos Liberabit"- the truth will set you free. The objectives are intended to be achieved not only through instruction, but also the general atmosphere of the college and the personality, character, disposition, example, motivation and dedication of all persons involved.Fr.John Pullokaran was the first Principal of St.Thomas college.

Academic courses

The college offers graduate, postgraduate and Ph.D.-level courses in a wide range of subjects. There are sixteen teaching departments (including the three research departments and the nine postgraduate departments) that encompassed 140 teachers.
*Languages
**Department of English
**Department of Malayalam
**Department of Sanskrit
**Department of Hindi
*Humanities
**Department of History
**Department of Political Science
*Social Sciences
**Department of Economics
**Department of Commerce
*Mathematical Sciences
**Department of Mathematics
**Department of Statistics
*Physical Sciences
**Department of Physics
**Department of Chemistry
*Natural Sciences
**Department of Botany
**Department of Zoology
**Department of Physical Education
**Department of Computer Science

Department of Physics

The Department of Physics was started in 1922 within three years of the establishment of the college itself. In 1951 a B.A Degree in Physics was started (later changed to BSc) was started with the affiliation of the Madras University. In 1961 MSc Physics (of Kerala University) was started which was a rare course in those days (one among four colleges in Kerala then). This Department offers Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Physics.

Notable alumni

*EMS Namboodiripad
*Francis Lazar, CEO, Absolute Infotech Ltd., Bangalore
*Mathai Manjooran
*C. Achutha Menon
*V.M. Sudheeran
*Hon'ble Sri. Justice P. R. Raman
*Dr. Mar Aprem Metropolitan, Formerly George David Mooken.
*Bishop Dr. Paulose Mar Paulose
*Prof. George Menachery – Historian.
*M.P. Parameshwaran - Scientist turned social activist.
*Ousepachan (Malayalam musician).
*Shimju David (Chief Executive Officer, Emax Software).

Gleanings from the College Chronicle

*1889 - St. Thomas School (even then called college) opened by The Vicar Apostolic of Trichur, Rt. Rev Dr. Adolphus Edwin Medlycott.
*1893 - Incomplete high school.
*1895 - Rev Fr. John Menachery appointed the Vicar Apostolic of Trichur.
*1895 - Rev Fr. John Menachery appointed the Vicar Apostolic of Trichur.
*1901 - July ; The school shifted to the present site by Bishop John Menachery.
*1904 - August; The school recognised as a complete High School.
*1904 - December; First batch of Matriculates.
*1918 - May 4; Demise of Bishop Medlycott at Bangalore.
*1919 - April; The high school raised to the rank of a second grade college in arts, affiliated to the University of Madras.
*1919 - June 23; Admission to first Pre University Course started.
*1919 - August; Formal inauguration by His Highness Sree Rama Varma, Maharaja of Cochin.
*1919 - Patron-Bishop John Menachery, Manager-Rev Fr. Francis Vazhappilly, Principal-Rev Fr. John Palokaran B. A.
*1919 - December 19; Demise of Bishop Menachery.
*1921 - The boarding house shifted from the college campus to Thope.
*1921 - July; Bishop Francis Vazhappilly became the patron of the college, Manager- Rev Fr. A. J. Ukken, Principal- Mr. P. Sankaran Nambiar, B. A. (Honours) officiating principal.
*1922 - Further affiliation in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry (Intermediate).
*1924 - January; Rev Fr. Palokkaran, M. A. (Edin) Principal.
*1925 - March; Affiliation sanctioned as a first grade college History group. Rev. Fr. M. Edakkolathur as Manager.
*1926 - June; B. A. course started in Group 1 Mathematics.
*1927 - June; Suppression of Boarding House and starting of Major Seminary in Thope.
*1927 - October 14; Mahatma Gandhi addressed a meeting of staff and students.
*1928 - Madras University First General Commission inspected the college.
*1934 - Two Hostels built (St. Mary's and Cosmopolitan).
*1936 - Main block of college buildings extended and made two storeyed (Medlycott Hall).
*1937 - Seminary building in Thope was converted into a Hostel called St. Thomas Hostel. The title "Monsigneur" conferred on the Manager and the Principal.
*1938 - October; Madras University Second Commission (Vice chancellor and Registrar) visited the college.
*1939 - Affiliation in Hindi for the Intermediate and B. A.
*1941 - Separate Science Block constructed (Menachery Hall)
*1942 - May 12; Demise of Bishop Vazhappilly.
*1944 - Silver Jubilee of the college. May; Rt. Rev Dr. George Alapatt, the Bishop of Trichur-Patron of the college, Rt. Rev. Msgr. A. Puduchery-Manager.
*1945 - Extensive play ground laid out in Thope.
*1946 - March; Madras University Third General Commission inspected the college.
*1948 - August 19; Demise of Msgr. Palokaran. September 20; Mr. Joseph Petta M. A. Officiating Principal.
*1949 - May 1; Rev. Fr. Joseph Kallingal M. A. -Principal.

ee also

*Sree Kerala Varma college
*University of Calicut

External links

* [http://www.thrissurstthomascollege.com/ Official Website of St. Thomas' College Thrissur]
* [http://www.angelfire.com/pop/stctrichur/ Unofficial website maintained by Dr. J. J. Kakkassery]