How did Thomism become connected to the Dominican order?

The connection between Thomism and the Dominican order is rooted in the fact that St. Thomas Aquinas was himself a member of the order, having joined in 1244.12

The Dominican order, which prioritized the study of theology as a core component of its preaching mission, provided the academic environment where Aquinas and his teacher, St. Albertus Magnus, integrated Aristotelian philosophy with Christian doctrine. Although aspects of Aquinas's work faced initial opposition and condemnation by some theologians and bishops, the Dominican order actively defended his thought. By 1290, many young Dominican teachers had become his strongest advocates, and by the 14th century, his writings had become the standard theological texts for the order.31

The order’s commitment to Thomism was further solidified in 1278 when his system was officially adopted by the Dominicans. Throughout the following centuries, Dominican scholars such as Jean Capréolus continued to produce commentaries and defenses of his work, ensuring that Thomism remained central to the order's intellectual identity and orthodoxy.31