A new college to keep your eyes on: Wyoming Catholic

The first Catholic college in Wyoming is looking really promising, especially since it is receiving strong support from the local bishop of Cheyenne, David Ricken.

I'm also thrilled to hear that they've hired Peter Kwasniewski as an associate professor, whom I had the honor of studying under while I was at the International Theological Institute for studies on marriage and the family (whew!) for a semester.

I've heard very good things about the president (Fr. Robert W. Cook) and academic dean (Dr. Robert K. Carlson) as well.

Kevin Knight of New Advent blogged about WC earlier this year and mentioned three things about it in particular: "1) It's going to be really Catholic. With Benedictine spiritual formation, Confession and moral formation, Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotion and "a culture of daily Mass attendance." 2) The curriculum is Great Books. 3) Most intriguingly, outdoor education will be a mandatory part of the experience. Freshman orientation consists of a three-week backpacking trip in the nearby mountains." [More from Kevin.]

Kevin also links to this interview with the college president Fr. Cook, where he answers some questions about the unique approach Wyoming Catholic seems to be taking towards technology:

What about cell phones?

"Because cell phones are enormously distracting and provide Internet access, which is even more distracting, we are asking our students to take a break from technology and learn some wisdom."

Will there be computers? Is there a large outdoor component?

"There will be word-processing computers (students) will use to write papers. At the core of it is a pretty challenging academic program in the liberal arts. The outdoor aspect is to help them see that there is a world outside of technology, a world that can teach them many valuable lessons that they can only learn there. The outdoor aspect is there to help them do their academics better."

Sounds intriguing. I think many people would find this method appealing.

Wyoming Catholic is now recruiting for its first class in August 2007.

It also appears that they are still on the lookout for faculty: "Degreed professors to teach Latin and writing will also join the faculty of WCC, Cook said, with those appointments to be announced later." [source.]