John Paul the Great Catholic University may be situated in San Diego, California, but the small, specialized university can trace its in- tellectual heritage to Franciscan University of Steubenville. It was there in 2000 that a visit- ing Dr. Derry Connolly had the inspiration to develop a college in his hometown.

Connolly, an administrator at the Univer- sity of California, San Diego, decided that he wanted to replicate the Steubenville religious fervor on a new campus in the nation\u2019s eighth largest city. With his background in technol- ogy and business, he also wanted to combine evangelization with entrepreneurship, espe- cially as it relates to what is known as New Media.

in two programs: entertainment media and entrepreneurial business. Eventually, this curriculum will expand to six other empha- ses: entrepreneurial journalism, business of entertainment, entrepreneurial publishing, digital media, computer engineering and computer science.

was Catholic, and the lone exception a\ue005ended Catholic schools and apparently \ue000t in well, according to a campus o\ue003cial.

year of operation one classroom was used, but expansion within the building will oc- cur during the 2007\u201308 academic year. Long- range plans anticipate a campus with up to 1,600 students.

Although the institution is licensed by the state of California, accreditation by the West- ern Association of Schools and Colleges could take six years. It is questionable whether ac-

class is graduated, but this is the standard challenge of all new colleges, regardless of their quality. Accreditation, once granted, is retroactive.

President Connolly told us, \u201cParents could be understandably nervous about let- ting their children go to a new college. I tell them to pray about it. In the six months we\u2019ve been open [March 2007 interview], I have had no calls from parents who have any regrets about their decision.\u201d

applies to the unique curriculum while the former is a straightforward dedication to Ca- tholicism. The university describes this com- mitment as: \u201cThe spiritual development of

put into action, in our lives and in the lives of those we touch, the teachings of Jesus Christ, being unapologetic for and uncompromising with His Word.\u201d

Although the university has a special- ized curriculum\u2014business and media ma- jors\u2014it works to provide a Catholic education through requiring one course every semester on some aspect of Catholic philosophy, theol- ogy, history, ethics or culture.

John Paul the Great has the consent of Bishop Robert Brom of the Diocese of San Diego but is independent of the diocese. It is governed by an 11-member board of trustees. The chair of the board is a permanent deacon and bank- er. The other members include one priest and several engaged in senior positions at area businesses. Dr. Connolly, the president and

According to the university, \u201cJohn Paul the Great Catholic University will intentionally seek to avoid causing controversy and confu-

Catholic seeks to shape and form solid Catho- lic leaders and innovators poised to put into action the teachings of Jesus Christ, and not

President Connolly adds, \u201cThe most im- portant part of our university is the Catho- lic dimension. The only type of student who would want to be here is someone for whom faith is important.\u201d One faculty member add- ed, \u201cIf our students don\u2019t know the Lord or the Faith, we haven\u2019t succeeded.\u201d

in the neighboring Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Such a beginning was appropriate for what one student said was \u201ca Catholic identity that drives everything that we do here.\u201d

The patron of the university is the 17th- century Italian St. Joseph of Cupertino. The Franciscan priest is also the patron of stu- dents and test takers.

Good Shepherd parish. The campus chaplain, appointed by the bishop, hears confessions every Thursday and by appointment. Adora-

Students have become involved in Good Shepherd and other parishes, and this activ- ity includes teaching CCD classes, pro-life work, helping with homeless people and at- tending Prayer and Worship services.

Classes begin and end with prayer, rein- forcing what the theology professor told us, \u201cEverything the university does, every course

to the Magisterium. \u201cAll teaching faculty,\u201d the university reports, \u201cwill commit to harmony with Catholic Church teachings (the pope and bishops) in speech and action. Faculty,

Them an d at um is required for all faculty members who teach theology. Currently, the only theology professor describes himself as a \u201cbiblical Thomist.\u201d Overall, there are three full-time faculty and eight adjunct professors. All professors must maintain some part-time

The business math course, taught by Alan Lane, is started by prayer and\u2014when appli- cable\u2014raises Catholic themes such as tithing and the need to place the acquisition of mon- ey in its proper perspective. Business moral- ity themes are addressed in theology.

Tom Dunn, adjunct professor of digital me- dia production, said to us, \u201cFrom day one, we show students the scripture passages that call

Although John Paul the Great is not a lib- eral arts institution per se, it has a 57-credit core curriculum. This includes four Catho- lic religious studies courses as well as four philosophy courses such as \u201cCatholic Social Teaching\u201d and others that have a Catholic ap- proach.

The university assumes that most students will be called to work in business, entertain- ment and the new digital media. Although there is a certain evangelization component present, one student reported, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t mean that everything we end up doing is openly \u2018religious,\u2019 but our faith will be part of what we do.\u201d