Atchison, Kansas, has been known historical- ly for its railroad identity (Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe) and as the birthplace of aviator Amelia Earhart in 1897. It also has long been a center for Benedictine life, hosting separate orders of Sisters and Brothers.
St. Benedict\u2019s Abbey launched a college for men in 1858, and the Benedictine Sisters of Mount Saint Scholastica opened a women\u2019s college in 1923. The two institutions merged to form the coed Benedictine College in 1971. Based on the date of its earlier founding, the college celebrated its sesquicentennial in the 2008-09 academic year.
students from 37 states, Puerto Rico and 19 other countries to study the liberal arts amid a Catholic culture. Undergraduate enrollment for fall 2008 was the highest in the college\u2019s history and represented the 10th consecutive year of enrollment growth.
The college\u2019s vision statement is clear: \u201cBenedictine College\u2019s vision is to be one of the great Catholic colleges in America.\u201d The college\u2019s success is built upon its growing na- tional reputation for academic excellence and a commitment to student formation based on the Rule of St. Benedict. In 2004, the col- lege earned recognition when 1964 alumna Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize, making Benedictine the only Catholic college in the United States with a Nobel Laureate. In 2007 the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, declared Benedictine
Founded: 1971 (merger)
Type of institution: Small liberal arts college
Setting: Small town
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,352 (2008\u201309
There are 39 majors running the gamut from traditional liberal arts disciplines to athletic training and youth ministry. Three of these majors\u2014international studies, inter- national business and foreign languages (cov- ering two or even three languages and study abroad)\u2014were added in fall 2007. The college also is starting a pre-nursing program in the
pursue many minors and double majors. Graduate programs include business admin- istration and school leadership.
Benedictine Colege\u2019s tuition rates have been slightly higher than average private col- lege tuition in Kansas, but that average is very low compared to other states. Benedictine\u2019s price tag has, in fact, been far below the na- tional average for Catholic colleges and other private institutions. Total average cost for tu- ition, room and board in 2009-10 was $26,425. Financial aid and a number of merit-based
of trustees are lay representatives. Both of the two Benedictine orders have three members on the board.
and corporate lawyer, earning his Juris Doc- tor at Washburn University. He and his wife Amy\u2014also a Benedictine alumna and college professor of math and computer science\u2014 have three children.
At his installation, President Minnis was presented by the co-chairs of the board with symbols of the institution\u2019s four pillars: repre-
Dean\u2019s scholarships ($14,625) are awarded annually. Recipients are selected based on an on-campus interview and an essay
ship Competition. A 27 ACT/1210 SAT and a 3.2 GPA are minimum requirments. Scholarships are renewable.
Academic Scholarships: Unlimited re- newable $4,000-$10,000 academic schol- arships are available. Scholarships are awarded based on an ACT/SAT score and high school GPA (unweighted). The appli- cation for admission serves as the appli- cation for scholarships. Scholarships are renewable for four years.
Music and Theatre: Music and theatre scholarships are available for $500-$1,000 to students interested in vocal/instru- mental music or theatre participation. An audition is required. Scholarships are re- newable based on active participation.
National Merit Award: National Merit Finalists are eligible to receive an addi- tional $2,500.
senting Catholicism was a cross; Benedictine heritage, the Medal of Saint Benedict; liberal arts, a copy of Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman\u2019s book The Idea of a University; and residential life, a drawing of a new residence hall with a verse from the Acts of the Apos- tles.
\u201cThe second you step on campus,\u201d one stu- dent told us, \u201cyou realize it is a Catholic col- lege.\u201dBenedictine
repeatedly refers to its four pillars. For example, as part of the recruitment for assistant professors of English, account- ing and chemis- try in early 2009, the website notes: \u201cCandidates must support the Catho- lic,
Benedictine, Liberal Arts and Residential mission of the College.\u201d
remains strong, as is seen by the annual So- lemnity of the Passing of St. Benedict Mass on March 21. Bishop Robert Finn of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph was the principal celebrant of the 2006 Mass. College chaplain Father Meinrad Miller, O.S.B., was the 2009 celebrant.
a visible, enduring symbol of our gratitude for our Blessed Mother\u2019s special intercession and protection throughout the years.\u201d
The students also make an important contribution to the Catholic environment. Af- ter grieving over the death of Pope John Paul
II, 300 students held a \u201cPope Party\u201d to cel- ebrate the election of Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005. Another example is the Lenten tradi- tion where students perform an outdoor Living Stations of the Cross.
on campus tend to be solidly
of the John Paul the Great Speaker Se- ries. These include papal biographer George Weigel, FO-
Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., and Chris- topher West of the Theology of the Body Insti- tute. Blessed Mother Teresa visited the cam- pus in 1981.
ed speech by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Holy See\u2019s apostolic nuncio to the United Nations. Also present were three of the four bishops of Kansas: Archbishop Joseph Nau- mann of Kansas City, Kansas; Bishop Paul Coakley of Salina; and Bishop Michael Jackels of Wichita.
