Holy Cross to become 4-year institution
By TERESA FRALISH
Associate News Editor
Holy Cross College's bachelor of arts degree program is set to debut this fall, a change that will transform the school from a two-year junior college to a four-year academic institution.
"Holy Cross will still provide the associate of arts degree to serve students who want to transfer to other institutions, but the baccalaureate program now furthers our founding as a liberal arts college," said William Mangan, the College's vice president for academic affairs. "We are now working with prospective students who are thinking about coming to Holy Cross College expressly for the baccalaureate program," he said.
The College, with a current enrollment of about 500 students, chose to initiate the new four-year program as part of its mission as a liberal arts college and hopes that the school can develop new ties with Notre Dame and Saint Mary's, said Mangan.
The College was founded in 1966 and previously offered students an associate degree with a focus on transferring to a four-year institution.
Mangan said the College would complete the admissions process for the new program over the summer and final admission numbers would be calculated then. Accepted students, who have already received an associate degree, have until May 1 to accept the College's offer.
The degree program is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the same group that oversees Notre Dame and Saint Mary's degree programs, said Mangan.
Justin Watson, who will serve as adviser to the baccalaureate students, will also direct the baccalaureate program, Mangan added.
Overall, the program will bring important changes for academic and student life at Holy Cross.
"Baccalaureate students will serve as academic role models for students in the associate of arts program. It also means that student life will have new exemplars of leadership and service," said Mangan.
The program itself will include a broad-range of components, focusing on a core group of liberal arts courses with some electives. Additionally, the program includes an international study component in conjunction with the overseas missions of Congregation or Brothers of the Holy Cross as well as an internship requirement. Those students interested in graduate school will meet with a career mentor.
The College initiated planning for the program in the fall of 2001 and began screening applicants in February.
Students intending to enroll in the baccalaureate program next fall said faculty and student relations and the broad focus of the curriculum attracted them.
"There's just a really good connection between the faculty and students," said Meghan Craney, who has been a Holy Cross student for the past two years. Craney also serves as a student ambassador for the College and said she is especially excited about discussing the new program with potential students
Jennifer Nelson, a Holy Cross student for the past two years, said the program would bring a new level of permanence to the campus. "It's going to add a different level of maturity," she said. "I like the curriculum — it's challenging and it's widespread."
All News Stories for Tuesday, April 29, 2003
