Editorial: Benedictine College Achieving Greatness

“Benedictine College may define ‘greatness’ slightly differently than the secular world, but there is no doubt the private Catholic institution is on a path to achieving something remarkable.”

So begins an editorial in the St. Joseph News Press of St. Joseph, Mo., this week. An excerpt follows. Click here to read the whole thing:

“Leaders of the 1,700-student college in Atchison, Kan., recently announced intentions to build two new residence halls that together will accommodate about 210 students. These will be the 10th and 11th residence halls added since 2000.

“Along with an expanded cafeteria and a new Student Success Center, the new halls represent an investment of $19 million.

“This is impressive, but no more noteworthy than what has come before.

“In January 2012, the college concluded a $70 million fundraising campaign — an effort that exceeded goal by $20 million and attracted 5,000 new donors. Two months later, the campus celebrated the opening of the $17.9 million Ferrell Academic Center, a 57,000-square-foot classroom building offering state-of-the-art facilities for the business, education, theology and philosophy programs and departments.

“Also last year, the college introduced ‘Benedictine 2020: A Vision for Greatness,’ its strategic plan which outlines priorities for pursuing academic excellence, supporting an active faith life and building a dynamic campus community.”