Founders' Scholarship Competition

What you need to know

The Founders’ Competition weekend is coming soon.  We want to put some helpful information at your fingertips to help you prepare and enjoy the weekend.  Below you will find information on assignments, schedules, and dress code.

Title: Obedience and Its Limits

Description:
“What answer shall we make to this, Crito? Do the laws speak truly, or do they not?”
Socrates, facing an unjust verdict and death sentence, resists his friend who is urging
him to escape from prison. He then invites him to consider whether or not he should
comply with the verdict, and why. Our default response to authority in the family, in
religion, and in the state is obedience. But are there also circumstances that require a
different response–disobedience, rebellion, even outrage? What are the grounds for
both obedience and its limits? Socrates, Abraham, and a young Snopes all face
situations that compel us to weigh compliance against the claims of authority.

Readings:
William Faulkner, Barn Burning
Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-8, 22:1-19
Plato, Crito

Here is a downloadable version of the reading packet.

Physical copies will be provided for all participants.

Rubric for competitors:
  • In preparation for this seminar, you need to study the readings above. We suggest that you read them twice, and take notes on the text.
  • Seminars are best when each speaker responds to the ideas of the previous speaker, rather than ignoring them in order to advertise his own ideas.
  • The best contributions are made by those who listen and consider the discussion, and then speak their own thoughts. Neither total silence nor an insistence on dominating the conversation yield much fruit.

Participants will write the essay on Saturday morning.  The goal of the exercise is to see how competitors write under a time limit and spontaneously, so the prompt will be announced on Saturday morning.

  • Once you start the essay, you will have two hours to complete it
  • You may have your reading packet with any notes in it, but no additional loose notes

 

 

 

Dress Code

Formal Attire – To be observed for the competition events, the Vigil Mass, and the formal dinner. Men should wear jacket and tie, dress slacks, and dress shoes or cowboy boots. Women should wear a modest dress or skirt and blouse with dress shoes. Sleeves are required.

Classroom Attire – To be observed in class and at daily Mass. Men should wear a collared shirt, neat slacks or dark dress jeans with appropriate belt and with shirt tucked in, and non-sports shoes. Women should wear a dress, a skirt or formal slacks/dress jeans and blouse, and non-sports shoes. 

Casual Attire – The minimum standard that may be observed outside of the residence halls at all other times. Students should dress neatly and modestly in accord with Christian dignity.

Outdoor Attire – This type of attire can overlap with Casual Attire, but it is more specifically designed for performance and comfort while participating in the outdoor adventure. Students must bring a pair of closed toe sport shoes, and are advised to bring trail shoes or light hiking boots. 

Packing List

  • Please bring an outfit for each type of dress code described above
  • Bring footwear appropriate for formal settings, outdoor activities, and possible rain or snow
  • Any medicine or hygiene items you require
  • A backpack (not a messenger bag or brief case)
  • At least one water bottle
  • Layers appropriate for temperatures from 0-45 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Hat and gloves
  • Pens and pencils

Schedule is a sample and is subject to change.

Thursday

9:00 am – 4:00 pm.   early arrivals are welcome to participate in classes

Please coordinate with the Admissions Office if arriving early

1:00 pm                       Shuttle Departs Denver International Airport for Lander

6:30 pm                       Dinner at Frassati Hall

7:30 pm                       Meet with Student Hosts

8:30 pm                       Compline

10:30 pm                     Curfew

 

Friday

8:00 am                     Breakfast at Frassati Hall

9:30 am                      Orientation, Campus Tour, and audit classes with current students

12:15 pm                     Mass

12:45 pm                     Lunch

2:00 pm                      Audit classes

3:15 pm                       Seminar class (Competitors only)

4:45 pm                      Conversations with faculty (Competitors only)

6:00 pm                      Dinner at Frassati Hall

7:00 pm                      Distinguished Lecture or Social Hour at the Pequod

12:00 pm                    Curfew

 

Saturday

8:00 am                      Divine Liturgy or Mass

9:00 am                      Continental Breakfast in Frassati Hall

10:00 am                    Essay writing begins at Augur (Competitors Only)

12:00 pm                    Lunch in Frassati Hall

12:45 pm – 4:45 pm    Outdoor adventure

6:00 pm                      Vigil Mass

7:00 pm                      Closing Reception

8:15 pm                       Social Event

12:00 am                     Curfew

 

Sunday

5:15 am                       Depart Lander for Denver International Airport

All visitors must submit this Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risk Waiver. 

Additionally, participants of the Caving Activity, please complete both the Caving Form and the Sate Park Release

Space for each outdoor activity is limited, and spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.