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
- In preparation for this seminar, you need to study the two readings above. We suggest that you read both twice, and take notes on the text.
- Seminars are best when each speaker responds the to the ideas of the previous speaker, rather than ignoring them in order to advertise one’s own ideas.
- Bear in mind as well that 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.
Dress Code
Classroom Attire – To be observed in class and at daily Mass. Men should wear a collared shirt, neat slacks or dress jeans* with appropriate belt and with shirt tucked in, and non-sports shoes (cowboy boots and leather shoes are acceptable). Women should wear a dress, a skirt or formal slacks/modest dress jeans* and blouse, and non-sports shoes.
*Dress Jeans: In Wyoming, “dress jeans” are accepted as khakis as a business casual level of dress. Dress jeans are very dark blue (or black) in color, with no holes, patches, fringe or fading, and with a tailored, relaxed fit.
Formal Attire – For the competition on Saturday, 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. Sleeves are required, as are dress shoes or cowboy boots.
Casual Attire – The minimum standard that may be observed outside of the residence halls at all other times. Modest clothing is always required, and students should dress neatly and in accord with Christian dignity.
Outdoor Attire – This type of attire can overlap with Casual Attire, it is more specifically designed for performance and comfort while participating in the outdoor adventure. Students are advised to bring trail shoes or light hiking boots. Caving will be the outdoor adventure this year (weather permitting.)(Bring a headlamp!)
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.
- We recommend a backpack over messenger bags for the competition.
- At least one water bottle.
- Layers appropriate for temperatures from 0 degrees Fahrenheit to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Hat and gloves
- Pens and pencils
- Headlamp for evening activities
Times and locations are subject to change.
Thursday
12:30 pm Depart Denver International Airport for Lander
5:00 pm Early arrivals campus tour starting from Baldwin Building, 306 Main St.
6:30 pm Dinner at Frassati Hall
8:30 pm Compline
10:30 pm Curfew
Friday
7:00-8:00 am Breakfast at Frassati Hall
7:45 am Orientation
8:00 am Mass or Divine Liturgy (Optional)
8:30-9:50 am Audit classes with current students (see schedule; no prep necessary)
10:00-11:20 am Audit classes with current students (see schedule; no prep necessary)
11:35 am Mass
12:15 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Seminar class (Competitors only)
3:00 pm Conversations with faculty (Competitors only)
6:00 pm Dinner at Frassati Hall
7:00-9:30 pm Social Hour at the Pequod
10:30 pm (Recommended) Curfew for competitors
Saturday
7:15 am Breakfast in Frassati Hall
8:00 am Essay writing begins at Augur (Competitors Only)
10:00 am Essay writing finishes
12:15 pm Lunch in Frassati Hall
12:45 pm – 4:45 pm Outdoor adventure (Competitors Only)
6:00 pm Vigil Mass at Holy Rosary Parish
7:15 pm Close of Competition/Formal Dinner (Middle Fork Cafe, Main St.)
8:30 pm Dance put on by WCC student body (Frassati)
12:00 am Curfew (Unless at dance)
Sunday
5:30 am Depart Lander for Denver International Airport
The shuttle will depart from Denver International Airport after the last passengers arrive on Thursday of the competition weekend. Please schedule your flight to arrive before noon on Thursday. A college representative will await all incoming competitors at Baggage Carousel 12, Jeppesen Terminal West. If you have trouble finding us, or your flight/baggage is delayed, please call Ms. Madeleine Trull at 314-438-7585. Shuttles will depart for Denver International Airport on Sunday no later than 5:30 am, so be ready at your dormitory at 5:00 am.
For those arriving to the College in their own vehicle, please check in the at the College’s main entrance at 306 Main St. in Lander. There you will receive your reading packet and other orientation materials. Please check in between 5:30 and 6:00 pm on Thursday evening.
Those arriving by air but not taking the Denver shuttle will be met by College representatives and directed on a case-by-case basis. If you have questions, please contact Eastlyn Ullmann at 307-349-5684, or add notes to the travel information form below.