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Wyoming Catholic College Admissions Newsletter
An Education in Eloquence
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True students of the Liberal Arts are not ashamed of their education being dubbed “useless” by many in the secular world. Wyoming Catholic students do not subscribe to the idea that value is determined solely by profit or function. We study ancient texts and “useless” works of art because they are beautiful––and that is, quite simply, enough. Nevertheless, our students encounter a pleasant coincidence. They discover that immersing themselves deeply in what is true, good, and beautiful through a liberal education is precisely what is proper to human nature––and this kind of holistic formation spills over into man’s practical endeavors. In any career or vocation, deep human person skills are required, even more so than technical or specialized training. Every job, and especially every good job, requires critical thinking, communication, work ethic, and leadership. These invaluable qualities are the product, not of function-based training, but instead of broad intellectual formation as a human person. One becomes an excellent leader, thinker, and orator through liberal education.
This is particularly true at Wyoming Catholic College, where the Liberal Arts are studied with a unique methodology. Most of our classes take place in the seminar style, utilizing the Socratic Method. Our students learn through having conversations with each other and with their professors. Perhaps one of the most understated “results” of our education is the profound ability our graduates have of sparking and developing meaningful conversations. WCC students learn to articulate their own ideas powerfully and thoughtfully, while simultaneously learning to listen genuinely to the thoughts of others. Our students also experience rigorous formation in rhetoric––both written and oral––through our Trivium class sequence. Over the next few days, this formation will come into special focus. We are prepared to enjoy an exciting time at Wyoming Catholic College: Senior Orations Week.
Having researched a thesis topic for nearly a year, our seniors are ready to share their profound insights with the wider student body, along with the community of Lander. Each senior will give a 30-minute oration on their topic from memory, and then face a 30-minute question and answer session that is open to both faculty and the community at large. Seniors will be carefully tested in the breadth and depth of their knowledge. But more importantly, they will have a chance to share with our tight-knit community a truth or idea that has spoken deeply to them in their time at WCC. There are so many good orations to choose from, but here is a small sampling of the topics covered:
- “Spies Can Lie: Reconciling Scholastic Thought with Political Reality” — Ethan Boord
- “Angel or Animatron: The Simplification of Man in Scientific Materialism and Cartesian Dualism” — Hayley Heidt
- “Why the Wheel and the Computer Are Different: The Foundation and Effects of Modern Technology” — Jacob Landry
- “The Artist and His Humanity: The Tension Between Beauty and Morality in the Arts” — Grace Hamilton
- “The Spirit of Adventure as a Foil to Modern Rationalism” — Joseph Collins
- “Who Do You Think You Are?: Painful Providence and the Conversational God” — Marietta Mortensen
The richness of this intellectual banquet makes choosing just a few orations impossible. Thankfully, orations will be live-streamed and recorded this year, so you can tune in to every single one of them!
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Founders’ Scholarship Competition
If you’d like to become one of these seniors some day, our Founders’ Scholarship Competition is a great chance to make the WCC education affordable. This prestigious award is offered to an exceptional applicant every year and provides a full-tuition scholarship! The competition weekends are just around the corner! Competitors will venture out to Lander over two weekends this month, auditing classes with our students, discussing in small-group seminars with our faculty, and writing a timed essay. The theme for the weekend this year is “Obedience and Its Limits.” Competitors will spend the weekend reflecting on the meaning of obedience, analyzing its true character and importance. Time is running out! All accepted students are encouraged to sign up today!
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PEAK 2025 Summer Program!
There are only a few weeks left to secure the Early Bird Discount for our PEAK 2025 Summer Program. By signing up for PEAK on or before March 1st, you will secure a $300 discount! What are you waiting for? Sign up to join us in this awesome summer adventure! PEAK activities include classes with our faculty, horseback riding, rock climbing, swing dancing, and even backpacking. All this takes place within our rich community life, with the Sacraments being offered frequently in both the Byzantine and Roman Rites of the Catholic Church. PEAK participants learn about Wyoming Catholic College while having an utterly unique adventure in the beautiful Rocky Mountain West. Sign up before March 1st!
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Student Spotlight!
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John Paul Nemec (Class of 2026)
My name is John Paul Nemec. I grew up in a small town under the warm and blue Texas skies. I initially planned to major in engineering, but after visiting WCC, I fell in love with the close community and the majestic mountains. Since I came to WCC in 2022, I have spent many happy hours of my free time learning ice skating, downhill skiing, and mountain biking through opportunities the college and Lander have given me. As a current junior, I have had the pleasure of being part of this wonderful community for nearly three years watching it grow and flourish along with the countless friendships I have formed along the way. I plan to pursue a career in software development after graduation, and I am excited to see where God takes me after graduation.
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| Q. What brought you to (and kept you at) WCC?
The community of students is the beating heart of life at the college. The people you encounter aren’t merely trying to obtain riches and other things the world promises will provide fulfillment. They are truly striving to grow in mind, body, and spirit, seeking out what is true, good, and beautiful.
Q. What are some of the ways that WCC has challenged you to grow?
As someone with a strong background in mathematics and science, the extensive reading and writing components of WCC’s curriculum have beckoned me to rise to the heights of academia. Though this climb has been a challenging one, it has been just as rewarding.
Q. What has been your favorite class at WCC, and why?
During the second semester of sophomore year, we studied the works of Richard Courant. Through his presentation of the ideas of quantity and numbers, I no longer saw mathematics simply as a tool to be used, but as a beautiful manifestation of the inherent order of God’s handiwork.
Q. What’s one thing you would tell high school students right now who are considering their college options?
Our society creates the illusion that as young adults we need to start making money as soon as possible. However, when all is said and done, what you do to provide for yourself is far from the most important aspect of your life. It’s worth taking the extra time to form your mind and solidify the foundations of your spiritual life before you take on the world. |
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Join Us in Pursuing Wisdom in God’s Country!
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