Go East, Young Man

Founders' College, which a group of Objectivists including Gary Hull hopes to start by fall of 2007, seeks to:

... focus ... on the great ideas and significant events that shape both an individual's life and entire civilizations. Many of today's colleges provide an indiscriminate smorgasbord of random liberal arts courses that are lacking in content, but that are packed with propaganda. Their bored students leave with an "education" that is both empty and impractical. At Founders, we focus on ideas that will help you better understand yourself and the world around you. We give you the thinking and communication skills to excel in any profession.

Today, via email, I have learned that the group has announced its location. I reproduce the message in full below.

Founders College Announces its Location in Virginia

Founders College has contracted to open its Fall 2007 operations* in Campbell County, Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The four-year, residential liberal arts college plans to locate on the site of the Merritt Hutchinson Estate, a luxurious resort and conference center situated between Roanoke and Lynchburg, Virginia. The property's extensive facilities integrate the intimacy of a gracious country manor with the sophistication of old-world opulence and modern comfort. The future campus includes over 1100 acres of rolling hills and lakes, and numerous recreational options such as fishing, swimming, hiking, golf and equestrian.

"After months of extensive research, we chose Virginia primarily because of its unparalled business-friendly environment," says Tamara Fuller, Founders' Chief Strategy Officer. "Founders College will provide students with an exceptional education that sparks a lifelong passion for knowledge. We wanted our choice of location to honor the uniqueness of that vision."

For more information on Founders College, visit www.founderscollege.com.
For media inquiries, contact Sarah Francomano [info available upon request --ed]

*Disclaimer: The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has authorized Founders to use "College" in conjunction with its post-secondary education affairs and business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Founders College has filed an Institutional Application Certification Form with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Founders College also has entered a contract for the purchase of land and buildings -- the Merritt-Hutchinson Estate in Campbell County,Virginia -- to serve as its campus, subject to zoning and other permits of the County Government. In accordance with Virginia Code Annotated Section 23-276.4, until the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia issues a Certificate to Operate, Founders College may not solicit or accept the enrollment of students.[some formatting and link added]

I'd heard a rumor that it was going to be elsewhere, so this comes a surprise to me.

This effort is very good news. More updates as I get them.

-- CAV