© Founders College Education, LLC
Latest News and Updates
January 9, 2008 - Founders College First Semester - Successes and Lessons Learned
The first semester of Founders College wrapped up December 20, 2007. The small band of first-year students, exhausted from an intensive week of final exams, headed home to far away places like Arizona, Maryland, and Florida. Some students had travel plans to venture to distant lands for their holiday break.
Founders College began its fall semester with 12 adventurous students. As with all colleges, freshmen classes experience some attrition and Founders will begin the Spring semester with 9 students./p>
Tamara Fuller, Chairman and CEO, said, "Starting a brand new college is a monumental feat, full of challenges at every turn. As with any new enterprise, we have had our share of 'bumps' this past 4 months, but I am proud of the current faculty and administration of the College and their unfailing efforts to deliver on our educational promise. I am also pleased with the progress our pioneering students have made. We're fortunate to have several new faculty joining us in January and are looking forward to an academically invigorating Spring."
As final grades were recorded, the faculty submitted their first semester assessment reports. The Dean of Faculty, Bryan Niblett, Ph.D. in his summary stated, "The number of students was small-but their quality was remarkable high. It seems likely that the unique nature of the education, the Founders difference as it is called, attracts particularly venturesome and motivated students."
The educational model of the College provides for a core curriculum where the various disciplines integrate their content to give students knowledge, perspective, and a depth of understanding about civilization. In support of this model, Dr. Niblett added, " The four core courses offered this semester, Grammar and Writing, Ancient and Medieval History, Philosophy, and Novels I were a sensible combination for the beginning of a 4-year liberal arts degree. The purpose was to produce an inte-grated curriculum in which each subject adds value to the others. This integration has worked well."
Faculty members constructed their syllabi in concert with each other prior to the start of classes and met frequently to discuss the connections between and among their courses. Faculty also provided individual student assessments. Dr. Robert Garmong, Professor of Philosophy, commented, "In a few short weeks, my students made huge strides in their understanding of complex philosophical issues and their clarity of expression to communicate those ideas. The gains I've observed far outstrip anything I've ever experienced in my ten years as a college professor."
Final Exams can be viewed in their entirety at: http://www.founderscollege.com/Curriculum/Fall07Exams/collected%20exams.pdf.
The College has announced the addition of 2 new and distinguished faculty, Scott Adams, Psy.D., who will be teaching Psychology, and Thomas Rustici, Ph.D. a leading economics lecturer who teaches at George Mason University and Georgetown University in addition to Founders College. With the departure of Dr. Niblett and Dr. Jena Trammell, whose contracts expired Dec. 22, 2007, the remaining faculty is working with the new faculty to insure the content integration so vital to the educational model.
Founders faculty are also leading the development of the Spring Speaker's Series to be announced the end of January and administrators are working on expanding community and social interaction for the residential student body.Click here to download this press release in PDF format
June 2, 2007 - Fine Arts Academy Opening June 8th, 2007
You are cordially invited to the Fine Arts Academy of Founders College on Friday, June 8 for our opening reception starting at 6:30pm at the Main Street Gallery in South Boston, VA.
Also, on Saturday June 9th, we will have sample art Classes starting at 11am.
On Sunday, June 10, we will host the Artful Brunch in the dining toom of The Inn at Berry Hill. Seating begins at 10am and reservations are required.
Click Here for More Information
June 1, 2007 - Back to Basics BFA Degree
Founders College -- a new liberal arts college emphasizing an integrated curriculum of logically ordered courses that illustrate connections among ideas in each field -- will grant the BFA degree to art students enrolled at either location, on completion of both the ARA curriculum and selected liberal-arts fundamental courses from the Founders catalogue.
Click Here for Press Release
March 14, 2007 - Tamara Fuller named CEO
Founders College announced today that it has named Tamara K. Fuller to the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ms. Fuller succeeds Gary Hull, Ph.D., who will become Chief of Educational Research and Development with responsibilities for cultivating the faculty, developing the curriculum and teacher training, and maintaining the highest level of academic standards.
Ms. Fuller is a highly successful businesswoman with 18 years of experience in organizational effectiveness, banking and real estate. Prior to Founders, she was a principal with a management consulting firm providing services to Fortune 100 executives. Ms. Fuller is also a founding member and director of the board of Howard Bank of Maryland.
“It has always been our plan to identify the right person for this job,” said Dr. Hull. “After a year and a half of extensive search and due diligence, our board and advisors are convinced that we have made the right choice. Tamara Fuller has demonstrated exceptional vision as a leader, as well as the ability to make it happen. Everyone whose opinion I respect shares this view.”
As CEO, Ms. Fuller will oversee an enterprise that includes the college’s operations, resort hotel and hospitality functions, and a 390-acre mixed use development. “I am pleased to have this rare opportunity to pioneer a world-class brand centered on learning in every aspect of life,” said Ms. Fuller. “I can think of no higher purpose than that of educating generations of successful individuals. Combine that with the grandeur and inspiration of our campus and our extremely talented team and this is the best job in the world.”
February 28, 2007 - Virtual Campus Tour
Take a tour of Founders College, without leaving your home! Founders has created a Virtual Campus Tour. The tour displays the beauty of the Founders College campus and introduces students to their future experience.
View the Virtual Campus Tour here.
February 22, 2007 - Admission Application Updated
Founders College has updated its application for admission. Students are encouraged to use the updated application as they apply for Fall 2007. The update does not affect students who have already applied. You may download the updated application here.
February 10, 2007 - Dan Rathbone Graduates Early
Dan Rathbone, a member of the Founders Information Technology team, recently learned that he is graduating early from Virginia Tech. After completing the entire Computer Science curriculum in seven semesters, his early graduation was approved by the College of Engineering. Congratulations, Dan!
February 6, 2007 - Fired Up for Founders College
Nicholas Provenzo, a Washington D.C. blogger, recently visited the Founders campus.
I obviously do not believe one's environment determines one's being, but if ever are their places that meld nature and man together in exquisite harmony, the Berry Hill plantation ranks as one among them. The property is brimming with possibility, and I can only say how fortunate Founders' students and faculty will be that they will have this beautiful place to call their home.
Mr. Provenzo's article has been reproduced here (with permission) on our website.
February 2, 2007 - New News Page
Welcome to the News page! Due to the increasing volume of news, events, and updates, this news page was created. Be sure to check back often to catch up on the latest news about Founders College.
January 31, 2007 - Homeschool Mini-Site Launched
Founders College has launched a new section of their website with information for homeschooled students. The new section includes an article by Patrick Farenga, the thoughts of a visiting homeschool student, and information regarding the upcoming Seminar for Homeschool Parents and Students. Browse the new section here.
January 27, 2007 - "My Kind of Pedagogy" -
Grant Jones, author of the blog "The Dougout", recently posted his thoughts about Founders College.
"The core curriculum has no less than five courses on arts and literature as required in the lower division of study. Two science and one economics course round out the first two years of study. This is rigor. There are no fluffy “intro” courses in “communications” or this and that “studies.” At the beginning of their junior year these students are going to actually understand the fundamental values of Western culture."
Read the full text of the article here.
Carolina Journal
Dr. Gary Hull explains why Founders College is
different than the other liberal arts colleges in
the US. Listen to the interview here.
January 4, 2007 - WRAL
WRAL takes a look inside Founders College on the
site of the Berry Hill Estate in South Boston, Virginia.
View the story here.
Press Kit Available
Founders College is committed to building strong relationships with members of the press, working together to provide accurate and complete information about our institution and its mission. Press kit