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Editorial: Recent string of successes bodes well for new school
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Build it and they will come.
The tag line from the movie “Field of Dreams” appears to be scoring for Ave Maria University, as well.
Struggling to meet enrollment goals at an attractive yet temporary campus since 2003, Ave Maria’s inaugural year at its permanent site between Naples and Immokalee is delivering the desired results. About 370 new students are expected on campus come fall for a total of up to 700; that new dormitory for 160 students will be put to good use right away. Ave Maria started the 2007-08 academic year with about 415 undergraduates and 35 others on campus. Quality, promises of scholarship assistance, coupled with a marketing strategy that actively seeks out high-achieving high school students interested in a Catholic higher education, pack a powerful punch. That news bodes well for Ave Maria’s long-term success and begins to vindicate the university with critics of its fundamental Catholicism, remote location, grand oratory and seemingly lavish spending. The picture developing now shows that money has been well spent — and deep pockets are necessary to start and sustain such a project.
Now, moving forward, the to-do list ought to include building more bridges with the Diocese of Venice and the community at large. Warm relations nurtured over the years by Edison College and Florida Gulf Coast University show what can be achieved. Ave Maria academic accreditation, a symbol of quality, remains to be realized.
The enrollment forecast provided a pleasant kick-off to Ave Maria’s graduation weekend, which saw 85 students get bachelor’s degrees and 10 others advanced degrees. The fact that the commencement exercises were the first to be held in the oratory, newly certified for hosting the Catholic Mass and sacraments, was an added plus. The presence of one of only 17 U.S. cardinals, Adam Maida, the archbishop of Detroit, was significant. On a more earthly note, ground has been broken for a Publix and a dialysis center — benchmarks for the surrounding community’s sustenance, health care and employment opportunities.
All in all, good news at Ave Maria. Well deserved, we think — with a lot of important, hard work ahead.
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Can you say self serving fluff piece? Pizza money goes a long way at NDN.
#1 Posted by Carpetbagger on May 15, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can anyone name seventeen (living) US Cardinals?
#2 Posted by oremus on May 16, 2008 at 4:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why, it's a m i r a c l e!
#3 Posted by Bramble on May 16, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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