"Education fundamentally is not about what's true, it's not about virtue, it's not about beauty. Education is making you a good cog in the social machine." - Kyle Washut explains how modern education has shifted away from its original purpose.
In this episode of Coffee, Commerce and Catechesis, we had the privilege of speaking with Kyle Washut, President of Wyoming Catholic College, about their unique approach to Catholic higher education. Through our conversation, we explored:
- The founding vision of Wyoming Catholic College as a response to St. John Paul II's call for the New Evangelization
- How the college combines classical liberal arts with wilderness experience and Catholic spiritual formation
- The distinctive features that set Wyoming Catholic apart:
- Students give up cell phones for four years
- Three-week wilderness orientation for freshmen
- Integration of horsemanship into the curriculum
- Both Roman Catholic and Ukrainian Catholic liturgical traditions
- Focus on primary texts rather than textbooks
- Required Latin study for all students
- Emphasis on public speaking and rhetoric
- The meaning of "liberal arts" education and its historical roots
- Why retreat into wilderness has been significant throughout Christian history
- How the college forms students through an "incarnate education" that engages body, mind, and soul
- Ways to experience Wyoming Catholic beyond the four-year program through COR Expeditions and summer programs
Kyle shared how Wyoming Catholic College aims to foster authentic human flourishing by creating space away from modern distractions. The college's approach challenges conventional assumptions about what students are capable of while preparing them to engage thoughtfully with the modern world.
For those interested in learning more about Wyoming Catholic College or their programs:
- Visit their website at wyomingcatholic.edu
- Look into COR Expeditions for shorter wilderness experiences
- Consider their two-week summer program for high school students
- Schedule a campus visit to experience their unique community firsthand
This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone concerned about the state of modern education and seeking alternatives that integrate faith, reason, and lived experience.
We want to hear from you! Please feel free to email us at cofcomcat@gmail.com with any feedback and let us know what you think.
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