Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2008 / College of SS. Peter & Paul finds location, needs funds
College of SS. Peter & Paul finds location, needs funds
by Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published April 25, 2008
Plymouth Twp. — The SS. Peter & Paul Educational Foundation is at least one step closer to starting the College of SS. Peter & Paul in southeastern Michigan.
At a fundraising dinner April 16, Henry Russell, Ph.D., president of the foundation, announced that the Scripps Mansion in Lake Orion would be available to house the college.
The mansion was completed in 1927 by William Edmund Scripps of newspaper fame — he inherited and ran The Detroit News from 1929 to 1952. When Scripps died in 1952, the mansion, along with 102 acres, became the home of Guest House Retreat Center.
Last year, Guest House completed a new facility more amenable to people with disabilities, leaving the 64-room, historical mansion available. "We have been deeply blessed by the generosity of Guest House for the use of this property," Russell said to a gathering of donors at the Inn at St. John's.
In a phone interview, Russell said the foundation is aiming at fall 2009 for the opening of the college. Two major hurdles are fundraising and attaining a charter, in order to issue college credits.
Russell said the foundation just started a $3 million capitol campaign, which would cover the startup costs. He hopes the college can secure another $7 million for the continuation of the college.
"One of the misunderstandings that many people feel is that you need something in the order of $100 million to open a college," he said. Using an existing facility greatly lowers the cost, he added.
Russell said the foundation is trying to attain a charter by purchasing one from a previously accredited university. The college is expected to be a liberal arts college serving mostly traditional-aged college students, with a strong emphasis on Catholic teaching.
"The John Paul II generation is really growing up," Russell said. "And they're looking for the real meat and potatoes of Catholic doctrine and understanding."
For more information, visit www.sspeterandpaulfoundation.org.
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