Celtic College Consultants

Finding a college environment which will foster your child's faith is important. There is no substitute for visiting campuses and attending classes. However, we all start somewhere. Below is information I have collected which will likely be of interest to you.

In Winter, 2009/2010, Homeschool Connections hosted a series of webinars by many excellent Catholic colleges and universities. For the complete list and to watch, please go to www.tinyurl.com/catholiccolleges

For my webinar on admissions, financial aid, and college funding planning, www.tinyurl.com/paycollege. It is 90 minutes long, but is chock full of information for you!

Information on Colleges

The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College: What to Look For and Where to Find it (ed. By Esposito) (Revised edition out 9/09)
Online version: www.thenewmanguide.com

College4CathHS yahoo group

Studentreviews.com – students review their colleges

HSLDA’s National Center for Home Education resource – list “Rating Colleges & Universities by their Home School Admission Policies”

Colleges that admit homeschoolers list:
http://learninfreedom.org/colleges_4_hmsc.html
OR
http://www.thehomescholar.com/what-is-a-homeschool-friendly-college.php
OR
http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000002/00000241.asp Homeschool Enrollment at Colleges and Universities

Information on Solid Catholic Communities at non-Catholic schools

Fellowship of Catholic University Students FOCUS Focusonline.org

Public schools with excellent Newman Centers
(A Newman Center is a Catholic church/community on a non-Catholic campus)

Texas A&M, College Station
U of Kansas
U of Pittsburgh
Penn State
U of Illinois – Champaign/Urbana * (see below)
Kansas State U.
U of Nebraska

*REGARDING U of I, summer 2010:

Dear Friends of St. John's Catholic Newman Center,

Many of you have inquired of the upsetting news of the University of Illinois’ supposed dismissal of our Professor that we employed to teach Catholic courses on campus for University credit. The Catholic Diocese of Peoria felt that it would be irresponsible to react too quickly making a public statement without first giving the University of Illinois the chance to speak with us. It wasn’t until July 10 that we finally heard from the University, and the Diocese of Peoria will be speaking with the University early next week. St. John’s Catholic Newman Center (SJCNC) and the Catholic Diocese of Peoria firmly proclaim all the truths of the Catholic Faith! Dr. Ken Howell was primarily employed by SJCNC to teach Catholic courses on campus for University credit and we will seek to lobby for him to continue to do that and for the Catholic cause on campus. Please find below the Diocesan Statement regarding this matter. Also, please pray for the success of the Diocese’s meeting with the University of Illinois.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Monsignor Gregory K. Ketcham

Director and Head Chaplain
St. John’s Catholic Newman Center
at the University of Illinois

Statement from the Diocese of Peoria

NEWS RELEASE

The Catholic Diocese of Peoria

July 15, 2010

Contact:
Patricia M. Gibson
Chancellor
309-671-1550

“Diocese of Peoria to Meet with University of Illinois Officials Over Termination of Catholic Professor”

For Immediate Release

PEORIA- The Diocese of Peoria has confirmed that they will be meeting with University of Illinois officials to discuss the termination of Catholic Professor, Kenneth Howell, who had taught courses in the Department of Religion. St. John’s Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois employed Professor Howell to teach the Catholic courses at the University under a previous arrangement with the University. Howell was informed at the end of the spring semester that he would no longer be allowed to teach in the Department of Religion.

The Chancellor of the Diocese of Peoria, Patricia M. Gibson, stated, “The Diocese has been seeking contact with the University of Illinois since the time we were informed of the decision to terminate Professor Howell. Only last week did the University contact the Diocese to arrange a meeting. The University has given us every assurance that they intend to continue to offer Catholic courses in the Department of Religion. They have also indicated that they are open to a discussion concerning who will teach these courses in the future.

“The Diocese has had direct contact with the President of the University of Illinois, who has reiterated that academic freedom is at the core of their teaching and he is willing to have a review of this action so that all the details related to this situation can be investigated.

“The Diocese of Peoria is committed to pursuing this matter and looks forward to cooperation from the University of Illinois so that a just resolution can be obtained.”