ACTC
The Association for Core Texts and Courses

"Supporting Liberal Arts Core Text Curricula Around the World"

ACTC Liberal Arts Institute Moves To St. Mary’s College of California

Summer, 2004: Last year, ACTC and the University of Dallas (UD) partnered to pilot the new ACTC Liberal Arts Institute. Upon the end of two years of initial, generous funding by the University, St. Mary’s College of California has offered extensive support to the Institute. With the blessing of the University, the Institute has moved on July 1 to St. Mary’s campus in Moraga.

Plans call for a two-year initiative by both St. Mary’s College and ACTC to build both (inter)national programs and support, including an endowment campaign for Institute funding. Both parties anticipate an extension of the arrangements well into the future. As at UD, the Institute will operate as a wholly-owned division of ACTC.

The ACTC Liberal Arts Institute is dedicated to fostering core text, liberal arts curricula and allied, core text projects. Inspired by the success of the Institute’s “Bridging the Gap” project, St. Mary’s is eager to support activities of the Institute including a student conference in the coming year. St. Mary’s support has already made possible several grant applications. As before, the Institute will continue to provide infrastructure support for the annual conference, as well.

Scott Lee, Executive Director of ACTC remarked, “The University of Dallas showed great generosity, particularly in times of economic adversity, to provide the impetus for the Institute. Now, St. Mary’s has picked up the banner with vigor and with a very generous commitment of resources. We are deeply grateful for this support.” Several individuals were essential in bringing the Institute to St. Mary’s. These included Brother Kenneth Cardwell, chair of SMC’s Collegiate Seminar program, Frances Sweeney, Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs, and Sally Stampp, Provost of St. Mary’s.