Corpus Christi, Texas

www.colcc.com

Overview

Located near the Texas-Mexico border, Our Lady of Corpus Christi has operated as a small, non-accredited liberal arts program since its opening in September of 1998, serving both seminarians and lay students. But a developing relationship with the University of St. Thomas in Houston may significantly help this unique mission-inspired program recruit more lay students and expand its offerings.

Although not yet approved by the State of Texas as a degree-granting college, the thoroughly Catholic OLCC has arranged for academic credit from UST for five freshman undergraduate courses in 2009-2010. UST intends to expand the program in the second year, with all courses in the pilot program taught by UST faculty.  In their third year, students may be able to transfer credits to UST degree programs at the university’s main campus in Houston, leading to a bachelor’s degree from UST.

The relationship could develop into something more permanent. As of August 2009 when The Newman Guide went to print, OLCC was negotiating with UST to become a satellite campus of the university. The change will require approval by the regional accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and so no target date has been announced.

“This partnership enables Corpus Christi-area college students to take core classes from a prestigious Catholic university without leaving south Texas,” announced Dr. Dominic Aquila, UST’s vice president for academic affairs, regarding the new pilot program. South Texas has fewer colleges and universities than the wealthier regions to the north.

OLCC’s unique character also appeals to students well beyond the local community; about 80 percent of its students have come from outside Texas. The program’s stated purpose of “educating and evangelizing the world’s young people and their nations” is consistent with the missionary work of its founding religious order, the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), which intends to remain very much active with OLCC even if it affiliates with UST. The program aims to form young people in an attitude of service, with the strength and desire to be leaders of the “New Evangelization.”

For instance, OLCC builds on the SOLT practice of establishing “ecclesial family teams” of religious, laity and priests to work together at a mission. At OLCC, this is regarded as a key aspect of students’ spiritual personal formation, and a missionary spirit is encouraged among administration, faculty and staff. The regional headquarters for SOLT is located nearby, providing opportunities for students to learn about and visit other SOLT missions. A week-long mission trip is incorporated into the academic year to give students an experience in missionary life.

Currently OLCC offer majors in Theology, Philosophy and English. About 20 percent of OLCC students have been home schooled, and more than half have come from public schools. Many alumni have gone on to work in SOLT missions, youth ministry and Catholic schools.

The cost of $27,130 for tuition, room and fees in 2009-10 is higher than the projected Texas state average and reflects the economies of scale at a small institution. But students participating in the UST pilot program are eligible for federal loans and grants as well as the usual OLCC financial assistance.

Governance

The OLCC Board of Directors has 15 board members, eight of whom are religious from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. These include the General Priest Servant of SOLT, Fr. Ogie Rosalinas; the General Sister Servant, Sr. Anne Marie Walsh; and the President of OLCC, Fr. James Kelleher. The seven lay members of the board are all practicing Catholics who are committed to the mission of OLCC.

A Board of Fellows, comprised of six SOLT members who are also on the Board of Directors, has final authority over major decisions, particularly in maintaining the Catholic identity and ensuring that the charism of SOLT is fulfilled in the mission of the college. They have the authority to make decisions such as the appointment of the president and construction of new buildings.

Father Kelleher was the founding president of OLCC, and one of his key accomplishments was the construction of a 250-seat chapel for Eucharistic Adoration.  He left to serve as the SOLT Director of Mission Development, working to establish and fund new mission teams for Africa, India, Russia and Spain, but returned as president in 2008 while continuing his missionary efforts. He is known for leading large Rosary rallies in the tradition of the late Father Patrick Peyton, the “Rosary Priest.” Father Kelleher earned a doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the “Angelicum”)in Rome.

Public Identity

“This is Our Lady’s school” is the mantra of administrators and faculty. Devotion to Mary is seen in the presence of statues around campus, the daily Rosary prayed in the chapel by the whole community and vigils on Marian feast days.

According to OLCC’s mission statement, one objective is “Cultivating a love of learning for its own sake and a life-long pursuit of ever deepening knowledge and understanding of the truth of Catholic Faith and Life within a Marian-Trinitarian Spirituality.” OLCC leaders and faculty promote love for Mary, the Mother of God, and love for the Church, not only in the classroom but also “in the way students and staff walk in their faith side-by-side.”

OLCC is committed to adhering to Ex corde Ecclesiae, and nearly all faculty and staff are practicing Catholics. While OLCC does not require that all employees be Catholic, it does require that all faculty and staff be respectful of the views and teachings of the Catholic Church and not promote dissenting views. The president, vice-president and chaplain participate in the Liturgy of the Hours and daily Rosary alongside the seminarians and students.

Our Lady of Corpus Christi does not have a regular schedule of lecturers; however, their choice of guest speakers for various sponsored events has been consistent with a strong Catholic identity. Fr. James Flanagan, founder of SOLT, resides nearby and frequently offers lectures to the seminarians and lay students on campus. In 2006, the eloquent preacher Fr. John Corapi, SOLT, was the keynote speaker for a fundraising dinner. Other prominent Catholic speakers who have come to OLCC include Boston College philosophy professor Dr. Peter Kreeft; Dale Ahlquist, president of the American Chesterton Society; and retired Bishop Rene Gracida of Corpus Christi.

The current ordinary of Corpus Christi, Bishop Edmond Carmody, celebrates the Holy Spirit Mass on campus at the beginning of each school year. 

Academics

Under the current agreement with the University of St. Thomas in Houston, OLCC freshmen will be able to take five accredited UST courses in fall 2009 and spring 2010. These courses fulfill the core requirements of both OLCC, which has always offered a strong core of theology and philosophy courses, and UST, which requires 24 credit hours in theology and philosophy. Other courses are in literature, modern languages (Spanish and Chinese, reflecting OLCC’s missionary focus), history and computer skills.

The majority of OLCC theology professors are SOLT priests, and all have the mandatum. OLCC also offers theology courses as religious education for the diocese, and this past spring offered a well-attended night class on the Theology of the Body that was open to students for personal enrichment. The theology program emphasizes evangelization, and students are taught skills for teaching the Catholic faith to others.

Philosophy courses emphasize the search for wisdom and development of a Catholic Christian philosophy with a focus on Saints Augustine and Aquinas.

The English program teaches literature, with the goal of “developing the student in human formation, enabling them to learn from the experience of those characters presented in literature and to discover how universal principles actually present themselves in human experience,” according to OLCC literature.

Most of OLCC’s professors are adjunct professors. Sincere efforts are made to hire professors who are practicing Catholics and faithful to the Magisterium of the Church. Students have frequent opportunities to interact with faculty over shared meals in the residence hall cafeteria and other campus activities.

The St. Therese Library was recently renovated and includes a collection of Great Books.

Spiritual Life

A full-time chaplain serves the students and staff of OLCC. Mass is offered on campus Sunday through Friday, usually in English with some Latin included. Confession is available for half an hour before Mass and by appointment.

On Saturdays, a SOLT community Mass is celebrated at different SOLT parishes in the area. The third Saturday of the month, the priests celebrate a Mass for a pro-life apostolate. Students are invited and encouraged to attend the Saturday Masses with OLCC administration and staff.

At the heart of the OLCC campus is the magnificent Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, one of the largest in North America with a capacity of 250 people. Here students, staff and seminarians participate in the Liturgy of the Hours, Rosaries, vigils and the daily sacrifice of the Mass. The chapel has become a haven for students as well as visiting religious on retreat, and it is open 24 hours a day.

Off-campus retreats are available to students every semester.

Student Activities

The small size of the student body means that campus activities depend largely on the interests of the resident students. A full-time Director of Student Life lives on campus and coordinates social activities and retreats.  A family atmosphere is evident as staff, seminarians, religious sisters and priests are often found participating in activities with the students, such as movie nights and impromptu soccer games on the lawn.  

Students are very active in local pro-life activities, including weekly trips to pray in front of a local abortion clinic, attending the monthly Helpers of God’s Precious Infants Mass and participation in state and national pro-life marches.

Student activities include game nights, movie nights, bowling, camping trips, bonfires on the beach and local excursions. Students organize sporting events including soccer, volleyball, frisbee, basketball and football.

Residential Life

There is one residence hall on campus. Men and women live on separate floors, and no visitation is allowed between the men’s and women’s floors. There is a Resident Assistant assigned to the women and one assigned to the men. The cafeteria and student lounge are located in the basement and are where most student activities and visiting take place.

Students are encouraged to dress modestly. The OLCC Campus Handbook states that pants or skirts, sleeved shirts and footwear should be worn in the chapel, in the classroom and at official academic gatherings.

We are told that chastity is promoted through the fostering of healthy friendships and dating relationships and the positive example of the upperclassmen, faculty and staff.

All on-campus students are part of the campus work study program. This is considered to be part of the student’s formation in an attitude of responsibility and service to others.

OLCC offers wireless Internet access campus-wide, in addition to a computer lab.

The Community

The campus is located on the edge of the city of Corpus Christi, 10 minutes from the downtown bayfront and 25 minutes from the beaches of Padre Island. Corpus Christi is a medium-sized city of 282,850 people, which is large enough to offer a variety of cultural attractions including the Harbor Playhouse, the Texas State Aquarium, the U.S.S. Lexington Museum, a variety of art museums and a popular minor league baseball team.

The Diocese of Corpus Christi is a vibrant and active Catholic community. There are many retreats, conferences and pro-life activities in which students can participate.

The Corpus Christi International Airport provides service from major airlines and is located 10 minutes from campus. 

The Bottom Line

Our Lady of Corpus Christi has a strong Catholic identity. The opportunity to interact with seminarians and religious sisters in class and through on-campus activities is a tremendous benefit to students in their formation. This is an environment where students can grow in faith and contribute to all aspects of life on campus, while receiving a solid Catholic liberal arts education.

The unique influence of the SOLT order’s missionary activity and devotion to Mary will appeal to many students, and the new pilot program with the University of St. Thomas ensures that OLCC students have access to accredited courses that can lead to a bachelor’s degree. A future satellite agreement with UST could allow OLCC to expand into more majors. The combination of one of the nation’s top private Catholic universities with the familial charism of SOLT, make this a program worth serious consideration.