A Brief History

 

  Over ten years ago, in the living room of the Bratt household, discussions concerning institutions of higher learning were sometimes entertained.  This was a natural outcome of the fact that older members of the twelve Bratt children were either enrolled in or preparing to matriculate to a post-secondary educational experience of some repute. Of course, the guiding principles of Catholicism in general and the Catholic Church in particular held sway over the direction and content of the discussions, and eventually a concept began to emerge for a college that might prove to be of some merit for the propagation of Catholic culture in our society.

 

  The resurgence of traditional Catholic thinking in the post Vatican II Council era has given way to the establishment of a small but highly influential number of Catholic liberal arts colleges over the past 40 years, which has, by the accounts of many educators, allowed a foot-hold to be regained in the academic arena that was once the domain of Catholic secondary education in the days of yore.  This observation has given direction to the model of education envisioned for the college of St. Athanasius, which identifies a need to apply the principles of sound Catholic orthodox thought to a livelihood born out of that same orthodoxy, rather than merely acquiring knowledge of the liberal arts, per se.

  

  Over the ensuing years, authors were recommended, books were read, contacts made, insights supplied, opinions discussed and curriculums formulated.  Our Academics page manifests the result of those labors.