Ave Maria University

Ave Maria, Florida

www.avemaria.edu

Overview
In 1961, a financially strapped 23-year-old
named Tom Monaghan and his brother
bought a pizza parlor in a small Michigan
city. That business eventually grew into the
world-famous Domino’s Pizza. Monaghan be-
came a billionaire.
The odds in favor of him becoming a suc-
cessful businessman were long. His father
died when he was four, he lived in foster care
and at an orphanage, he was kicked out of the
seminary and he dropped out of college. But
he had a vision and determination. quick facts
Founded: 2003
Three decades after he began his career,
Type of institution: Small university
Monaghan turned his attention to Catholic
Setting: Rural
philanthropic endeavors, most notably in the Undergraduate enrollment: 364 (2006–07
field of education. In 1998, he founded Ave academic year)
Maria Institute, which became Ave Maria Total undergraduate cost: $23,395 (tuition,
College in Ypsilanti, Michigan, not far from room and board for 2007–08)
his original pizza parlor. Undergraduate majors: 10

He also launched a Catholic law school Five Key Points

and then, in 2003, Ave Maria University in
Naples, Florida. The first new Catholic univer- 1. The university is strongly committed
sity founded in the United States since Sacred to the Magisterium.
Heart University 40 years earlier, Ave Maria 2. It attracts students by its dynamic
University moved to its permanent site in the spiritual life and sense of mission.
new town of Ave Maria, Florida, in 2007. Na- 3. Various programs stress evangeliza-
ples and Ave Maria are about 25 miles apart tion for lay students and encourage
in southwest Florida. vocations.
4. Ave Maria is set in a new town that
The university has suffered through a
seeks to reinforce Catholic identity.
number of problems during its short tenure.
Decisions to close the Michigan-based college 5. Administrators are working to iron out
early internal problems.
and relocate the law school to Florida have
generated some acrimony among the faculty.

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Differences over liturgical styles—offering These were 74 undergraduates and 13 gradu-

some charismatic as well as traditional wor- ate students.
ship—have resulted in another controversy.
The fall 2007 enrollment figures indicate
We can make no predictions whether these that the university has significantly increased
are start-up problems or will become pro- its enrollment over the previous year, now
longed disputes. As with any new education up to about 600. It is already a national in-
venture, prospective students should monitor stitution, attracting students from more than
the latest developments to make sure they are 40 states and about a dozen other countries.
comfortable with the direction the university Long-range plans peg future enrollment at
is taking. 5,500 students, with nearly three-fourths ex-
pected to be undergraduates.
Our purpose is to examine Ave Maria’s
commitment to a Catholic identity and to a Currently, about half of the students come
Catholic intellectual tradition. Assessed on from public schools, while one-fourth are
those criteria, AMU fits well with the new Catholic school graduates and the other one-
crop of Catholic colleges and universities that fourth were homeschooled.
are helping revitalize Catholic higher educa-
The university also has a campus, Ave Ma-
tion in the early 21st century.
ria College of the Americas, in San Marcos,
The principal attraction of Ave Maria to Nicaragua. Purchased from the University of
Catholic students and their families is—and Mobile (Alabama) in 2000, the campus offers
should be—a strong commitment to the undergraduate degrees in several business
Church’s Magisterium and the embracing of concentrations and four other disciplines. All
Ex corde Ecclesiae. The dean of the faculty, Dr. classes are taught in English.
Michael Dauphinais, notes, “As a Catholic
Ave Maria grants a master of arts degree
institution of higher education dedicated to
and a Ph.D. in theology. The Institute for Pas-
the Blessed Virgin Mother, our patroness, we
toral Theology offers a Master of Theological
know that her son, Jesus Christ, is the divine
Studies, largely attracting older, non-tradi-
Teacher who opens our minds and hearts to
tional lay students.
the fullness of the Truth.”
In anticipation of future growth and with a
Such confidence comes through in a vi-
desire to form a comprehensive Catholic com-
brant spiritual life, commitment to evange-
munity, the university launched classes at the
lization, encouragement of vocations and ex-
town of Ave Maria on August 27, 2007. Locat-
posing students to a regimen of the best in the
ed near the town of Immokalee, is thought to
Catholic intellectual tradition. This last point
be the first new planned university town in
is reinforced by a liberal arts core curriculum
centuries.
that encompasses one-half of overall course
requirements. The buildings that were ready for the fall
opening were an academic center, library and
Students are able to pursue 10 majors from
a student union, which includes three cha-
the traditional liberal arts fields, including
pels. There also were three residence halls
theology, sacred music, and classics and early
and athletic fields.
Christian literature. The first group of stu-
dents able to complete all four years of college A private Catholic school, Ave Maria
at the Naples campus graduated in May 2007. Grammar and Preparatory School, opened on
campus with 140 students in August. The K–

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12 school includes teachers from the Domini- law professor and Catholic pro-life advocate
can Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Mary Ann Glendon and Father Richard John
The school has attracted students from sev- Neuhaus, the influential editor in chief of
eral communities. Public schools also are an- First Things.
ticipated.
The town, which will include housing,
businesses, shopping and services, will be
Public Identity
linked to the Ave Maria University campus
Ave Maria was founded upon Ex corde Eccle-
by a town core dominated by an impressive
siae as a direct response to Pope John Paul II’s
1,100-seat Oratory of Ave Maria. Among the
call for a new evangelization. Dr. Dauphinais,
notable features in the church, which is the
the dean of the faculty, told us, “Ave Maria’s
equivalent of about 10 stories, will be a mas-
Catholic identity is palpable in every aspect
sive, 60-foot crucifix.
of its campus life from academics to student
A formal dedication is anticipated in early activities. The faculty and students enjoy be-
2008, as work on the Oratory is rushing to ing at a university where they possess the
completion and other transfers from Naples, freedom to be Catholic.”
including faculty residences, continue. Even-
Perhaps this exuberance is best appreciat-
tually, the town will occupy 5,000 acres, with
ed through the observance of a Christendom
about one-fifth of it devoted to the campus.
College student who visited the Naples cam-
The university has received pre-accredita- pus. In Christendom’s Rambler publication in
tion from the American Academy for Liberal February 2007 he wrote, “The students at Ave
Arts and has been working on regional ac- have a deep awareness of why they are going
creditation from the Southern States Associa- to a Catholic college. They really understand
tion of Colleges and Schools. the meaning behind the higher education that
they are receiving.”
The staff and faculty are an important com-
Governance ponent of this commitment. One administra-
tor said, “From the top down, starting with
Ave Maria is governed by a largely lay board
the university president, students see faculty
of directors, which includes three priests
and staff who are confident in their faith and
(among them Father Benedict Groeschel,
love it. Their faithfulness is very appealing to
C.F.R., and Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J.) and theo-
the students.”
logian Michael Novak.
“When they see the president of Ave Ma-
Monaghan, who serves as university chan-
ria hammering for a Habitat for Humanity
cellor and chief executive officer, and Nicho-
project,” he added, “it makes a deep impres-
las Healy, the president and chief operating
sion. When they see fidelity to the faith lived
officer, also are board members. Healy, a for-
out joyfully, they are drawn to it.”
mer maritime lawyer, previously had served
as a vice president at Franciscan University of We were told by one administrator that
Steubenville. “campus speakers must support the Catholic
mission of the institution. If they are Catho-
The university also has a 33-member
lic, they must be in good standing with the
board of regents, which includes Harvard
Church. Academic lecturers need not be

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Ave Maria University

were a part of something special and they rel-

ished the experience.”
There are those on campus who prefer
the traditional Mass while others support the
charismatic Praise and Worship form. De-
spite some turmoil over this issue, it appears
that the university is moving in the direction
of both options.
Confessions are held daily, and the Liturgy
of the Hours is prayed throughout the week.
There is Eucharistic adoration and popular
nightly Rosary walks that attract between 40
to 80 students. Retreats (Ignatian, coed and
silent) are offered every semester.
The Angelus is rung three times daily, and
we were told by one faculty member, “It is
Catholic, but they should respect the Catholic not unusual to see people stop a minute for
identity of the institution.” recollection when the Angelus bell is rung.”
The university also promotes overall Catholic
The 2007 commencement speaker was spirituality by a daily “sanctification of time”
journalist and author Peggy Noonan, and the by starting classes with prayer, perhaps to the
celebrant of the preceding Baccalaureate Mass saint of the day.
was Father Neuhaus. Both received honorary
degrees. There are nine priests and at least five re-
ligious sisters on campus, reflecting several
orders and campus responsibilities. The most
Spiritual Life well-known priest is Father Joseph Fessio,
S.J., the Theologian in Residence. Father Fes-
Until the Oratory is completed, Masses are sio, founder of Ignatius Press, is very popular
being celebrating in three chapels in the Stu- with students and highly engaged with them.
dent Union Building. They are plentiful: three He has, for example, weekly study groups
daily Monday through Friday, two on Satur- for students that discuss such works as Pope
day (including one Sunday vigil) and four on Benedict XVI’s Spirit of the Liturgy. Father Fes-
Sunday. Several Masses are in Latin under sio received his doctorate in theology from
the Novus Ordo, including the Sunday Mass the University of Regensburg (Germany),
at 8 p.m., but the majority are in English. The where he studied under then-Professor Jo-
Tridentine Mass is offered only in two of the seph Ratzinger.
chapels and with prior permission. The university is strongly committed to
We read of one Sunday noon Mass in the vocations. It has a pre-theologate program,
Ballroom, the largest chapel, which attracted which includes a Program of Priestly Forma-
500 faculty members and students. The writ- tion. This initiative is run by the Center for
er, who was impressed by the homily, said, Discernment. There currently are about 50
“The students that I encountered knew they men in the program who take undergraduate
theology and philosophy courses. Some are

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students who started at Ave Maria and de- Thomas Aquinas as well as later theologians
cided to enter, while others were sent to the and the Magisterium.”
program by their bishop.
All theology professors make a profession
There also is a unique Women’s Discern- of faith, take the Oath of Fidelty and hold the
ment Program that is run by the Servant Sis- mandatum. Non-Catholic faculty members do
ters of Hogar de la Madre with added partici- not teach theology or philosophy, although
pation of Benedictine nuns. Interested women there is no policy prohibiting it.
are able to reside in a special household in a
One theology professor whose name con-
residence hall. The Servant Sisters have a spe-
sistently surfaced as an exemplary teacher is
cial relationship with Ave Maria.
Dr. William Riordan, who serves as the de-
partment’s director of undergraduate studies.
In addition to being identified by a university
official as a dynamic teacher with “deep fidel-
Catholicism in ity” in the classroom, he is noted for his study
the Classroom groups that read texts from thinkers such as
Euclid and other classical writers.
A university vice president told us, “We are The philosophy department also is strong.
seeking ‘orthopraxis,’ to help our graduates It bases its curriculum on philosophy’s
develop big heads, big hearts and big chests.” “orginal meaning as the love and pursuit of
(This is a reference to C. S. Lewis’s Abolition of wisdom.” All philosophy majors must take
Man, where we are warned about smart men a comprehensive examination that is so sub-
with giant heads but tiny, concave chests.) stantial that it carries two credits. One area
The university’s bylaws stipulate that at that is tested is the relationship between the-
least one-half of the 128 credits required for ology and philosophy.
graduation be within the core curriculum. In the spring 2007 semester, the philoso-
Sixty-four credits come from 16 specified core phy department held a four-session “Chris-
courses. The liberal arts disciplines of litera- tian Philosophy and Metaphysics” lecture
ture, history, the natural sciences, math and series. The focus was on the papal encyclical
classical languages are studied as well as the- Fides et Ratio, which Pope John Paul II issued
ology and philosophy. in 1998.
The three core courses in theology taken Even in departments such as mathemat-
in sequence are in scripture, doctrine and ics or economics, the connection to Catholic
moral theology. All students take three foun- teaching is evident. Dr. Michael Marsalli, pro-
dational philosophy courses, including meta- fessor of mathematics and chair of the depart-
physics. The core requires one year of Latin ment, “sees numbers as revealing order and
and two non-credit practica (hands-on activi- beauty,” according to one of his colleagues.
ties) courses in fine arts, one of which is Gre- Dr. Gabriel Martinez, assistant professor of
gorian chant. economics, included Catholic social teaching
One official said, “The theology courses in his classes.
seek to present the theological wisdom of the One campus priest pointed to both these
Church found in Scripture, the Fathers, St. men, among others, as examples of faculty
members being notable “personal witnesses”

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to the Catholic faith. Dr. Marsalli, for example, with Catholic teaching in order to inspire the
is seen at Mass with his wife at the organ and students of the Institute to become Christian
his 15-year-old daughter playing the violin. business leaders who will help to transform
the countries in which they live.”
Such commitment continues. Dr. Daniel
Dentino, vice president of student affairs and There is a study-abroad program. Students
dean of students, told us that he looks for ways are able to spend one semester at the Interna-
to inculcate Christian principles throughout tional Theological Institute in Gaming, Aus-
campus life. He said, “We aim to create a cul- tria, where they live in a 14th-century monas-
ture where faith informs the whole of life—in tery known as Kartause Maria Thron. There
the residences, the activities, social events also is an opportunity to study at Ave Maria’s
and academics.” San Marcos, Nicaragua, campus. Plans are
being made to offer a Rome program.
No member of the faculty is reported to be
a dissenter from Church teachings, although The university is committed to helping
about 10 percent of the faculty is non-Catholic. ease the financial burden of students, particu-
The Protestant faculty, according to one priest larly those coming from large families. In the
on the faculty, is committed to the Church’s fall 2007 semester up to 30 full tuition schol-
mission. Dr. David Dalin, an ordained Jewish arships, known as Magnificat scholarships,
rabbi, is professor of history and political sci- were to be offered to freshmen. They hope
ence. He is the author of the 2005 book The to continue this program for future entering
Myth of Hitler’s Pope: How Pope Pius XII Res- classes.
cued Jews from the Nazis.
Among other features of the campus is
Among other notable faculty is Joseph the Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal,
Pearce, a writer in residence and professor of which sponsors conferences, lectures and
literature who has written a number of recent publications. One upcoming conference is
biographies of Catholic thinkers, including G. “Humanae Vitae: 40 Years Later,” which is
K. Chesterton, Hilaire Belloc and J. R. R. Tolk- scheduled for February 1–2, 2008.
ien. The British-born Pearce also is the author
The center also gives several awards. The
of Literary Converts: Spiritual Inspiration in An
Veritas Medal for Catholic intellectual con-
Age of Unbelief, about several prominent Brit-
tributions was given to papal biographer
ish writers who became Catholic.
George Wiegel in 2006 and Avery Cardinal
Amid this academic background, Ave Ma- Dulles, S.J., in 2007. The 2007 Charles Cardi-
ria University offers 10 majors. Theology, with nal Journet Prize for a notable manuscript
the largest number of professors, also attracts was presented to University of Notre Dame
the largest number of majors. Philosophy, lit- philosopher Ralph McInerny. Other awards
erature, politics and economics are ranked are the Ex corde Ecclesiae Medal and a disser-
not far behind. Minors can be earned in some tation prize.
departments that do not presently grant ma-
Ave Maria houses the Sapientia Press,
jors, such as chemistry and physics. There is a
which lists 27 titles in its current catalog in
pre-med program.
the areas of Catholic social science, litera-
The Institute for Business offers liberal ture, philosophy, science and theology. They
arts students the opportunity to take courses also publish two journals, Nova et Vetera, a
to receive a certificate in business. Accord- Thomistic publication, and StAR, a Catholic
ing to the university, the program “is infused bimonthly featuring well-known authors.

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As with many other Catholic colleges, Theater of the World Incorporated. Ave Ma-
Ave Maria has a summer program for high ria students are expected to continue to be in-
school students, which allows them to sample volved in this evangelization effort.
the academic environment. In 2007, Father
Ave Maria students also enjoy several for-
Fessio and Joseph Pearce taught one-week
mal dances each year. The spring 2007 ball
programs that focused on Tolkien and C. S.
had a 19th-century theme, and students were
Lewis. There also are summer intensive lan-
to dress and dance to reflect the style of the
guage programs in Greek, Latin and Hebrew
period. That same semester, there was a fash-
for current students.
ion show, “Image,” which emphasized mod-
esty in dress.
Student Activities The university has seven intercollegiate
club sports: men’s and women’s basketball,
There are more than two dozen clubs and which will have a six- and eight-game sched-
organizations on campus. We were told by ule, respectively, in fall 2007; men’s and wom-
one faculty member that the largest ones are en’s soccer; women’s volleyball; men’s golf;
the Chastity Team, which encourages stu- and cross country. Ave Maria is anticipat-
dents and evangelizes, and the Students for ing eventually competing at the varsity level
Life, which undertakes sidewalk counsel- through the National Association of Intercol-
ing, prayer at Planned Parenthood sites and legiate Athletics (NAIA).
participates in the annual March for Life in
There is an intramural program consist-
Washington, D.C.
ing of coed opportunities in frisbee, soccer
Among other faith-oriented groups are and volleyball as well as men’s and women’s
the Knights of Columbus; Sodalitas Pontificis basketball leagues and flag football for men
Sancti Gregorii Magni, which promotes the during October through December.
Roman liturgy; Communion and Liberation,
There also are several opportunities for
dedicated to studying the works of Monsi-
community outreach. These include the Habi-
gnor Luigi Giovanni Giussani, an Italian who
tat for Humanity (every Saturday in Immo-
founded the Comunione e Liberazione move-
kalee), Big Brothers and Big Sisters, spring
ment; and Operation Prayer Packages (OPPS),
break mission trips to Texas and Mexico and
which provides prayers and packages to our
general outreach to the economically chal-
soldiers overseas.
lenged Immokalee community.
Other groups cover fine arts, hiking and
mountaineering, poetry, swing dance and
tennis. The drama club has produced the play Residential Life
Harvey, made famous by the James Stewart
film, and the musical My Fair Lady. Students live in two women’s residence halls
and one for men; nearly 600 students can
Father Fessio founded AMOR, which
be housed here. With a few exceptions, it is
stands for Ave Maria on the Road, with some
university policy for all students to live on
support from Ignatius Press. It involved stu-
campus. Chastity is strongly promoted in the
dents traveling to present dramatic skits to
residence halls. Opposite-sex visitation is re-
parishes and elsewhere. It is expanding to be-
stricted to certain times and limited to com-
come an independent organization that will
mon areas.
be near the university and reconstituted as

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Like Franciscan University of Steuben- high Regional Medical Center, which is about
ville, which pioneered the wide use of student 20 miles northwest.
households, Ave Maria created several on
Immokalee has a Seminole reservation
its Naples campus. In the 2006–07 academic
and a casino. It is also the home of the Na-
year, there were four women’s households—
tional Aubudon Society’s Corkscrew Swamp
Daughters of Divine Mercy, Esto Femina, Rosa
Sanctuary, which protects rare Cypress trees.
Mystica and St. Gianna Berretta—and five
men’s households—Brotherhood of Divine Students have access to Collier County
Line, Brothers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, parks and can view sporting events, mostly
Esto Vir, Filii in Filio and Totus Tuus. minor-league teams, in nearby cities of Estero,
Fort Myers and City of Palms. The beaches
The university notes, “These Christ-
along the Gulf of Mexico are close.
centered groups strive for balanced, healthy,
interpersonal relationships while they sup- Southwest Florida International Airport
port and challenge a member to develop spir- in Fort Myers is a rapidly growing airport
itually, emotionally, academically and physi- located one hour northwest from Ave Maria.
cally.” Many major carriers fly in and out of there,
and service is provided to the United States,
Canada and Germany.
The Community The nearest major highway is Interstate 75,
which is the main artery from the campus to
One blogger said of his August 2007 visit to
Miami, which is about two hours east.
the Ave Maria campus, “I am still in shock
at what was pulled off in the middle of a sod
farm, orange grove and tomato field in rural
Florida.” The university, particularly with its
The Bottom Line
striking Oratory, stands out like a spiritual
Ave Maria University has experienced some
oasis.
growing pains as it has begun a noble experi-
The town of Ave Maria, once completed, ment to create the first new Catholic universi-
will offer all the amenities of life in an atmo- ty since 1963. Despite some negative publicity,
sphere that sustains Catholic identity. Plans the institution has suffered few disruptions
for the town have been criticized by some and has continued to increase its enrollment.
groups, including the American Civil Lib- It also has moved to an impressive permanent
erties Union, for restricting certain services home.
and products inimical to Catholic teachings.
One administrator told us, “The overall
There have been some adjustments, but the
ambiance of the Catholic faith integrates the
town still promises to provide a safe haven
campus life by providing a common sense
for Catholic families and children.
of mission as opposed to the impersonal and
The city of Immokalee is five miles away fragmented character of many universities to-
and has about 20,000 residents, 71 percent of day.”
whom are Hispanic. The major industry is ag-
That alone is a strong argument for this
riculture. Immokalee does not have a hospi-
institution. But when you take into account
tal, and the closest one to Ave Maria is the Le-

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the unswerving fidelity to the Magisterium,

the strong core curriculum, the nurturing of
vocations and the presence of an impressive
and faithful faculty, Ave Maria stands as a
university which must be considered one of
the most notable available to American Cath-
olics today.

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