Program Description:
The David S. Baginski, FSC Scholars Program is an interdisciplinary program that provides an exciting opportunity for highly motivated and independent students to do critical inquiry and discovery in the social sciences, humanities, and the sciences. The program will bring together Central Catholic faculty and visiting scholars and public leaders with expertise in a variety of academic and civic areas. At the broadest level, our goal is to facilitate understanding of the interdisciplinary and integrated aspects of learning, bringing an ethical and progressive perspective to bear on customary academic disciplines.
The Scholars Program, embodied by three related concepts - scholarship, citizenship, and discipleship, is designed to foster an active intellectual community of students who are challenged to think critically about pertinent questions. One of the most ancient and enduring questions is: What does it mean to live a just and happy life? Students will pursue an understanding of the perennial issues that have preoccupied humanity including the origin and destiny of our lives, an ethical civilization, and the significance of the past. However, students will engage a distinctive way of learning that leads them to see and understand in fresh ways our changing world, making connections across traditional academic disciplines, to notice what has been valued and what has been neglected, to challenge their own assumptions and conclusions, and to celebrate what can be learned from people different from themselves.
Scholars will be expected to pursue Honors level courses in all academic areas, with a particular focus on their intellectual abilities and interests. They will be required to successfully complete 15 credits of Honors level courses by graduation. Sophomores will participate in the Sophomore Colloquia, a series of one-day sessions on different topics. In the junior year, students will take the Junior Seminar course, an intense study of problems and ideas found in Western and Eastern texts, with much emphasis on reading, thinking, speaking and writing.
Program Goals:
- To ensure that our Scholars will receive meaningful learning experiences that will prepare them to continuously learn, apply, and create new knowledge throughout their lives.
- To provide our Scholars with meaningful opportunities informed by the Lasallian Christian heritage that will challenge them to reach their full potential as thoughtful, creative, responsible, caring, and productive persons.
- To provide guidance and direction to the Scholars, leading them to feel comfortable with their abilities and to appreciate the giftedness of others.
- To foster the development of a service sensibility, leading our Scholars towards a commitment to public service and leadership as active participants in a democratic society.
Program Objectives
The Baginski Scholars Program by its nature celebrates the individuality of each of its members. Nonetheless, as a result of participation, a young man should reveal the following profile at Commencement.
He will:
- have a sense of the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge
- exhibit superior oral and written communication skills
- display superior research skills in many media
- possess an awareness and appreciation of the fine arts
- have an acquaintance of the great books, ideas, and thinkers of western civilization, and acknowledge and appreciate cultures other than his own
- understand and critically assess current events
- function intellectually at the higher levels of thought
- internalize and act upon a sense of moral and social responsibility
- master and apply leadership skills to help his community solve problems
Admission to the Program
Competitive candidates will present upon application the following credentials:a solid record of high grades demonstrating an ability to handle Honors-level courses. Note: Students invited to apply to the Baginski Program must be enrolled in at least three honors courses during the freshman year.
- an in-school essay demonstrating proficiency in ability to write a coherent and cohesive essay using grade-level vocabulary
- an interview with the Program Director to present sample quality work and to determine level of candidate interest and serious approach to studies
- two recommendations from current teachers
Program Requirements
The following will be required of all Scholars:
- Completion of a minimum of 15 credits in Honors or Advanced Placement (A.P.) level courses by the end of the senior year
- Three years of a foreign language at Central Catholic
- Maintain Honor Roll status each quarter
- 30 hours of approved / guided service in the Greater Pittsburgh Area during each of the sophomore, junior, and senior years
- Completion of an approved and directed Independent and Integrated Project during the senior year
For further information contact:
Mr. Matthew Sudnik
Director
412-208-3417
Email Mr. Sudnik