Benedictine College is a residential liberal arts college located in Atchison, Kansas. The College came into being in 1971 after the merger of two other institutions, the Mount St. Scholastica College which taught women and St. Benedict's College for men. The College can trace its history back much further however – it celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2008.
The original school was opened in 1858 by two Benedictine monks in order to train young men who wished to join the priesthood. As the years passed the curriculum expanded to meet the needs of the settlers and pioneers who lived in the area and in 1927 St. Benedict’s college became an official liberal arts college. St. Scholastica's Academy was founded in 1863 by the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica. The two schools merged in 1971, becoming a co-educational establishment.
These days Benedictine College offers a wide range of undergraduate degrees to its undergraduate students, as well as graduate qualifications in business and education. In keeping with its Benedictine principals the most popular areas of study are Theology, Education and Business, all of which are associated with the order.
Benedictine College is a residential university so accommodation is on campus along with the church, abbey, dining hall, library and recreation centre as well as the administrative and academic facilities.
The Catholic faith is at the heart of Benedictine College and there are many student societies centred around worship and bible study. Mass is also offered four times a day at different places on the campus.
