Comments about ‘Turning out statesmen is Cedar school's goal’

I live in Cedar City and have seen this "George Wythe school" located in a strip mall adjacent to the Movie Theater and InstaCare. Ever since it's inception I have wondered what is going on at that place. They seem to offer very few degrees all heavily focused in the Constitution. The founder of the school, charismatic DeMille, has had other unusual groups, quasi schools, and business ventures around the area. The over- Zealous folks that assemble at the campus concern me. Is this place legitimate? The article states that a campus of the school in Moab has been held up by accreditation issues. Accreditation is a huge issue and should be investigated. It seems that whenever I have encountered this school, students and administration they are very defensive about defending the legitimacy of their college. Why?

It's ironic they would say students "learn how to think instead of what to think" when it's actually the exact opposite: students there tend to be very far right-wing, non-critical thinking individuals. To wit, Glenn Beck is headlining their fundraiser.

I have a distant relative that has sent her children there. They are heavily exposed to certain ideas but limited in many of the basics that would prepare one for graduate schools. Most troubling is that they are not accredited and have been working on this for over a decade. What this means is that graduates are not able to use the degree. They will not be allowed to enroll in virtually any law school in America, which requires a BA from an accredited institution. They will not be able to get a job that requires a BA and the job is certified by the State, such as a teacher.

All in all, it worries me. I hope they can solve their accreditation issues.

I think they should be accredited. What other university uncovered the founders' reading list that includes W. Cleon Skousen? These people do their research!

My daughter has attended this school. It is possible to obtain a liberal arts education without a modern liberal bias. This school knows how to do it. Sounds like "Citizen" is critical of conservative options to the overwhelming control of academia by the left.

Students from George Wythe, have in fact gone on to Law Schools, Business Schools, and other graduate programs. Non-Accreditation doesn't hold the students back, it just makes them more effective out side the box thinkers, more resourceful, and more focused, which are all super valuable attributes in today's economy.

From what I've seen, the school challenges students considerably more intensely than my experience at BYU. The fact that they are principled in conservative values just provides an option for students who want that -- since they probably won't find it in many other places nowadays.

This school has got some serious issues -- just google it. It is basically an extension of Skousen's NCCS organization, spawned in the early 1990s in the midst of the Meadeau View Institute fiasco down in Duck Creek.

I have personally attended this school and can say with certainty that they aim high and encourage the students to do the same. The school has met and surpassed all of the accreditation criteria excepting the required millions of dollars in a savings account. The quality of their mentoring and curriculum is only comparable to the great Ivy League schools of the past. I can't think of a worthier school to attend or support. They build thinkers, men and women of virtue and integrity and I believe they will create those who will become the leaders of the future.

One huge problem is that very few of the faculty at that school have accredited degrees, including the founder Oliver Demille. Demille does have a B.A. from BYU but his PhD is from an unaccredited correspondence program. Google: "diploma demille" and you will find an interesting, well researched article on the topic.

I think that Deseret News wrote an objective piece on this, but a little more digging would be helpful.

"The quality of their mentoring and curriculum is only comparable to the great Ivy League schools of the past."

How would anyone know this? George Wythe students are never challenged on this point. Why do they always try to compare GW to the Ivies? How silly!

I have never been a student at this school. From the sound of things, it's not perfect, either. I would, however, like to find out for myself what it is like, despite the comments posted here. I hope I am not too much of an old dog not to learn 'new tricks'!

Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it

I'm a student at George Wythe and I don't feel like I need to defend it. Everyone sees what they're looking for and we're all hindered by our own personal biases.

George Wythe is exactly the education that I want and I enjoy every minute of it. It does get intense as they inspire you to really push yourself but the pain of learning is worth the reward it brings.

I hope we can all be a little more open minded with each other's ideas and hopefully learn to see eye to eye. George Wythe isn't for everyone. If it isn't for you, then that's okay! Get a great education somewhere else. :) But it is for me.

In trying to emulate the great nature of the US founders, we can carefully consider and study the components that helped to build their character. GWU employs methods that they utilized, such as debate, the socratic method, colloquia, mentors working closely with few mentees, study of classics and original material, etc. These methods still result in an exemplary education, regardless of accreditation status. The good news is, GWU is well on its way to becoming accredited and those who have obtained degrees prior to this will be "grandfathered" in. We can have the best of both worlds; a classic, liberal arts education using modern technology. Most of the mentors hold degrees from renowned and accredited institutions and one talk with them reveals the depth and breadth of their education. If this is not for you, find a way to further your education in a way that is. I believe their methods to be sound and time will validate the approach.

"GWU employs methods that they utilized, such as debate, the socratic method, colloquia, mentors working closely with few mentees, study of classics and original material, etc. "

The same can be said of most universities - just take classes in the right department.

"those who have obtained degrees prior to this will be "grandfathered" in."

I don't think that is the case - especially if they had received their degree for life experience.

"Most of the mentors hold degrees from renowned and accredited institutions and one talk with them reveals the depth and breadth of their education."

Not true: just look at their backgrounds: many graduated from their GWU! Others graduated from Coral Ridge. Yes there are a few "mentors" there who graduated from accredited programs, but they are not the majority of the on-campus staff.

There's a reason why this is school is NOT accredited. It's faculty are not qualified--indeed, many of them have degrees from diploma mills, which is an absolute joke in the real world. Moreover, as a side note, they get indoctrinated in right wing rhetoric (they are reading Cleon Skousen, really?) and their education is not preparing them for the challenges of the 21st century, namely, immigration concerns, global warming, and a host of other matters. I'm not opposed to teaching conservative thought (heaven knows we have plenty of liberal opinions in the academy), but what I am opposed to is creating a bunch of like-minded homogentic students who have no brain capacity to tackle, much less engage, in the big problems that face our community. I used to teach at Dixie State and I ran into a fair share of students who attended George Wythe. I was amazed at their lack of knowledge concerning basic principles in government, social problems, and even the classics, which they purport to love. To make this College a reputable institution, you need to 1) get qualified faculty and 2) expose these kids to a wide range of views.

I agree with "Musings" 100 percent. There's nothing wrong with conservative thought, but when it excludes all other discourse there's a problem. I think BYU and Notre Dame--two very conservative religious schools--do the job right. They are certainly conservative in their curriculum, but they do not shy away from exposing their students to an array of liberal opinions. In this regard, they not only prepare students for the rigors of graduate school, but they prepare them for the vast complexities that await them in the real world.

PS: DeMille, the president of George Wythe, has a PHD in Constitutional Studies. I did a quick search and realized there is no such degree--unless, of course, you get a non reputable, non accredited, made up quack degree from a bogus diploma mill.

I live in Cedar City and despite what GWU preaches the school does not get the results they claim. These people are extreme in their views and for the most part unbalanced individuals. Say what you like about "Liberal Education" but it is the best university system in the world for educating people in a broad sense to be good citizens. Don't get me wrong US higher ed has its problems but GWU is not the solution, only an alternative for right wingers.

I have a B.S. from a large state school and an M.A. from a small private school. GWU's Ph.D. in Constitutional Law is EXACTLY what I've been looking for and I'm investigating it now. Why? Because when I read bio's of the Founding Fathers they all mention the classics as their foundation. I want the same. Ironic that the bashers above are fully indoctrinated by the think-speak from their tenured, never-DONE-anything leftist profs. LOL.

I would love to enroll in the PHD program at some point--it would be a dream of mine. I've been to various seminars and have visited the campus in Cedar City and met some of the faculty and staff. I love the environment and learning atmosphere. For me it's simply a matter of timing as to when I attend, but I believe GWU offers a curriculum and environment that can be found nowhere else in the country, whether or not it is accredited. Keep up the good work GWU!