Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy (OLSWA) is a Catholic post-secondary institution located in Barry's Bay, Ontario, Canada, in the Madawaska Valley, on the shores of Kamaniskeg Lake. The institution offers a three-year liberal arts program with concentrations in Theology, Philosophy, History, Literature and Sacred Music, as well as studies in Mathematics, Languages, Fine Arts, Natural and Social Sciences. ^[3] OLSWA is known for its conservative values and traditional Catholic teaching. ^[4]

Mission Statement

“Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, a Catholic institution that is faithful to Ex Corde Ecclesiae and the teachings of the Catholic Church, provides a post-secondary education in the liberal arts. We seek to form the whole person, especially intellectually and spiritually, while respecting the freedom of the individual. Our curriculum offers a deep and wide-ranging understanding of Western civilization along with the traditions of the Church, and equips students to engage with and critique contemporary culture.” ^[5] The Academy's motto is Veritas Vos Liberabit.

History

Before Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy was an official academic institution, it was a study centre named “Mater Ecclesiae,” and had a class of six students. The centre was founded by Helen Fritz, Fr. Leo Sands O.S.B., Sheila O’Brien, and teachers George Dienesch, Luc Dauvin, and John Paul Meenan. They had a vision to provide affordable Catholic education to students wishing to advance their studies after high school. In the early days, studies took place in living rooms, basements, hay lofts, and other areas hosted by local families, while teaching and tuition were free.

In 2000, after the former St. Joseph’s Convent building was donated by the diocese for use by the study centre, Mater Ecclesiae became Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, and the school had its first official academic year which saw nine students and several teachers. Basic studies included introductory theology, philosophy, history, literature, logic and Latin. In 2003, OLSWA added a second year of study to their program, and a third year in 2004.

OLSWA has been steadily growing each with more students and instructors. Students continue to come from all over Canada and the United States.^[3] By the beginning of the 2015-2016 academic year, the student body had grown to 108 students.^[6] OLSWA currently has a student-teacher ratio of 8:1.

OLSWA has been featured in The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College as one of the Catholic institutions around the world listed as faithfully Catholic colleges.^[7]

Academic Profile

Liberal Arts Education

“[The purpose of a liberal arts education is to] open the mind, to correct it, to refine it, to enable it to know, and to digest, master, rule, and use its knowledge, to give it power over its own faculties, application, flexibility, method, critical exactness, sagacity, resource, address, [and] eloquent expression. . . .” ^[8]

The courses at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom are centered on Catholic liberal arts, faithful to the Magisterium of the Church. With liberal arts education underlying the academics, OLSWA has a core curriculum that encompasses studies in Theology, Philosophy, History, Literature, Languages, Fine Arts, Sacred Music, Natural and Social Sciences.

Programs

OLSWA offers the following certificate programs:^[9]

• Certificate of Christian Humanities (96 credit hours)

• requires a completion of one of the following concentrations: History, Literature,

Philosophy or Theology

• General Certificate of Christian Humanities (96 credit hours)
• Associate Certificate of Christian Humanities (64 credit hours)
• Basic Certificate of Christian Humanities (32 credit hours)

Degree-Granting Status

At present, OLSWA does not have degree-granting status in the province of Ontario, but is being reviewed by the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB) as part of OLSWA's application for degree-granting status.^[10]

Transfer Credits

Many universities such as Ave Maria University, Christendom College, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Northeast Catholic College, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Trinity Western University, and Redeemer University College have accepted credits from OLSWA students and allowed them to graduate with a full degree after one, two or three years, depending on their length of study at OLSWA and their field of study.^[3]

Student life

Students live in close community with one another and are encouraged to grow in Catholic leadership, faith formation and spiritual growth. Besides their studies, students are encouraged to take part in hikes, sports, musical performances, field trips, community prayer, choir practices, dances, special guest lectures, campus clubs and more.^[11]

Official OLSWA clubs include the Paul Sanders and Janine Lieu Pro-Life Club, the Frassati Outdoors Club, the Don Bosco Drama Club and Schola (by the Sacred Music Society). ^[11]

Spiritual life at OLSWA is essential to student life on a daily basis as the institution is dedicated to guiding the community towards holiness. St. Hedwig’s Parish, located right next to the campus, offers daily Mass, confession and adoration to their parishioners and the OLSWA community.

OLSWA offers an environment conducive to spiritual growth through pilgrimages, community prayer, and availability of the Sacraments. OLSWA currently has two chaplains, Fr. Paul Burchat and Fr. Joseph Hattie O.M.I.. Both offer private spiritual direction and Confession to students who wish to speak with them. ^[12]

Students at OLSWA live in single-sex residences, enriched with regular house prayer and house nights. Each residence houses a various number of students: from 5 to 12.

Buildings and Sites

Campus Buildings

• St. Mary Hall
• St. Joseph Hall
• St. Anthony Hall
• Blessed John Henry Newman Classroom Building

Campus Parish

St. Hedwig Parish is located next door to OLSWA campus buildings, and is always open for students to pray, worship and receive the sacraments.

References