Beginning this summer the campus will be hosting the Loras College Summer Academy (LCSA) for students entering grades 8-10

This is a prestigious pre-college experience for students to become familiar with the college life, including classes, the option of living in a dorm with a roommate and being away from home.

 Mike Budde, who is the executive director for business development and strategic initiatives at Loras College, initiated the idea due to the popularity of the Loras All Sports Camp for younger participants.

 “Since 10 to 12 percent of the College’s alumni attended the Loras Sports Camp as kids, we can expect that this will be beneficial for admissions,” explained Budde.

There will be two sessions of the camp, from June 6-11 and from July 25-30.

A variety of classes will be offered, ranging from crime scene investigation to cooking to creative writing.

LCSA courses will provide intensive, interactive daily classroom and field-related experiential learning in small groups. Each group focuses on one main course subject taught by Loras professors. In the evening, all students will participate in nightly educational and social activities with the larger group, ranging from a ‘Night at the Museum’ taking place at the Mississippi River Museum, a boat tour and a dance.

Twenty Loras professors were chosen to teach the courses after being elected by 3 student interns. In addition to professors, campers will also get to experience being guided by a teaching assistant who has been recommended by the professors.

First-year student Kate Heidorn is very excited to be a teaching assistant for the new program.

“I’m so grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity. I hope to become a high school teacher, and given this opportunity to work with the program, I’ll be able to gain experience with students at that age level in an academic setting. I’ve been told about some of the classes and activities planned for the academy, and I have to say, I wish I could have done this in high school. I think it will be a big success as well as a lot of fun,” said Heidorn.

The Summer Academy will strive to create an academic and faith-based learning environment, a culture of experiential learning, responsible decision-making, social interaction and active participation.

In addition, as stated in the LCSA Mission Statement, the program will attempt to foster academic enthusiasm and provide meaningful opportunities for personal transformation.

“Having the academy for students in this age group is beneficial to admissions as students begin thinking about which college to attend. I think this program will enhance enrollment for the college,” stated Budde.

As Loras prides itself on its small class sizes, the academy will be no different, holding an estimated 15 students in each class.

“I think we’re going to provide an outstanding educational experience for the participants and we anticipate that the students attending will be ones in which the college can be proud of,” said Budde.

One of the student interns, Senior Teanna Cardin, believes students are bound to have an unforgettable experience at the Summer Academy.

 “It will allow students to experience a summer unlike any other. The Loras College Summer Academy gives students an opportunity to learn through experiential learning. Some will be exploring the natural resources located at Mines of Spain, while others will be writing ‘Kooky, Spooky, Weird and Freaky Ghost Stories’ at haunted locations throughout Dubuque. Some students will reside on campus getting the college-like experience, while local students will attend the academy during the day. Not only are the students partaking in hands-on learning, but they are also building friendships through the various social activities. The students are sure to have a fun and unique experience at the Loras College Summer Academy,” stated Cardin.

English Professor and LCSA Faculty Chairperson Susan Stone will be teaching the ‘Kooky, Spooky, Weird, and Freaky’ Creative Writing course.

“Many colleges offer a discipline-specific summer course of study for rising high school students, but Loras is unique in that it provides rising eighth-, ninth- and 10th-graders with a true multidisciplinary, faith-based liberal arts college experience. Participants learn side-by-side with creative, motivated, real-life college professors who are experts in their fields. They can explore the mysteries of archeology or engineering in one session and hone their creative writing or acting and directing skills in another. What could be better?” stated Stone.