President Jerry Ashcroft says 50-60 students - some from as far away as Minnesota - will be in the first freshman class, with 500-600 students expected on campus in four years.
Dr. Ashcroft says Southern Catholic - is the brainchild of Atlanta area businessman Tom Clements - who conceived of the idea about five years ago, and, he said, that sets it aside from most such schools.
"Catholic schools are usually founded by a religious order," Dr. Ashcroft said in a taping for Sunday morning's Northeast Georgia This Week (7:30 on SPORTS RADIO 1240 THE TICKET and 8:05 on WDUN NEWS TALK 550).
He says the school will accept both commuter and resident students. Dr. Ashcroft said you do not have to be Catholic to attend the school or work there.
Dr. Ashcroft says the campus is ready for the first students.
"The villas (which will house students) are ready, classrooms should be completely furnished in another two weeks and the chapel should be finished by the end of September."
The $10-15 million dollar complex is located on the site of the old Gold Creek Golf Resort Conference Center in Dawsonville.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/8/128756