By Mallory Sherwood, Staff Writer
Focus on the Family Institute, founded by Dr. James Dobson, offers four classes a semester to 88 students from secular, Christian, private and state universities across the United States.
Amber Wiard, junior math education major from Livonia, Mich., is attending FFI this semester. On Sept. 7 she moved in to an apartment complex in Colorado Springs with three girls from FFI and began her 13-week course.
“God kept opening the door for me with my classes, class schedule and financial aid because I didn’t think I could afford it, if my aid didn’t transfer,” Wiard said. “It was so obvious this was where I was supposed to be this semester.”
Wiard joins a group of students selected from over 150 applicants from the United States to participate in this program. ACU is usually represented by 1-3 students each semester, which is rare compared to most universities said Dr. Gary McCaleb, vice president of ACU.
As long as students meet the requirements, they will go through a preliminary screening with a committee set up by McCaleb’s office. Then they will be interviewed during the week of Oct. 11, said Lea Watkins, McCaleb’s assistant.
“Students go because it is relevant to their major or field of study,” said McCaleb. “For example, they want to focus on marriage/family counseling, or some want to go because they want to have a strong marriage and family themselves.”
He also said ACU accepts the classes at FFI as substitutes for almost all majors, and most of the financial aid students would receive while attending ACU is transferred to the cost of the program in Colorado, which is $9,000 for the semester.
“I love it, I love it, I love it,” said Wiard of her first two weeks at FFI. “I grew up in a Christian home and school, and I went to church. But you know how things you’ve heard all of your life can get repetitive, right? In literally the first class here, I heard things I’ve never heard before or understood. They give you challenging and practical advice for now and in the future, especially relating to your future and family.”
McCaleb said he doesn’t know of a single student who didn’t come back with a good experience.
“The students always say they studied a lot, grew a lot in moral and ethical bases and got an understanding of the Christian world view,” he said.
“From what we’ve heard, they [FFI] are very pleased with the program and its growth, as well as the students who come from ACU. They set very good records for themselves and for future ACU students to attend.”
