Three years ago, we set out to build something bold—a place of deep learning, rigorous inquiry, and intellectual community. What began as a vision has now become reality, with 71 graduates, half a dozen world-class faculty, and hundreds of international supporters coming together to create an institution dedicated to the pursuit of truth and human flourishing. In this short time, we have welcomed extraordinary students from all different disciplines into an intensive humanities education centered around the principles and development of Western Civilization—training a new generation of thinkers and doers who are willing to take risks—such as joining a new college.

Our impact is also felt far beyond our campus in historic Savannah. Through public lectures and podcasts, we have reached millions, sparking conversations and inspiring a renewed commitment to truth-led scholarship. Our students and graduates are carrying this spirit forward in a wide range of fields—business, education, politics, journalism, and the arts—as powerful sources of vitalization in our country and culture. Their achievements, alongside the generosity and dedication of our faculty, staff, and supporters, affirm the importance of the work we are doing.

This is just the beginning. The past three years have laid a strong foundation, but our ambitions remain high. As we look ahead, we will continue to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and uphold the ideals that brought us here. To all who have been part of this journey—thank you. Your belief in this mission has made it possible, and together, we will shape the future. And to all those who might be thinking of joining us, in the words of Horace: “Sapere aude, incipe ­­— Dare to be wise — and begin!”

Yours,
Stephen Blackwood
Founding President

• Prove the Concept (achieved)
  Launch the MA program with state authorization

• Substantiate Concept (in progress)
  Secure recognition by national accreditor and streamline budget

• Prepare for Scale (forthcoming)
  Double cohort and expand program

• Implement Scale (forthcoming)
  Launch undergraduate program

Ralston College’s one-year Humanities MA offers an intensive, immersive encounter with the languages, texts, and cultural achievements of the Western tradition. The program begins with a language immersion in Greece and continues in Savannah, where students explore enduring human questions through close study of philosophy, theology, literature, and the arts. Organized across four terms and guided by an annual theme—such as the self, the whole, or beauty—the curriculum fosters truth-seeking across disciplines and domains.

“...a little heaven on earth, a monastic academic interlude with genius and talent, collegiality in the etymological sense (“reading together”), guided by attentive, learned professors.”

— dr Mark Bauerlein, First Things

• 89.7% of our students enter with a bachelor’s

• 6.8% with an MA/MFA

• 0.8% with a JD

• 2.7% other

“I have just resigned from one of the top five universities of the world… My energies are now better spent fighting for the future of the subjects to which I have devoted my life—classics, the humanities, and the Western tradition… What, then, is Ralston College? It is a new institution that stands apart from the norms and nostrums of today’s academic culture… I joined because Ralston has an unshakable faith that great works must be read slowly and in full; that the ancient languages are worth knowing and can be known; that there is objective value in things; that not all ideas are equally good; and that beauty and truth, though they may be hard to find, are always worth seeking.”

Published in The New Criterion, vol. 42, no. 10, June 2024.

• 750+ hours of Greek language instruction and exposure
• 10+ pages of Greek reading per week
• 20+ archaeological and historical site visits
• 80+ communal dinners, lunches, and excursions
• 2 immersive Greek village residencies
• 100% of students demonstrate rapid increase in confidence reading primary texts in Greek

In Summer 2024, Ralston College launched its first Latin Language Residency: an intensive, two-month pilot program dedicated to the immersive study of Latin and Italian. Building upon the success of our Greek Language Residency, this new initiative extended Ralston’s mission into a second ancient tongue, testing the possibilities of direct, living engagement with the Latin tradition in the very landscapes that birthed it.

Over eight rigorous weeks in Ortigia, Rome, and Florence—punctuated by excursions across Sicily and the Bay of Naples—participants undertook an extraordinary intellectual and cultural adventure. Mornings were devoted to the active, oral practice of Latin and Italian with master instructors; afternoons and evenings wove together readings in classical literature, archaeological site visits, and communal reflection.

The goal: to reclaim Latin as a living language, and to reawaken our connection with the texts, thought, and culture of Rome—not merely as academic artifacts, but as an inheritance to be inhabited and transmitted.

Life at Ralston College is marked by a rare depth of fellowship and shared purpose. From sunrise walks through ancient ruins in Greece to late-night debates in historic Savannah, students live and learn in a vibrant community devoted to serious study, meaningful conversation, and enduring friendship.

The year begins in Greece where students live side by side in monasteries and guesthouses, study Ancient Greek from dawn till dusk, and explore the ancient world not only through texts but also through places—visiting Athens, Delphi, Istanbul, Mycenae, Ephesus, and the island of Patmos. These early days foster a strong sense of intellectual camaraderie and lay the foundation for what becomes a close-knit and supportive cohort.

Back in Savannah, students reside together in historic buildings in the heart of the city. Daily life unfolds in courtyards, common rooms, and shared kitchens where conversations continue over dinner, music, and impromptu readings. The College’s urban campus fosters both independence and intimacy, and the beauty of the city becomes part of the education itself.

A Reflection Of Collegiate Dining At Ralston

At a time when many colleges are scaling back on communal life, Ralston College’s Thursday Dinners continue a tradition modeled on the collegiate halls of Oxford and Cambridge, where shared meals are an extension of the university’s intellectual and civic mission.

These gatherings offer a meaningful setting for students, faculty, and visitors to reflect together, build relationships, and engage in conversation shaped by the lectures and life of the College. They sustain a culture of hospitality and discourse—reinforcing the conviction that education is not only taught, but lived.

Each dinner begins with the College grace—first composed in Hebrew, translated into Greek, and then into Latin, the language of the university. Evenings often feature speeches, music, and the recitation of poetry from memory. Students also participate in serving the meal—further underscoring the spirit of shared responsibility and community at the heart of the College’s life.

(71 Graduates)

Graduates have established careers across industry, culture, public service, and teaching, where an especially strong contingent of Ralston alumni are having a major impact on the minds of the next generation.

• 25% Teaching Across America
• 12% Working in Publishing or Media
• 12% Entrepreneurship, Business, or Technology
• 10% Graduate or Doctoral Study in the Humanities
• 10% Attending Professional School (Architecture, Law, Medical School, etc.)
• 10% Unknown
• 8% Working at Ralston College while Pursuing Cultural Projects
• 8% Other (i.e. Creative Projects)
• 5% Public Service or Politics

Three Years of Public Conversation

Since launching in 2023, the Sophia Lectures have created a vibrant forum for exploring the ultimate questions of meaning and value. Over three years, they have attracted distinguished speakers, engaged enthusiastic audiences, and reached thousands online. This signature Ralston College series aims to unite ancient wisdom with contemporary urgency—bringing people together in conversations that are both profound and inspiring.

Ralston College’s short courses reflect our experimentation with new platforms to expand its reach and make the humanities newly accessible. With nearly 3,700 enrollments, high learner satisfaction, and global engagement across five continents, these offerings demonstrate the College’s potential to extend its mission—and the enduring relevance of the humanities—into the digital sphere.

Our two experimental short courses invite learners into the heart of the humanities through powerful questions and timeless texts.

Asks Dr Anthony Daniels, a medical doctor, who explored Johnson’s philosophical tale Rasselas, guiding students through its reflections on desire, freedom, and fulfillment.

By the Numbers

• 1,887 enrolled, average rating 4.6 out of 5

Learner Feedback

• “A beautiful course that brought Johnson’s wisdom to life in a deeply engaging way.”
• “A rewarding and enriching exploration of a classic text I had never read—now I’ll never forget it.”
• “The instructor’s passion and clarity opened the door to a world I hadn’t expected to find so compelling.”

“A university of 50 people can have more influence over society than a generic state university with 50,000.  I have no doubt about that.” 

— Christopher Rufo, Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute, during his visit to Ralston College in 2024.

Independent Inquiry Rooted in Community and Purpose

The Ralston Fellowship enables current students and recent alumni to devote a full academic year to a self-designed project—whether in scholarship, public service, the arts, or other creative or intellectual pursuits. Fellows are selected for their academic excellence, seriousness of purpose, and potential of their proposed project.

While projects are pursued independently, Fellows remain closely connected to the College through mentorship and participation in key academic and cultural events. Past projects have included the translation of ancient texts, theatrical direction, and the development of original philosophical work.

Generously supported by the Long Family Force for Good Foundation through 2026, each Fellowship includes a $25,000 stipend and up to $3,000 in project support.

The Fellowship exemplifies Ralston’s mission to form free and courageous thinkers and serves as a launching ground for graduates as they extend their study, service, and creativity into the wider world.

An Ancient Greek–language commentary on numerous fragments of Heraclitus—including an introduction and prologue—accompanied by curated comparanda (passages from Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Epictetus, Hebrew scripture, and German philosophers) that illuminate each fragment.

A chronological, curated compendium (~65 pages) of Byzantine Greek source excerpts—from the Souda, George Syncellus, and others—edited and arranged into a coherent historical narrative, capped with an interpretive epilogue on the nature and origin of the soul.

A new contemporary English translation of Plato’s Symposium—provisionally framed as “Plato for Girls”—written in a clear, conversational style for accessibility, and staged as a public reading with the 2022-23 cohort.

“Libba and I have been impressed with the progress that Ralston College has made in providing a unique world-class educational experience to such a gifted cohort of students. We trust that these scholarships will enable the recipients to pursue their highest aspirations.”

— Curtis Anderson

26 East Gaston (Athenaeum)

A central hub for the graduate program, featuring a lecture hall, dining room, classrooms, study spaces, library, and a gymnasium.

17 West McDonough (Cicero House)

The operational center of the College with meeting spaces, seminar rooms, administrative offices, and flexible rooms for small classes and workshops.

134 Whitaker (Whitaker Street Collection)

Twelve graduate apartments with shared common rooms and a library, plus an outdoor rooftop with views across the city’s historic district.