Ralston College

History

In 2006, Stephen Blackwood and James Atkins Pritchard began fundraising for the establishment of an institution of higher education. It is named in memory of the Rector of St John's Episcopal Church, William H. Ralston Jr (1929-2003). Ralston College was incorporated in the State of Georgia in 2010. Among the members of its Board of Visitors are Vernon Smith, Heather Mac Donald, Harry Lewis, Ruth Wisse, Roger Kimball, Stephen Wolfram, and Jordan Peterson, who was formerly Chancellor (a ceremonial role). Iain McGilchrist became the Chancellor in October 2025.

Ralston's first cohort of MA students was enrolled on the Greek island of Samos in the fall of 2022, before beginning their studies in Savannah that fall; classes were held in the education building of St. John's Episcopal Church. The college has since moved into buildings on East Gaston Street and West McDonough Street in the historic Savannah area, which total 50,000 square feet as of April 2024. As of January 2026, the college has graduated three cohorts, with a prospective fourth class set to graduate in May 2026.

Ralston College has received criticism for a series of high-level terminations, as reported by unnamed sources. In March 2023, a member of Ralston's Board of Visitors, Harvey Silverglate, resigned his position and stated that the college was "antithetical to the whole concept of a liberal arts institution".

Academics

Curriculum and programs

Ralston College's curriculum focuses on the liberal arts: after a term studying Ancient Greek and Modern Greek in Greece, the following three terms of the MA in the Humanities are based in Savannah, focusing on ancient, medieval and modern literary texts and works of art. Blackwood has stated that Ralston aims “to play a role in the renewal of the conditions for human flourishing”. The one-year MA program revolves around a particular philosophical theme that lasts the entire year: "the self" (2022–2023), "the whole" (2023–2024), "nature" (2024–2025) and (2025–2026) "fellowship".

The college also offers two online short-courses, run in conjunction with the FutureLearn platform, one on Samuel Johnson's philosophical romance Rasselas, and one on the poetry of Robert Frost.

Enrollment

In the fall of 2022, the school had 24 students.

Accreditation

The college has been authorized for operation and awarded degree-granting powers by the State of Georgia, but is not accredited.

References

References

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5. (10 December 2021). "Peter Thiel's Free Speech for Race Science Crusade at Cambridge University Revealed". [[Byline Times]].
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7. "The Marshall Plan". [[Prospect Magazine]].
8. Schwartzburt, Joseph. (May 27, 2025). "Savannah's Ralston College held its third commencement as accreditation moves ahead".
9. "Georgia Corporations Division, Georgia Secretary of State".
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11. (14 November 2022). "Inside the new 'meritocratic' university where Jordan Peterson lectures". [[Daily Telegraph]].
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13. "Ralston College visiting program". [[Harvard University]].
14. Schwartzburt, Joseph. (11 April 2024). "Ralston College expands Savannah footprint through lease of former Parker's headquarters". Savannah Morning News.
15. Staff, Connect. "New liberal arts college expands campus, leases former Parker's headquarters on Chippewa Square".
16. (March 29, 2023). "'So much for the experiment': Ralston College faces accreditation deadline, loss of degree-granting status". [[Savannah Morning News]].
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19. Katz, Joshua T.. (11 January 2023). "Logos in Savannah". City Journal.
20. "Ralston College Online Courses".
21. Jacobs, Sherelle. (2022-11-14). "Inside the new ‘meritocratic’ university where Jordan Peterson lectures". The Telegraph.