DANVILLE, KY—Which is the most-perfect ideal society? The Centre College community, along with the general public, is invited to vote in a Web poll.

For their final CentreTerm projects, 15 freshmen in Milton Reigleman's "In Search of Utopia" class set out to construct their own utopian societies. Five utopias were constructed by teams of three. The three most compelling (by vote of the class) are described in detail here. Check out the entries from Tolerance, Nevada, the Bouncers and the Concord Circle—then cast your vote (one per person) for the most-perfect perfect society.

Here is a quick listing of some of the major features of each community:

• Tolerance, Nevada. (Or " Pax per patientia "—Peace through tolerance)

            Matthew Howell, Lisa Notier, Ginny Reynolds, architects

• Practice communalism and celibacy
• Worship with a different faith twice a month
• 90 percent of members' money is contributed to charity

• The Bouncers (Or The Church of the New Tradition)

            Laura Behrendt, Chase Martin, Chris Williamson, architects

• Wild, charismatic, and musical worship services featuring "bouncing" (thus the name)
• Faith in dual male and female deities (symbolized by drum and drumsticks)
• Communal, agricultural groups, attracting those disadvantaged by sexual and racial biases

• Concord Circle, Concord, Georgia

            Vince Kline, Elizabeth Pulliam, Mari Rayl, architects

• Offers harmonious family relationships and a strong educational program
• Economy based on high-quality, niche products (locally brewed beer, hand-crafted baskets, and freshly baked goods)
• Blissapalooze Festival featuring art, music, food, and family activities

Each member of the winning team will receive a grab bag of utopian goodies, including a the classic Fountains of Wayne Album Utopia Parkway ; dinner on the Communications Office at Lynn's Paradise Café in Louisville; a fruitcake from Gethsemani Abbey (one of the utopian communities visited by the class); and if we can find one, a souvenir of Paradise, Pa.

Results will be announced in the coming weeks.

Click here to vote in the "Pick the Ultimate Utopia" Web poll.

- end -

Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.

Back to News and Events Home Page