There's a place in the remote Nevada desert that most people have never heard of -- even though it's the home of perhaps the most unique, and one of the most prestigious colleges in the world.
It currently has only 26 students who needed nearly perfect scores on entrance exams to get in.
News Specialist Kim Johnson introduced us last night to this intellectual oasis.
She continues her report on the Renaissance Ranch.
The peace and quiet of the deep springs campus....
belies the intensity of the experience...where brilliance, brawn and communal cooperation are required.
Where students get back to the basics.
Iris Pope / Office Manager: A LOT OF TIMES YOU THINK THEY'RE SPOILED, KIND OF WRETCHED, HANDICAPPED-COMING IN WITH THIS ELITEST SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT. YOU HAVE TO BUST IT DOWN AND START ALL OVER AGAIN AND GIVE THEM SOME BALANCE IN THEIR LIFE.
Like his fellow classmates, New York City born Chris Jennings, son of Network newsman Peter Jennings -- chose this rare experience over the Ivy League.
Chris Jennings / Student: IT'S BEAUTIFUL. I GET TO WORK WITH ANIMALS. I LIKE THE ACADEMICS, THE PEOPLE HERE ARE SPECTACULAR.
And he knows what will be expected, when his days as Deep Springs feed man are done.
Chris Jennings / Student: YOU ARE OBLIGED IN SOME WAY, IN WHATEVER CAPACITY YOU CHOOSE TO SERVE HUMANITY, OR AT LEAST IN THE PURSUIT OF YOUR LIFE, TO KEEP AN EYE TOWARD HUMANITY.
That's precisely what L.L. Nunn hoped to awaken in students when he opened the college 85 years ago.A few more than a thousand students in this all-male school have earned diplomas since then.
Have they put into practice what Nunn preached?
Kim Johnson, Eyewitness News: IF ALUMNI SUPPORT IS ANY INDICATION, THE ANSWER IS YES. OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THEY'VE GIVEN 17 MILLION DOLLARS TO RENOVATE THE BUILDINGS HERE ON CAMPUS, AND ENHANCE NUNN'S ENDOWMENT.
Jack Newell, himself an alumnus, gave up his professorial career at the University of Utah to return to Deep Springs, and spearhead the fundraising.
Jack Newell / President, Deep Springs College: I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT FOR ANY SCHOOL BUT THIS ONE. I WAS WILLING TO GO OUT AND RAISE MONEY TO TRY AND SAVE SOMETHING I BELIEVE DEEPLY IN.
What Jack, and so many others believe is that a few can do so much.
Iris Pope / Office Manager: SOMETIMES I HAVE MY DARK MOMENTS WHEN I THINK IT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN, AND I'LL LOOK AT THE GUYS AT GRADUATION, ALL LINED UP AND READY TO GO OUT AND I SAY WAIT A MINUTE....HE GOT IT, HE GOT IT, AND HE GOT IT. AND WHEN NUNN SAID IF WE GET TWO SUCCESS STORIES A YEAR IT'S WORTH IT. WELL, WE DO MORE THAN THAT EVERY YEAR.
And some students demonstrate that success, even before they finish their education.
Ross Peterson / Visiting Professor: MANY OF THEM TAKE TIME TO GO AND DO UNBELIEVEABLY GOOD THINGS IN SERVICE. ONE STUDENT RIGHT NOW IS IN BOSNIA, WE'VE GOT ONE IN THAILAND TO WORK IN AN ORPHANAGE, WE'VE GOT ONE WORKING IN AN AIDS CLINIC IN AFRICA.
And so the bold experiment continues, with the hope that long after their days at Deep Springs, students will still hear the voice of the desert, calling them out of their comfortable careers, to improve the human condition.
Deep Springers typically go on to finish their educations at top universities.
Some have become ambassadors, congressmen, Presidents of Universities, heads of corporations, and prominent journalists.
If you'd like more information about Deep Springs College you can visit the school's website at www.deepsprings.edu.
