The Rupanuga Vedic College was exempted by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education as a theological divinity-degree awarding college on December 4, 1998. Since then, more than one hundred students took courses at the RVC, with an average period of stay of one academic year (two semesters) per student.

33 students have completed semester one – the Introductory Semester in Applied Vedic Culture (also known as the “Bhakta program”).

One student has completed the Associates Level and received the Associates Degree. Four students are waiting to receive their Associates Degree.

Five students have been awarded the Bhakti-sastri Title.

One student has completed the Bachelors Level and received the Bachelors Degree.

One student has been awarded the Bhakti-vaibhava Title (the highest academic degree presently available in ISKCON).

AVC (Introductory Semester in Applied Vedic Culture)

The following students completed the AVC semester and received the Bhakta Program Diploma:

1. Arya Siddhanta dasa (Sabin, Eero)
2. Craft, Aaron
3. Depue, Ryan
4. Drury, Ely
5. Eka Gauranga dasa
6. Jaga dasa (Jepsen, John)
7. Janana dasa
8. Jasoda Dulal dasa (Ledeen, Jesse)
9. Jayadev dasa (Eastwood, Jason)
10. Jette, Jean Francois
11. Karuna Bhagavan dasa
12. Kazmierowicz, Marek
13. Karuna Sindhu dasa (Kugel, Kunal)
14. Madan Gopal dasa (Van Parre, Matthew)
15. Madhuvan dasa (Tolp, Margus)
16. Maharsi dasa (Havranek, Michal)
17. Makhanchor dasa (Burdette, Michael)
18. Mollov, Kliment
19. Murti dasa (McDaniel, Mitch)
20. Nanda Dulal dasa
21. Nanda Kumara dasa (Conka, Gatis)
22. Nimseth
23. Phillips, Jami
24. Rama Ranjana dasa (Maksakov, Roman)
25. Ramayana dasa (O’Neal, Ryan)
26. Rowlands, Jim
27. Rupa Raghunatha dasa (English, Ryan)
28. Saksi Gopala dasa (Biederman, Scott)
29. Seruto, Ben
30. Townsed, Michael
31. Vaiko
32. Wilson, Chris
33. Wood, Bob
34. Yajna Purusa dasa (Alsis, Jordan)

Highlights

• 66% of students who joined the Bhakta Program training (AVC) before being officially initiated and completed it later received diksa (first) initiation from initiating spiritual masters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and have been maintaining a high standard of devotional practice.
• The Bhakta Program graduates show a considerable improvement in practical devotional standard, philosophical understanding, personal character and preaching skills in a relatively short span of time.
• Students from 12 different countries participated in the Bhakta Program.

Comments on the Bhakta Program

“The AVC is a blast. We students have a great time."
Ryan Depue; October, 1999; Transfer Student from Columbus State Community College

“The AVC is a great asset to everyone’s spiritual life. It’s amazing to see how fast the students involved are advancing, improving their personal sadhana, character and philosophical understanding. I strongly recommend for every new devotee to take part in this unique training program."
Maharsi dasa brahmacari; February 2002; Dean of Academics at RVC

If you would like to know more about the Bhakta Program, or if you are considering joining it, you are welcome to correspond with the RVC’s Admissions Secretary at the e-mail address: Maharsi.DG@pamho.net

Associates Degree

The following students completed the Associates Level and received the degree of Associates in Vaisnava Philosophy:

1. Jnana Caksusa dasa (Griffin, John)*
2. Maharsi dasa (Havranek, Michal)*
3. Urukrama dasa (Paukste, Jurius)*
4. Thakur Haridasa dasa (Lyubenov,Tihomir)*
5. Yajna Purusa dasa (Alsis, Jordan)

* Waiting to receive their certificate

Bachelors Program

The following student completed the Bachelors Level and received the degree of Bachelors in Vaisnava Philosophy:

• Yajna Purusa dasa (Alsis, Jordan)