Christendom College Celebrates Silver Anniversary

By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 9/19/02)

Dr. Warren Carroll, founding president of Christendom College in Front Royal, recalled how — with the help of God’s providence and the timely generosity of faithful benefactors — the infant liberal arts college survived severe financial difficulties during its first year in 1977.

Christendom’s maturation was evident Sept. 14 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Tyson’s Corner as alumni, faculty, students and friends gathered for the silver anniversary celebration. Several graduates who attended the dinner are now priests serving in the Arlington Diocese.

Cardinal Jan Schotte, secretary general to the World Synod of Bishops and a longtime friend of the college, was the keynote speaker and honored guest. The cardinal, who dedicated the school’s Christ the King Chapel a few years ago, read a telegram from Pope John Paul II and also promised to be on hand for the school’s 50^th anniversary, when he is 99 years old.

The Honorable James Nicholson, U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, read a congratulatory letter from President George Bush. Christendom presented Nicholson with its Pro Deo et Patria Medal at a Sept. 13 ceremony held at the Front Royal campus.

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and retired Allentown Bishop Thomas J. Welsh showed their continuing support for the college. Bishop Loverde gave the opening blessing. Bishop Welsh supported Dr. Carroll’s early efforts when he was serving as Arlington’s first shepherd. The bishop asked former Washington Cardinal Patrick O’Boyle to intercede with George Meaney, former director of the AFL-CIO, in the real estate transaction that led to the purchase of the Front Royal property.

Raymond Arroyo, news anchor for EWTN’s "The World Over," was master of ceremonies.

Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, Christendom’s third president, was joined by Dr. Carroll and Dr. Damian Fedoryka, the school’s second president.

"Through 25 years, Christendom College has survived every danger, both external and internal and has been justified above all by the responsive gratitude of its students and the special impact made by their knowledge and devotion to their faith and all that it means, wherever they go and whatever they do," Dr. Carroll wrote in the dinner program. "For Christendom College, 25 years is only a beginning." 

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