Christendom College officially launched its 2025-26 academic year over the weekend of Aug. 22-24, welcoming 171 new students to campus.
This fall’s incoming class includes 160 freshmen and seven transfer students, hailing from across the United States. Incoming freshmen achieved an average SAT score of 1250, with 74% earning academic scholarships. Nearly 40% have or have had a sibling at the college, and a quarter are children of alumni. The college’s Best Week Ever high school summer program continues to be a leading pathway to enrollment, with 65% of the freshman class having attended BWE.
The weekend began Aug. 22 with Freshman Move-In Day. Following move-in, new students heard talks on the history and founding of Christendom before participating in freshmen orientation seminars on Saturday morning. Six members of the faculty — Kevin Tracy, Andrew Whitmore, Jakub Voboril, Douglas Dailey, John Cuddeback, and Christendom President George A. Harne — led the freshman class, divided into groups, through the famous essay “Learning in Wartime” by C.S. Lewis. This essay and the seminar discussions provided a fundamental orientation to the intellectual formation that freshmen will undertake over the next four years.
Just as Lewis asked the question, “How could anyone devote himself or herself to higher learning during a war, learning that often seems ‘useless,’ ” in the same way, Christendom students are confronted with comparable questions today. In light of the needs and crises that people face today, why should students devote four years to an integrated intellectual, spiritual, and human formation at Christendom College, one that to many seems impractical and irrelevant? Lewis had an answer, and it is as relevant for students today as it was in Lewis’ time.
The academic year kicked off Aug. 24 with the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit, celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge in Christ the King Chapel. During the liturgy, Harne and the college’s faculty took the Oath of Fidelity to the magisterium of the Catholic Church in the presence of the bishop, reaffirming Christendom’s mission of Catholic higher education.
In his opening address to start the new academic year, Harne encouraged the student body to “climb together” in the days ahead and help each other fulfill the college’s mission.
“Keep climbing, but then also fundamentally reorient to help those around you who need help,” said Harne. “It’ll transform your own life in the process. Get a rule of life and find someone who will hold you accountable. Let’s pray for each other and encourage one another and let’s climb together.”
Christendom enters the new year on strong financial footing after another record year of fundraising, thanks to many generous donors providing the financial aid needed for students without relying on federal funding, as well as supporting needed updates to campus facilities.
To meet the needs of a growing student body, the college welcomed a number of new staff and faculty. In Admissions, Bernadette Rodriguez and Helen Davis joined as counselors; Meaghan Pierce as Best Week Ever and visit coordinator; and Nancy Bauer as data specialist. Student Life added Brendan Summers as men’s residence director; Cecilia Delaney as assistant director of student activities; and three Rome residence coordinators: Joshua Cruz, David Echaniz, and Regina Bonvissuto. Other additions include Karl Foeckler as kitchen manager in St. Lawrence Commons and Paul Aguilar as multimedia producer in marketing.
On the faculty side, the Center for Educational Philosophy and Leadership welcomed Jon Kirwan to campus, while the political science and economics department added Nicolas McAfee as associate professor.
Other staff members will be taking on new roles. Chef Stephen Bieker now serves as executive chef; Jess McClelland is assistant to the chief of staff and president; and William Farris, James Bergida and Aileen Foeckler have been promoted to full-time, permanent faculty positions.
Campus facilities saw significant upgrades over the summer, including new patios at St. Lawrence Commons and St. John the Evangelist Library, a sand volleyball court outside the Student Center, a clarifier at the wastewater treatment plant, and expanded outdoor furniture across campus.
A new science lab near the library will be completed during the fall semester as well. Custodial services have also been enhanced through a partnership with Allegiance.
Looking ahead, the college will host a number of major events this fall, including a weeklong Eucharistic Mission and Homecoming Weekend in October. These initiatives, alongside new faculty, staff, and campus improvements, reflect Christendom’s continued commitment to academic excellence, Catholic formation, and vibrant community life.
