Editor:
Tom McFadden
Managing Editor: Niall O'Donnell
Contributing Editors: Matt Hadro (Sports), Matt Anderson (Rome
Report)
Issue:
September 21, 2007
Name: Augustine Timothy-James Fajardo Age: 20 Year: Sophomore From: South Bend, Indiana Major: History & Philosophy Any Hobbies? Playing and writing music, reading, having good talks with my 6'4" roommates, visiting D.C. and Civil War Battlefields What's your favorite class or professor? Philosophy with Professor Brown. He really makes the class engage the materiel and interact with each other. Also, it's Professor Brown, so there's some unwritten law that makes you love it. Do you play any sports? Yes, Baseball. According to Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez, "Baseball is life." Do you participate in any drama or music related activities? No, but I sing at Mass along with everyone else. What is your favorite thing about Christendom College? The truly Catholic atmosphere and the young men and women that go here. We all know that we are here to become great men and women in order to serve God. Why did you choose Christendom College? I don't know really. I felt like I was just lacking something and that Christendom just satisfied so much. What do you plan to do after graduation? Go to grad school, then become a History professor and a composer.
College Celebrates 30 Years
Last Friday Christendom College celebrated its 30th Anniversary with an Academic Convocation. The convocation honored the great leaders in Catholic higher education of today, Thomas Aquinas College Founder Dr. Ronald McArthur, Franciscan University’s First Chancellor Fr. Michael Scanlan, and Christendom College Founder Dr. Warren Carroll. Christendom’s Pro Deo et Patria Award for Distinguished Service to God and Country will be given to all three men for their tireless and historic work.
Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis, Missouri presided over the convocation and received an honorary doctorate from Christendom College.
A former Army private Ron McArthur achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s College, Moraga, Ca. in 1949, and then attended Laval University in Quebec, where he studied under the famed Thomistic, Charles De Koninck. McArthur obtained his doctorate in philosophy there in 1952. For 13 years, he served as Professor of Philosophy at St. Mary's College and later tutor in its Integrated Liberal Arts program. McArthur was named Thomas Aquinas College's first president in 1970. Then in 1991, after more than 20 years of devotion to the College, he retired. Watch his remarks:
In 1953, Michael Scanlan graduated with a BA from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1956 he did graduate studies in political science and higher education administration at Catholic University and Boston University. In 1957, Scanlan entered the Franciscan Third Order Regular and was ordained to the priesthood in 1964. He accepted the office of president of the College of Steubenville in 1974, a position he held until 2000, when he was named Franciscan University's first chancellor. Watch his remarks:
A convert to Christianity, Warren Carroll was educated at Bates College and received a Doctorate of History from Columbia University. After founding Christendom College in 1977, he served as the College's president until 1985 and then as the chairman of its History Department until his retirement in 2002. He is the author of numerous historical works including The Rise and Fall of the Communist Revolution and his major multi-volume work The History of Christendom. Watch his remarks:
Archbishop Burke was ordained to the priesthood by Pope Paul VI in 1975, at the Basilica of St. Peter. From 1989-1994 he served as Defender of the Bond of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the first American to hold this position on the Church's highest court. Bishop Burke was then ordained to the episcopacy by Pope John Paul II on January 6, 1995, at the Basilica of St. Peter, and was installed in the Diocese of La Crosse in 1995. In 2003, Bishop Burke was named Archbishop of St. Louis. In July 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Burke to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. Watch his remarks:
Following the convocation, Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Burke, serving as main celebrant, and Fr. Scanlan, Associate Chaplain Fr. Seamus O’Kielty, and three alumni priests concelebrating: Fr. Kevin Peek ‘92, Fr. Ed Murphy ‘83, and Fr. Mark Wenzinger, OSB, ‘80.
Following the Archbishop’s homily, His Excellency led the entire community in a consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
After Mass, everyone entered the St. Lawrence Commons where College Chef Don Higby had a wonderful reception prepared for the students, faculty, staff, and guests. Passed heavy hors d’oeuvres, and trays of luscious desserts were enjoyed by all. Later that evening, Dr. Kurt Poterack, Christendom’s Choir Director and Adjunct Professor of Music, conducted an original concert, written for the 30th Anniversary of the College, and performed by talented pianists and singer Christendom alumna, Imelda Franklin Bogue ‘96.
Una Sera Italiana, An Italian Evening
Saturday night students continued to celebrate the College’s 30th Anniversary with an Italian Night and Dance. Chef Don put together a wonderful meal with assorted antipasto, homemade calzones, spaghetti bolognese, and ravioli florentine in an alfredo sauce. Delizioso!
The dance was held in the square outside the St. Lawrence Commons, affectionately called Piazza San Lorenzo. Seniors thought that they were back in Rome with the romantic sounds of the flowing fountain and Dean Martin.
It was beautiful fall evening with stars brightly shining. If anyone noticed a slight chill in the air there were able to stand by two open-air fire pits, which burned through the evening on either side of the dance floor. The fire pits reminded those who had been to Rome of the burning coals that roast chestnuts in every piazza in the Eternal City.
Making the Italian picture complete, a few students came dressed as gypsies and mimes, while the rest put on their mafioso best.
College Chaplain Fr. John Heisler made an appearance at the dance and acted as DJ for a half hour, dedicating songs to students.
“Definitely the best dance so far this year,” Sophomore Sarah Miranda said. “The atmosphere was great and Fr. Heisler is a great DJ.”
At 9:30 all took a break from dancing to enjoy a 20-minute professional fireworks display in honor of the College's 30th Anniversary. The fireworks, with their thunderous booms and vibrant colors, added to the magic of this unforgettable sera italiana.
Students Join the Race to Save Lives
The Red Cross came to Christendom’s campus on Tuesday, hosting this year’s first blood drive. A steady flow of students, faculty, staff, and locals came to give blood throughout the day.
Red Cross 10-year-volunteer, Alva Oliver said that giving blood is very important. “It saves lives. I’ve known people whose lives were saved by a blood transfusion,” she said.
“It’s important to give blood—to volunteer,” she continued. “ Instead of always taking from a community, you should be giving.”
Some students were unable to give blood due to low iron or other factors. Freshman Katie Anzalone was going to be a first time donor, but was disappointed to find out she could not. So she stayed with friends for moral support and to help them recover.
“I go every time,” Junior Kristy Beer said. “It’s like a ritual for me. It’s the easiest way to save a life. After you’ve given you get such a great feeling from knowing that you are helping those in need.”
Buongiorno, Roma!
Well hello again, this time (and at long last) from beautiful Roma! The group has finally arrived in Rome now, and the semester finally feels like it really has started, as we have been able to unpack for the first time. For some of us, this is the first time in nearly a month that we have not been living out of a suitcase!
Anyways, the rest of Assisi was wonderful. We were blessed to meet an amazing group of pilgrims from England there, and once they found out that we knew Irish songs and could play instruments, they joined us for two evenings of traditional Irish music (a staple of any Christendom experience). After our time in Assisi, we said “arrivaderci” and headed to Rome to get settled in. Since then, we have become adjusted to the new urban surroundings, with many of us living in a large city for the first time in our lives.
We have already been so blessed, however, with several of our members attending a papal audience (we will all go in a few weeks), celebrating Mass in St. John Lateran, and also celebrating Mass at the tomb of St. Peter!!
A theme that many of us are just beginning to explore is the idea of pilgrimage. Our fearless leader Mr. Akers delivered a talk about pilgrimage, in which he said that we need to remain pilgrims throughout this semester. This requires that we look around us and try to take in the whole, and appreciate the beauty of all the parts working together. This got many of us thinking about why we have come to the Rome semester. We have come to become closer to God, to have a better understanding of the traditions of the Catholic Church, as well as to gain a greater appreciation of the classical liberal arts education that Christendom has given to us.
On a more lighter note, Liz Fraser said that her goal for the semester was, and I quote, "I just want to be quoted in the Rome Report one time." So congratulations Liz, your dreams have come true. Until next time, God Bless!
In
honor of the 30th Anniversary of Christendom College
the Chronicler Online takes a peek into the past
of the college each week.
College Co-Founder Dr. Jeffrey A. Mirus
Dr. Jeffrey A. Mirus, an historian educated at Princeton, was teaching at Pembroke State University in 1975. Dr. Carroll knew of him from Triumph, for which the latter had occasionally written. Frustrated with the lack of solid Catholic scholarship, Dr. Mirus began the quarterly journal, Faith and Reason, to provide a forum for the work of orthodox scholars in all fields.
Dr. Carroll sent Dr. Mirus a prospectus on the College. Mirus thoroughly reviewed the plan and sent back his suggestions, and Dr. Carroll was impressed enough to ask Mirus to join the Board of Directors of the Corporation which was to launch the College - and, in time, a full-fledged publications apostolate as well. Mirus accepted and was later given a teaching position.
30 years later, in his own words:
“What has impressed me most about the first thirty years of Christendom College’s history is the ongoing commitment of the entire College community to rethinking all things in Christ. In this the mission of personal holiness and the mission of the Catholic university are perfectly combined. There is a constant need to step outside one’s cultural preconceptions - one’s old habits of mind - to reevaluate what we think we ‘know’ in the light of Christ. Christendom has continuously exhibited the intellectual and spiritual energy necessary to this task, which is as vital to the future of the Church now as it was 30 years ago.”
Freshman Orientation: Football Style
The bright sun shone down on Campion Field on a beautiful September Sunday. It was a perfect day for some football. It was the annual Upper-Under Game!
The freshman class of 2011 had practiced for this game for two weeks. They marched onto the field in matching black t-shirts spray-painted with gold, all sporting “Under” on the front. And there was a crowd of black-outfitted Freshman girls present on the sideline to cheer them on.
Unfortunately, the Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors all had practiced, too. They had a cheering section of their own, possibly larger than the Fresh mob. And, as usually happens, they had a bigger pool of talent to choose from, three classes as opposed to one.
The men in white, led by quarterback and defensive back Pate Quest, held the under to a quick three-and-out on defense and then started the high-octane offense rolling. Running Backs Noah Morey and Bobby Lancaster, both Seniors, enjoyed continued success running to the outside on option plays and pitches. Receivers Andrew Quest and John Fehrenbacher, and Tight End Marion Miner hurt the Fresh especially in short-yardage situations. Interceptions by Noah Morey and Micah Willard deep in Freshman territory only helped the onslaught, as the Fresh first crossed midfield late in the First Half.
At halftime, the score was 34-0, Upper. The defense would continue the shut-out for the entire game, with Pate Quest intercepting a ball that thwarted a late Freshman attempt to get on the board. The line disrupted the Under offense all day, led by the interior of Alex McCullough and Cyrus Artz, and the ends Marion Miner and Greg Monroe. John Hepler continually harassed the backfield from the Middle Linebacker position. All in all, the Upper forced seven Freshman turnovers.
Miner did intercept a pass late in the First Half, returning the ball to the end zone, but the play was called back on a penalty, as the refs decided to show the Under some mercy. “They were definitely good sports about it all,” remarked multiple Upperclassmen about the cool-headedness of the Freshman. The Upperclassmen ended up winning by a score of 64-0. “Welcome to college, Freshman,” announced Pate Quest in the huddle by both teams after the game.
Q: I've heard that students need to write a thesis before they graduate? What does this entail? C.A. - Newark, NJ
A: The senior thesis is the culmination of the student's four years of study in the liberal disciplines. The thesis is a scholarly paper (of 30-40 pages in length) of substance, demonstrating the student's ability to do significant research in his discipline, employing the senior's developed skills in the arts of discourse, especially mastery of the techniques of research, exposition, and argumentation. The student may be required to defend the thesis in an oral examination. These and all theses written by Christendom College seniors over the past thirty years can be found in Christendom's library.
What this means is that the student is to select a topic in his major and try and put a new angle on it, or give an explanation of it in a way that's never been done before. A student can choose to write the thesis in the fall semester, or if they are daring, wait until the spring semester.
Here are some recent examples of theses titles:
The Possible Theological Consequences of Non-Human Rational Beings Existing in the Material Universe, The Virtue of Prudence and Rearing Children, The History and Effects of Freemasonry in the American Revolution, Dynamics of Activism: A Study of Pro-Life Strategies, Amid the Shadows of the Imagination: An Examination of Dreams , The Aesthetics of Church Architecture, Red, White, and Blue: John Wayne as an Icon of Traditional American Culture and Ideals, The Fall of the Monarchy in Russia and the Roles of Lenin and Trotsky, Marriage: The Foundation of a Family, A Study of Physical Pain and its Benefit to Human Nature, The Right to Bear and Keep Arms as a Unique right to the Citizens of the United States of America, The Struggle for Catholicism in Early America, Psychological Repression: A Hindrance to Man's Ability to Obtain Virtue, and The Decline of the Patriarchal Structure of the Family
I hope this helps and thanks for asking.
If
anyone has questions about applying, visiting, scholarships,
financial aid, campus life, rules and regulations, majors,
core curriculum, transfer credits, or even about the food
here at Christendom, please do not hesitate to contact me
at any time: 800.877.5456 ext 1290 or tmcfadden@christendom.edu.
Copyright
2007. Christendom College. All rights reserved.
.g
Name: Augustine Timothy-James Fajardo
Following the Archbishop’s homily, His Excellency led the entire community in a consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Saturday night students continued to celebrate the College’s 30th Anniversary with an Italian Night and Dance. Chef Don put together a wonderful meal with assorted antipasto, homemade calzones, spaghetti bolognese, and ravioli florentine in an alfredo sauce. Delizioso!
The Red Cross came to Christendom’s campus on Tuesday, hosting this year’s first blood drive. A steady flow of students, faculty, staff, and locals came to give blood throughout the day.
Anyways, the rest of Assisi was wonderful. We were blessed to meet an amazing group of pilgrims from England there, and once they found out that we knew Irish songs and could play instruments, they joined us for two evenings of traditional Irish music (a staple of any Christendom experience). After our time in Assisi, we said “arrivaderci” and headed to Rome to get settled in. Since then, we have become adjusted to the new urban surroundings, with many of us living in a large city for the first time in our lives. 
Dr. Jeffrey A. Mirus, an historian educated at Princeton, was teaching at Pembroke State University in 1975. Dr. Carroll knew of him from Triumph, for which the latter had occasionally written. Frustrated with the lack of solid Catholic scholarship, Dr. Mirus began the quarterly journal, Faith and Reason, to provide a forum for the work of orthodox scholars in all fields. 
“What has impressed me most about the first thirty years of Christendom College’s history is the ongoing commitment of the entire College community to rethinking all things in Christ. In this the mission of personal holiness and the mission of the Catholic university are perfectly combined. There is a constant need to step outside one’s cultural preconceptions - one’s old habits of mind - to reevaluate what we think we ‘know’ in the light of Christ. Christendom has continuously exhibited the intellectual and spiritual energy necessary to this task, which is as vital to the future of the Church now as it was 30 years ago.” 
The bright sun shone down on Campion Field on a beautiful September Sunday. It was a perfect day for some football. It was the annual Upper-Under Game!
At halftime, the score was 34-0, Upper. The defense would continue the shut-out for the entire game, with Pate Quest intercepting a ball that thwarted a late Freshman attempt to get on the board. The line disrupted the Under offense all day, led by the interior of Alex McCullough and Cyrus Artz, and the ends Marion Miner and Greg Monroe. John Hepler continually harassed the backfield from the Middle Linebacker position. All in all, the Upper forced seven Freshman turnovers.
What this means is that the student is to select a topic in his major and try and put a new angle on it, or give an explanation of it in a way that's never been done before. A student can choose to write the thesis in the fall semester, or if they are daring, wait until the spring semester.