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September 21, 2007
Archbishop Burke and College Founders Honored at 30th Anniversary Convocation

At an academic convocation held in honor of its 30th anniversary, Christendom College honored three great leaders in Catholic higher education, and one of today’s most heroic and fearless Shepherds of the Church.

Thomas Aquinas College founder Dr. Ronald McArthur, Franciscan University’s First Chancellor Rev. Michael Scanlan, T.O.R., and Christendom College founder Dr. Warren Carroll were awarded Christendom’s Pro Deo et Patria Medal for Distinguished Service to Church and Nation and an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters was bestowed on Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis, Mo.

Upon reception of the award, Thomas Aquinas College’s founder and first President Dr. Ron McArthur said that he was “pleased beyond measure to accept this award from this blessed institution, dedicated to the concerns of the living Church founded by Christ our Lord.  The very name of your college reminds me of Newman’s prescient insight that ‘those who stand with Peter are on the winning side.’  No matter how bleak the culture, how difficult the vicissitudes of the Church, how important the choices, this College affirms the goal of a Christendom which, God willing, will rise from the ashes of our time.” 

Former President of Franciscan University (1974-2000) Fr. Michael Scanlan was overjoyed to be part of this momentous occasion.

“I am deeply filled with a sense of fellowship in Catholic higher education.  Oh, it’s good to be here.  I’m very grateful to Christendom.  And I’m very grateful for the associations throughout the years – so many ways we’ve interacted.” 

Following Fr. Scanlan’s remarks, the audience erupted with applause and gave founder and former President of Christendom College (1977-1985) Dr. Warren Carroll a standing ovation at the presentation of the award. 

In his remarks, Carroll said, “We are here to commemorate the restoration of faithful Catholic education in our country and in the world.  The men here present were its pioneers…Pope John Paul the Great called Christendom ‘a great work for the Church,’ he told me personally, those were his words. 

“While other Catholic college and universities were losing the Faith, even removing crucifixes from their walls, we have rediscovered it, the heart of Truth, Who is Jesus Christ.  Our colleges have become models for our country and the world. 

Concluding, Carroll, who is well-known for his History of Christendom and other great historical writings, added, “These new colleges proudly defy the trends and forces of our secularized world in the name of the Truth, Who is Jesus Christ.  The Church of the 21st Century, rising from the ashes of the accursed 20th Century, thanks to the teachers and students of these colleges, will not forget them.”

Archbishop Burke, who was ordained to the episcopacy by Pope John Paul II and named Archbishop of St. Louis in 2003, was delighted to receive the honorary doctorate.

“Thank you very much. I cannot think of any university from which I would be more pleased to receive an honorary doctorate than from Christendom College,” Archbishop Burke said in his remarks after receiving the degree. “Although this is my first visit to the campus I have followed the life of Christendom College for many years.  I’m very well acquainted with the writings of Dr. Warren Carroll, and it’s the first time I’ve been in his presence…But I have also long admired the work of Dr. O’Donnell, and am a faithful reader of the newsletter of the College [Instaurare]. I have known a number of the alumni, and of course, I always think that the ultimate test of the excellence of a Catholic college is the quality of faith in Christ and in His Church of the alumni, and Christendom certainly stands out in that regard. 

“It brings me the greatest joy to visit Christendom College for the first time, and how could I be worthy to receive this doctorate, but I receive it with great joy and be assured of my full support of the College and in a special way my prayers for you young men and women who are receiving such an important education here at a truly Catholic college.  God bless you all,” he concluded.

Following the convocation, the members of the community walked in procession from the St. Louis the Crusader Gymnasium to the Chapel of Christ the King, reciting the Chaplet of Divine Mercy as they walked.

Holy Mass then followed with Archbishop Burke serving as main celebrant, and Fr. Scanlan, Associate Chaplain Fr. Seamus O’Kielty, and three of Christendom’s fifty-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, all enjoyed a reception and concert by Dr. Kurt Poterack, Christendom’s Choir Director and Adjunct Professor of Music. The concert, written specifically for the 30th Anniversary of the College, was performed by vocalist Christendom alumna, Imelda Franklin Bogue ’96, accompanied by talented pianists.

The celebrations concluded with an Italian Night Dance on Saturday night followed by an explosive fireworks display.

The College looks forward to celebrating its 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner Dance on April 19, 2008, at The Ritz-Carlton at Tysons Corner, VA, where His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze and former Papal spokesman Joachim Navarro-Valls will serve as the Honorary Chairmen of the Dinner Committee.

For more information on this Gala Dinner Dance, please contact Christendom’s Development Office at 800.877.5456 or email galadinner@christendom.edu.  Limited seating will be available and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

To listen to the talks delivered at the 30th Academic Convocation, and to hear Archbishop Burke’s homily from the Convocation Mass, please go to Christendom’s podcast site.
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