When it comes to college, affordability is one of the primary concerns for families across the country. A sentiment often expressed is, “I want my children to be able to attend a faithful Catholic college, but how is that financially possible?” For large families, this concern increases even more so. And yet, a faithful Catholic college education can be affordable. Large families, like the Sullivans from Omaha, Nebraska, are choosing to attend Christendom College, where the college’s sibling discount helps make attending the college possible.
Like many families before them, the Sullivans sought an education centered on Truth, in contrast to a culture that continues to radically choose the opposite. This pursuit led current students Thomas, Peter, and Margaret to Christendom, where they are following in the footsteps of their older siblings, John ’19, Anne ’20, and Kathleen ‘22. All wanted a vibrant Catholic culture for their college experience and found it in the Shenandoah Valley.
“I wanted to attend Christendom College in large part because of its authentic Catholic education and community. Christendom’s culture allows the growth for the full person,” says Thomas, a philosophy major and the eldest of the three siblings. “Many people see college as just job training, but Christendom does far more. In an ever-changing world, Christendom has equipped me with the right tools to face the challenges I know lie ahead.”
The strong Catholic community was also a huge draw for Peter, a sophomore. Peter says that he came to Christendom for the chance to be surrounded by “like-minded Catholics, helping me to become a better Catholic man as a formation process for the rest of my life.” Peter also believes that the positive experiences and encouragement from friends and family who also attended Christendom played a major role in his decision to attend.
For freshman Margaret, the opportunity for an education that would form her not only academically and socially but, above all, spiritually was enough to convince her that Christendom was right for her. Attending the same college as her older brothers was a happy bonus.
“Whether it is a quick hello at lunch or hanging out with my brother, I really enjoy having them here,” says Margaret. “Seeing how much they have both grown in their knowledge, friendships, and faith at Christendom has me really excited to see how I will grow in the next four years.”
Thomas agrees with Margaret, saying that going to college with his siblings is “truly a blessing. Not only because I love seeing my younger siblings thrive and do great things, but also because they help me better myself.”
All three siblings actively participate in the Christendom community, particularly through sports and intramurals. Margaret plays volleyball with the Christendom Crusaders while her brothers have been involved in baseball throughout their time at Christendom. The Sullivans have all enjoyed the opportunity to grow in excellence through Christendom’s Athletics Department while still maintaining a healthy balance.
“Christendom sports allow me to compete at a college level of competition without making the sport my whole life,” says Peter. “At another school, nearly all of my time would be devoted to the sport I committed myself to. Christendom allows me to compete but also recognizes we are here for a greater cause, which is to grow spiritually as well as academically.”
All three Sullivan siblings actively participate in the Christendom community, particularly through sports and intramurals.
The vibrant Catholic atmosphere at Christendom supports students in strengthening the habit of prayer as well and is “a huge help in pursuing friendships through our common call to virtue,” says Peter.
To aid them in growing in their faith, both the Sullivan brothers have been involved in Strongholds at Christendom. Strongholds are student-run groups for male and female students to grow in virtue and support each other spiritually. Both brothers claim that their relationship has been strengthened by the spiritual accountability they offer each other in their Stronghold.
As of fall 2023, there are eleven families with three or more children enrolled at Christendom concurrently, including the Sullivans, Altmanshofers, Byers, Eviches, Colemans, O’Haras, Schaus, Simpsons, Twyfords, Pirochs, and Bellevilles. The Sullivans, and the rest of these families, have benefitted greatly from the sibling discount that Christendom offers. Starting in the fall of 2024, the sibling discount will be given to any student with an older sibling (or siblings) concurrently attending Christendom with them and will receive a discount of $5,000 off tuition per year. This annual sibling discount will automatically be offered for all four years of attendance (totaling $20,000) and will continue after the older sibling graduates or withdraws — making a Christendom education possible for even more families.
“Many of our students come from large families,” says Director of Admissions Sam Phillips. “Some of these families have sent all twelve of their children here and several have two or more children enrolled at the same time, which is an extraordinary testament to the sacrifice and generosity of these parents. For families with more than one student attending at the same time, our unique sibling discount helps make a Christendom education more affordable, ensuring that their children can learn the Truth, live the faith, and thrive as Catholics.”
Getting a faithful Catholic education can be affordable, and the college’s sibling discount and other financial aid offerings are helping to make this possible. The Sullivans, like many families before them, wanted more from their college experience than just a degree and a path to a successful career. They wanted an education that would help them grow in their Catholic faith, while at the same time preparing them to strive for greatness and achieve success in whatever vocation God has called them to fulfill.
This fall, the Sullivans and other families are continuing to embark on that very education, united in a shared desire to grow in wisdom and holiness and prepare themselves to fulfill the college’s mission of “restoring all things in Christ.”
Contributed by Helen Davis ’25.