George A. Harne, Ph.D., was formally installed as Christendom College’s fourth president on August 25. The installation ceremony, held in the college’s Christ the King Chapel, was a significant milestone in the history of Christendom, with the event marking a new chapter in the college’s leadership.
Dr. Harne, who was elected president by Christendom’s Board of Directors this past March, assumed his duties as president on July 1, 2024. The installation ceremony — only the third in the history of the college — marked the formal beginning of his presidency, with the college’s entire staff, faculty, student body, and the college’s Board of Directors in attendance to welcome Dr. Harne and show their support for his leadership.
The day began with a solemn Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington. During his homily, Bishop Burbidge noted the start of a new chapter for Christendom, congratulating Dr. Harne and offering his continued prayers in the years to come.
The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, celebrated Mass before the installation.
“This is a very joyful and historic day in the life of Christendom College,” said Bishop Burbidge. “Dr. Harne is not here by some sort of chance or coincidence. After a prayerful search and discernment, we can be assured that this is God’s plan, for him, for his family, and for this college. We thank you, Dr. Harne, for your ‘yes.’ For your yes to God’s call, no doubt rooted in your trust in His divine plan.”
Following the Mass, the installation ceremony commenced with a formal charge to the president from Stephen O’Keefe, Chairman of the college’s Board of Directors. In his introductory remarks, O’Keefe underscored the significance of the moment, reflecting on the college’s mission and history.
The installation ceremony commenced with a formal charge to the president from Stephen O’Keefe, Chairman of the college’s Board of Directors.
“When Dr. Warren Carroll founded Christendom and became its first president, he was the president of just 26 students,” said O’Keefe. “Catholic education, by and large, was in turmoil…Dr. Carroll faced conflict but he persevered and Christendom grew. Later, Dr. Timothy O’Donnell became its third president, greatly expanding our borders and our capabilities. We sit in the height of his accomplishment. Now, we come to the installation of our fourth president, Dr. George Harne, on whom we will lay the charge to ‘restore all things in Christ.’”
O’Keefe then charged Dr. Harne to lead the college, asking him to reflect on Dr. Carroll’s famous phrase, “one man can make a difference.”
“There will be trials and there will be victories,” said O’Keefe. “I commit to you, Dr. Harne, my prayers and my support in your journey. Remember Dr. Carroll’s words and you will succeed as he did: ‘Our hope is in the name of the Lord. This enterprise is for His glory and His glory alone.’ One man can make a difference, Dr. Harne. Make a difference.”
Bishop Burbidge welcomed Dr. Harne on behalf of the Diocese of Arlington and blessed the Presidential Chain of Office.
Following O’Keefe’s remarks, Bishop Burbidge welcomed Dr. Harne on behalf of the Diocese of Arlington and blessed the Presidential Chain of Office. President Emeritus Dr. Timothy O’Donnell then presented the Chain of Office to Dr. Harne, symbolizing the transfer of leadership.
President Emeritus Dr. Timothy O’Donnell presented the Chain of Office to Dr. Harne, symbolizing the transfer of leadership.
Dr. Harne then took the Presidential Oath of Office, committing himself to uphold the values and mission of Christendom College. Following his oath, Dr. Harne led the college’s faculty in reciting the Oath of Fidelity to the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. Christendom’s president and entire faculty have made this oath every year since the college’s founding, promising to uphold the truths of the Catholic Faith both in and outside the classroom.
To close the installation ceremony, Dr. Harne then delivered his installation address. He began by emphasizing his commitment to Christendom’s founding vision, thanking all that came before who have made the college what it is today.
“Today, we honor and renew our commitment to Christendom’s founding and those who made the heroic sacrifices both to found Christendom College and bring her to this point today,” said Dr. Harne. “I think of the college’s great founding president, Dr. Warren Carroll, the five founding faculty, the five trustees, the founding staff, the founding students, the early friends of the college and those souls hidden from the written record who gave from their substance to lay the college’s foundation. And I also think of and honor the presidents who followed—President Damian Fedoryka, President Timothy O’Donnell—their wives and children, and all of the faculty, students, parents, trustees, benefactors, staff, and alumni, who have given sacrificially over these many years. And we recall that all of this history, everything that Christendom is today, is the work of Grace. Today is a day of gratitude.”
Following his oath, Dr. Harne led the college’s faculty in reciting the Oath of Fidelity to the teaching authority of the Catholic Church.
To conclude his address, Dr. Harne spoke passionately about his vision for the college’s future, calling on all involved in the college to venture forth boldly in the years ahead.
“Because Christendom College has been faithful for these almost-fifty years, we are in a position to bring to bear the great wisdom of our tradition to points of crisis in our Church and in our world,” said Dr. Harne. “We can, inspired by Pope Benedict XVI, engage in acts of intellectual charity that go far beyond the borders of our campus. We can and must take Christendom, with its spiritual and intellectual treasures, to the world if we hope to restore all things in Christ. As much as we may desire continuity and safety, for the sake of souls, we must venture forth boldly…I believe that Christendom College can and must, by God’s grace, become the engine of a new Catholic intellectual and spiritual renaissance in America for the next fifty years. Today, with God’s help, let us begin.”
Dr. Harne with Bishop Burbidge following the installation ceremony.
Dr. Harne’s appointment as president follows the tenure of Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, who served as the college’s third president from 1992 to 2024. Dr. Harne becomes the fourth president in the college’s history, following college founder Dr. Warren Carroll (1977-1985) and Dr. Damian Fedoryka (1985-1992).
A widely respected and accomplished scholar of music history and the liberal arts, Dr. Harne earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University and received master’s degrees from Princeton, St. John’s College, and the University of Washington. Dr. Harne, who previously served as the Executive Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences for the University of St. Thomas in Houston and as President of Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts, brings with him extensive experience in both the administrative and academic dimensions of higher education, making him ideally suited to serve as Christendom’s fourth president.
Dr. Harne with his family.
Dr. Harne begins his tenure at a pivotal moment for Christendom College, which is consistently recognized for its rigorous, authentically Catholic liberal arts education. The college recently celebrated its 45th anniversary with the dedication of its new Christ the King Chapel, while also setting records in admissions and fundraising.
To read Dr. Harne’s installation address, visit here.
To view Dr. Harne’s installation address, visit here.
To see more videos from the installation, visit here.