Christendom College launched its 2024-25 academic year over the weekend of August 23-25, welcoming 173 new students to campus.
Demand was higher than ever for a Christendom education this year, with a waiting list of qualified students implemented for the fourth straight year. 173 new students were admitted in total, including 160 freshmen and 13 transfer students.
Those 173 new students who will be on campus this fall hail from 30 states as well as Canada. The students achieved an average SAT score of 1280, with 81% of the class earning academic scholarships from the college. 40% of the new students have or have had a sibling at the college, while 23% are children of alumni. In addition, the Class of 2028 also features the first grandchild of alumni attending as well.
The college’s Best Week Ever (BWE) high school summer program also continues to be one of the strongest pathways to becoming a Christendom student, with 76% of the freshman class attending BWE.
The student body officially began the 2024-25 academic year on August 25, with the Diocese of Arlington’s Bishop Michael Burbidge celebrating the Mass of the Holy Spirit for the community in the college’s Christ the King Chapel. Following the Mass, George A. Harne, Ph.D., was formally installed as the college’s fourth president, with Dr. Harne and the entire college’s faculty making an Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church in the presence of the bishop to conclude the ceremony.
As Christendom begins this new chapter, it starts on sound financial footing after another strong year of fundraising. Over $8 million was donated by the college’s many generous benefactors over the past year, with donations going towards scholarships, financial aid, and also to fund future building projects.
New additions have been made to the college’s staff as well to begin the new academic year, including Annie Chavez and Katie Summers joining the college’s Enrollment & Student Success team. In the college’s Advancement Office, Catherine Schmidt and Madeline Gecosky were both hired, while Joe Dotson is joining the college’s Athletics staff.
In addition, Maria Simon and Sarah Morales were both hired for the college’s Student Life Office, and Anna McDuffie is joining the staff of the college’s Graduate School. For the faculty, William Farris is joining the Department of Classics & Early Christian Studies, Alex Taylor is joining the Department of English Language & Literature, and William Hannegan is joining the Department of Philosophy.
Other staff members will be taking on new roles for the college as well, with Amanda Graf taking over as Chief of Staff for the college. Tim Cook will now serve as Acting Vice President of Student Life and as Dean of Students, succeeding Graf in this role, while Arthur Dhanagom will serve as Acting Vice President for Finance, succeeding Scott Kay. Dr. Kevin Tracy is now the college’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, succeeding Dr. Greg Townsend, and Dr. Andrew Whitmore will step into Tracy’s previous role as Academic Dean.
Significant improvements were made to campus buildings as well over the summer, including painting in the college’s residence halls, St. Louis the Crusader Gymnasium, and St. John the Evangelist Library. ID scanners were added to all major buildings, and landscaping improvements were made around the college’s women’s residence halls and the library. In addition, new stained-glass windows will be installed in Christ the King Chapel throughout the year, further beautifying the sacred space.
The college will also be hosting a number of special events this fall, including a weeklong Eucharistic Mission on campus to begin the academic year and Homecoming Weekend over the first weekend of October.