Rob and Beth Deucher have been members of the Christendom family for nearly two decades. The two met at Emory University in Georgia on their way to Mass and began to date soon after, getting married after graduation. Rob is a physician by profession, and his wife works to educate their children.
The two were introduced to Christendom via The Newman Guide. Visiting campus with his daughter for the first time, Rob was struck by “the beauty of the scenery, the peace of the campus, and the joy of the students.”
Rob further states, “I likened it to West Point…the students are defenders of the faith, as opposed to defenders of the country.”
This story comes from the latest issue of Instaurare Magazine, the official magazine of Christendom College. Read more from Instaurare here!
Impressed by the academic, cultural, and spiritual life cultivated there, the Deuchers sent several more of their children to Christendom. They also began to donate generously to the college, becoming involved in its Sponsor-A-Student Program to provide student financial aid while helping the college maintain its zero federal funding stance.
Upon hearing of the plans for the new Christ the King Chapel and Dr. O’Donnell’s vision for the project, the Deuchers were impressed and felt moved to contribute. They decided to dedicate a window to St. Thérèse because they believed she would be a great inspiration for the youth of the college.
Detail of stained glass widow of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in Christ the King Chapel, donated by the Deucher family.
The Deucher family felt that the Little Flower’s missionary spirit and humility would resonate well with the next generation of Catholic missionaries. Even in small things, her “Little Way” provides a beautiful model for all students to “restore all things in Christ.” As Beth puts it, “She’s such a missionary soul… she can inspire the youth as they continue their humble walk with the Lord.”
Rob and Beth continue to support the college, sponsoring students and providing financial support for Christendom. Beth praises Christendom’s work to provide strong catechesis and understanding of the Faith. Rob takes joy in donating since the college’s work to bring Christ’s love to a broken world is “work that makes a difference.” They both agree that it is “hard to relay the gift Christendom is to us, to the youth, and to our hope for God’s will in this world.”
As Christendom continues to grow and send students out into the world, St. Thérèse’s intercession is undoubtedly present in the lives of its graduates. Christendom students leave the college and spread the light of Christ to countless others in their professional and personal lives, and the Deuchers are proud to help contribute to their inspiration and formation.
Written by Sean Hilbert.
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