Christendom College celebrated its 46th commencement on May 17, awarding 130 Bachelor of Arts degrees to the Class of 2025, the largest graduating class in the college’s history. Francis X. Maier, senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, delivered this year’s Commencement Address and received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Catholic faith, culture, and public life.
Francis X. Maier delivered this year’s Commencement Address and received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
“The church needs the college that formed you, and she urgently needs each one of you personally because it’s people, not tools or weapons or even resources, that are decisive,” said Maier. “Any effort at restoring all things in Christ, which is the mission of this college and its graduates, begins with conversion, reform, and a personal zeal for discipleship in each of our individual hearts.”
Maier, who served for 23 years as senior aide to Archbishop Charles Chaput and 15 years as editor-in-chief of The National Catholic Register, praised the graduates during his address, encouraging them to stay the course that Christendom placed them on as they go forth to “restore all things in Christ.”
“The proof of an education is the people it produces, and I’ve seen the impact of this college again and again and again over the decades of my own career,” stated Maier. “Simply put, Christendom College is a treasure. Very rare in the academic world because, at its best, it produces whole, fully human beings grounded in something more than intellectual fashion. So, for the parents here today, thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made in giving this gift to the children you love. And for the students, take a moment of pride today in the fact that all of you as graduates, whether you fully understand it yet or not, have the vocation and the ability to be extraordinary men and women in God’s service.”
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass and joined graduates for the Graduation Dinner.
On Friday, May 16, the college was honored to also welcome Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington back to campus, who celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass and joined graduates for the Graduation Dinner. Bishop Burbidge urged the graduates to continue to say “yes” to what God is asking of them in the days ahead.
“It is a privilege to be with you here today, dear graduates, as we thank God for the blessings He has showered upon you these past four years,” said Bishop Burbidge. “You graduate at a very exciting time in the life of the church, just a week after we were introduced to our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. God has a plan for each and every one of you, and he will take you to heights beyond which you can imagine. Your main work is to say yes to what the Lord is asking you. That yes is always the path to holiness.”
New College President George A. Harne, Ph.D., concluded the Commencement Ceremonies with his first charge to a Christendom graduating class.
On Saturday, new College President George A. Harne, Ph.D., concluded the Commencement Ceremonies with his first charge to a Christendom graduating class. Dr. Harne urged the graduates to keep the faith in the days ahead, always turning and giving all to Christ as they step into their vocations.
“My charge, graduating Class of 2025, is threefold. First, remember who you are. Second, remember what you have received, and third, remember to what you have been called,” said Dr. Harne. “You have received a particular call, a call to make Christ the King in your own life, in your families, in your parishes, in your communities, using weapons not made with human hands, but the weapons of the Spirit. Let us never waver, let us never give up. Let us run the race to win the prize. Please know that our hearts and our prayers will be with you as you go forth from us today, and may Christ the King bring us all together again, united in the beatific vision to see the love that moves the sun and the other stars. God bless you.”
130 Bachelor of Arts degrees were awarded to the Class of 2025, the largest graduating class in the college’s history.
A record 130 Bachelor of Arts degrees were awarded to the following graduates: Angel Aguayo-Aguilar, Paul Aguilar, Alexandra Altmanshofer, Ricardo Amaya Parra, Noah Anderson, Maureen Barrett, Andrew Beaulieu, Josie Belleville, Regina Bonvissuto, Lauren Bosack, Catherine Brezinsky, Natalie Briggs, Mary Buckner, Jude Burkett, Maximilian Buser, Anna Clark, Madelaine Clark, Miriam Cole, Sarah Connell, Sean Corcoran, Bernadette Criste, Anne Crnkovich, Joshua Cruz, James Cummings, Helen Davis, Alexander Dean, Giuliana DeFelice, John Dillon, Dermot Dolowy, Mary Doran, David Echaniz, Laura Eidem, Megan Ellis, Dinneen Evich, Michael Evich, Nora Farley, Angelina Fedoryka, David Foeckler, Aron Forthofer, Mary Fowler, Georgia Francis, Maria Fusco, Theresa Gabris, Derek Gilday, John Goedicke, Abigail Greca, John Gunthorpe, Juliette Halisky, Brendan Hichborn, Abigail Holmstedt, Margaret Howerton, Teresa Janaro, Lily Jones, Miranda Keller, Liam Kelly, Mary Kelly, Christopher Kleiber, William Kolesar, Claudia Kopeck, Andrew Krolick, Monica Kumon, Audrey Lademan, Monica LaFramboise, Mariam Lagano, Michael Lagarde, Stewart Lagarde III, Connor Lennon, Merideth Lilley, Michael Lindner, Daniel Lovelace, Luke Luckey, Suzanne Martin, Bridget McCaughey, Eibhilin McCloskey, Margaret McCourt, Mary McGuire, Catríona McKeon, Erin McLaughlin, Peter McMahon, Adrienne McShurley, Emily Meli, Thomas Miller, Kira Moore, Michael Moreno, Mary Noble, Catherine Nussio, Patrick Ohotnicky, Joseph Olbrych, Kaylee O’Neill, Colleen Pabst, Brian Pascoe, Blake Pearson, Meaghan Pierce, Maura Piroch, Jared Plasberg, Matthias Raes, Nicholas Reilly, Adam Rockwell Jr., Bernadette Rodriguez, Noah Rymer, Mary Sabados, Christopher Santschi, Colleen Scanlon, Elizabeth Scarchilli, Ana Schau, Geoffrey Scrivener, Hailey Sergent, Barbara Sexton, Hannah Simpson, Sarah Slaga, Damian Smith, Thomas Smith, Andrew Snyder, Samuel Sproule, Margaret Stahl, Thomas Stanford IV, Haley Steltz, Eleanor Sternfels, Charles Stevens, Brendan Summers, Catherine Thomas, Michael Townsend, John-Paul Tsakanikas, Jane Twyford, Christopher Usher, Sam Wade, Nicholas Ward, Olivia Wenzel, Teresa Louise Willard, and Monica Wingard. The college also awarded two Associate of Arts degrees, to Theresa Byers and Samuel Francomb.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
To view this year’s Salutatory Address, click here.
To view this year’s Valedictory Address, click here.
To view this year’s Commencement Address, click here.
To view this year’s Charge to the Graduates, click here.
To view this year’s Student Achievement Award, click here.
All photos from Commencement 2025 are available for download here.