Members of Christendom College’s Class of 2025 were honored for their outstanding academic, athletic, and service achievements during the college’s Commencement Weekend. The awards recognized the best and brightest of the graduating class, highlighting individuals who made exceptional contributions to the Christendom community.
Academic Department Awards
The college’s seven academic departments honored graduating seniors for excellence in their fields of study during the Graduation Dinner on Friday, May 17.
The History Department awarded John Dillon the Warren H. Carroll Award for Outstanding Senior History Thesis for “Milites Dei, Milites Romani: An Examination of Christian Soldiers and Early Church Pacifism in the Roman Empire in the Second and Third Centuries A.D.” Dillon’s work reflects the high standards of historical scholarship established by Christendom’s founder, Dr. Warren Carroll.
In the Philosophy Department, Meaghan Pierce received the Outstanding Senior Philosophy Major Award for his thesis, “The Inseparability of God and Final Causality in Philosophy of Biology.”
The Theology Department honored Peter McMahon with the William H. Marshner Award for his thesis, “Exodus 4:24–26: A Discussion and Proposed Resolution of the ‘Bloody Bridegroom’ Pericope.”
In the Classics and Early Christian Studies Department, Alex Dean received the St. Ambrose Award for Excellence in Latin Letters for his thesis, “Profound Farce: An Analysis of Morality and Humor in Plautus’ Menaechmi.”
Meanwhile, Jared Plasberg received the St. John Chrysostom Award for Excellence in Greek Letters for his thesis, “The Act of Caring in Plato’s Republic: A Participation in the Divine.”
The English Language and Literature Department presented the Robert C. Rice Award for Outstanding English Language and Literature Major to Helen Davis, who distinguished herself through outstanding scholarship and collegiality. Her thesis, “Pragmatism, Pride, and the Redemption of the Practical Mind through Charity in C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia,” exemplifies her exceptional academic work.
In the Political Science and Economics Department, Bridget McCaughey received the St. Thomas More Award for her thesis, “Kinship as Merit: A Tenet of Classical Community or an Exercise in Nepotism.”
The Department of Mathematics and Natural Science recognized two graduates, including Catherine Thomas, who was honored for her thesis “Certainty in Mathematics: An Examination of Platonism and Formalism.”
Michael Townsend was also honored for his thesis, “Power Rankings and Bracketology: Applications of Predictive Analytics in the World of Sports.”
Service and Leadership Awards
During the college’s Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 18, Director of Alumni Relations Vince Criste presented the Student Achievement Award to Aron Forthofer in recognition for his many outstanding contributions to the college community. Throughout his four years, Forthofer was an inspiration on campus, serving as both sophomore and senior class president, working on the Student Activities Council, serving as both a lector and an altar server at Mass, and working tirelessly in multiple departments on campus. He exhibited unwavering care for the college’s student body, displaying “kindness and joy to all” and serving as a role model for “what it means to be a Christendom College student.”
Before Commencement Weekend, the Student Activities Council’s St. Joseph Award for Service was presented to Megan Ellis, who demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication through her involvement in hundreds of college events. Ellis embodied the spirit of selfless service that defines the Christendom community.
Finally, three student-athletes received the Crusader Leadership Award for their exemplary contributions to Christendom Athletics: Miranda Keller, Michael Townsend, and David Echaniz. These student-athletes served as role models on and off the field, competing in varsity women’s basketball, men’s basketball, and men’s soccer. Keller, in particular, helped lead the women’s basketball team to back-to-back national championship titles, cementing a remarkable legacy.
Each year, Christendom College honors members of the graduating class who exemplify excellence in academics, service, and leadership — celebrating their achievements before the entire college community. Together, this year’s honorees exemplify the mission of Christendom College, carrying forward a legacy of faith, scholarship, and service as they prepare to impact the world beyond campus.