The installation ceremony takes place after the 10:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, August 25, 2024, in Christ the King Chapel at Christendom College. 

The ceremony can be livestreamed on our YouTube Channel and on this webpage (christendom.edu/installation) starting at 10:00 a.m. 

There have been 2 installations since Christendom was founded in 1977.  

A widely respected and accomplished scholar of music history and the liberal arts, Harne earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University and received master’s degrees from Princeton, St. John’s College, and the University of Washington. 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.  

Here are a few Christendom News stories featuring President Harne, starting with his appointment in March through to his welcome to the Class of 2028 at Opening Convocation. 

• Dr. George Harne Named Next President of Christendom College (March 25, 2024) 
• About Dr. George Harne

President emeritus Dr. O’Donnell leads President-elect Harne to his office in the Regina Coeli building. (Niall O’Donnell/Christendom College)

The college’s first president, Warren Carroll, did not have an installation — but he did almost everything else. Carroll created Christendom from scratch and then served as its president for another 8 years, until 1985. 

Dr. Warren Carroll.

For that, we welcome you to join the livestream — or watch it afterward — to hear the message in his own words. 

Like Commencement, the installation procession is led by the mace bearer Christendom’s Registrar, Walter Janaro. 

Mace bearer Walter Janaro (left) leads the procession of Commencement 2024.

Before President Harne arrives, these members of the procession will enter Christ the King Chapel in this order: 

• Mace Bearer 

• Faculty 

• Board Chair 

• President Harne 

• Bishop Burbidge 

Chairman Steve O’Keefe will begin with a brief address on the history and mission of the college, and then will introduce Dr. Harne on behalf of the Board of Directors. He will then charge Dr. Harne to lead the college as its 4th president.  

The Christendom Faculty, President, Board Chairman, and Bishop march in the procession, all wearing academic regalia — caps and gowns, with hoods whose colors reflect academic institutional affiliation.  

Having assembled at Old Chapel Hall, the academic procession will enter Christ the King Chapel. 

Bishop Burbidge will welcome Dr. Harne on behalf of the Diocese of Arlington and bless the chain of office with a blessing written by Christendom Head Chaplain, Fr. Marcus Pollard. Dr. Harne will take the oath of office and former president Dr. Timothy O’Donnell will present him with the chain of office. 

Christendom has had 4 presidents 

• Warren Carroll (1977-1985) 

• Damian Fedoryka (1985-1992) 

• Timothy O’Donnell (1992-2024) 

• George Harne (2024-) 

On August 25, 2024, George A. Harne (right) will be installed as the college’s fourth leader. Founder Warren Carroll was the first, holding the position from 1977-1985.

Dr. Harne will lead the faculty in the annual oath of fidelity – a time-honored Christendom tradition – and conclude with his inaugural address.  Receptions will follow for students, staff, faculty, and honored guests.