January 2012
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
Happy New Year to all alumni of Christendom! I hope that this year brings you and yours much happiness and success, and ultimately helps you to grow in holiness before God.
As we begin the new year, it is always good to look back on some of the happenings of the past year, and to realize how blessed we have been. Well, as you all know, Christendom is in existence, not only due to the great efforts of Dr. Warren H. Carroll and the benevolence of our donors, but through the grace of God. We rely on His goodness to ensure our success by way of raising enough money to continue on, and to help stir up a love and desire for Christendom in prospective students.
To this point, even in what appears to be very trying economic times for many, Christendom is happily doing pretty well (although we can ALWAYS use more applicants and donations). Here is a quick Year in Review for which we should all be very thankful!
2011 Year in Review - Highlighted Stories from the Past Year
- Alumnus Appointed CEO of Catholic Charities (January 21)
- Entire Student Body Protests Abortion at Annual March for Life (January 25)
- Students Look to Their Futures at Annual Discernment Weekend (February 15)
- Acclaimed Speaker George Weigel Addresses Students in Rome (March 15)
- College Featured in CNS Eucharistic Adoration Video (March 16)
- Students Have Life-Changing Experiences Through Mission Trips (March 22)
- Graduate School Announces New Online MA Program (April 5)
- Author Dr. Wegemer Explains Thomas More's Idea of Liberty (April 7)
- Barbara Nicolosi Reveals Christianity's Loss of the Beautiful (May 3)
- College Honors Bishop Conley and Dr. George at Commencement (May 16)
- Crusader Rugby Team Achieves Historic 6-1 Winning Season (June 1)
- High School Students Flock to Summer Programs (June 23)
- Cardinal Arinze and Others Address Hot Bioethical Topics (July 12)
- Christendom College Founder Dr. Warren H. Carroll Dies at 79 (July 18)
- Graduate School Sends Largest Class in History to Spread the Faith ( August 3)
- College Ranked as One of the Nation's Top-Ten Colleges (August 16)
- Christendom College Launches 35th Academic Year (August 31)
- Christendom College Admissions Website Ranked Top in the Nation (September 19)
- College Joins CNS in Fight Against Immoral Mandatory Health Coverage (September 29)
- College Mourns the Loss of Former Food Service Director George Carter (September 30)
- Annual Golf Tournament Boasts Great Success (October 11)
- Christendom College Ranked "Best Value" by Kiplinger (Ocobter 28)
- Players Have Audiences Rolling with Laughter During Room Service (November 15)
- 25% of Student Body Descends on Abortion Clinic in Prayerful Protest (November 21)
- Seven Students Win 2011 USCAA All-Academic Award (November 30)
- Christendom Launches New College Gear and Apparel Stores (December 5)
- College President O'Donnell Addresses Pontifical Council, Meets Pope (December 6)
- College Ranked as One of Kiplinger's Top 10 Private Colleges (December 19)
Until next time.....Tom McFadden, Director of Admissions, Marketing, & Alumni Relations (tmcfadden@christendom.edu).
Before Instaurare, there was the Christendom College Report. These little pieces of history are great to read to get insights into Christendom College and its origins. Enjoy!
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Name: Matthew Rose
Graduation Year: 2008
Major: History and English Language & Literature
Grad school? Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College (Systematic Theology)
Current Occupation/Job Title: Middle School Social Studies Teacher, St. Mary's School of Piscataway (Clinton, MD)
Past jobs held: Middle School Language Arts Teacher, Mount Calvary Catholic School (Forestville, MD)
Why did you choose to go into this field?: I wanted to give my knowledge to others. I wanted to share light with them. I've wanted to teach since 8th Grade, and Christendom only amplified that desire.
How has your Christendom College education/experience helped you in your profession?: It provided me with the intellectual, reasoning, and writing skills that allow me to teach. I teach Social Studies, and therefore History, and I try to present a Catholic vision of history, as taught at Christendom. My lesson plans are done with Dr. Carroll's books in hand. I even have my 8th graders read Dr. Carroll's account of the American War for Independence.
What are you doing in your professional life to "restore all things in Christ.": Christ affects every aspect of my teaching career. I like teaching in parish schools because there I can lead a renewal of Catholic spirituality and faith among those who may have had the basic building blocks of their faith formation, but haven't received much more emphasis in more recent years. This goes for students and parents alike. I also teach non-Catholics, and thus must present to them a true portrait of a modern Catholic, faithful to the Church and in love with God.
What do you miss most about Christendom?: The easy accessibility of the sacraments, the AMAZING library, and of course all my professors and their classes. Given the chance, I would teach at Christendom.
Coffee House. It's an event to remember, right? Some of our best memories from college are from the various talent and variety shows that the students put on, and none is bigger than the annual Coffee House production. Over the years, the talent continues to shine, and The Grapevine will now be featuring an oldie but goodie clip in every issue, until people start throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at the screen:)
To start off this adventure and journey down memory lane, we offer a musical performance, written by Tom McFadden '90, and sung by alumni Mark Gallagher '90 and Janet Purdy '97. The song was originally written by McFadden for the College's 20th Anniversary Dr. Carroll Appreciation Dinner held during the 1997-98 year at the Bowling Green Country Club. The group, although made up entirely of alumni (at the suggestion of many), performed the song for the current students back in the spring of 1998. It is what it is. Enjoy!
"Dr. Carroll's tireless search for the truth has inspired me to do the same. I wish he had still been teaching at Christendom when I began my studies there! Thank you Dr. Carroll for being an incredible inspiration to us all as we conduct our own searches for the truth! Rest in peace dear founder, you will be sorely missed! - Nick Petersen '11
"So many thoughts and stories come to mind about Dr. Carroll. However, the first for me is how truly blessed I was to be a history major and be in his classes during my four years at Christendom. I will be forever grateful! One of my fondest memories of Dr. Carroll outside the classroom was his example to the student body of living his Catholic Faith. During my four years, he would lead the daily Rosary in the small chapel at 5:00 p.m. Dr. Carroll would choose students to lead each decade of the Rosary. I vividly remember awaiting that special tap on the shoulder signifying that you had been chosen. He would always kneel in the first row of chairs on the right side of the chapel, directly in front of the tabernacle. Finally, the memory of taking Dr. Carroll's incredible knowledge of history into my own classroom and sharing it with my students, particularly his books "1917" and "The Guillotine and the Cross". What a tremendous legacy he has left. "Well done, good and faithful servant." May the angels lead you into paradise." - Maria Berger '84
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"As a 2007 graduate, I was among one of the first classes not to know Dr. Carroll as a professor, but I had the pleasure of driving him between his home and the college for several of his monthly lectures at Christendom. It was always such a pleasure to spend time with him. I remember in particular one conversation. I told him I was writing my thesis on a history of the pro-life movement, and I had read about the early involvement of the Triumph magazine, even before Roe v. Wade. I asked him about one of the early anti-abortion protests Triumph sponsored, one of the first in the nation, and he was so excited I knew about it. "I was there! I was there!" he said, as he told me the story. I realized he was a man who knew both the importance of writing history, and of making history. May the Incarnate Christ, He Who Is Truth, embrace him now. Dr. Carroll, you will be dearly missed!" - Andrew Bodoh '07
"I will always remember how Dr. Carroll brought history to life! He conveyed the characters and events to his students in such a vivid and exciting way. Perhaps more importantly, through his teaching of history, he made the future hopeful. His belief in the power of one person to make a difference is a lesson I try to teach to my children. I will always be grateful. God, rest his soul, and show him the fruits of his work." - Mary Higby Patryn '92
Alumnus John Clark's new book, "Who's Got You?" is a must-read.
Alumni were recently involved in a movie premiere in Front Royal.
Alumnus John Bowes is making news in the sky.
Alumnus Donald Goodman has a blog about Distributism.
New Classics Professor makes headlines.
Assistant Chaplain Fr. Joseph Fox comments on the new translation of the Roman Missal.
An outsider's view of Christendom.
Alumnus Fr. Lundberg '97 and Dr. Carroll get a mention.
Mike Kelsey '99 is running for office.
Alumnus Mike Hichborn and Professor Bill Marshner made some waves in the press.
Mo Fung Woltering '93 has an article in H&PR online.
Alumna Anita Crane's interview with a Saint.
It's a little dated, but alumna Clare MacDonald Lazzuri had an article in the Herald.
Alumnus Mark Rohlena '00 inducted into Legatus.
Ben Hatke '00 is working on his second book.
Now here's dedication for you. Alumna Alexandra Doylend Klassen '03 was due to give birth earlier this month. But did she go through with it? No. She waited until the last moment so that the birth of her newborn could be put in The Grapevine! What dedication, what commitment! Malta Grace Carmella Klassen was born Wednesday night, at home, weighing in at an even 8 lbs. Congrats to Ron and Alex and thanks to them for being so willing to remain pregnant for those extra days, just for the sake of the alumni and all Grapevine readers! (picture below).
Robyn Lee ('02) -- with the help of her sister Sue Haggerty ('99) -- put together a stop-motion video for her Catechetics final project. The video highlights some of the themes from Letter VII in C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters. The target audience is teenagers, but the message is very appropriate for today. Enjoy the short video and please pass it along to your students or teen children.
Rob and Kristin Brown '02 would like to announce the addition of their 4th little one, Lauren Margaret! She was born on November 28, 2011. So far she is just as cute as her older siblings. (Picture below)
Bobby and Angela (Von Ehr) Murphy, '07 are overjoyed to announce the birth of their daughter, Grace Bernadette, on November 28, 2011, 7lbs. 2oz. and 20 in. long. (pictured to the left).
On January 8th, a group of Christendom alumni gathered together an amazing, unparalleled, and never before seen choir for "An Evening of Lessons and Carols," hosted by Fr. Daniel Gee, at St. Rita's in Alexandria, VA. Reminiscent of the King's College annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, the group selected classic motets as well as familiar carols to be sung amid traditional Christmastide readings. The ceremony and solemnity was beautiful! The church was dark as the Old Testament readings, prophesying the Messiah, were read, and the motets sung. Then the Church came alive with lights, organ and incense at the reading of the first Gospel. They had a blast! For some of the choir members it was a reunion of voices from former choirs, for others it was the first time they had ever met. Though it was a majority of Christendom alumni, they were joined by a few excellent Northern VA musicians, Teresa Asper, Cole Milliard and Lawrence Bowie (St. Rita’s music director and organist). The Christendom alumni included Elizabeth Black, Beth Fettes, Mary Beth Baker, Margaret Antunes, David Klosterman, Peter Donohue, Michael Collins, Paul English and Francis Feingold, with a guest appearance by Ben Ranieri on the bodhran. Stellar, no?! (Picture below.)
From Bunny (Martell) Cerny '04 (left): "The kids and I, with the help of a friend of mine, recently took a mini-vacation to see alumna Lorien (Randolph) Nonnenmann and her family in Rock Island, IL. The kids played together quite well the whole time we were there, and we took this picture just before we left Monday morning. From left to right in the photo: Francesca Cerny, Meg Cerny, Clare Nonnenmann, Tommy Cerny on Gerard Cerny's lap, and Peter Nonnenmann. (picture below).
Greg ( '97) and Courtney Rice had a baby daughter, Bernadette Marie, born December 9. She was baptized at midnight mass on Christmas at St. Mary's Church in Gainesville, TX. (Picture below)
Alumna Anita Crane '93 (left) has been busy recently: "Before Christmas, I wrote an exposé on the Salvation Army, which now supports aborting certain kinds of babies. It caused a big scandal and the communications director of the U.S. branch was quite upset, but gutsy in condemning it. Links to both WND stories are on my site: http://www.anitacrane.com/blog/shocker-salvation-army-supports-abortion/ I also interviewed Catholic country music star Collin Raye, who’s coming to the March for Life and would love to meet Christendom students during the National Pro-Life Youth Rally: http://www.wnd.com/2011/12/381897/#ixzz1huS5j7M6. "
Andrew and Julie (Fox) Fier of 2001 were in Front Royal over the week of Thanksgiving. We had the opportunity to have our family pictures taken by Craig Spiering of Spiering Photography. He did an amazing job of capturing us with our precious children, Isabella (18 months at time of picture) and Isaiah (2 months at time of picture). This picture is my favorite one! Our family rejoiced on December 22nd, when we were able to finalize Isaiah's adoption and he is a part of our family forever! Then we had a blessed Christmas at home with the Sayler and Curran families. (Picture below.)
Just in case any local alumni wanted to know why Mike Hofbauer '87 seemed to be constantly running up and down Shenandoah Shores Road, there really was a reason. He was training for another marathon! He ran his 4th (in a row) Marine Corps Marathon (26.2 miles) on October 30th. Each year he has managed to shave a few minutes off his previous years time so by the time he is 75, he should be competing with the Kenyans! Also, his cousin, alumnus John Killackey '11 ran his first MC marathon wearing his Christendom tshirt. They are convinced that the shirt had much to do with his impressive finish. Check out page 29 of The Warren County Report for the in-depth story (http://www.scribd.com/doc/73555305/The-Late-November-2011-edition-of-Warren-County-Report).
Isaac Jogues Ambrow was born on September 9th at 10:22pm weighing 6 lbs. and 12.8 oz. He was 20.75 inches long. He is the sweetest thing. They are so happy to be parents! And Kateri (Schmidt) '05 resigned from her job as Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry at the Arlington Diocese to care for baby Isaac. (Pictured below.)
Nick Akhurst '09 and Jackie Belle-Oudry Akhurst '08 welcomed their first child, Austin David Jack, on October 3rd. He's a great little man and they are having a lot of fun learning how to be parents. (Picture below.)
Thomas Cole ('04) led the high school pilgrimage of Holy Family Academy of Manassas, Virginia to the Eternal City this last Thanksgiving. This pilgrims, twenty-nine in number, included, amongst others, alumnus Tom Santschi '89. The group visited dozens of churches in Rome, the town of Assisi in Umbria, and had the blessing of seeing the Holy Father a couple times during their visit. They even enjoyed a spirited foot race about the Circus Maximus, to the delight of the locals. Tom Cole was so busy leading the group and trying to express himself accurately in Italian to bus drivers that he hasn't any photos to share...
Nick and Heidi (Eubanks) Oligney's children. (Picture below.)
After 9 years of marriage Heather '98 and Ben Akers '98 are grateful for the blessing of their first child! They welcomed Francesca Eileen Scoutt into their family when she was 10 months old and she’ll soon celebrate her first birthday on January 20th. (Picture below.)
The Ben and Theresa (Ford) ’03 Fisher family. Nicholas (8), Zachary (6), Nate (5), Abby (3), Meg (2) and Baby Elinor (4mos). (Picture below.)
Noreen Daly has something to say: "I graduated in Political Science and Economics 2011, I completed my paralegal certificate class in December at George Mason, I work at a Catholic Law Firm called LegalWorks Apostolate, my position is Assistant Office Administrator/Paralegal. I am also a Notary Public for the Commonwealth of VA."
Molly (Walsh) O'Donnell says her big news is that they are building a home which they hope to be in by March of this year! Yay! (Picture below.)
Chris and Sarah Muro’s children: Isabella, Katalina, Gianna and Angelina. (Picture below.)
The Jonathan and Mary (McFadden) '98 Brand Family. (Picture below.)
Ted and Emily (Foushee) Eidem and family. (Picture below.)
David and Mary (Accetullo) Hambleton traveled to Florida for a week in November to visit David's Hambleton-side grandparents. This picture was taken while they were climbing trees near Fort Matanzas in St. Augustine. Theresa is 5.5, Beth is 4 and Lily is 2. Beth and Lily met their great-grandparents for the first time on this trip. (Picture below.)
Tim and Leah (Stephens) Coffey's kids: James-7, Maureen-5, Emma-3, Kate-1. (Picture below).
Rosalind Joy, daughter of Katrina (Ruminski) Lauzon '05 and Michael Lauzon. (Picture below.)
Matthew, Michele (Winslow '06) and Genevieve 2.5 yrs Poynton. (Picture below)
3 year old Magdalene Clare, daughter of Michael and Mary (McCarthy) Murphy ’96. (Picture below.)
Kieran, Charlotte and Deo Read (Children of Ann Marie (Popielarz) and Deo Read). (Picture below)
John (06) and Eryka Bukowski (05) O'Herron with Cecilia (4), Jude (2 1/2), Simon (9m) (Picture below)
Below is a picture of Tim and Jill (Lucas '92) Cook's children: From left to right (back row): Theresa (13), Timmy (17), Anna (14), John Paul (16) Front row: Ethan (9), Maria (11).
Emily (Griswold) Sparks '07 went home to Hilton Head, SC for Christmas for the first time in several years. Her husband Joe and her two sons, Joseph and Gabriel (20 mo. and 9 mo.), enjoyed spending time at the beach! It was truly an "ecumenical" gathering, since Emily visited with her older sister, who graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and her younger brother and sister, who belong to the Ave Maria University family. The Sparks wish all readers of the Grapevine a happy new year! (picture below.)
Tom '90 and Amanda McFadden's kids: John, Catherine, Maria, Dominic, Cecilia, Louisa, Anna, James, Margaret, and Mary Clare.(Picture below.)
Happy New Year from the Sean and Mary Lou (Foley) Loftus family!! They welcomed their new addition, Ryan Anthony, in September, and already he has all his sisters at his beck and call. Maureen (6), Caitlin (4 1/2), Colleen (3) and Bridget (2) are thrilled to have a brother! Since the photo was taken, Bridget will only call him Santa Baby! (Picture below.)
The Jim and Michelle (McCoy '95) Hoeper Family before heading to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve...left to right: Kolbe (4), Cecelia (8), Victoria (6), Michelle with Blaise (2) and Jim with Larissa (6 mo.). (Picture below.)
What Do You Want to Hear About?
I am writing this column because I want it to be a service to you as an alumnus. You deserve (and I hope also want) information about the College’s financial condition, its fundraising needs and programs, and opportunities for you to support your alma mater. The best way to make sure that I can give you the information you need is for you to tell me what you want to hear about. I would love to hear your suggestions about topics for this column.
Simple and Flexible Giving
To make it easy for you to support Christendom in way that is convenient, within your means, and fits your goals, we’ve introduced a new streamlined and secure online giving page at http://christendom.edu/alumnigift. You can make your giving simple by setting up a repeating gift that automatically debits your credit or bank account for a manageable amount each month. If every alumnus gave $10 a month, we would give approximately $240,000 a year to our alma mater. Just imagine if we increased that number to two, three, or four times! It starts with you! Make your New Year’s resolution to give your $10 a month at http://christendom.edu/alumnigift.
Please feel free to contact me at any time at 800-877-5456 x 1253. - Paul Jalsevac, Director of Development Operations
1. Name: Melanie Hofbauer
2. Hometown and year at Christendom: Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Freshman.
3. Parents names: John '88 and Angustia Buena Hofbauer
4. How influencial were your parents in your decision to attend Christendom? Dad was super influential in my decision to come here! He always said that his time here at Christendom was highly beneficial for his education and for his character. The man he is today is the biggest testament, for me at least, to the value of Christendom!
5. What do you think is the biggest change at Christendom from what you hear of the old days? Probably it's size and the recognition it has gained. On my first day here, my parents and I went to the financial offices in Regina Caeli. While we were there, Dad remarked that that was where they used to eat lunch, hold dances...it has surely changed!
6. Are there any advantages of being a "legacy" student (i.e. an alumni child)? It's nice to meet people who have something in common with me. It adds just a little bit of familiarity to my new, college life.
7. Have you had any of the same teachers as your parents? Yes! Mr. O'Herron remembered my last name!
8. Do you have any favorite stories that they used to tell about their days at Christendom? My siblings and I always got a kick out of Dad's old job here at Christendom. Apparently, back in the day, he drove the "poop truck." :)
What's that thing on top of the hill? An Igloo? A new Dorm for Bad Students?
Sitting atop one of Christendom's rolling hills, up on the north side of campus near The Shore Stop (or Jiffy's...depending how old you are), sits a small white building. To many, it seems like it could belong in the North Pole and serve someone well as an imitation igloo. For others, they think it was brought here from Narnia or The Shire to house little furry feeted people.
But in reality, it is the St. Albert the Great Observatory.
On Sunday, November 15, 2009, then-chaplain Father Gee dedicated the Observatory to Dr. Sean O’Reilly. Dr. O’Reilly was a neuro-surgeon and a founding board member of Christendom College. The telescope for the observatory was originally donated by Tim O'Reilly, son of Sean O'Reilly, in the name of the O'Reilly family.
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Can you count how many alumni work at Christendom?
There are currently 22 Christendom College alumni working for their alma mater at the undergad level!
- Tom McFadden '90, Liz Twaddle '11, Eve Owen '10 - Admissions
- Niall O'Donnell '03 - Marketing and Public Relations
- Stephen Pilon '92, Sarah Schiller Mason '07- Library
- Paul Jalsevac '03- Advancement
- Josh Peterson '01, Mike Foeckler '85 - Operations
- Doug Briggs '83 - Computers
- Olivia Ruhl '08 - President's Office
- James Hannon '11, Caitlin Bowers '09 - Student Life
- Elizabeth Walsh '11 - Rome Program
- Chris Vander Woude '02 - Athletics
- Mike Brown '87, John Cuddeback '89, Brendan McGuire '03, Ryan Callaghan '02, John McMahon '92, Will Diem '05- Faculty (both full-time and part-time)
- Walter Janaro '83- Registrar
