September 2012
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
Christendom Alumni are a pretty amazing bunch of people. Sure, maybe I am biased a bit, but being the Alumni Affairs guy, I happened to know most of the alumni personally, and it is great to know that our final product here at Christendom - the alumni - are doing what Christendom hoped they would be doing.
Let me explain.
Currently, 2892 people have attended Christendom over the years, including the 388 who are current students. That means we have 2504 alumni, with 1576 of them earning an undergraduate degree from here. Out of all of these alumni, there have been 335 alumnus-to-alumna marriages, with less than a 2% known divorce/separation rate. We have 134 men and women who have found their vocation to the priesthood or religious life (65 priests, 49 sisters, 1 brother, 2 deacons, and 17 men currently in seminary). These are pretty amazing statistics. Additionally, our alumni have been very successful in their career pursuits. They are employed in just about every field possible, with many of them running businesses and organizations.
If you know of people out there who are a little skeptical about the benefits of a Christendom College education, make sure you set them straight, or at least, send them my way. And to this end, I want to make sure you are aware of these three new links on our website. One talks about Alumni & Jobs, one about Alumni & Vocations, and one about Alumni & Grad Schools. I think it is very important to let people know about all of these opportunities so that, if they really want to attend Christendom, they should not have to worry about ending up homeless on the street.
I hope to see many of you at Homecoming this year, and if there is anything I can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to ask!
Until next time.....Tom McFadden, Director of Admissions, Marketing, & Alumni Relations (tmcfadden@christendom.edu).
Get your Christendom GEAR Here.
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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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:)
The current Fr. Bjorn Lundberg '97, poking a bit of fun at then-College chaplain Fr. Robert Skeris.
"Don't know much about history, don't know much biology . . ." The lyrics from Sam Cooke's 'Wonderful World' drifted around the new Mr. and Mrs. Michael Collins during their first dance as a married couple on May 5, 2012. Former Christendom College Admissions Counselor Beth (formerly Fettes, '09), finds the song to be ironic due to their training at Christendom, while Michael ('07) just likes to brag that he does know something about French.
All silliness aside, their Solemn High Tridentine Nuptial mass was celebrated by Fr. Daniel Gee (former Christendom chaplain), with Fr. Seamus O'Kielty in choro and several Christendom alumni as servers. Craig Spiering of www.spieringphotography.com did an amazing job with their pictures, and the new Collins' are incredibly grateful for the efforts of innumerable family and friends in making the day as memorable as it was. They'd like to especially thank their choir, comprised of Christendom and NoVA friends, for providing trancendent music to enhance an already beautiful liturgy.
Michael continues to work in IT at Bishop O'Connell High School, and is already knee-deep in projects for the new school year, while Beth is realizing that she seems to be forever-committed to epic summer programs: she helped coordinate the ECSP here at Christendom, and she recently enjoyed helping the Office of Youth Ministry put on two of their annual WorkCamp programs. The Collins' reside in McLean, VA, and are looking forward to hosting family and friends now that the bubble wrap and tissue paper have mostly cleared.
Former Christendom College Admissions Counselor Angela (McNeely '08) married Ed Heffernan over Labor Day weekend in Nebraska. They are now living in Tucson with a lovely pool in the backyard. Stop by whenever you are next in the area!! Ed is from Philadelphia, from a family of 12, just like Angela's. He graduated from Ave Maria, and is now studying for his masters in classics at University of Arizona, hence the reason they are living in Tucson.
Christopher Foeckler '12 is currently teaching at Holy Family Academy in Manassas, VA. Classes are: High School religion (Doctrine and Scripture), Algebra II, Latin II, 7th grade American Literature, and 7th Grade Earth Science
Peter Donohue '09 started teaching this fall at Saint Rita's School in Alexandria. I'm teaching K-8 computers, 7-8 Science and 6th Latin.
Former Christendom College Admissions Counselor Lesly Bratt '04 recently accepted the marriage proposal of Anthony De Piante. They are to be married January 5, and expect to be quite happy.
Current Christendom College Admissions Counselors Liz Twaddle '11 and Katie Gutschke '13 are engaged! Liz will be marrying Dan Beller '12 in January 2013 while Katie will be marrying Richie Lancaster '12 in April 2013.
Former Admissions Office Summer Program Counselor, Emily Jaroma '10, married one-time Instaurare cover boy JP Minick '10 on July 21st at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in VA.
Kathleen O'Keefe Kerin, a Legion of Mary member and Christendom College grad, is an organizer of door-to-door evangelization in Providence, RI!
Kathleen Gilbert '07 will be entering the Carmel of the Little Flower of Jesus in Buffalo, NY on October 14.
David E. McBee (Class of '83) just started as Command Librarian at the US Army Corps of Engineers in Washington DC
Maria Bissex ('02) is the assistant director for an original musical version of Cinderella with the Sterling Playmakers. Auditions were held this past weekend and the cast has been chosen! Come and see the show, performances are the second and third weekends of November! All the details at www.sterlingplaymakers.com Also, Maria's Creative Memories photo solutions business is partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in September to fund six wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. You can help by purchasing some of the beautiful Wish or Dream products, or hosting a party in September. Find out more at Maria's website www.mycmsite.com/mariavbissex.
Michelle Hudson (’08) and David Sailer were married June 30, 2012, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The wedding and reception were decidedly “vintage,” both church and ballroom falling prey to the power losses all over the Washington, D.C., area. However, vows do not require electricity, and the marriage preceded a magnificent Solemn High Nuptial Mass, celebrated by Christendom alumnus Fr. Kevin Beres. Mr. and Mrs. Sailer are now living happily in Clifton, Virginia, proud of the best “my-wedding-went-wrong” story in town.
Andy and Mindy McDonald were blessed on June 26, 2012 with their 6th boy and 7th child. Gabriel Aaron McDonald made his entry into the world so quickly that they ended up with an unattended home birth. All went well and everyone is healthy. He joins siblings Seth (12), Dominic (10), Kieran (7), Peter (5), Raphael (3), and Evelyn (2). One week after his birth, they traveled to Virginia for Craig Baltrinic's wedding. It was a lovely visit and so great to see everyone, however, Mindy does not recommend an 18 hour road trip at only a week postpartum. They also had a spontaneous and short visit from the Tim and Leah Coffey clan about a week ago. They were just passing through and they were happy they stopped by. {Pictured below}
From Nate and Jess Schuetz & family: "Well, we have been so blessed to be living in Augusta, GA for so many years (with a military lifestyle this is rare) but we are finally moving. We are moving to Bahrain for two years on September 18th. It's going to be a long flight with our little one so prayers are appreciated that we emerge with our sanity intact after our trip is over. It will most certainly be an experience and prayers are also appreciated that we have an enjoyable experience. We'll try to send pictures in the future. Wishing you all the best!"
Bobby and Angela (Von Ehr) Murphy, '07, spent a week at Myrtle Beach in July, their second beach vacation with their daughter, Grace. Here's a funny picture from their mini-golf experience!
Laura Charba Mire '88 has a very exciting life and wants to tell everyone all about it! They added 2 new pets - Fred and Ethel - wild turkeys who now live with them in Dripping Springs, TX
Felicity Anne Burns, born to Ed and Monica (Horiuchi) Burns, both Class of 2009, on August 21. Picture below was sent in by her doting grandmother, Dr. Kristin Burns.
Joe & Jenny (O'Connor) Sladky '88 welcomed their 8th child on July 23, 2012. Joseph Francis Thomas (Frank) made his brothers happy by making the boy-girl ratio an even 4. Below, he's pictured with his homeschooled siblings Patrick (8), Rose (10) [holding Frank], Philip (6), and Bernadette (3), while his older siblings attend Chelsea Academy.
Tom and Mary (Akers '07) Hambleton announce the birth of their daughter, Bernadette. She was born last April 20 and is pictured at her baptism with Fr. Gee in May. She joins Gabriel, Catherine, and Jane as part of the Hambleton-Akers dynasty.
Below is a photo of a bunch of alumni who attended Sr. Eileen Tickner's ('82) 25th Jubilee as a Selesian Sister of St. John Bosco, Eastern Province, in North Haledon, NJ, on July 8th. People in photo, L to R: Mary Beth (McKernan) Thomas, Holly (Flagg) McShurley, Nancy (Popik) Briggs, Brenda (Davis) O'Reilly, Joan (Longua) Philbin with Sr. Eileen Tickner in front, of course.
Kate McMahon '02 was married on May 25, 2012 to Dave Leonard. They are currently living in downtown Falls Church, VA. Below is a picture of the entire McMahon Family, including Christendom alumni Kate McMahon Leonard '02, Colleen McMahon Fier and Dan Fier '03, Ben McMahon '04, Maura McMahon '09, Sam McMahon '11, Julianne McMahon '15, and rising freshman Bridget McMahon '16.
Michael and Alexandria (Chiasson '05) McCormick would like to announce the birth of their first child: Abraham Lincoln McCormick was born on March 9, 2012, in Philadelphia, PA and baptized on June 17 at St Patrick's Church. He then accompanied his parents on a month-long trip around Ireland. (Pictured on the right below).
Katy (Jenkins) '05 and Adam Hochschild had their fourth child and first girl at home on May 5th, weighing 10 lbs. 11 oz. Christine Mary Pia is now an adorable and adored four month old.(Pictured on the left below)
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Craig Baltrinic and Kathryn Kujawski ('09) were united in Holy Matrimony on July 7 followed by a Solemn High Nuptial Mass celebrated by Fr. Richard Carr and the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem. Bridesmaids included matron-of-honor Jennifer Mazzara ('08), Nicole Surprenant ('03-'06), Maria Boris, and Sylvia Smith ('07). Groomsmen included best man Andy McDonald ('05), Ken Baltrinic ('93), Chris Baltrinic, and Peter O'Brien ('06). Craig Spiering, photographer extraordinare, captured the events of the day, and Alaina Furlong ('04), Christine Smitha ('04), Elizabeth Collins ('09), Elizabeth Black ('07), Kathleen Gilbert ('07), Michael Collins ('07), Paul English ('08), Francis Feingold ('09), and Nathan Scott ('10) added beauty to the Mass through sacred music. Anthony Smitha ('05) did double duty by singing at the Mass and resuming the role of DJ at the reception. Despite the lovely temperature of 101 degrees, the numerous alumni who came out for the day seemed to have a great time.
1. Name. James Ciskanik
2. Hometown and year at Christendom. Front Royal, Virginia, and I am a Junior
3. Parents names: John and Maggie (O'Reilly) Ciskanik '84
4. How influencial were your parents in your decision to attend Christendom? Well my father is the Vice President of Advancement at Christendom so I would say pretty influential ... I think I knew I was going to Christendom since the day I was born. My parents love the college and now so do I.
5. What do you think is the biggest change at Christendom from what you hear of the old days? No Wallflower.(darn you whoever burned it...or did they?) But I do hear that someone is going to ressurect a new one so we don't lose that tradition.
6. Are there any advantages of being a "legacy" student (i.e. an alumni child)? Both my mother and my older brother are now alumni so I have all the teachers who were in college with my mom or taught her and all the upper classmen who knew my brother so I would say its pretty advantageous. The biggest thing on the flip side that I ran into was everyone kinda knows your name but you don't know anybody.
7. Have you had any of the same teachers as your parents? Professor O'Herron and Dr. Marshner both taught my mother
8. Do you have any favorite stories that they used to tell about their days at Christendom? My mom had this walk that intimidated a lot of people apparently. She said there was nothing significant about it but might have been influenced by her living in San Francisco and then later New York. But my good friend Andrew Clark’s father, Dan Clark, long after college approached her and said "Maggie, I love you to death, but in college when I saw you walking I imagined you thinking 'I AM MAGGIE O'REILLY GET OUT OF MY WAY!'"
Dr. Carroll's Tombstone Finds Resting Place
Dr. Carroll's beautifully crafted tombstone arrived on campus in mid-August. If you are in the area, make sure you stop by the gravesite and say a prayer for our beloved founder.
Alumni Seen Hanging Around Campus
Remember back in the day, if you were here in the day, when the graduation class pictures lined the walls of the O'Reilly Memorial Library? Then, remember when the new library was built in 2004, and the class pictures were never seen again?
Well, they are back in action, in their full glory, and they are hanging in the hallway from the entrance of the Regina Coeli Building to the Chester-Belloc Room. And they look awesome! It is so nice to have all of our graduating classes back on campus:) We have pictures from all the classes except for 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, and 1986. If you happen to have a class photo, we'd love to see it so we can add it to the collection.
