Name: Colleen Harmon
Age: 20
Year: Freshman
From: Shippensburg, PA
Major: Undecided (Political Science or English)
Hobbies? Reading, Classic Movies, Photography, and Music, Volunteering.
What's your favorite class? It's so hard to choose a favorite! I look forward to Dr. Stanford's English class, because I love literature, and he presents it in an amusing and in-depth way. Theology with Fr. Gee is also a definite favorite. He always make me love being Catholic, and desire to know, love, and serve God better.
Do you play any sports? Not officially, though I'm an avid fan of all our sports teams! Go Crusaders! I've played intramural volleyball and dodge ball, and powderpuff football. I can't wait for spring, so we can play frisbee football on Campion field!
What is your favorite thing about Christendom? Everything! There are so many opportunities for Mass and the Sacraments, and professors who take a personal interest in my success in the classroom. I've met so many incredible people that share my morals and interests, and I've developed strong friendships. Also, Christendom is fun! We may be small, but there is always something to do. I enjoy the dances, movie nights, and spontaneous adventures on campus.
Why did you choose Christendom? Christendom is centered as a community around Christ who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” I felt that by going to College which allows me to grow both spiritually and academically, I could best prepare myself for success in my life. We read and study all things that are true and beautiful, so I'm always happy! It's the best decision I've ever made.
Plans after graduation? I hope to pursue journalism or law.

Life on Tap

St. Kilian’s Café was open on Thursday night for “Life on Tap.” The topic for the night was interviewing. Speaker Keith Robinson presented tips on successfully preparing for a job interview like dressing appropriately and answering questions professionally. Students were given frequently asked interview questions and ideas on how to answer tough questions with ease.

Juniors and seniors attending the event had the opportunity to interact in a mock interview, and were able to see how the skills they have developed in their leadership positions and personal experiences at Christendom will assist them in the job market. St. Kilian’s Café and SAC provided beverages and refreshments during the event.

On the Waterfront

Some students find themselves with nothing to do on Friday nights at Christendom, having finished a busy week, and needing to relax, but Walter Janaro is here to solve that problem! Mr. Janaro, Christendom’s registrar, aired his second choice for the weekly “Movie Nights with Walter” this past Friday.

Though he was unable to attend due to the snow, SAC made sure that the 1954 film On the Waterfront was aired on the large projector in St. Kilian’s café. Students sat back, snacked on munchies, and enjoyed the movie, starring Marlon Brando, who plays an ex-boxer attempting to stand up to his criminal boss with the help of a waterfront priest, (Karl Malden) and the woman he loves (Eva Marie Saint). Students really enjoyed the chance to watch a classic film which is also on the Vatican's best films list, and look forward to the third of the six-part series of “Movie Night with Walter.”


On the Waterfront won 8 Oscars: Best Actor, Best Actress Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Picture, and Best Writing.

Saturday, Snow and Sadie Hawkins

On Saturday night, despite the snowy weather, St. Lawrence Commons was crowded with students dressed in a variety of creative costumes for the Sadie Hawkins Dance. In keeping with the theme, the Christendom girls and their dates were dressed as classic pairs or as famous icons of the decades.

Star couples included Popeye and Olive Oil, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Hercules and Meg, Beauty and the Beast, Sonny and Cher, Cleopatra and Marc Antony, and Goldilocks and the three bears. The Roaring 20’s, Fabulous 40’s and 50’s, Cowboys and Cowgirls and Disco Dancers were well represented, among many other colorful and imaginative costumes.

In true Sadie Hawkins tradition, the “girls asked the guys” to dance, and swinging couples packed the floor.
Sophomores Emily Baldwin (Princess Peach) and Ted Cantu (Mario) won the costume contest to the overwhelming applause of the Student Body. In addition to fun music and swing dancing, Students were treated to scrumptious snacks and sherbet, provided by the student activities council.


Seniors Daniel Collins and Sarah Marchand waltz away.


The dance floor was filled the entire night.


Freshman Tommy Salmon gives his mate a twirl.

When The Saints Go Marching In

On Sunday night, excited cheers, delicious smells and enthusiastic football fans filled the Crusader Gym at Christendom. Superbowl Sunday brought many students to the gym to enjoy watching the big game on a huge projector screen. The Saints battled the Colts in an exciting game, marking not only the Saints first trip to the Superbowl, but also their first Superbowl win.

When asked which team he was rooting for, Sophomore Rob Festko replied with a smile, “The Saints; they’re the underdogs.”

This time the underdogs pulled through, celebrating a victory over the Colts with a final score of 31-17.


Students munched on amazing snacks during half time, provided by the Kitchen Staff and the Student Activities Council.

Christendom and the Blizzard

Check out the pictures below:


Christ the King Chapel: a haven for both students and the local community.


St. John the Evangelist Library: a warm and inviting study spot on campus.


Snow is piling up everywhere across campus.


A view of the Shenandoah River from behind the library.


Regina Coeli Hall covered with snow.


Our Lady of the Snows, pray for us!

An Introduction to Theology

Few 8:30 AM classes have students as alert and attentive as Father Gee's theology class. As the results of Friday's true or false weekly quizzes are handed out, one freshman student rejoices in accurately defining the infused virtue, temperance, while another groans at their inadvertent heresy.

As the topic moves to the discussion of sin, Father Gee draws on the chalkboard to illustrate the effects that mortal and venial sins have on the soul. Fast paced, straightforward and fun, Father Gee's class is favorite among freshmen and visitors alike.

Next door, students busily take notes in Mr. O'Herron's theology class. After 32 years of teaching Freshmen Theology, Mr. O'Herron's teaching style is both direct and engaging.

“I look forward to Mr. O’Herron’s classes,” said freshmen Lucy Salazar. “He connects the teachings of the Catholic Church to reality – and to everyday life. I have developed a better understanding of my faith, which I will use here at Christendom and for the rest of my life.”

As part of the freshman core curriculum at Christendom, incoming students take two semesters of Theology: Introduction to the Fundamentals of Doctrine I and II.

Course topics in the first semester included Original Sin, Angels and Demons, the nature of Christ and the Trinity. The second semester will cover Morality, the Ten Commandments, and the Sacraments.

Last semester, a friendly, but competitive rivalry between both teachers and students concluded with the “Doctrine Bowl.” The top scoring boy and girl from each section of Mr. O'Herron's and Father Gee's classes were chosen to compete, comprising four teams of two students going head to head in St. Lawrence Commons. The fierce competition included “True or False,” “Always, Sometimes, Never,” and short answer questions. Father Gee's students emerged victorious from the contest.

Dodgeball Plows Through Snow

Diving catches. Airborne throws. Sliding passes. Sounds like the X Games doesn’t? Close. It's Crusader Intramural Dodgeball!

This past Monday, while most of the Mid-Atlantic States lay frozen and incapacitated from 30 plus inches of snow and the threat of another potential foot of snow, the Crusader Gymnasium was rocking!

Now heading into the homestretch of the dodgeball season, teams strive to finish the season strong to ensure a spot in the tournament. This season the always favorite winter aggression-releasing-intramural sport features 12 teams of 6-8 players per team. Over 80 students are taking part this year. Despite many talented teams, the favorite this year has to be Team 8 featuring: Troy Spring, Tim Lanahan, Nick Freeman, James Hannon, Joby Norton, Mark Doran, Sam McMahon, and Peter McNeely. Sam and Peter, despite only being together for a year and half, have already racked up a record of successful intramural seasons and the ire of many other teams on campus. They will be challenged by Team 6 made up of seniors: Jack Anderson, Luke Zignego, Seth Elmenhurst, Brad Thrasher, Matt Lancaster, T.J Nacey, (Junior) Bill Waller, and Cyrus Artz.

From a fan’s perspective the dodgeball games consisting in a best of 3 setting may be the most exciting at the very beginning when both teams starting on opposites sides of the court, sprint to a halfway-line to get their weapons: 6-8 rubber balls. Nearly one third of both teams will be knocked out after the initial sprint and yet you can count on team members making the sprint and the dive just to get that first throw.

So as Front Royal shovels out of 36 inches of snow, remember that for intramural dodgeball at Christendom now is the time that matters. Stay tuned to the Crusader Intramural Blog at for the updated schedules and results of each game and beginning this week photos and videos from the intramural nights will be posted for the entire world to see!




Q: If I take the SAT more than once, and the score goes down the second time, does Christendom only consider the best scores, i.e., do they use the so-called "Super-Score"? Also, if I have already taken a couple of years of a certain language in high school, could I jump into a higher level class of that subject or would I have to start in the basic class?

A. You can take the SAT or ACT as many times as you wish and we will only consider your best scores. For the SAT, we look at all three sections and we take the best reading, the best math, and the best writing scores and add them together to come up with your total SAT score (Super-Score). With the ACT, we simply take the best composite score that is tallied for you by the people administering the ACT (and we do not consider the ACT writing section). For the ACT, we do not take the best of the various sections and add them together.

Regarding the second part of the question, if you feel that you have had, for example, a couple of years of Latin already and you believe that you are beyond basic Latin 101 and want to start in Latin 201 (second year) or even third year Latin, you are more than welcome to try. If you are in doubt about whether you are up to the challenges of the upper division or intermediate course, you can talk with a faculty advisor or simply register to take the harder class and if it seems way over your head or too advanced, drop that class, and sign up for the lower level one.

Director of Admissions
tmcfadden@christendom.edu
800.877.5456 ext. 1290

If anyone has questions about applying, visiting, scholarships, financial aid, campus life, rules and regulations, majors, core curriculum, transfer credits, or even about the food here at Christendom, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.