In an ultra-classy letter to Father Jenkins, which was also released to the press to avoid random speculation, Glendon noted that, in effect, she felt that she was being used by Notre Dame. She is exactly right. In defending its invitation of Obama, Notre Dame has repeatedly pointed out that Glendon, a staunch conservative Catholic, would be speaking at the same event. Notre Dame, in one of its earlier press releases, admitted rather weakly that “we think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.” Glendon pointed out rather astutely that commencement is not the time nor place for conflict or debate. It is supposed to be a joyous day.

Furthermore, it is unacceptable for Notre Dame to be justifying its actions by promoting some seperate event that it might be doing correctly. Mary Ann Gledon’s invitation to commencement does not justify Obama’s. In fact, his invitation is a metaphorical slap in the face to her life’s work. As a frequent advisor to the Conference of Catholic Bishops, Glendon noted that Obama’s invitation is “in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops–to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.” Notre Dame can have Obama or Glendon, not both.

If the students and alumni are really serious about defeating this secularization of Notre Dame, they should concentrate on removing Jenkins. The alumni represent the core of Notre Dame. They always have and always will. I have never seen such a tight alumni network that literally stretches around the world. If the alumni refuse to give voluntary donations to the university until Jenkins is removed, I guarantee he will be removed within a week. This will send a strong signal that Notre Dame grads and undergrads alike will not stand for policies that contradict the fundamental values the university was founded upon.

On a wider scale, removing Jenkins would have implications for Catholic institutions across the nation. Former PA senator Rick Santorum, while recently speaking at Boston College, noted that Jenkins has “unloosed the gates of hell against Notre Dame” (which received a rather ruckus applause from the BC student body). This is indeed true. Notre Dame has the opportunity to set a new tone for Catholic institutions across the nation. There are few things which can cause Notre Dame and Boston College students to get together, but this is certainly one. Let’s work together to get Jenkins removed.

Many of America’s most prestigious and oldest universities were based upon the English model. Many, especially on the East Coast, were actually founded with the soul purpose of providing ministers to the colonists (one only needs to look as far as the plaque adorning the entrance to Harvard). The German model for the research university did not arrive in the New World until much later, and as a consequence there is a both a hybrid and distinctly American feel to many of these universities today as they struggle to clearly define their identities.

This history becomes important as we look at the many battles we are fighting on college campuses across the country. The relationship between our English and German roots can be somewhat tenuous at times as universities strive to produce students that are productive, successful members of society as well as “good people.” Notre Dame, in particular, struggled with this problem for some time, as it sought to hire faculty that would prepare students for the workforce while retaining its religious identity. The solution, in the end, was once again a return to a hybrid professor; one that is a leader in his or her field and also a person who recognizes man’s relationship with the divine.

Professor Langan, in making his argument, retains the notion that colleges need to prepare students to succeed in a business environment. In fact, I would say that Professor Langan is certainly a professor who feels that parts of the “college experience” are overrated. Professor Langan’s father invited me to visit his home in Detroit this summer while I was working in the Midwest. While we were eating breakfast at Denny’s one morning, Jeff’s father challenged me to “five dollar trivia,” during which he grilled me on historical events, dates, and classical literature (giving me five dollars every time I got a question right). Langan is in much the same tradition as his father, a realist who expects colleges to turn out successful professionals while looking after the religious development of students.

This is what makes Langan’s book so compelling. Seeped in reality, Langan understands that there should be a relationship between academic development and human development. Perhaps even more compelling is the fact that Langan can hardly take credit for being the “author” of the book. It was really written by the hundreds of graduating seniors that Langan has taught, mentored, and befriended during his time at Notre Dame and Holy Cross. Langan and I disagree on many subjects, but I strongly believe that he did an excellent job compiling this work and would encourage everyone to give it a read. Please stay tuned for a book review by one of our contributing writers.

You may find the book here and Chris Spellman’s review here.