He Learned That Great Ideas Have Great Consequences

Great ideas transform culture, one soul at a time. That’s what the Sheridan Center for Classical Education at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, taught one priest.

“My two years at Benedictine College were a gift to my priesthood,” said Father Christian Schwenka, who spent two years on campus pursuing a graduate degree in classical leadership.

In the spring of 2024, his bishop, Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, asked if he would be interested in the Asculta program at Benedictine.

The Benedictine College program offers graduate assistantships for priests and consecrated women pursuing master’s degrees in School Leadership, Classical Leadership, Classical Education or Business Administration on campus. Participants serve as assistant chaplains and/or spiritual directors with College Ministry, named the nation’s #1 Catholic campus ministry program by the Newman Guide. The program is also open to clergy seeking firsthand college ministry experience.

Father Schwenka’s chief responsibility was helping students interested in entering the Catholic Church. He helped more than 50 students receive the sacraments.

“Walking with so many students growing in their faith while preparing for their careers inspired me as I pursued my own degree to better serve my diocese,” he said.

He received his Master of Arts in Classical Leadership — and an immersion in the Benedictine College mission of community, faith and scholarship.

He saw how each aspect of the mission applies to his work going forward.

As for community, he said:

“The professors helped me fall in love with the content they were so passionate about. My classmates challenged and inspired me through thoughtful discussions. Some of the greatest formation happened in a professor’s living room after a long semester or during late-night calls with classmates discussing the ideas we discovered in class.”

He said he learned how to incorporate faith in the classroom.

“Education is about forming the whole person by creating space to discover truth, goodness, and beauty. Our Catholic faith uniquely unites faith and reason, truth and love, in a way that challenges and attracts the human person,” he said. “As a future educational leader, I have a responsibility to serve in imitation of Christ, creating space for teachers and students alike to discover truth and goodness.”

The importance of scholarship was the biggest takeaway, he said.

“The Classical Leadership program was a uniquely formative education,” he said. “From philosophy and the great works to leadership and pedagogy, the MACL program reshaped how I view education, leadership, and the Catholic vision for both.”

“Reading the great works deepened my appreciation of our Catholic tradition and its influence on Western civilization,” he added

Father Schwenka said that although he has left campus, he will never forget his time here.

“I will forever be grateful for my time at Benedictine College. It has forever changed me,” he said, “and I can’t wait to see how God will use that as I return to serve as a principal of our high schools.”

Isabell Wilcox contributed to this report.

By Editorial Staff