Christendom College’s annual Summer Institute was held on Saturday, July 12, 2008, at its Front Royal, Va., campus. The one-day conference, entitled “The Role of the Laity in the Catholic Church,” featured speakers from various professional fields. Congressman Chris Smith, film producer Steve McEveety, medical doctor John Bruchalski, Rev. Thomas Dubay, journalist Colleen Carroll Campbell, and Christendom College president Dr. Timothy O’Donnell all presented inspiring talks.

Colleen Carroll Campbell delivered a talk entitled Catholic Journalism and the New Faithful. Campbell is the author of the critically acclaimed book, The New Faithful: Why Young Adults Are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy. Formerly one of six speechwriters for President George W. Bush, she currently is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.