What is Benedictine College? About the Kansas site of Harrison Butker’s viral speech
This past weekend, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker gave the commencement address at Benedictine College, a Catholic institution in Atchison, Kansas. Learn more about this college.
In his 20-minute speech, Butker referred to LGBTQ pride as a deadly sin and decried diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Butker, a devout Catholic, played college football at Georgia Tech.
Butker spoke directly to female graduates: “Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
The graduation speech has received criticism from around the country, from various parties like the Los Angeles Chargers, the NFL’s diversity and inclusion officer, and Maria Shriver.
What is Benedictine College?
Benedictine College is a Catholic liberal arts college in Atchison, Kansas, located 45 miles northwest of Kansas City. There are 2,155 undergraduate students enrolled, according to the Department of Education.
The average annual cost to attend Benedictine is $28,399, almost $10,000 more than the midpoint for other four-year colleges, according to the Department of Education. The biggest areas of study are teaching, finance and theology.
How does Benedictine College approach Catholicism?
In order to graduate, most Benedictine students are required to take five theology, philosophy and faith classes, according to the college’s course catalog.
The college holds at least 15 Masses each week, in addition to eight reconciliation services and adoration every weekday, according to the Benedictine website.
Benedictine is on the Newman Guide, a list of self-described “Faithful Catholic colleges.”
The website describes the listed universities as an alternative to secular and other religious institutions. “Sadly much of Catholic higher education has been compromised by ideology, infidelity, and scandal.”
The Newman Guide advertises that at their colleges, “every subject begins with the truth of God and creation, from engineering to nursing to business.”
No other Kansas City area Catholic universities are on the list — including Avila and Rockhurst universities and Donnelly College.
What is the history of Benedictine College?
In the 1850s and ‘60s, Catholic nuns and monks founded separate schools for men — St. Benedict’s College — and women — St. Scholastica’s Academy. Named after twin saints, the institutions became accredited colleges in the Great Depression era and merged together in 1971.
There is still a monastery and abbey in Atchison where nuns and monks live.
This story was originally published May 16, 2024 at 2:01 PM.
