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As 2025 wraps up, we reflect on another year of impact at PHC as we recap the year's top news stories.
Patrick Henry College opened its doors 25 years ago with a promise to equip the next generation to lead the nation and shape the culture for Christ and for liberty. Join us and revisit stories from the year that illustrate how PHC is fulfilling that promise.
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Where are PHC alumni in 2025?
Gabe Evans
(Strategic Intelligence, Class of 2011)
Gabe is PHC's first graduate elected to the House of Representatives. A former police officer, U.S. Army Combat Zone veteran, company commander, and Black Hawk helicopter pilot, Evans was a member of the Colorado General Assembly as a candidate for the US House. He returned to PHC this past May to give the 2025 Commencement Address, becoming the first alumnus to do so! View his Commencement speech.
Rachel Hankinson
(Literature, Class of 2020)
Rachel is teaching as a professor at her alma mater, Patrick Henry College. She holds a master's degree from Hamline University. In Fall 2025, Rachel returned to PHC to teach Rhetoric & Composition, Creative Writing, and Children’s Literature and to lead the Westmarch publication. Read more.
Philip Bunn
(GOV: Political Theory, Class of 2017)
Philip currently serves on PHC’s Alumni Association Board and as a professor of political science at Covenant College. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This year, he received ISI's Top 20 Under 30 Award for excellence in conservative scholarship. His work has been published in a variety of political science journals, including American Political Thought and The Political Science Reviewer. Read more.
Christine McDonald
(Classical Liberal Arts, Class of 2016)
Christine owns and runs Captured by CM, a top-rated photography business based in the Loudoun/Washington DC area. She currently specializes in family photography but has experience with a wide variety. Christine started her business in 2010 and steadily grew it throughout the years. She attributes her business’s success first to the Lord and second to the instruction she received at PHC. Read more.
Ben Williamson
(Government, Class of 2015)
Ben currently works as Assistant Director for the FBI's Office of Public Affairs. He has extensive experience working on Capitol Hill. Previously, he served as Congressman Michael Cloud’s Chief of Staff and for Congressman Mark Meadows (former White House Chief of Staff). Read more.
Evie Fordham Solheim
(Journalism, Class of 2019)
Evie is a journalist whose work is featured in major publications. She was a winner of ISI's “Top 20 under 30” award in 2021. Evie is a regular contributor to The American Conservative and has been published by Newsweek, The European Conservative, and The Federalist, among others. She previously worked for the Daily Caller News Foundation, FoxBusiness.com, and FoxNews.com. Read more.
Students sought to be a positive force in the culture
1. PHC marched for life
Every January, PHC's American Politics & Policy track supports students who wish to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C. This year, over 50 PHC students marched on Capitol Hill with millions of other pro-life demonstrators.
To be pro-life is to recognize that the greatest good in this life is to glorify God and love our neighbors as ourselves.
To be pro-life is to recognize that our worth is entirely bound up in being created imago Dei—in the image of God. And since being made imago Dei is intrinsic to our created being, every life is intrinsically, unalterably, infinitely, and eternally valuable.
2. PHC's Students for Life chapter hosted 17 events in a single semester 
This past semester, the PHC Students for Life Club outdid itself, putting on around 17 events in the fall semester. Their mission is to inform students and the community about the harsh reality of abortion, advance the pro-life fight to end it, offer support, and show compassion to those affected by abortion.
“Within the first week of classes coming back on campus, we lobbied at the club fair, participated in National Sidewalk Advocacy Day, and participated in the Fairfax school board meeting protest that was on national news,” said Rebecca Rose, last year’s president of PHC’s SFL club. Read more.
3. PHC's First Turning Point USA Chapter.png?width=940&height=788&name=TPUSA%20Kirk%20Memorial%20(5).png)
Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a group of students came together and established PHC's first-ever Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter in his honor. Abbagael Sullivan serves as their president.
As their first event, the chapter hosted a gospel-centered memorial for Charlie Kirk, followed by a night of worship. Dr. Michael Farris and Abbagael shared a powerful message of how God works through tragedy for His glory.
Abbagael said, "We are honored to play a role in continuing Charlie's legacy, beginning with a commitment to remember and carry forward the values he championed."
View the club page.
Sentinels Strong!
1. Men's basketball excelled at National Invitational Tournament
Patrick Henry College’s men's basketball competed in the 2025 Bible College National Invitational Tournament (NIT), taking 3rd place. Senior and guard Rob Canfield said, "I think the long-term trajectory of PHC basketball is the continued improvement of the program toward even more success." Read more.
2. PHC women form a student-led Volleyball Club! .png?width=940&height=788&name=Student%20club%20spotlight%20Volleyball%20Club%20(1).png)
The PHC athletics community has a new addition—the Volleyball Club for women. This brand-new club has been met with enthusiasm and has competed with outside schools.
Captain and President of the Volleyball Club, Selah Stamper, founded the club last semester with several of her friends, something she had hoped to do when she decided to come to PHC.
“Training my mind and my body go together,” Selah said, “When I am consistently exercising and have the physical outlet, I am way more focused mentally and spiritually.” Read more.
3. New basketball coach: Aileen Maknati
This October, Aileen Maknati started her first season as head coach of the PHC women’s basketball team. She fell in love with basketball at a young age, and this love brought her beyond a passion for the sport.
Coach Maknati looks forward to an exciting season for the women Sentinels and hopes to teach her girls more about the sport she loves, and most importantly, the faith she holds.
“PHC offers me the opportunity to cling to two things I love: faith and basketball,” Coach Maknati said. “But at the end of the day, it’s always bigger than basketball. And I’m thankful to coach a group of girls that really understand that.” Read more.
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PHC's Music Department presented two stunning concerts
Rod Appleton directs the Chorale, and Dr. Scott McCormick conducts the Chamber Orchestra and Harp Ensemble. We extend our sincere thanks to Music Program Director Dr. Kristina Tanner and Music Coordinator Rebekah McCormick for their leadership and support.
Music for Troubled Times - Spring 2025
Against a gorgeous backdrop of stained glass, PHC's Music Department performed a stunning classical concert, Music for Troubled Times, featuring Franz Joseph Haydn's Missa in Angustiis.
Une Nuit à Paris - Fall 2025
The PHC Chamber Orchestra, Harp Ensemble, and faculty and student soloists performed in a French-themed Fall Concert, "Une Nuit à Paris," conducted by Orchestra/Harp Ensemble Director Dr. Scott McCormick. It featured both classical and contemporary selections, including music from the beloved musical, "Les Misérables."
The Chorale is rehearsing and raising funds to tour Europe in May 2026. They will be sharing the gospel in word and song in Scotland, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
God gave PHC's forensics program another incredible year
Forensics competition prepares students to excel in the public arena by teaching them to think deeply, speak articulately, and write persuasively, skills that will enable them to be effective ambassadors for Christ as they engage our culture with compassion and integrity.
Patrick Henry College’s forensics program competes at the highest levels in Moot Court, Mock Trial, and Civic Debate, and numerous championship banners and trophies demonstrate the hard work and talent of our students.
Yet, more important is the dedication and focus of our coaches, students, and alumni on elevating Christ in everything they do.
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Spring 2025: PHC secures 14th National Championship
Trinity Klomparens and Sarah Fox defeated Yale University, earning PHC's 14th National Moot Court Championship title in oral advocacy. PHC’s Head Coach, Peter Kamakawiwoole, who won PHC's 1st Moot Court National Championship in 2005 (along with his partner, Sarah Piotrowicz), mentored and coached them. Read more.
Fall 2025: PHC sweeps Moot Court regionals
This fall, PHC Moot Court swept the competition, bringing home 3 championships in one weekend!
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Allie Satterfield and Wyatt Trull won the regional championship in Orlando, Florida
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Benjamin Rutten and Evan Fairfax won the regional championship in Akron, Ohio
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Brayden Braun and Kayla Jennings won the regional championship at Yale
Additionally, many students finished in the final rounds, earned top speaker awards, and won bids to the Preliminary Round of the National Tournament (PRONT). Read more.
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Spring 2025: PHC teams finish in the top 3 at Paris competition.png?width=714&height=599&name=Copy%20of%202025%20HIGHLIGHTS%20(7).png)
At the Transatlantic Dialogues competition in Paris last month, PHC teams earned 2nd and 3rd place.
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Wyatt Trull, Abigail Spivey, and Matthias Todd’s team took 2nd place
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Hannah Bruck, Ben Spivey, and Caleb Helsing’s team took 3rd place.
The students also earned 5 of the top 10 individual speaker awards. Read more.
Fall 2025: PHC wins Social Justice Fall Championship
In the Social Justice Civic Debate, PHC teams swept the entire competition. The students won both the open championship and novice championship, plus 1st place in speaker awards (both open and novice).
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Aiden Forbes, Isaac Quinones, and Will Strohmeyer won the Open Championship.
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Jack Spurling and Josiah Osborne won the Novice Championship
Additionally, PHC competitors took home eight top-10 speaker awards (across open and novice categories).
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Camille Rowley took 1st place in speaker awards (open)
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Will Strohmeyer took 1st place in novice speaker awards (novice)
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Spring 2025: PHC's teams qualify for Opening Round Championship Series.png?width=714&height=599&name=Copy%20of%202025%20HIGHLIGHTS%20(8).png)
PHC's Amber and Gold mock trial teams qualified for the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS), an opportunity shared with only a quarter of teams in the nation.
At the Williamsburg Regional:
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Allie Satterfield and Reid Ritter won All-Region Witness Awards
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Nik Frey won an All-Region Attorney Award.
Fall 2025: Mock trial team takes 2nd place at GAMTI
PHC's Amber mock trial team earned 2nd place at the Great American Mock Trial Invitational (GAMTI), hosted by UVA in Washington, DC! This high-level, invitation-only tournament is made up of top teams that competed at Nationals within the last two years. Competing teams included Harvard, UChicago, Georgia, Emory, UVA, Hillsdale, Duke, Princeton, Rhodes, and Ohio State.
PHC finished with a record of 9–3, barely edged out for 1st place by Rutgers (record of 9-2-1).
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Josh Revoir earned an Outstanding Witness award
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James Staub earned an Outstanding Attorney award
Kudos to Program Director Sue Johnson, alumna Coach Elizabeth Ertle, team captains Evan Lopez and James Staub, team members Zoe Aviles, Josh Revoir, Allie Satterfield, Ryan Olson, and Wyatt Trull, and guest timekeeper Kayla Jennings. Read more.
PHC celebrates 25 years of God's faithfulness
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him! Psalm 33:8
When Dr. Michael Farris founded the college, he dreamed it would launch leaders— poised, polished, and professional, yet deeply committed to the Word of God.
"I firmly believe that the dreams that I had as we were starting this college still burn brightly not only in my heart and mind, but in the minds and hearts of President Jack Haye, the members of his leadership team, the Board of Trustees, the faculty, and especially the students of Patrick Henry College."
View Michael Farris' 25th Anniversary Address below
Now is the time to dream, think, pray, and plan for what the future holds for PHC.
We must do what we are called to do and do it well, always seeking the Lord’s guidance. We are not here to build buildings or monuments to ourselves. We are here to help train and develop committed disciples of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for reading!
Here’s to looking back with gratitude and looking forward with anticipation as we head into a new year of opportunity and growth at Patrick Henry College!
Read part 1.
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Patrick Henry College exists to glorify God by challenging the status quo in higher education, lifting high both faith and reason within a rigorous academic environment; thereby preserving for posterity the ideals behind the "noble experiment in ordered liberty" that is the foundation of America.
