WASHINGTON — A proposal at Loyola University Maryland to potentially rename its English department over concerns about “Eurocentrism” and “imperialism” is drawing sharp criticism from conservatives, who warn it reflects a broader ideological shift on college campuses that threatens traditional education.
During an interview on Newsmax, host Todd Starnes discussed the controversy with Nathan Roberts, co-founder of Save Heritage Indiana, pointing to a recent report by The College Fix detailing changes under consideration at the Jesuit institution.
“They say they may actually rename the school’s English department,” Starnes said. “They say the word ‘English’ is rooted in Eurocentrism and imperialism… and there’s a very good chance that the works of white authors, including Shakespeare, may be eliminated from the program.”
Roberts said the proposal was emblematic of what he described as a pattern whenever left-leaning academics gain control of educational institutions.
“I think it’s not surprising when liberals and Democrats and left-wingers get into power,” Roberts said. “The first thing they do is always politicize it with anti-American ideology. They do that every single time.”
Roberts said the controversy at Loyola, a private Catholic university, underscores how deeply ideological debates have penetrated even faith-based institutions.
“Whether it’s a local community college… or even a private Catholic university, there’s a very good chance that every person, especially in the liberal arts department, is run by people who want to rename the English department,” he said. “It’s like English is the name of a language. There’s nothing political about English.”
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Roberts also criticized what he described as race-based hiring practices tied to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, referencing the report’s claim that Loyola plans to hire an African-American professor to teach English courses.
“These departments are also run by people, frankly, who hate white people,” he said.
“They’re just so open about the DEI that they’re using to hire people,” Roberts added. “And so every single time liberals tell you that DEI is some conservative creation, it’s obviously not true.”
After discussing Loyola, Starnes shifted the conversation to a very different development unfolding at another elite institution — Harvard University.
“Real quick here at Harvard University,” Starnes said. “They have a Catholic ministry. I’m shocked. But they’re reportedly recording the largest class ever of converts.”
Citing reporting from The Wall Street Journal, Starnes noted that Catholicism is growing on some of the nation’s most secular campuses, with Mass attendance at Harvard reportedly up 50 percent over the past year.
Roberts said the trend reflects a deeper generational shift, particularly among young Americans disillusioned by modern culture and institutions.
“I think the perfect example of this is me,” Roberts said, recounting his own transformation from what he described as an “avowed atheist” in high school to a practicing Christian today.
“Now I’m a Christian, and not only am I a Christian, I read the Bible for 30 minutes every night before I go to bed,” he said. “I’ve invited multiple friends to go to church with me.”
Roberts argued that traditional faith and family values have become countercultural in modern America — a reality that is attracting young people searching for meaning.
“Wanting a traditional relationship, potentially with a wife who stays at home and having multiple kids — that is the most radical thing you could be in society these days,” he said.
He added that the COVID-19 pandemic played a key role in reshaping how many young people view authority and truth.
“A lot of people became extremely disillusioned with modernity… and we saw the lies that were being told to us by every single person in positions of power,” Roberts said. “Christianity had a lot of answers for the problems that people, especially young people, are dealing with.”
Starnes closed the segment by highlighting the irony of the moment.
“Well, whoever would have thought that being married and going to church would make you counterculture,” Starnes said. “But there you go — welcome to America.”