Belmont Abbey College Honors Dr. Peter and Betty Ann Wittenberg with Dedication Ceremony For Renovated Microbiology Lab
Belmont Abbey College Honors Dr. Peter and Betty Ann Wittenberg with Dedication Ceremony For Renovated Microbiology Lab
Belmont, N.C. (August 29, 2023) – Belmont Abbey College celebrated the dedication ceremony for the newly renovated Wittenberg-Shevchenko Microbiology Lab on Tuesday, August 29th, 2023. The lab was named in honor of Dr. Peter and Betty Ann Wittenberg for their extraordinary leadership and generosity that will help continue the tradition of excellence in the sciences.
Peter and Betty Ann have been longtime friends of the monastic community and college, with interests in the science field as a retired pathologist and nurse, respectively. Thanks to their generous support, the funds to renovate the microbiology lab was made possible. During the ceremony, Peter shared that this investment was a personal one, “The Benedictines educated me and I wanted to use this money on something good, to have an impact on the future of these kids. The way the sisters took me in and taught me English, I wanted to do something for the future of this generation.”
The newly renovated microbiology lab will serve many purposes among faculty and students and will ensure improved student experience and academic success. The lab will provide students with the opportunity to conduct research and experiments in a state-of-the-art facility, allowing them to gain hands-on experience and develop their skills in the field of microbiology.
Dr. Heather Ayala, Chair and Associate Professor of Biology and Biochemistry at Belmont Abbey College, expressed her gratitude for the Wittenberg’s contribution, stating, “We are so grateful for the generous gift by the Wittenbergs. This lab will allow us to expand our current Microbiology offerings as well as help us to support our growing nursing program. The new facilities will help us continue to provide our students with skills and hands-on experience that will prepare them for careers in the sciences and health sciences.”
The dedication ceremony was attended by members of the Belmont Abbey College community, including faculty, staff, and students. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the newly renovated lab.
Belmont Abbey College has a long-standing tradition of excellence in the sciences, and the newly renovated microbiology lab will help continue this tradition. The lab will provide students with the resources they need to succeed in their academic pursuits and prepare them for careers in the sciences.
About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/.
