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The Catholic College of the South
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Belmont, N.C. (February 18, 2023) –
Belmont Abbey College today unveiled a historic $100 million capital campaign to fund physical and academic improvements at the Catholic liberal arts college, announcing that generous donors have already committed $72 million toward the ambitious development plan.
The “Made True” capital campaign calls for a new monastery, performing arts center, academic enhancements, growth of the college’s endowment to reduce reliance on federal aid, and innovative stewardship programs to help students graduate debt free.
“This is one of the biggest events in the college’s history,” said Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, who serves as chancellor and oversees the community of Benedictine monks on campus whose predecessors started the college nearly 150 years ago.
“We are humbled and grateful for the extraordinary support we have received through the silent phase of the campaign,” he said, “and we now invite alumni, students and families, and people across the region to help us close the funding gap and ensure that this type of education is available for future generations.”
College leaders presented their plans to supporters and civic leaders on Feb. 18 at an evening gala at Founders Hall in uptown Charlotte. Located 20 miles west of Charlotte, Belmont Abbey College has 1,500 students and has seen steady growth in enrollment and support over the past decade.
In 2019, Belmont Abbey struck a deal with CaroMont Health to build a hospital on the campus along Interstate 85. That building project is nearing completion, and a number of additional building projects are underway even as the “Made True” campaign reaches its final phase. The college is constructing two new residence halls, a sports complex, and making improvements to the science and nursing centers to accommodate growth and enhance the student experience. The new buildings are designed to blend in with the historic architecture and intimate setting of the Abbey campus, which still centers around the original Benedictine monastery built in 1888, home to the current generation of monks who serve.
Belmont Abbey College offers nearly 50 undergraduate, graduate, professional and pre-professional fields of study, and has a 95 percent acceptance rate into medical schools. About half the students are Catholic, the other half of different faiths.
“Belmont Abbey College appeals to students and families who want an excellent education on a vibrant campus that is grounded in faith and reason,” said Dr. William Thierfelder. “We have made it easier to access over the last decade by lowering tuition and providing creative student aid programs and partnerships with organizations who need talent and want to hire our graduates.”
The silent phase of the “Made True” campaign began three years ago and is expected to meet or exceed its goal in 2026, the college’s 150th anniversary. The campaign is a three-pronged effort to further secure, strengthen and free the college to live out authentic Church teaching and make Catholic higher education more accessible at the only Catholic institution of higher learning between Northern Virginia and Florida.
The $100 million campaign includes:
The new performing arts center will give The Abbey Players – the oldest performing arts group in North Carolina – an elegant new venue that can host larger audiences and be used by the local community for events and performances.
The new monastery is a gift to the monks who have served the college for well over a century. The existing historic monastery, constructed with bricks handmade by the monks, will be carefully refurbished and put to a new use by the college.
“Everything begins with the monastic community,” Thierfelder said. “They’ve come here seeking God, and they believe by living and praying and working together in community, they’re going to come to a deeper, more profound love of God. It’s a remarkable vocation and commitment they have made. With this campaign, we want to demonstrate our continued commitment as a college and a community to the work they began so long ago.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Belmont, N.C. (February 6, 2023) –
In March of 2020, Justice Clarence Thomas was named the fourth recipient of the Benedict Leadership Award for his outstanding role as a Catholic leader. Just one day before the scheduled presentation ceremony at Belmont Abbey College, the event was canceled due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
The mission of the Benedict Leadership Institute is to develop and inspire Catholic leaders to transform society in light of their faith. A particular emphasis is placed on those leaders who reflect the heroic leadership of St. Benedict. This includes those characters who exemplify enduring greatness in their community, are leaders through their own success, and who utilize the principles of faith in their leadership role. The candidates for this award come from a variety of industries, not always specific to the Catholic faith. Showing that Catholic values are not reserved for activities only involving a church community, these Benedictine Leaders demonstrate courage and integrity as they allow their Catholic morals to permeate every aspect of their lives and careers.
Conor Gallagher, Executive Director of the Benedict Leadership Institute, made the following comment to Justice Thomas: “While your life displays numerous reasons for being worthy of the Benedict Leadership Award, the Committee wishes to honor and highlight your leadership in defense of our nation’s Constitution and your personal witness as a man of faith.”
Justice Thomas has a particular fondness for Belmont Abbey’s tradition, for he was educated and loved by Benedictine nuns, which he affectionately refers to as “my nuns”. Coming from dire poverty in a segregated world, it was the compassion and faithfulness of these Benedictine sisters that helped shape the man that Justice Thomas has become.
His grandfather was an integral part of his growth as a man, and taught him how to live through hard work, faith, obedience, and common sense. All qualities which have been demonstrated by Justice Thomas’ public ministry while seated on the Supreme Court. The Institute selected Justice Thomas in recognition for his extraordinary career as a defender of the Constitution and his enduring leadership as a man of faith.The Benedict Leadership Institute was founded to acknowledge such individuals who exemplify the virtues of St. Benedict as they develop and inspire other Catholic leaders to transform society.
Press inquiries can contact Rolando Rivas, AVP of Marketing and Communications, at rolandorivas@bac.edu. For information about the Benedict Leadership Institute, visit https://benedictleadershipinstitute.org/.
Belmont Abbey College’s strategic plan is based on love and truth. As part of our strategic plan, we have worked to return voices of faith to the public square. To fulfil that element of our plan, we opened up the Belmont House in Washington DC three years ago.
Since that time, we have been using it as a venue to bring together people of faith, people in government, policy experts, and Catholic ecclesiastical leaders from around the world, from Northern Iraq to Lebanon to Nigeria, particularly where Catholics and Christians face severe persecution. One such event was held last summer when Bishop Jude of Nigeria was in attendance and where former Congressman Frank Wolf called for the re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, and where policy experts called for the appointment of a Special Envoy to Nigeria — both initiatives of which are the foundation of the bipartisan Nigeria resolution that yesterday Congressman Chris Smith formally introduced in the House of Representatives.
The result, as of today, is that a resolution was introduced to do that. Last year, more than 5,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria – accounting for nearly 90% of Christian deaths worldwide. This demonstrates how meaningful discussions can influence real change that could save lives.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Belmont, N.C. (January 30, 2023) – Belmont Abbey College announces the accomplishments of their very own Dr. Gwyndolan Swain and Dr. Caroline Hohensee, who have been elected into the leadership of The Greater Charlotte College of Healthcare Executives Group (GCHEG). Dr. Swain, the founding Director of the Abbey’s Master of Health Administration program, now holds the position of President for this influential organization and will be acting in accordance with the missions of Belmont Abbey and GCHEG, in the shared pursuit of excellence and virtue in healthcare. Her new role includes the promotion of transformative healthcare that begins with the cultivation of leaders who may advance health services through exceptional management.
Dr. Caroline Hohensee, an associate professor of Belmont Abbey’s Masters of Health Administration, has been newly appointed Vice Chair of the Education Committee in the GCHEG chapter. This role is characterized by special projects and support for the Chairperson in the mutual desire to enhance the education of medical administration.
The Greater Charlotte Healthcare Executives Group is an independent chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Focused on the future of healthcare, this chapter is dedicated to improving healthcare delivery by cultivating exceptional leaders. The GCHEG is a local resource that works closely with the area’s local medical practices such as Regent, the Regent’s Advisory Council, and College staff. This organization operates on both the local and national levels in order to promote its vision for the future of healthcare.
Belmont Abbey College’s MHA program prepares graduates for service and ethical leadership in the healthcare community. Belmont Abbey is dedicated to providing students with the education and skill sets, rooted in Catholic and Benedictine tradition, needed in order to succeed in their personal and professional goals. It is with great pleasure that Belmont Abbey congratulates Dr. Gwyndolan Swain and Dr. Caroline Hohensee on this exciting opportunity for the MHA program, the GCHEG chapter, and for the future of the healthcare community. For more information on joining the Master of Health Administration program at the Abbey, visit bac.edu/mha.
Press inquiries can contact Rolando Rivas, AVP of Marketing and Communications, at rolandorivas@bac.edu. For information on all of the Graduate degrees offered at Belmont Abbey, visit https://bac.edu/academics/graduate-studies/.
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