Abbey Excellence

April 30, 2021 By bacw Leave a Comment

Academic Awards Ceremony 2021

On April 13th a momentous occasion took place in the Haid Ballroom: the 30th Annual Academic Awards ceremony,led by our President, Dr. Thierfelder. One of the awards given out was the Adrian Award for Teaching Excellence, which was established in 1984 with the support of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Adrian to recognize and reward outstanding teaching performance by faculty members at Belmont Abbey College. This year’s recipient of the award is Dr. Mike McLeod, Professor of Biology, who has been widely described as caring, hard-working and tough. Dr. McLeod is now a two-time winner of this prestigious award, with his first award received in 2005.

After he received his award this year, McLeod gave an enlightening and humorous lecture to the audience, speaking about his experience here at the Abbey and how he has seen it grow. He explained that in his time here, the position of the President had changed 12-14 times. However, “one thing that has remained the same is that our mission in 1978 was to educate students, and that still remains the mission at Belmont Abbey College.” He went on to tell stories of his 43 year long tenure here. In addition to the Adrian Award, there were also a variety of other awards handed out. Honorable mentions include Charles Daniel – Outstanding Biology Student Award, Abigail Houseal – Top Economics Student Award, Krystal Welsh –Academic Excellence in the Department of Mathematics, Maria Kuhlman as the Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete, along with many others.

Though this school year was challenging, encompassed many changes and was surrounded by caution, it was a blessing to still be able to see so many Abbey students, athletes and professors excelling as never before. Read the full list of award winners and make sure to congratulate these outstanding scholars! And if you were not able to attend in person, the livestream is available for you to watch.

Award Recipients 2021

Accounting

Mr. Paul Hoying

Alexandra Downing – Outstanding Senior in the Department of Accounting
Madison McGee – Outstanding Senior in the Department of Accounting
Hannah Roney – Outstanding Senior in the Department of Accounting

Biology

Dr. Mike McLeod

Charles Daniel – Outstanding Biology Student Award
Gabrielle Grayson – Outstanding Biology Student Award
Chloe Herman – Satya & Louise Prakash Award

Business Management

Dr. Brad Frazier

Benjamin McQuaid – Outstanding Senior Business Major
Kolbe McQuaid – Outstanding Senior Business Major

Criminal Justice

Dr. Julia Beeman

Genesis Gonzales– Outstanding Senior in Criminal Justice

Economics

Dr. Gary Scott

Abigail Houseal – Top Economics Student Award
Lily Mullen – Top Economics Student Award

Education

Dr. Sara Powell

Daniel Bledsoe – Outstanding Educational Studies Award
Alondra Garcia – Outstanding Student Teacher Award

English

Dr. Farrell O’Gorman

Mary Lang – Student of the Year in the Department of English

Government & Political Philosophy

Dr. Joseph Wysocki

Todd Mashburn – Outstanding Student in Government & Political Philosophy

History

Dr. Daniel Hutchinson

Morgan Castro – Fr. Paschal Baumstein, O.S.B., Award in Excellence
Caleb Kualii – Fr. Thomas Oestreich, O.S.B. Excellence in Award in Excellence

Interdisciplinary Studies

Mr. Tad Hixson

Brett Bishop – Academic Excellence in Interdisciplinary Studies
James Bodenheimer – Academic Excellence in Interdisciplinary Studies

Mathematics/Physics

Dr. Igor Strugar

Krystal Welsh — Academic Excellence in the Department of Mathematics

Philosophy

Dr. Matthew Siebert

Rachel Lang – Outstanding Academic Achievement in Philosophy
Justin Scott – Outstanding Academic Achievement in Philosophy

Psychology

Dr. Shane Gomes

David Gantz – Top Senior in the Department of Psychology
Nicholas George – Top Senior in the Department of Psychology
Adam Westlund – Top Junior in the Department of Psychology

Sport Management

Dr. Trey Cunningham

Bailey Horne – Outstanding Sport Management Student
Erin Walsh – Outstanding Sport Management Student
Alexis Paddock – Outstanding Motorsport Management Student

Theology

Dr. Alessandro Rovati

Patricia “Maria” Kuhlman – Benedict XVI (16th) Award for Excellence in Catholic Theology

Theatre Arts

Mr. Simon Donoghue

Michelle Maas – Outstanding Abbey Player Award
Connor Malloy – Outstanding Abbey Player Award
Ashlin Treat – Outstanding Abbey Player Award
Catherine Yellico – Outstanding Abbey Player Award

Agora

Sarah Biser – Agora Art & Photography Award
Mary Lang – Jean S. Moore Literature Award

April 20, 2021 By bacw Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey College Announces New Online Undergraduate Degree Programs

Today, Belmont Abbey College announces its first undergraduate online degrees in Business, Accounting, and Interdisciplinary Studies. These programs, already leading programs for the college for residential and commuter students, will now be fully accessible online. The Abbey Online program now brings an education in the Catholic liberal arts tradition to students seeking the greatest in flexibility without sacrificing quality.

“With Abbey Online we can now serve students who due to COVID or other challenges couldn’t move to Belmont to experience the Abbey in person,” said Dr. Feezell, provost of Belmont Abbey College. “We’re excited to reach those students at a price, and a flexibility that meets their needs.” The online degree programs are significantly less than in-person instruction at $349 a credit hour, and the online aspect gives those students the ability to manage their degree and their studies as they wish.

Beginning Fall 2021, Abbey Online students can experience Belmont Abbey College’s unique, personalized, experience to undergraduate students from the comfort of their home. Belmont Abbey College is seeking authorization to offer online programs to students in all U.S. states and territories. To see a full list of states in which Belmont Abbey College is currently authorized to offer online instruction visit bac.edu/abbeyonline.

The new undergraduate online degree programs will bring Belmont Abbey College’s unique, personalized, experience to undergraduate students across the country. In addition, all Abbey Online instructors will be trained by Quality Matters, a gold standard for instructors to demonstrate their mastery of online teaching and learning.

April 15, 2021 By bacw Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey Debate Finishes in Top 30% at Nationals

Belmont Abbey Debate concluded its 2020-2021 season this weekend at the IPDA National Championship. This year, the tournament welcomed over 300 competitors, ranging from state schools like UCLA and the University of Florida to private schools including St. Anselm College and Patrick Henry College. After completing eight preliminary rounds, all of our students were in the top half of competitors for their respective divisions and were honored with a speaking and/or placement award.

In novice, freshman Carter Keller concluded his second full tournament as the 17th seed out of 100 first-year students, earning six of eight preliminary ballots. He advanced through triple-octofinals before concluding in double-octofinals. His opponent from Abilene Christian University went on to the semi-finals. Carter was also honored with a speaking award for the top 30%.

In junior varsity, sophomore Paloma Shrauder was ranked 22nd out of 102 competitors, winning six of eight preliminary rounds. Paloma advanced through triple-octofinals and concluded as a double-octofinalist in a round against Valdosta State University.

In varsity, junior Blake Traylor earned four out of eight ballots, narrowly missing advancement to elimination rounds and ranking in the top half of competitors based on preliminary records. Blake was also awarded with a speaking award for scoring in the top 30% of 94 varsity students.

This concludes our academic season; we look forward to beginning preparations for next year.

April 13, 2021 By bacw Leave a Comment

Practically Pursuing Wisdom at the Abbey’s Honor College

How does the Honors College at the Belmont Abbey College help our students open up a life well-lived? By opening up the Great Books!

The uniqueness of the Abbey Honors College experience is found in our Great Books curriculum — unlike most educational programs, we don’t rely on your typical textbooks. Instead, we turn our attention to books that impart wisdom on us about the most important matters in human life.

Our Honors College curriculum emphasizes Ancient, Christian, and Modern authors – authors at the roots of Western civilization – while still permitting the pursuit of a traditional major. With careful study, our students investigate the fundamental questions of human and divine realities and explore the contemporary crises that shape the world in which we live.

The sum total of the Honors College experience at the Abbey is a liberating education that leads our students to excellence in not only professional life, but also gain the foundation for a joyful life. Just see what they have to say!

“I really chose Belmont Abbey because of the Honors College. The Great Books curriculum—reading the Republic, Homer, Virgil just in my first semester—appealed to me. I really liked the idea behind it—to learn to think critically by pursuing the realm of great books in a way that would develop these skills and will help me in any number of career paths.”

“Through the Honors College, I have met wonderful friends and mentors, grown in knowledge, and experienced an overwhelming sense of purpose and belonging. I am repeatedly amazed by Honors College faculty and students as we strive for excellence both in and outside the classroom. Our shared pursuit of truth creates a close-knit community that allows for a unique and rewarding education.”

Of course, our students also speak of their extracurricular experiences like concert and dance performances, visiting museums and hiking North Carolina mountain trails, a beach retreat and studying abroad in Ireland as memorable moments of their Honors College experience.

As Saint Augustine said: “We have been knocking on the doors of great and hidden questions.” If you’re ready to open up a life well-lived, the Honors College at the Abbey is where you will learn, seek, and thrive!

April 7, 2021 By bacw Leave a Comment

The Completion Of New Residence Hall

Belmont Abbey College announces the completion of the newest addition to its campus, a 136-room residence hall. The largest capital investment in the college’s history, the new hall primarily serves upperclassmen but also adds new classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces. MKC Architects designed the new building to mirror the Gothic architecture prominent on the college’s campus. This historic accomplishment came about due to the college’s partnerships with University Housing Solutions and Shiel Sexton Inc.

“The new residence hall is so pretty! I like that there’s a kitchenette on each floor because it’s an easy way to be around friends,” said Lauren Carpenter resident of the new dorm, “The laundry rooms on each floor are very convenient as well. It is one of the best spots on campus right by the cafeteria and close to all of the buildings for classes!”

The structure is five stories, with the first story having meeting areas, social areas, offices, two classrooms, and a student lounge available to all students, including commuters. The upper floors alternate between a men’s and women’s floor. Each residence floor has a kitchenette, study areas, a laundry area, and a gathering area on each side. For security, the upper floors are only accessible via the elevator and the stairwell with the student’s magnetic ID that will permit them to their floor.

The Belmont Abbey College Board of Trustees and the Southern Benedictine Society approved the addition of a new residential facility in October 2018. The new dorms conceptual design phase completed in May 2019. In December 2020 the college received all permitting. After the design process, construction began in January 2020 and finished in January 2021. “The new residence hall answers a need we’ve had for several years,” said Tom MacAlester, Vice Provost & Dean of Student Life, “When students live on campus, they have a more enjoyable and more successful college career. We look forward to having greater capacity on our campus, and giving more students the ability to call Belmont Abbey College their home away from home.”

The new hall welcomed its first residents at the beginning of the spring semester in January 2021. The annual cost for the new residence is $7,300 per year which is only about $70 more a month than St. Scholastica and St. Benedict Halls which were the last new halls built in 2013. Shiel Sexton, the general contractor generously donated $20 gift cards to Bearded Buffalo for the residents of the new dormitory. This serves as a thank you to the college and the residents of the new dormitory.

For more information regarding the new halls, contact the college admissions office at admissions@bac.edu or by calling 1-888-222-0110.