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The Catholic College of the South

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Belmont Abbey College Graduates First-Ever Master’s Level Cohort

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Belmont, N.C. (December 17, 2022) – For the first time in college history, Belmont Abbey announces the graduation of its inaugural graduate level cohort. The Master of Health Administration launched in August of 2021 is the first graduate program offered by the private liberal arts college. The five graduating students display exemplary understanding of healthcare disciplines and will make a valuable impact on the industry at large.

The MHA program is asynchronous and online, with expected completion in less than 18 months. “We developed this program to meet the needs of busy working professionals who desire to deepen their understanding of the healthcare industry and enhance their career opportunities,” says Dr. Gwyndolan Swain, Founding Director of the MHA program at Belmont Abbey College. “It’s with great joy that I announce that our first cohort has completed their requirements for graduation and will now continue the exceptional work they’ve started as part of the workforce.” Due to the flexibility of the program, students are able to advance their skills without putting their current occupations on hold. Graduates from the program have careers in health policy, hospital administration, and insurance.

As a Catholic, Benedicitine institution, Belmont Abbey is committed to offering academic programs that address societal issues. The MHA program creates a pipeline of qualified healthcare leaders that emerge ready to lead. “Going through a global pandemic tested the durability of our healthcare systems. Several factors contributed to the healthcare shortage, but COVID-19 reminded all of us how important it is to have ethical, well-trained healthcare leaders working in the field”, says Dr. Travis Feezell, Provost at Belmont Abbey. “There’s a great demand for leaders in this space and we are doing all we can to answer this call, specifically in Gaston County.” In addition to the MHA, Belmont Abbey recently launched new BSN, RN-BSN, and MSN degree programs to meet the needs of aspiring healthcare workers.

As part of the inaugural graduate cohort, Belmont Abbey celebrates several undergraduate alumni who came back home to complete their Master’s degree. Grace Bruno ‘17, is part of that group. “Going back to the Abbey was an easy decision for me because I knew what I was going to get in terms of education. I knew I would have a hands-on experience, guided by dedicated faculty who know what it’s like to balance Graduate school and a full-time job,” Bruno says. “I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.” 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 bac.edu/academics/graduate-studies/.

Download the press release.

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Tutoring Options: Writing Center and STEM Lab

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Joy Dygowski

Maybe you attended our open house or saw the posters tacked up around campus, but Belmont Abbey College is proud to announce that we have a brand-new Writing Center and new STEM Lab tutoring that is here to help students just like you. The Writing Center is located in the back of Stowe Hall, Room 216, and is open for drop-ins or by appointment Monday through Thursday. The STEM Lab is located in the Science building and has appointments available throughout the week.

Belmont Abbey College’s Writing Center exists to help students become better writers. The Center’s one-on-one session approach is aimed at helping both the student and the tutor to work through ways to improve the students writing. If you are interested in receiving one-on-one instruction from one of our experienced tutors, do not hesitate to schedule your appointment now.

Students can easily book an appointment at the Writing Center and STEM Lab through Canvas under the ‘Tutoring Options’’ tab which will redirect you to our online booking platform called ThinkingStorm. Once you have arrived on the ThinkingStorm website you can book a session that fits into your schedule. Or simply stop by our room in Stowe Hall and one of our skilled tutors will be more than happy to assist you with all your writing needs and questions! Or stop by the STEM Lab in the Science Building.

Throughout a student’s journey here at Belmont Abbey, it is almost guaranteed they will have numerous ups and downs throughout their educational voyage. Whether you are an athlete, seminarian, or part of the Honors College, school can be stressful. Combine this stress with learning how to write academically at a college level and you have a perfect storm. Thankfully the Writing Center here at Belmont Abbey College is here to help!

In an interview with one of our new tutors, Danashia Tucker, she said that; “The Writing Center is a great addition to Belmont Abbey, it provides the students with tutoring and guidance on their writing assignments.” When asked about what kind of writing help the majority of students are coming into the Writing Center for, she responded by saying that; “during a typical tutoring appointment, I help the students with the format of their papers, brainstorming ideas, and structure.” Danashia concluded the interview with an encouragement to all students to visit The Writing Center, saying; “visiting The Writing Center can be beneficial for any student having a difficult time with the writing process, or simply looking for guidance.” As a tutor myself, I could not have said it better.

A visit to The Writing Center here on campus can help to bridge the gap between a high school writing style and what you will be expected to do here at The Abbey. It can be overwhelming for students to ask for help with their writing, but the Writing Center is here to create a non-intimating environment to give the student the skills they need to become a stronger writer. The Center offers peer tutoring to students from all majors, and will also help with any writing-focused project for any of your classes. We want to help the individual student to develop strategies that will make them a better writer. The Writing Center is always here to help. Whether it’s a thesis, confusion on an assignment, or you just want a second opinion and some clarification on your writing, our tutors will work with you to give you the tools and direction needed to take your writing to the next level and set you up for future success here at the Abbey!

This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.

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A Look into the Education Department

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Danashia Tucker

Dr. Mary Stratton joined Belmont Abbey College January ’21 as the Chair of the Education Department and Associate Professor. Dr. Stratton has a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University, an M.A. from West Chester University, and a D.Ed. from Widener University. Dr. Stratton teaches numerous courses including ED 305 Education of the Exceptional Child, ED 310 W Educational Development and Psychology, ED 406 Foundations of English Language Arts, and ED 407 Literacy and Assessment.

Dr. Stratton’s favorite course to teach is ED 305 as she stated, “I love to witness the transformation of our pre-service teachers, from thinking that children with disabilities have many barriers to learning to looking at children with disabilities in open-minded and creative way, focused on providing instruction and support to ensure success for all students.”

As an Education Studies major and Psychology Minor, I have enjoyed taking Dr. Stratton’s classes with “Introduction to the Exceptional Child” being my favorite. This class provided an overview of the needs and nature of an exceptional child including the integration and accommodations put into place to ensure the child’s success. I enjoyed the assignments in the class, the assignments provided me with more insight on the daily accommodations for individuals with a physical or intellectual disability.

I interviewed Dr. Stratton and this is her approach to teaching:

“Student success is the central focus of my instruction. I believe that the teacher is a facilitator of learning as compared to a dictator of content. It is important to me that I can provide realistic examples from my own teaching experience that are directly aligned with theory and pedagogy found in the educational methods textbooks. It is also essential to establish genuine relationships with your students. You must really know your students; you are their mentor which is both an honor and privilege.”

I asked her about what the Abbey she was inspired by and her response was:

“The Abbey is a unique, extraordinary example of a faith-based community. The interconnectedness of faith and scholarship is without a doubt extraordinary. I love President Thierfelder’s messages each week…the message is full of love and clarity. I love the students. Abbot Placid’s leadership and gentle guidance on not only spirituality and theology but his kindness and concern in dealing with the human side of life is full of comfort and compassion. The beauty of the campus and the tradition behind not only the physical structures but the student activities and rigorous academic standards are immeasurable.”

Fun Fact: The honor society “Kappa Delta Pi” is an organization available for the students within the Education Department. It’s an international organization that focuses on supporting the work of educators throughout the local and international community.

Student Feedback: “I have had multiple classes with Dr. Stratton as my teacher and she has always made it enjoyable and interesting to learn. She has such a complex understanding of everything that she teaches and makes it easier to understand. She also cares deeply about her students’ personal lives and does what she can to help. In my experience she is absolutely
wonderful and kind.”

– Addisyn Ricafrente, Educational Studies Major

This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 2 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.

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Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship for Women

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Iris Bertin

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation was formed around the influential spirit of Lettie Pate Whitehead, a woman whose life was an inspiration through her immense sense of dedication and courage. The Foundation is aimed to grant scholarships to women, specifically in the South, to help them further their undergraduate education. Having gained this scholarship opportunity, I, along with about fifty other women of the Belmont Abbey College community, are encouraged to recenter our focus on our studies through the great example of Lettie Pate Whitehead’s life.

After receiving this scholarship, six of us were granted the opportunity to meet with Carrie Conway, the Senior Program Officer of the Foundation. Being able to invite Mrs. Conway to our campus and expressing our gratitude to her through the foundation that she helps to run was an enormous gift.

In being able to discuss our future academic plans, future goals outside of college, and campus life here at the Abbey, Mrs. Conway was able to get a better feeling of how this scholarship is impacting us. This feeling of putting a face to a name and having the chance to speak one on one with someone that is helping to aid your college education is a beautiful opportunity for both parties. Danashia Tucker, a student, reflected on meeting Mrs. Conway; “It was an honor being able to receive the gift of the Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarship. The scholarship has had an incredible impact on my education. I appreciated getting the opportunity to personally meet with a representative of the foundation and the other recipients. Learning about the legacy and life of Lettie Pate Whitehead was inspiring.”

The Foundation’s goals are being met through this foundation and Lettie Pate Whitehead’s legacy has spread to 200 educational institutes and to more than 12,000 women who are receiving this scholarship each year. This foundation and scholarship program is aiding bright young women in pursuing their academic dreams and I am honored to have had the ability to represent the college in this way with many other talented and courageous young women here at the Abbey.

 

This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 2 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.

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