Find out what has been happening in the Honors College over the last few months!
Abbey News
Who am I in 2025?
When we start to approach the new year, it can be tempting to look over the top of that dividing midnight and invent some shiny, perfect version of ourselves for the other side. Of course, we probably don’t frame it that way when we’re considering what we might learn, or do, or try this year. But at least in my own experience, the more grandiose and ambitious my plans for the coming months… the more likely it is that I’ve envisioned some alternate self to stand triumphant at the end of it.
Usually I try to combat this tendency by scaling down my goals, choosing small things I can do each day – an extra prayer, a quick note, one more vegetable at dinner… Small steps to better seek the Good in my life.
But as the monks of Belmont Abbey continue to teach me – through the Benedictine prayer and work that so permeate this remarkable place – the hallmarks of stability and stewardship offer a gentle, corrective vision to my tendency to reimagine a “New Year me.”
Stability, through which the monks live out their collective and individual commitments to this Abbey, invites us all to embrace the circumstances and the space into which God has called us. It offers a discerning groundedness that clarifies who we are and where we stand. Stewardship, meanwhile, takes loving responsibility for cultivating the gifts that flourish in this very rootedness. Usually when we think of stewardship, we think in monetary or environmental terms, but really we are called to respond in active, joyful gratitude to all the blessings of our lives.
Keeping this in mind, I hope to approach my resolutions this year from a slightly different perspective: less “who do I want to become?” and more “how can I be more fully the person God made me to be?” Certainly God speaks to us in the desires and aspirations of our hearts, but sometimes we forget, too, that (as the Abbey’s chaplain, Fr. James Raber, recently reminded me) “we are God’s gift to ourselves” and to others. Already.
As we consider our new year’s goals through this Benedictine lens, let’s ask for the grace to see ourselves with God’s vision – in clarity, humility, and merciful love. Starting the year isn’t about transforming to match our own (or anyone’s else’s) idealized preference. It’s about embracing the gift of our lives with trust and allowing Christ to lead us, in the concrete circumstances of this gift, wherever He’s inviting us to go.
This weekend let’s take a few minutes to ask the Holy Spirit what invitation He’s extending to us, not just in what we want to be and do, but in what we already – albeit imperfectly – are.
What gifts has He given you in the tenderness of His wisdom, and how might you cultivate these to become ever more fully the image of God you were made to be?
Wishing you a blessed 2025!
Conversation on Poetry & Art
In the 10th episode of Conversatio, Professor Elisa Toress Neff engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Trae Bailey and Dr. Christine Boor about the intersection of poetry and art. Together, they delve into the timeless works of Robert Frost’s “Two Tramps in Mud Time” and William Wordsworth’s “The Solitary Reaper.” Tune in to discover how these iconic poems reflect the human experience, nature, and inspire rich, meaningful dialogue.
Behind the Divine Office
Join Br. Chrysostom and Fr. David as they explore all things Divine Office. Dive into the history of this sacred tradition, discover the distinctive elements of the Abbey’s Divine Office, and learn what goes into creating this unique liturgical practice.
Belmont Abbey College Launches Online Master of Arts in Sport Management Degree
Belmont Abbey College Launches Online Master of Arts in Sport Management Degree
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Belmont, N.C. (December 9, 2024) – Today, Belmont Abbey College announces the launch of its online Master of Arts (MA) in Sport Management degree, one of the few of its kind in North Carolina. Designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the dynamic field of sports management, the college will welcome its inaugural cohort in Fall 2025.
Students will develop essential leadership and management skills to excel in executive roles within sports teams, leagues, and organizations while learning to build powerful brands, engage fans, and drive sustainable revenue growth through innovative marketing and digital strategies. In addition, they will receive exclusive access to networking opportunities with industry leaders and professionals. Grounded in Catholic and Benedictine traditions, the program emphasizes the cultivation of character, virtue, and sound business principles, preparing graduates to navigate and influence the evolving landscape of contemporary sports.
“After an extensive career successfully leading sports medicine, sports representation, and sports business companies on a national and international level, as well as personal experience as a world-class athlete and coach, I know that Dr. Trey Cunningham and the faculty teaching in our new master’s degree program in sports management have the knowledge, experience, and industry relationships to give our students the very best opportunity to succeed in the world of sports management,” said Dr. Bill Thierfelder president of Belmont Abbey College.
Dr. Thierfelder underscores the distinctive approach the Abbey takes toward sports, stating, “At Belmont Abbey College, we believe that sport is a means for developing both world-class performance and virtue. It is about the development of the whole person in body, mind, and soul. Sport builds and strengthens virtue, character, and leadership, ensuring the best outcomes on and off the ‘field of play.’ This applies to athletes, coaches, directors, GMs, and owners. The launch of our MA in Sport Management reflects our commitment to helping shape professional men and women into outstanding ethical leaders who will transform the world of sport.” To ensure that sport is properly directed, our Master’s students will participate in a course titled Sport and Virtue. In this class, they will explore the connection between sports and the cultivation of virtue, gaining a deeper understanding of ethical leadership and integrity in sports management.
The online format of the program allows for flexibility, making it accessible to a diverse range of students, including working professionals and those seeking to advance their careers in the sports industry. The curriculum will cover essential topics such as sports marketing, event management, and strategic leadership in sports, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the sports business landscape.
“We are thrilled to offer this rigorous program, which reflects our commitment to providing a holistic education that meets the ever-changing needs of today’s students,” said Joe Wysocki, Provost of Belmont Abbey College. “The MA in Sport Management will prepare graduates to take on leadership roles in various sectors of the sports industry, from professional teams to community organizations.”
According to Dr. Trey Cunningham, Program Director of the MA in Sport Management at Belmont Abbey College, “This program offers a unique opportunity for students to gain industry knowledge while balancing personal and professional commitments. We aim to develop graduates who are not only skilled in sports management but also grounded in ethical leadership, ready to make a positive impact in the sports industry and their communities.”
The college tailored the MA in Sport Management for working professionals, offering an affordable, flexible, and fully online format. Students can complete the program in as little as 12 months, with the convenience of asynchronous learning. Students will prepare themselves for various careers, including Sport Operations Manager, Athletic Director, Youth Sport Program Director, Athletic Sports Information Director, and Sponsorship Coordinator, among others. For more information about this program, click here.
Belmont Abbey College is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2025 semester while the Master of Arts in Sport Management awaits final approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Apply here.
Press Inquiry Contact:
Sarah Bolton, Belmont Abbey College, sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.
