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The Catholic College of the South

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Belmont Abbey College Celebrates 146th Commencement Ceremony

Belmont Abbey College Celebrates 146th Commencement Ceremony

Belmont, N.C. (May 11, 2024) – Today, Belmont Abbey College marked a significant milestone with the celebration of its 146th commencement ceremony, with a total of 314 students awarded undergraduate Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees at the annual graduation event on campus. The celebration began with a customary baccalaureate Mass at the Abbey Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, followed by the graduation ceremony on the basilica piazza, presided over by Chancellor Abbot Placid Solari, O.S.B., and President Dr. William Thierfelder.

Twenty graduates earned their nursing degrees (14 pre-licensed and 6 RN-BSN), marking the first-ever nursing graduation at Belmont Abbey College under the guidance of Interim Chair and Program Director Dr. Lee-Ann Kenny. “This is a momentous occasion for our nursing program and Belmont Abbey College as a whole,” said Dr. Kenny. “These graduates have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals, and we are immensely excited to see their hard work positively impact our community.”

In addition to the nursing graduates, five seminarians received their bachelor’s degrees in philosophy, along with one of Belmont Abbey’s monks, Br. Chrysostom Sica. This group of graduates represents the college’s commitment to fostering faith within the Charlotte diocese through an education rooted in truth.

The 2024 Student of the Year was announced during the ceremony, recognizing Ronald Anthony Klein as an outstanding individual who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievements and contributions to the college community. Instead of a conventional Commencement speaker, the Student of the Year is featured, emphasizing the college’s commitment to its students.

The commencement ceremony also honored individuals who contributed significantly to their respective fields. Belmont Abbey College bestowed honorary degrees upon Kathleen Burke Barrett, Bishop Barry C. Knestout, and Mary Thierfelder, the spouse of President Bill Thierfelder, recognizing their outstanding accomplishments and dedication to their professions.

Belmont Abbey College continues to uphold its mission of providing a transformative education rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. The college remains dedicated to nurturing the intellectual, spiritual, and personal development of its students, preparing them to make a positive impact in their chosen professions and communities.

For more information about Belmont Abbey College and its programs, please visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Rolando Rivas

P: 704-461-6561 

E: rolandorivas@bac.edu

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Teacher Appreciation Week: Alumna Laura Gonzalez

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting Abbey alums making a difference in local schools!

Say hello to Laura Gonzalez, an alumna of Belmont Abbey, graduating in 2023! She’s currently a kindergarten teacher at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Gastonia, NC.

1. What do you love about teaching?

I love watching the students’ minds grow and fall in love with school! Getting to watch them grow into their personalities and faith is such an amazing experience.

2. How did the Education department at BAC help you develop as a teacher?

They helped me find what type of teacher I wanted to be and could become. Opened my eyes to the multiple opportunities in ways to help all types of students. 

We’re grateful for your commitment and effort, Laura! Being your alma mater is an honor we cherish.

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Belmont Abbey College Announces New Endowed Chair for Classical Education

Belmont Abbey College Announces New Endowed Chair for Classical Education

Belmont, N.C. (May 7, 2024) – Belmont Abbey College announces the establishment of The Vilma György Pallos Endowed Chair in Classical Education, the first Endowed Chair in the college’s history and the first of ten endowed chairs it hopes to accomplish for the $150 million Made True capital campaign. Made possible by the generous support of Dr. and Mrs. Laszlo Pallos, this significant endowment will play a pivotal role in advancing the college’s commitment to classical education and fostering a new generation of educators.

The first appointee to The Vilma György Pallos Endowed Chair is Dr. Christine Boor ‘11, an alumna from Belmont Abbey College and currently an Honors College professor. Dr. Boor will oversee the development of the new Master of Arts in Classical and Liberal Education (MACLE) program, which aims to provide students with a strong formation in classical pedagogy, the Great Books, the liberal arts, and the Catholic intellectual tradition. “I am honored to continue my time at Belmont Abbey, building upon the foundation of Classical Education that began with the Honors College. I’m excited to witness the growth, accomplishments, and contributions of MACLE graduates for years to come.” This program will enlighten classical educators on the formation of their students in the moral, intellectual, and theological virtues.

Dr. Joseph Wysocki, Dean of the Honors College and Interim Provost, expressed his enthusiasm for the establishment of The Vilma György Pallos Endowed Chair and the new program, stating, “This chair and program will enable us to offer transformative riches to new generations of students. We are grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Pallos for their generous support and to Vilma Pallos for her inspiring legacy. Dr. Boor is a faithful advocate of classical education, and I am thrilled to watch her assume this role.”

This Endowed Chair will honor Laszlo’s late mother, Vilma Mária Pallos, née György, a survivor of both World War II and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Pallos and the legacy of Vilma Pallos, young professionals who share Vilma’s sacrificial dedication and love of education will gain the requisite skills to instruct and inspire others. 

Belmont Abbey College welcomes its first cohort for the Master of Arts in Classical and Liberal Education program in the Fall of 2024. Tailored for individuals deeply passionate about classical education, this degree aims to equip young professionals with the essential formation required to flourish as educators and administrators within the classical K-12 setting.

Endowed chairs like The Vilma György Pallos Chair in Classical Education are instrumental in maintaining and fortifying the expertise that supports the college’s core values. With Dr. Boor’s involvement, Belmont Abbey College will continue to shape the future of classical education and empower educators to make a lasting impact on their students. 

For more information about the Master of Arts in Classical and Liberal Education program, please visit here. 

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Sarah Bolton

P: 704-461-7016  E: sarahbolton@bac.edu

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/.

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Teacher Appreciation Week: Alumna Felicia Wilson

We’re kicking off Teacher Appreciation Week by highlighting Abbey alums making a difference in local schools!

Our first feature is Felicia Wilson, an alumna of Belmont Abbey, graduating in both 2010 and 2023! She’s currently a second-grade teacher at Reedy Creek Elementary in Charlotte, NC.

1. What do you love about teaching?

The joy that teaching brings to my soul is immeasurable. There are moments of highs and lows, but that is typical in all professions. However, unlike many professions, I have an opportunity to change the future. In my classroom, I could have the next President of the United States, the next greatest scientist or one of the first pioneers to land on Mars. The possibilities are infinite and it all begins in my classroom. How amazing is that!!!

The other side to that are the hilarious and the profound things the students say and do. They may be only 7 or 8 years old, but they view the world with innocent eyes and unfiltered words and thoughts…and that’s the joy.

2. How did the Education department at BAC help you develop as a teacher?

One word, “amazing,” describes the BAC Education department. Everyone at BAC was invested in my success as an educator. They all make you feel supported and prepared to enter the classroom. Seasoned teachers at my school assumed that I had been teaching for years because I am organized, prepared, classroom management is consistent and in place, I have positive relationships with my scholars and their parents/caregivers and I use technology, music and art with different assignments to add meaning and depth to the lessons. All of those things, I learned from the BAC Education department. When I walked into the classroom last August as a licensed teacher, I was confident, ready and excited to teach. All of it was due to the BAC Education department.

3. What is your advice to Abbey students pursuing an Education degree?

Being a teacher is a powerful gift to our community. You will probably never know or see the entire impact (good or bad) that you made in a student’s life. So be gentle, be understanding, and approach each day with an open mind and an open heart, because your words and actions have great power.

Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication, Felicia! We’re honored to be your alma mater!

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