Abbey News

November 30, 2022 By radefolaju Leave a Comment

New Faculty: Dr. Clark Summers

Author: The Crusader Staff Writers

“I joined Belmont Abbey College in the Fall of 2019 in the History Department as an adjunct lecturer in Western Civilization. I came to the Abbey with degrees in International Relations (MA, Salve Regina, ’04) and Strategic Studies (MSS, US Army War College, ’08) and Doctorate in Humanities, Philosophy of Technology (PHD, Salve Regina, ’19). Also, I am a retired US Army officer, having spent 30 years in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard, retiring as a Colonel in 2013. Starting in the Spring of 2020, I began offering course work in International Relations, Foreign Policy, and International Law. These courses have led to the establishment of an International Relations minor, support for a growing Politics Department, and creation of graduate school opportunities through Belmont Abbey’s new partnership with the Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C.”

“I’m thrilled and delighted to be joining the faculty as a full-time Assistant Professor, and welcome any questions students might have on how courses in International Relations can enhance the Abbey experience.”

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

November 30, 2022 By radefolaju Leave a Comment

Grant in Support of STEM Students

BELMONT, N.C. – (November 30, 2022) Belmont Abbey College is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from NCICU to support its STEM students.

The NCICU (North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities) announced a new grant for Faculty-Student STEM Mentoring. This funding will be used to enhance programs already underway for STEM majors and to expand Belmont Abbey’s current mentoring programs. One of the grant’s goals is to also improve participation in first-generation college students, minorities, and Pell grant-eligible students in the STEM field.

The proposal for this grant consisted of issuing funds to support the STEM Learning Lab currently on campus. The STEM Learning Lab focuses on helping Belmont Abbey students in the areas of Math and Statistics, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Genetics, Ecology and the Physical sciences. The STEM Learning Lab will serve as a hub for faculty student interactions, peer tutoring, and peer mentoring. Upper level students are offered positions to tutor in the first year courses (College Algebra, Calculus, Math for Liberal Arts,) hold test review sessions, and meet with their first or second year mentees.

Faculty Director, Dr. White, mentions that, “The Faculty-Peer mentorship program pairs interested students in STEM related fields with a faculty and a peer mentor. Peer mentors provide camaraderie, advising from a student’s perspective, and tutoring if desired. Mentees can meet with their mentors in the STEM Learning Lab or elsewhere on campus as the pair chooses.” Mentees and mentors will attend 2-3 professional development events with Dr. White, over the course of the academic year.

In addition to the Faculty-Peer mentorship program, representatives from local industries will also be invited to discuss entry-level positions and internships with the students. Speakers from local banks, insurance firms, and the manufacturing industry will be invited to discuss STEM related job opportunities. By promoting post graduate opportunities, the mathematics department hopes to attract more students interested in STEM fields.

Download the press release.

November 29, 2022 By radefolaju Leave a Comment

Spring Break Mission Trip!

Join the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) on a mission trip to Louisa, Kentucky this spring break! A group of 15-20 students, FOCUS missionaries, and priests will be serving the poor, building relationships, and sharing the faith. We will be directly ministering to the material and spiritual needs of the poor. We will be working on local building projects and visiting people who may feel forgotten and insignificant to honor their dignity as sons and daughters of God. Through this mission trip, we desire to encounter Jesus in the poor and also increase our capacity to love.

Mission Trip Dates: March 10 – March 19, 2023
Total cost: $1000
Deadline to sign up: November 30, 2022

Want to join the trip or learn more? Contact Christina at Christina.hernandez@focus.org.

November 29, 2022 By radefolaju Leave a Comment

Christmas Town: McAdenville

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Reagan Cullen

Local to our school town of Belmont lies McAdenville, the Christmas town USA. McAdenville first opened in 1956 when a select group of the McAdenville men’s club decided to string lights around the community center’s trees. This tradition has been carried on for 67 years, and progressed to an even bigger light presentation that has brought people from all over the nation to this Christmas attraction.

Every year the lights begin on December 1st and stay lit through the 27th. Members of the McAdenville community go all out in decorating their houses and front yards for viewers to see. There are also local stores and cafes that are open for visitors to try.

While the traffic during McAdenville operating hours can be a bit hectic for Abbey students and staff when leaving or returning to campus, it’s exciting to see how popular this local little town has become. It’s also convenient for Abbey students that this light show is so close to our school, as it’s something all students and staff should take advantage of. What better way to get in the Christmas spirit than to go walking or driving through McAdenville with your family or friends.

Christmas Town USA has brought years of tradition to many families, including mine. It captures the essence of Christmas perfectly. I highly recommend making it a Belmont Abbey student “must do” before you graduate, as it will be a memorable experience that you will carry with you, even after your four years are finished.

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

November 28, 2022 By radefolaju Leave a Comment

Staying Productive Through the End of the Semester

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Regina Vehige

The end of the semester is approaching quickly, and what does that mean? An abundance of presentations, projects, and exams! Now is the time to crank down and finish strong. Here are a few ways to increase productivity during this busy academic time.

Plan Out Your Energy- Think about when you are most productive: morning, afternoon, or evening. Schedule your work sessions around those times. Try to get all the heavy-duty work done during the most productive time of your day. During the second
most productive time, get the more straightforward, less grueling work done.
Set a routine and focus on small goals: Sometimes, focusing on all these big goals can be overwhelming. Setting reasonable, smaller goals will make you more likely to get the tasks done and give you the willpower to persist. Every day, write down six things you want to accomplish and focus on working on those before anything else.
Pomodoro Technique: This is a productivity technique where you fully focus on one task for twenty-five minutes and then have a five-minute break, then repeat until you are done with the work you need to complete. During the entire session, including the break, stay off your phone. During breaks, get up, walk, exercise, or get a snack. Action creates action, and sitting on the couch scrolling on social media will make it harder to get up after the five-minute timer is up.

Remember that we are so close to the end of the semester, and once you are done with everything, you’re done! It isn’t easy, but hard work and self-discipline will pay off. Let us finish off this semester strong! Good luck!

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