Alumni News

February 26, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey College Names Recipient of 2024 Benedict Leadership Award

Belmont Abbey College Names Recipient of 2024 Benedict Leadership Award

Belmont, N.C. (February 26, 2024) – The Benedict Leadership Institute at Belmont Abbey College is pleased to recognize Robert Luddy as the recipient of the 2024 Benedict Leadership Award. This award highlights the achievements of individuals whose lives reflect the heroic leadership of St. Benedict.

Belmont Abbey College founded the Benedict Leadership Institute in 2016 to develop Catholic leaders and inspire them to transform society in light of their faith. Mr. Luddy is the seventh recipient of the Benedict Leadership Award, being recognized in part for his advocacy of education. He has established multiple schools with an emphasis on classical curriculum and character formation.

Robert Luddy has a unique business history beginning with his career as a graduate of LaSalle University and a U.S. Army veteran. His entrepreneurial eye recognized a demand in the marketplace and, with a $1300 personal investment, he purchased a sheet metal shop in 1981, transforming it into CaptiveAire Systems, which is now the leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation systems in North America. From its humble beginnings, the business has grown steadily. Today, with over 45 years in business, CaptiveAire employs over 1600 individuals in over 100 sales offices, occupying six manufacturing facilities nationwide, with over 40 display centers, more than 55 service regions, a Research and Development Lab, and sales over $600 million in 2021.

Mr. Luddy has maintained a single-minded focus on goal setting, constant improvement, and ongoing innovation, which made hiring the right team of people an essential component to the company’s success. As Luddy has stated, “If you hire skilled people and you give them tough problems, they’re going to solve them.”

The same philosophies evident in Mr. Luddy’s business practices earn him many accolades. CaptiveAire has been voted best in class overall in the ventilation systems category based on votes by industry kitchen equipment dealers, broadliners, consultants, and operators. CaptiveAire was also featured in Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine and won best in class for Dealers, Operators, and Consultant Class in 2014. Innovation and entrepreneurial spirit have been the keys to success at CaptiveAire.

Mr. Luddy has received numerous awards beginning in 2006 with the Benemerenti Medal from Pope Benedict XVI for exemplary service to the Church and Community. In 2007 he received the Ludwig von Mises Entrepreneurship Award for “entrepreneurial success and devotion to the free-market ideal.” In 2015 he earned the Civitas Audentia Award from the Civitas Institute in recognition of his business leadership as founder and president of CaptiveAire, and his civic leadership in establishing and supporting top-quality private and charter schools.

Mr. Luddy’s intellectual, moral, and financial support have helped propel growth of entrepreneurship education. While running his growing and successful company, in 1998, Mr. Luddy established Franklin Academy, a Wake Forest public school that is now one of the largest and most successful charter schools in North Carolina. In 2001 he founded St. Thomas More Academy, a classical college preparatory middle and high school in Raleigh N.C. In 2007 Thales Academy was created as a network of private schools offering high-quality Pre-K – 12 education at an affordable tuition. The Luddy Schools are quickly growing, with over 8000 students enrolled and nearly 600 faculty and staff employed throughout North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. In 2022 the network expanded yet again to include Thales College, a classical college offering an affordable and accelerated undergraduate degree program.

Mr. Luddy is an avid supporter of entrepreneurs and the free-market system, evident in his 2018 published book Entrepreneurial Life: The Path from Startup to Market Leader, which details the story of CaptiveAire, highlighting his principles for entrepreneurial success. In 2023 he published a second book, The Thales Way, which chronicles the story and mission behind his schools. Prior to that he had been published numerous times in U.S. News and World Report as author of “How to Bring Back American Prosperity”, “Government Regulation is Killing Economic Growth”, “Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship are Learned Young” and “Let Oil and Gas Drive the Economy.” Both the News & Observer and Business Leaders have published articles about Mr. Luddy’s businesses and schools, highlighting his leadership and impact in the triad region.

Mr. Luddy is a widely sought-after public speaker offered multiple addresses, conference keynotes, and commencement speeches.

He has two grown children and five grandchildren.

For press inquiries, please contact Rolando Rivas at rolandorivas@bac.edu or 704-461-6561.

About Benedict Leadership Institute: The Institute was founded in 2016 by Belmont Abbey College to develop Catholic leaders and inspire them to transform society while remaining true to their faith. The Institute accomplishes this goal through publications, events and through the awarding of The Benedict Leadership Award, presented annually to an outstanding Catholic leader. For more information, please visit https://benedictleadershipinstitute.org/.

Download the press release.

February 23, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Faithful Leadership In the Workplace

Join Abbey alums Jared Orton ‘13 and Jacob Ciccarelli ‘13 as they sit down with Mike Ellis, Director of Alumni Relations, to explore the intersection of faith and the modern workplace. Tune in for an insightful conversation on leading with faith in today’s professional world.

Listen now!

February 19, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey College and National Catholic Prayer Breakfast Host Series of Lectures on the Work of Michael Novak

Belmont Abbey College and National Catholic Prayer Breakfast Host Series of Lectures on the Work of Michael Novak

Belmont, N.C. (February 19, 2024) – Belmont Abbey College, in collaboration with the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, announces a thought-provoking series of lectures and panel discussions centered around the influential work of Michael Novak. The series, titled “An Inquiry Into the Spiritual Wealth of Nations,” will take place at the Belmont House on Capitol Hill, providing a platform for renowned scholars, experts, and thought leaders to delve into the profound impact of Novak’s contributions.

The lectures and panel discussions will provide a platform for engaging in conversations on various aspects of Novak’s work and exploring its implications for society, politics, economics, and culture. Participants will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the profound influence Novak has had on shaping our understanding of the human person, the common good, and the role of faith in public life.

This series will feature a lineup of distinguished speakers who will cover various topics. George Weigel, a Catholic theologian, political analyst, and author of Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II, will deliver the concluding lecture entitled “John Paul II’s Contribution to Political and Economic Thought” on September 10th. Weigel’s deep understanding of Pope John Paul II’s teachings will provide valuable insights into the intersection of politics, economics, and Catholicism.

Emmett McGroarty, Executive Director of the Belmont House, will kick off the series with a talk entitled “The Ideal of Democratic Capitalism” on March 5, 2024. McGroarty’s insights will provide a solid foundation for the subsequent discussions. On April 30th, Dr. Catherine Pakaluk, Director of Social Research and Associate Professor at the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America, will deliver a talk entitled “Why Catholics Cannot Support Socialism.” With her expertise in economics and Catholic social teaching, Pakaluk will explore the inherent contradictions between socialism and the Catholic faith.

Dr. Jay Richards, Director of the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Life, Religion, and Family, will present “What Can Theology Contribute to Economics?” on May 15, 2024. Richards’ unique perspective will shed light on the intersection of these two seemingly disparate fields. Dr. Joseph Wysocki, Interim Provost at Belmont Abbey College, will deliver the lecture “Are We Still A Tocquevillian Nation?” on July 9th, 2024. Wysocki’s examination of Tocqueville’s insights will prompt reflection on the current state of our nation.

Emmett McGroarty expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming series, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast to bring this thought-provoking series to Catholic staff on Capitol Hill. Michael Novak’s work has had a profound impact on Catholic intellectual and political thought, and we look forward to exploring its enduring relevance together.” Register for this series at https://resources.bac.edu/the-political-thought-of-michael-novak-lectures-landing-page/.

For press inquiries, please contact Sarah Bolton at sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.

Download the press release.

February 13, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey College Announces Capital Campaign Success and New Goal of $150 Million

Belmont Abbey College Announces Capital Campaign Success and New Goal of $150 Million

Belmont, N.C. (February 13, 2024) – Today, Belmont Abbey College celebrates its achievement of reaching the Made True capital campaign goal of $100 million, two years ahead of the original timeline. With this overwhelming success, the college now unveils plans to raise its aspirations to a new goal of $150 million by the college’s 150th anniversary in 2026.

Launched in February 2023, Belmont Abbey College set the most ambitious capital campaign goal in its history. The Made True campaign launched with three themes, Made Secure, Made Strong, and Made Free, with areas of focus that included a new performing arts center, academic enhancements, growth of the college’s endowment to reduce reliance on federal aid, and innovative stewardship programs to help students graduate debt-free. Belmont Abbey College, having accomplished its capital campaign goal in under a year, is in the exclusive company of colleges that accomplish their capital campaign goal prior to the campaign’s end. This achievement puts Belmont Abbey College in the top 1.5% of peer institutions that have fulfilled campaigns of $100 million dollars or more.

The response to this initiative was inspiring, as President Bill Thierfelder elaborates, “Gratitude. An overwhelming sense of gratitude pervades our every thought for the extraordinary generosity, sacrifice, and commitment of our alumni, friends, and benefactors who made it possible to achieve the $100 million capital campaign goal in less than a year since it was announced publicly. And with continuing trust in Divine Providence, an ever-growing need to support our students, faculty and staff, and almost three years remaining on the original campaign timeline, we have raised the campaign goal to $150 million to provide additional student scholarships, endowed Chairs, and a new home for our monastic community. 2026 will certainly mark a special 150th anniversary for Belmont Abbey College in more ways than one!”

The funds raised through the Made True capital campaign have already made a substantial impact on the college. Campaign gifts have strengthened the college’s facilities with a new, revitalized dining hall and new, high-tech, state-of-the-art labs. Commitments to the Abbey will grow its endowment fund fivefold, further solidifying the college’s mission in perpetuity. Other campaign gifts include $9 million in funding from the North Carolina General Assembly in its 2023-2024 budget towards the total cost for the construction of a new performing arts center.

Belmont Abbey has also established a permanent Belmont House in Washington, D.C., made possible with a $1.7 million gift from alum Dr. Maximo Alvarez, a venue that has helped to return Christian voices to the public square, promote Judeo-Christian values, and prepare young professionals to engage with our culture and politics in fruitful and ethical ways.

More than 14,500 donors participated in the campaign overall, with 85% being first-time donors. Since the February 2023 public launch, 5,613 gifts were made toward the Made True campaign. While the success of the $100 million campaign will impact the college and local community for years to come, the college’s needs still outweigh this achievement as Belmont Abbey now extends its goal to $150 million by the college’s 150th anniversary in 2026. Phil Brach, Vice President of College Relations at Belmont Abbey College, expressed his confidence in the increased campaign goal, stating, “We have achieved so much in less than a year, and there is still more the Abbey can accomplish with such generous benefactors. With the continued support of our donors and the dedication of our community, we are confident that we can achieve this historic new goal.”

The new additional $50 million goal will add to an already record-setting capital campaign. In the next phase of this campaign, Belmont Abbey aims to sustain excellence and virtue within academics, revitalize society with young leaders, and provide a new home for the monks of Belmont Abbey. The $50 million extension of the Made True campaign includes:

$15 million to establish ten endowed chairs to ensure the perpetuity of the college. Endowed chairs maintain and fortify the expertise that supports the core values of the college. In order to foster a pursuit of truth among students, endowed chairs enable Belmont Abbey to attract and retain high-quality faculty dedicated to its mission. The $15 million dedicated to the ten endowed chairs will support the salaries of esteemed faculty, ensuring these disciplines at the college will continue.
$15 million in funding to provide 150 scholarships for the Honors College. An exemplary program for Belmont Abbey College, the Honors College engages students in the pursuit of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, forming the ethical, creative, and critical thinkers the world needs. This initiative would enable students to attend and graduate from Belmont Abbey College debt-free. The student would meet their financial needs through these grants and would then be encouraged to “pay it forward” once they graduate.
$20 million to build a new monastery. The existing monastery, with a history spanning over 150 years, has supported the college through the daily sacrifices, prayers, and leadership of the monks. A new monastery will offer a more energy-efficient structure, enrich the community life of the monks, attract new vocations, and serve as a testament to the monks’ enduring stability and commitment to remain in this place. The existing historic monastery, constructed with bricks handmade by the monks, will be carefully refurbished and put to a new use by the college.

“Today, we celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of Belmont Abbey College, and we recognize the immense potential that lies ahead,” shares Abbot Placid Solari, Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College, reflecting on the remarkable journey of the college. “With this new phase of the campaign, we are poised to ensure this college and our mission continue for another 150 years.” The college is confident that this campaign goal will bring forth new and ever-greater blessings across the nation as it continues to shape the lives of students and contribute to the betterment of society.

Belmont Abbey College invites alumni, friends, and supporters to join them in this exciting endeavor. By contributing to the Made True campaign, individuals can make a lasting impact on the lives of students, the community, and the future of Belmont Abbey College. For more information about the Made True campaign and to learn about other ways to support Belmont Abbey College, visit www.bac.edu/madetrue.

For press inquiries, please contact Sarah Bolton at sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.

Download the press release.

February 8, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

First Things Featured Article: The Secret To College Success

The Secret To College Success

By Mark Bauerlein

2. 6. 24

Here is a statistic that makes admissions deans at liberal arts colleges shudder: Between 2019 and 2022, undergraduate enrollment fell eight percent. It’s a frightening decline for those schools that have small endowments and depend on tuition to operate year to year. When one of those schools comes up twenty kids short of its typical entering class of 250, layoffs, cutbacks, or restructuring and downsizing could be next. It’s going to get worse in the coming years, too: Fertility dropped after the 2008 financial crisis, so the next cohort of college-age kids will be smaller.

Any small institution that remains at full capacity, that sees applications going up even as the national applicant pool goes down, that is bold enough to open a new graduate program and launch an ambitious capital campaign just as people are climbing out of the pandemic, has got to be led by dreamers and fantasists.

Here, however, are recent numbers for Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina:

The college enrolls 1,600 students, the maximum that it can handle with current dorms and facilities;
Applications are increasing, not decreasing;
The Honors College at the school has 120 students after a record-breaking enrollment this year of nearly fifty freshmen;
It launched a capital campaign a year ago (“Made True”), aiming to reach $100 million at the end of three years—that goal has already nearly been met;
Since 2004, it has built or refurbished thirty buildings and facilities;
It runs twenty-eight athletic teams competing in the NCAA Division II;
Meanwhile, the college hosts a flourishing monastery and basilica on campus for students and visitors (the diocese of Charlotte now has forty-seven seminarians who received philosophy training at the college).

It’s a remarkable record in a troubling time. No hype needed to boost the case, only the numerical facts. Admissions officers at struggling religious colleges should consider the reasons.

This hasn’t happened because Belmont Abbey has followed secular trends and kept relevant, as consultants tend to advise religious schools to do. That wasn’t ever going to occur. The institution was, in fact, the very first one to challenge the Obamacare contraception mandate (its action was later folded into a class-action suit which included the Little Sisters of the Poor, who got more of the publicity in the ensuing course of things). While secular Americans berated the complainants for holding back progress and denying women “reproductive rights,” Belmont looks back on what it did ten years ago with open conviction. The leaders haven’t bent one bit to accommodate postmodern pressures.

A few weeks ago, I sat down with President William K. Thierfelder in his office. He told me straight up: “We have every right to be in the public square.” In 2012 he testified before Congress on religious liberty, and had interesting tales of the conduct of Democrats in that session. He regularly travels to Washington, D.C., to run discussion meetings with Catholics on Capitol Hill, who find it a relief to talk about their shared faith before returning to workplaces that prohibit religious expression. When Thierfelder and his wife visited campus twenty years ago and entered the basilica, a “great peace” settled upon them and he took the job. Faith and reason, he says, lead one to God; seeking truth lands one in the Catholic Church (though the college welcomes students of different faiths). That’s the philosophy of education at the school. St. Benedict’s Rule is foregrounded in the mission statement, and the boundary between college and monastery is low and porous.

I asked Abbot Placid Solari why the college is doing so well. His answer was a litany of ideals:

. . . a Benedictine education . . . orient the mind and heart toward what’s true . . . to save souls . . . understand the goal of life . . . appreciate ultimate ends . . . build a moral foundation . . . be ethical professionals . . . we are the oldest monastics . . . community for a flourishing life . . .

I kept waiting to hear of success, achievement, twenty-first-century skills, workplace readiness, global citizenship, diversity, inclusion . . . and none of it came up. I asked about the readings in Belmont courses—the abbot sits on the board of the school and serves as chancellor—and he noted that students read Marx, Nietzsche, and other irreligious voices. I bet they learn the arguments better than kids do at UNC-Chapel Hill. An important part of the curriculum, the abbot insists, is modern challenges to Catholic belief as launched by the smartest intellects. A cloistered virtue is not the goal.

The abbot doesn’t want the college to grow too much more. President Thierfelder knows that it can’t, not until more building takes place, but that only allows the college to be more selective in admissions. It’s a nice position, to have greater demand for what you offer than what you can supply. If you are a Catholic school leader and you worry about the coming pressures, consider the example of Belmont Abbey.

Mark Bauerlein is a contributing editor at First Things.

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