Alumni News

Grand Opening of Jerry and Martha Schmitt Dining Hall at Belmont Abbey College set for Monday, February 12, 2024

Belmont Abbey College and Chartwells Higher Education partner on state-of-the-art facility

[Belmont, NC]:  Belmont Abbey College, in partnership with food service provider Chartwells Higher Education Dining, will hold a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Jerry and Martha Schmitt Dining Hall located on campus Monday, February 12, 2024, at noon. The special ribbon cutting will officially open Belmont Abbey College’s newest dining room expansion. Plans for the ceremony include a blessing of the facility by Abbot Placid, Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College, a presentation of the Dedication Plaque to donor Martha Schmitt, and recognition of local dignitaries and guests.

This latest expansion at Belmont Abbey College meets the current needs of the enrolled students and faculty members and includes a brand-new Deli Station as well as an interactive Student Choice Station.  In addition, the new facility will include an Allergen-Friendly station as well as an enticing Dessert Station.

In addition to the expanded stations and selections, the facility will feature communal seating, a specified area called “Abbey’s Lounge” where guests can relax with their friends, and weekly programming in the space with events such as Chef led Teaching Kitchens, Karaoke Nights and Fancy Fridays, a monthly program that gives students an opportunity to experience a high-end dinner.

Belmont Abbey College President Dr. William Thierfelder, the Belmont Abbey College Board of Trustees, and representatives from the Archdiocese of Charlotte are just a few of the dignitaries scheduled to be on hand.

President Thierfelder conveyed sincere gratitude to Chartwells and expressed profound thanks to Jerry and Martha Schmitt for their invaluable contribution to the college. “We are thrilled to unveil the newly renovated Jerry and Martha Schmitt Dining Hall. This expansion will greatly enhance the dining experience of our students, faculty, and staff, providing them with a modern and inviting space to enjoy their meals. We are truly grateful to Jerry and Martha Schmitt for their generous support of the college.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the new entrance to the expanded Jerry and Martha Schmitt Dining Hall on campus, followed by a tour of the new facilities. The Belmont Abbey College Food Services staff will provide special items and refreshments to all guests. 

“We are thankful for the opportunity to work with Belmont Abbey College in partnership with Chartwells, we look forward to fun, fellowship, and food,” said Jordan Haywood, General Manager of Belmont Abbey Dining.  “Our team is eager to begin service in such a beautiful dining hall.”

“On behalf of myself and my classmates, I am extremely excited to see the newly renovated Dining Hall,” said Honora Long, Belmont Abbey College Student Body President. “This has been a greatly anticipated project, and I know myself and the entire student body have enjoyed seeing the progress of this renovation. I am incredibly grateful to Chartwells for making our Dining Hall a great place for students to gather and connect every day. I would also like to thank our wonderful construction crew for working tirelessly to bring us this space for both current and future Crusaders to enjoy.” 

Press Inquiry Contact: 

Sarah Bolton                                                                                                        Ryan Murray

Marketing Project Manager                                                                               District Marketing Manager

Belmont Abbey College                                                                                     Chartwells Higher Education

704-461-7016                                                                                                      336-430-7233

SarahBolton@bac.edu                                                                                        Ryan.murray@compass-usa.com

Download the press release.

Belmont Abbey College Announces a New Graduate Degree in Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Belmont, N.C. (January 23, 2024) – Today Belmont Abbey College announces a new Master of Arts in Communications degree. With this new in-demand Graduate program, Belmont Abbey is committed to developing a pipeline of qualified Communications professionals to join the professional world. The new values-based MA in Communications program aligns with the college’s mission to “provide students with an education that will enable them to lead successful lives and be a blessing to themselves and others.”

The college will welcome its inaugural MA in Communications cohort in the Fall of 2024. Dr. David Williams, Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Belmont Abbey College, speaks to the timeliness of this program launch. “Over the past 15 years, we have seen the Communications field grow by more than 35,000 job roles. This is in large part due to the versatility of the discipline, and the fact that Communications is a necessary skill in so many industries. We’re introducing this Master’s degree in Communications now because we believe that Belmont Abbey offers a unique lens with which to study Communications that will enable graduates to thrive as leaders in the workforce.” The new program embodies the Benedictine Hallmarks of community, hospitality, and stability by having students engage in active listening and communication with each other, nurture learning and actively seek truth, and build lasting relationships through open communication practices.

Dr. Erin Jensen, Program Director of the MA in Communications at Belmont Abbey College, says that this degree is designed intentionally for students to apply their learnings outside the classroom. “Communications is something that we all actively engage in daily, whether we realize it or not. We want to enable our students to effectively communicate in their professional and personal lives, and this starts with learning how to appropriately apply theory to real life. To achieve this, we developed a holistic program of communication studies that is rooted in ethics.”, Jensen said. The program incorporates specialized fields such as mass and digital communication with courses like Social Media Communication, User/Audience Research, and Visual and Digital Communication Studies. The MA in Communications is well-suited for both individuals with a Communications background looking to move up and those who are new to a variety of professional fields.  

Developed for working professionals, the MA in Communications is affordable, asynchronous, and 100% online. Unlike existing programs in the marketplace, courses are divided into 8-week sessions, allowing students to complete the degree within 12 months. Earning an MA in Communications is a critical step forward for professionals seeking a career in the field. Graduates with an MA in Communications are highly sought after by employers for their proficiency in organizational communications, research, and writing. These individuals qualify for critical job roles such as Marketing Communication Managers, Market Research Analysts, Fundraising Managers, Editors, Administrators, and more. For more information about this program, click here. 

Belmont Abbey College is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2024 semester while the Master of Arts in Communications awaits final approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Apply here. 

Press Inquiry Contact: Julia Long, Director of Enrollment Marketing, julialong@bac.edu or 423-827-8727

Download the press release.

Belmont Abbey College Sponsors Lecture on “Unborn Children and Equal Protection”

Professor Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, delivered a lecture entitled “Unborn Children and Equal Protection” at the Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C.

Sponsored by Belmont Abbey College, Professor George’s lecture focused on the legal arguments presented in the “Brief of Amici Curiae Scholars of Jurisprudence John M. Finnis and Robert P. George in Support of Petitioners” submitted to the Supreme Court in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case.

Read his entire lecture here. Download the press release.

Belmont Abbey College Establishes New Nursing Advisory Board

Belmont, N.C. (December 12, 2023) – Belmont Abbey College announces the establishment of a Nursing Advisory Board, focusing on collaborating with local community members to offer guidance and support for the college’s nursing program amidst the evolving healthcare landscape. Rooted in the Benedictine hallmarks and Catholic intellectual tradition, this initiative seeks to enhance the educational experience for nursing students and foster strong connections with healthcare professionals and organizations in the region.

The newly established Nursing Advisory Board will serve as a vital resource for Belmont Abbey College’s nursing program, offering valuable insights and expertise in matters of program effectiveness, advocacy, and promotion. Comprising a diverse group of healthcare professionals, the board will provide strategic guidance on program development, clinical partnerships, and emerging trends in the field of nursing. Board members include Dr. Trish Goble, Senior Director of Patient Care Services at CaroMont Health, Mr. Patrick Leonard, Abbey alum and nurse at Fairview Southdale Hospital, and Dr. Michael Vaccaro, Novant Health Greater Charlotte Market Chief Nursing Officer, along with twenty-two other university, professional, and healthcare consultants in the region. The inaugural meeting of the advisory board took place today, marking a significant milestone for Belmont Abbey College Nursing. 

The advisory board actively supports and advises Belmont Abbey’s nursing education programs as one of its primary objectives. By aligning their efforts with the program’s mission and goals, the board members will help achieve the objectives of the nursing program and serve the nursing discipline, as well as the regional and local healthcare community. Their guidance will ensure that Belmont Abbey Nursing continues to provide exceptional education and training to aspiring nurses. “We are thrilled to launch the Nursing Advisory Board and collaborate with esteemed professionals from our local community,” said Dr. Lee-Ann Kenny, Interim Chair and Director of Nursing. “Their wealth of knowledge and experience will greatly benefit our nursing program, enabling us to continue producing highly skilled and compassionate nurses who are well-prepared to meet the ever-changing healthcare needs of our society.”

Belmont Abbey College’s nursing program commits to excellence in nursing education. With a holistic approach that integrates medical discipline with a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences and Catholic healthcare ethics, the program equips students with the skills and competencies necessary to excel in the healthcare industry. The Nursing Advisory Board will play a crucial role in ensuring the program remains at the forefront of nursing education.

To learn more about Belmont Abbey College’s nursing programs, please visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/academics/healthcare-education

Press Inquiry Contact: Rolando Rivas, Associate Vice President for Marketing & Communications, rolandorivas@bac.edu or 704.461.6561 

Download the press release.