Our beloved Father Francis passed away peacefully on the morning of May 11th, at the age of ninety. He had been a member of our monastic community for sixty-five years and served as a priest for fifty-nine years. Initially, Father Francis served as a teacher in the Philosophy Department but later transitioned to a lengthy tenure as Registrar. He was also instrumental in founding what is now the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Data Management. Please keep Father Francis, our monastic community, and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Crossroads
Benedictine Spirituality and Learning
In Episode 11 of the Conversatio podcast, Dr. Ronald Thomas joins Fr. Robert Nixon O.S.B. to discuss the intersection between a love for learning and Benedictine spirituality.
Dr. Matthew Siebert Receives the Adrian Award For Teaching Excellence
Belmont, N.C. (May 9, 2023) – On May 2, 2023, the 32nd Annual Academic Awards ceremony took place in the Haid Ballroom at Belmont Abbey College and Dr. Matthew Siebert was awarded the Adrian Award for Teaching Excellence. The Adrian Award for Teaching Excellence was established in 1984 with the support of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Adrian to acknowledge and reward outstanding teaching performance by faculty members at Belmont Abbey College.
Dr. Matthew Siebert, Chair of the Philosophy Department, was chosen as this year’s Adrian Award for Faculty Teaching Excellence winner. Travis Feezell, Provost at Belmont Abbey College, shares, “Dr. Siebert has been a wonderful presence on our campus as a scholar, teacher, and mentor since his arrival in 2016.” Dr. Siebert arrived at the Abbey in 2016, and has since led the Philosophy department that plays a key role in the formation of new priests for the Charlotte Diocese. The diocesan seminarians receive their Bachelor’s of Philosophy from Belmont Abbey College before going on to major seminary to complete their priestly formation. Under Siebert’s leadership, the philosophy department has grown and carries out the critical mission of forming priests and students as they seek to answer fundamental human questions rooted in Catholic intellectual tradition.
A true conveyor of the Benedictine hallmarks, Dr. Siebert brings a sense of clarity to complex texts and ideas because of his passion and energy for the great books and his desire and love for truth. Beloved by both students and faculty, a Belmont Abbey student shares, “[I’ve] taken several courses with him, and he is by far the most energetic and hilarious professor I’ve taken. He takes his work seriously and expects you to as well. If you need help or have questions, he is always more than glad to be available.”
In September of 2022, the U.S. News & World Report selected Belmont Abbey College as the Top Institution for Undergraduate Teaching in the U.S. Southern Region of colleges for the 2022-23 year. Belmont Abbey is a place where students can learn, seek, and thrive in an authentic and supportive environment guided by exceptional faculty who are experts in their fields and upstanding members of their communities.
In sharing why he believes Belmont Abbey College was ranked #1 in Undergraduate Teaching, Dr. Siebert explains, “When students come to my philosophy classes, I usually see someone who wants to understand life. I keep asking them the tough questions in class and guiding them in trying to answer the questions themselves. We’re part of a great tradition that’s continuing, and even if it’s neglected elsewhere, it’s continuing here, and we’re doing it out of love.” The outstanding faculty at Belmont Abbey College guide students to find truth in the classroom and give them the tools needed to succeed once they leave the Abbey. The faculty draw students into the great Benedictine tradition of Belmont Abbey and encourage them to pursue excellence and virtue in all that they do.
Community, Faith, and Family Amid Economic Crisis
In episode 10 of the Conversatio podcast, Dr. Mary Imparato discusses faith, family, and community amid an economic crisis with Timothy P. Carney, the senior political columnist for the Washington Examiner and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
Strengthening Abbey Athletics
Belmont Abbey College Vice President and Director of Athletics Stephen Miss has announced the transition into new roles for current Associate Athletic Directors Justin Bates and Gabrielle Reppell. Bates, Associate Athletic Director of Internal Operations and Reppell, Associate Athletic Director of External Operations will switch roles in order to continue building upon the growth and success of the athletic department.
For the past seven years, Bates has led the charge on facilities and operations and will now have the opportunity to expand upon his professional development as he pursues his ultimate goal of becoming an athletic director at the collegiate level. After a year and a half of learning and deepening her understanding of outreach and fundraising, Reppell will shift into a role that will more clearly align with her previous experience in athletics.
“The reassignment of Justin Bates’ and Gabrielle Reppell’s duties exemplifies the WIN, WIN, WIN creative solutions we look to identify and implement here at The Abbey,” Miss stated. “Justin is provided an opportunity to expand his skillset and, thereby, become even more of an asset than he already has proven himself to be – a WIN. Gabby will return to overseeing an area in which she possesses expertise and dexterity gained at previous stops along her career path and for which she exhibits tremendous passion – a WIN. Our Culture will be reinvigorated and our Department will be more efficient and productive – (BIG) WIN! I am excited to continue to work alongside Justin and Gabby as they both continue to grow professionally and to mature into becoming two of the finest Athletics Administrators in the country.”
In their new respective roles, Bates will oversee marketing, promotions, sponsorship, and donor cultivation. Reppell will now turn her attention to creating an extraordinary experience for the student-athletes, coaches, fans and guests while overseeing the maintenance and development of facilities.
Bates and Reppel were interviewed by Collegiate Sports Connect highlighting this transition.