As we look ahead to the NFL playoffs, the medical emergency of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin has sparked many questions when it comes to the world of sports. In episode 3 of Conversatio, President Thierfelder, Coach John Keating, and Adam Smith, Belmont Abbey’s Head Athletic Trainer, sit down to discuss sport, virtue, and truth.
Faculty
A Closer Look at the New Honors Professors
Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Kathleen Stinneford
In the past year, the Belmont Abbey Honors College has hired three new professors: Dr. Thomas Varacalli, Professor James Neff, and Professor Elisa Torres Neff. Both Dr. Varacalli and Professor Torres Neff are Belmont Abbey Alums.
Dr. Varacalli has a Masters and Doctorate in Political Science from Louisiana State University and is an Assistant professor. Professor Torres Neff has a Masters in Philosophy from the University of Dallas and is currently earning her Ph.D. in Philosophy. She is a Visiting Professor. Professor Neff has a Masters in Philosophy from the University of Dallas.
Alongside teaching Honors courses, Dr. Varacalli is also in charge of reviewing new applicants to the Honors College.
He and Professor Torres Neff have published many articles and book chapters with each having published eight different publications which is very impressive.
It is very clear that Dr. Varacalli, Professor Torres Neff, and Professor Neff will all go on to do great things in the Honors College, and in Belmont Abbey College as a whole.
This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.
Student Voices: Compliments About Faculty
Author: The Crusader Staff Writers
We asked students for compliments about professors and here are some of the responses:
- Mrs. Margot Rhoades made class really fun/interesting.
- Dr. Gomes is very understanding and helpful, his class was why I chose to major in Psychology.
- Dr. Cote, she is difficult and demands a lot, but yet a wonderful/easy to understand and learn from teacher.
- Father Chris did a great job at engaging all of his students.
- Professor Hayes because she was always so energetic in class and encouraged our participation always.
- Dr. Larner. She is just the best teacher, cares for all her students, and helps anyone with anything.
- Dr. Hutchinson makes history come alive.
- Dr. Jansen is an excellent professor.
- Dr. Joseph Pizza and Dr. Erin Jensen. Both of these professors are very open minded and appreciate everyone’s comments, concerns, and look for new ways to approach teaching.
- Dr. Dell’Isola is friendly and seeks to meet his students on their level when teaching.
- Dr. Corwin pushes her students to understand the beautiful purpose of literature.
- Dr. Gina Noia is a great teacher and really understands how to connect the content to life.
This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.
The Connection Between Beauty and Learning
In episode 2 of the Conversatio podcast, Dr. Joseph Wysocki joins Jeremy Tait, CEO of the Classic Learning Test, and discusses the connection between beautiful architecture and learning, and how our surroundings help to elevate us to God.
New Social Media and Digital Communications Minor
Author: Dr. Erin Jensen (Crusader Faculty Advisor), Associate Professor of English
The Social Media and Digital Communications minor just started this semester. Please contact erinjensen@bac.edu if you are interested in this minor.
The Social Media and Digital Communication minor is an interdisciplinary minor focused on providing students with increased understanding of and practical experience with using social media and digital communication. Students will have options for classes in English, Business, Digital Humanities, Computer Science, and Digital Art. As part of the coursework, students will create and run social media campaigns and engage in application assignments within their various classes. Upon completion of the courses necessary for this minor, students will have the skills necessary to find jobs in a variety of positions, including social media writing, social media management, graphic design, digital design, content creation, content strategy, digital communication, and many others. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of this minor, students from all majors would be welcome and would find that the minor complements their major studies and increases their employment opportunities.
Minor in Social Media and Digital Communication: 15 credits
Students will complete five courses (15 credits), including one required course (EN 361) and four additional courses.
Required for all students:
- EN 361 Writing for Social Media (3 credits) (Taught Spring 2023 and Summer 2023)
Students will choose any four of the following courses:
- EN 106: Introduction to Digital Art and Multimedia Art
- CS 110: Introduction to Video Game (3 credits)
- CS 243: Web Site Development (3 credits)
- DH 301: Introduction to Digital Humanities (3 credits)
- DH 400: Methods in the Digital Humanities (3 credits)
- EN 363: Professional and Technical Writing (3 credits)
- BU 315W: Business Communication (3 credits)
- BU 319: Advertising and Promotion (3 credits)
- Digital Communication (to be added)
- EN 453 Internship or Department Internship class (3 credits)
- Additional social media and digital communication-based courses as they are added to individual departments
This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.
