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December 3, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey College Welcomes Alums as Faculty for New Graduate Motorsport Management Program

Belmont Abbey College Welcomes Alums as Faculty for New Graduate Motorsport Management Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Belmont, N.C. (December 3, 2024) – Belmont Abbey College is thrilled to announce the return of two highly accomplished undergraduate alumni who will join the faculty as professors in the newly launched Master of Arts (MA) in Motorsport Management degree program—the only one of its kind in the United States. With their extensive experience and national recognition in the field, these accomplished individuals will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the program.

The Master of Arts in Motorsport Management program at Belmont Abbey College is designed to equip students with advanced skills and knowledge to excel in the fast-paced and competitive motorsport industry. With the addition of these accomplished alumni as faculty members, students will have the unique opportunity to learn from industry experts who have achieved remarkable success in their careers. Dr. Trey Cunningham, Program Director of the MA in Motorsport Management at Belmont Abbey College, expressed his excitement about the return of these esteemed alumni. He stated, “We are delighted to welcome back our talented graduates who have excelled in the motorsport industry. Their success and dedication will undoubtedly inspire our students and contribute to the growth and development of our Motorsport Management program.”

One of the returning alumni, Mike Laheta, graduated from Belmont Abbey College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business, specializing in Motorsports. He has since achieved remarkable success in the motorsports industry, holding key positions such as leading partnerships for Front Row Motorsports and the NASCAR Hall of Fame before serving as Managing Director of National Partnership Sales at NASCAR, and, most recently, Senior Vice President and Head of Partnerships at Thrill One Sports and Entertainment. Laheta has earned national recognition for his exceptional contributions to the field. He shared his enthusiasm for joining the faculty, saying, “I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to the institution that provided me with a solid foundation for my career. I look forward to sharing my experiences and helping students navigate the dynamic world of motorsports.”

The second alumnus, Quinn Beekwilder, also graduated from Belmont Abbey College with a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management and has made significant contributions to the motorsport industry with his experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and then has worked as the Coordinator of the Abbey’s Motorsport Management Undergraduate program since 2020. He expressed his excitement for the new MA in Motorsport Management, stating, “Belmont Abbey College holds a special place in my heart, and I am absolutely thrilled about the launch of the Master of Arts in Motorsport Management program, the first of its kind in the United States! We’re equipping the next generation of leaders for this dynamic industry.”

Belmont Abbey College is excited to welcome back Mike Laheta and Quinn Beekwilder as faculty members for the Master of Arts in Motorsport Management program. Their expertise will enrich the student experience and bolster the college’s position as a leader in motorsport education. The program will also expand with more motorsport industry professionals in the future.

Belmont Abbey College is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2025 semester while the Master of Arts in Motorsport Management awaits final approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Apply here. For more information about the Master of Arts in Motorsport Management program at Belmont Abbey College, click here.

Press Inquiry Contact:

Sarah Bolton, Belmont Abbey Collegee, sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.

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November 26, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Why We’re Catholic with Trent Horn

In the latest episode of Conversatio, Dr. Tom Varacalli sits down with Catholic apologist Trent Horn to discuss his book Why We’re Catholic. They explore the intersection of faith and politics, how Catholics can engage with secularism, and how to navigate tough conversations about the faith. This episode offers valuable insights for both new and lifelong Catholics on living out and sharing the Catholic faith in today’s world.

Listen now!

November 25, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey College Launches New Master of Arts in Motorsport Management Degree

Belmont Abbey College Launches New Master of Arts in Motorsport Management Degree

Belmont, N.C. (November 25, 2024) – Today Belmont Abbey College announces the launch of its groundbreaking online Master of Arts (MA) in Motorsport Management program. This innovative graduate degree is the first of its kind in the United States, solidifying Belmont Abbey College’s position as a leader in motorsports education who pioneered an undergraduate motorsport program in 2007. The college will welcome its inaugural MA in Motorsport Management cohort in the Fall of 2025.

Recognizing the growing need for specialized education in motorsports, Belmont Abbey College has developed an advanced curriculum that combines high-level business management principles with an in-depth understanding of the motorsports industry. The program will provide students with the technical, interpersonal, and strategic skills necessary for leadership roles in this dynamic field. The MA in Motorsport Management will prepare graduates for diverse careers in marketing, team management, finance, and community relations, while offering critical insights into governance, legal frameworks, and organizational operations within the motorsports world. By offering this innovative online program, Belmont Abbey College extends the reach of motorsports management education beyond the Charlotte area, making it accessible to students nationwide.

“We are thrilled to offer this one-of-a-kind graduate program that combines our passion for education with the excitement of motorsport,” said Dr. Joseph Wysocki, Provost of Belmont Abbey College. “By providing students with specialized knowledge and hands-on experience, we aim to cultivate a new generation of motorsport professionals who will contribute to the growth and success of the industry.”

Belmont Abbey College’s new MA in Motorsport Management will meet the growing demand for leading professionals in the motorsport industry. As the only graduate program of its kind in the United States, it offers students a competitive advantage in pursuing successful careers in this exciting field.

According to Dr. Trey Cunningham, Program Director of the MA in Motorsport Management at Belmont Abbey College, “The Master of Arts in Motorsport Management degree is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in the motorsports industry, including sponsorship, team management, event coordination, media, and marketing. Our incredible faculty, who bring valuable real-world experience in the field of motorsports, will provide students with the tools they need to succeed in this highly competitive industry.” Belmont Abbey’s location in the heart of motorsports country provides students with unparalleled access to industry professionals and networking opportunities.

Designed for working professionals, the MA in Motorsport Management is affordable, asynchronous, and fully online, allowing students to complete the program in as little as 12 months. Graduates will be well-positioned for roles such as Motorsport Team Manager, Sponsorship Coordinator, Track Operations Manager, Data Analyst, and Risk Management Specialist, among others. For more information about this program, click here.

Press Inquiry Contact:

Sarah Bolton, Belmont Abbey Collegee, sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.

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November 22, 2024 By Laura Schaffer Leave a Comment

I will be brave.

My nephew is three years old. He’s a funny, shy little guy, and he doesn’t much like the pool. So when my sister explained to him how the carpool line would work at his new preschool, he imagined a different scenario than the one she was trying to describe. A long pause followed her question, “Do you understand, buddy?” And then a little, determined voice from the backseat said, “Yes. I will be brave. I will close my eyes and jump in.”

Ever since I heard the story, I’ve had this quote on a sticky note at the base of my computer screen. I put it where I can see it every day because – for all the truly beautiful and inspiring words I’ve been blessed to encounter in philosophy, in poetry and literature, and in the stunningly great texts of our Western canon – I can remember few things that have ever cut with so little ceremony across all my distraction and self-consciousness. “I will be brave. I will close my eyes and jump in.”

As human beings we enjoy complexity. It’s delicious to delve deep into a question, or explore a difficult puzzle, or relish the symphonic workings of a natural phenomenon. People are complex and interesting; life is complex and interesting; and our emotions and relationships do and should reflect this complexity. It’s good to rejoice in the playful and profound multiplicity-in-unity that fills creation. But sometimes we forget, also, that “one thing alone is necessary.” There’s a reason Christ has to remind us to “become like little children.”

My nephew understands what it means to be brave. He can’t dispute the question in existential terms or tell a thematically complex story about fortitude. And he had trouble grasping what a carpool line is. But he also sees through to the heart of something important – and with a clarity and a moral honesty I often fail to match in my own life.

When we talk about the benefits of a specifically Benedictine liberal arts education, we don’t typically mention humility. But the fact that one of the ten Benedictine hallmarks grounds us in our littleness is actually a profound gift because – as we go about the good and necessary work of developing and maturing our human capacities of body, mind, and soul, becoming all that we were created to be – humility reminds us of our own, beloved smallness, within which a child’s innocent simplicity always has something to teach us.

This weekend, as we approach the beautiful season of Advent, let’s remember that the God who became a little child for our sake also speaks to us in the humblest, simplest of ways.

November 20, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey College Announces Selection of Architect for New Performing Arts Center

Belmont Abbey College Announces Selection of Architect for New Performing Arts Center

Belmont, N.C. (Nov. 20, 2024) – Following an extensive research process and significant community input, Belmont Abbey College announces Little Diversified Architectural Consulting (Little) as the architect for its highly anticipated new Visual and Performing Arts Center. In October 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly allocated $9 million in funding for the center as part of its biennial budget. Since then, the Abbey has created a Community Leaders’ Advisory Committee, with more than 40 college and community leaders, that has worked diligently to plan for the performing arts center’s construction.

The college selected Little as the project architect because of the firm’s expertise in designing world-class performing arts spaces, along with their commitment to creating a facility that will serve as a vibrant hub for artistic expression and cultural enrichment. Little has designed numerous notable regional projects including Gaston Day School’s Pamela Kimbrell Warlick Visual & Performing Arts Center, Warlick Family YMCA, Charlotte Catholic High School’s Fine Arts Center, Central Piedmont Community College’s Overcash Academic & Performing Arts Center, Queens University of Charlotte’s Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for Arts and Civic Engagement, and Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC.

“We look forward to partnering with Belmont Abbey College and the surrounding region to bring their vision to reality,” says Tom Balke, AIA, Community Studio Principal at Little. “Creating a performance and cultural space that provides unique experiences while reflecting this community’s aspirations is an important driver of the design outcomes.”

Little’s experience, combined with a dedication to honoring the Abbey’s Catholic heritage and Benedictine values through thoughtful architectural design, makes them ideally suited to bring the committee’s vision to life. As the project moves forward, Little will work closely with the college and local community leaders to develop a comprehensive plan for a 1,000-seat theater.

The new performing arts center will allow the college and surrounding area to enjoy theater, visual and performing arts, art exhibitions, and other educational and cultural events in a beautiful, welcoming, first-rate facility. The state-of-the-art venue will feature versatile performance spaces, a theatrical scene workshop, wardrobe area, event space, and exhibition areas — each meticulously crafted to enhance the audience experience and to support a wide range of artistic disciplines.

“We are thrilled to have Little Diversified Architectural Consulting on board for this landmark project,” said Phil Brach, Vice President of College Relations at Belmont Abbey and a representative of the Community Leaders’ Advisory Committee. “Their innovative designs and attention to detail perfectly align with our vision for the Visual and Performing Arts Center. We are confident that they will create a space that not only meets the needs of our community but also becomes a beacon of artistic excellence, known throughout the state.”

To guide the venue’s development, the Community Leaders’ Advisory Committee launched an extensive research phase, which included surveying members of the Advisory Committee and other potential community stakeholders. They also conducted more than 10 tours of other Performing Arts Centers, as well as a comprehensive study of surrounding venues, to ensure the new center would meet community needs and expectations.

Reeves McGlohon, retired superintendent of Gaston County Schools and a member of the advisory committee, remarked, “Belmont Abbey is to be commended for putting together an advisory group to provide input into planning for this project. They have supported the advisory group and have listened to what we have had to say. There is no doubt in my mind that the work of the advisory group in conjunction with the Abbey will lead to a final product that will meet the needs of the college and the community at large.”

As part of the new visual and performing arts center project, the Haid Theatre at Belmont Abbey College will also undergo renovation. While the theater has served the community well, it no longer meets current needs, and feedback from community partners highlighted the importance of preserving the 200-seat theater alongside the development of the new venue.

Debbie Windley, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for Belmont Abbey College and a member of the advisory committee shares, “We are thankful for strong community, corporate, and legislative support for this project. Completion of the Visual and Performing Arts Center will be a great complement to the One Gaston 2040 plan that has a focus on the celebration of the cultural offerings that will continue to grow and thrive in Gaston County – making this community a hub for cultural excellence.”

Donny Hicks, Director of Economic and Community Development for Gaston County, added, “The visual and performing arts center will be a huge asset to us in the recruitment of people and companies and in creating the kind of environment in which people want to live.”

This collaborative approach will ensure that the new center meets the college’s needs as well as the diverse needs and expectations of the surrounding community. Crucial next steps include the selection of a general contractor and site location for the Performing Arts Center. The projected schedule will be developed collaboratively to ensure all project phases are carefully planned and allow for a seamless construction process. By aligning on key milestones and timelines, the project team will remain focused on delivering a state-of-the-art facility that enriches the wider community while meeting the high standards set by the college. If you would like more information or to support this project, please contact Debra Windley at debrawindley@bac.edu or 704-461-6691.

Press Inquiry Contact:

Sarah Bolton, Belmont Abbey Collegee, sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.

Lillian Parker, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, lillian.parker@littleonline.com or 704-676-3312.

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