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Men’s Group
Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Brian Hoverath
The Belmont Abbey Men’s group is a club meant to help the young men of Belmont Abbey focus on being virtuous through activities and ideas. It is only open to men and is held in the student commons from 7-8 pm on Monday nights. The group meets with the intention of having an invited speaker talk on something that relates to Christian ideals.
The topics presented range from paleontology, liturgy of the hours, politics, dating advice, and even sword fighting. The group also takes trips to places that relate to topics being discussed. Ideas for trips are approved by the club leaders and financed by either the school or the individual club members.
The group even has their own flag that is recognized by the North American Vexillological Association. After interviewing the two club heads, Josiah Newsome and Luke Cumby, I decided to attend their most recent meeting. This meeting was held on a Thursday, due to a scheduling issue.
The meeting I attended involved a student discussing traffic laws and enforcement. While this may sound rather tame, it quickly became a conversation on how the federal government’s enforcement of such laws can be an invasion of privacy. This in turn became a conversation on how the government should balance privacy.
If this sounds like something that you would be interested in, you may reach them at their Instagram @bacmensgroup.
This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.
Amara Guitry Performs At Abbey
Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Anna Sims
On the 26th of September, 2022, Amara Guitry performed rarely heard sonatas at the Belmont Abbey College Basilica. Guitry is a music teacher at the Abbey and she performed in the Basilica in order to demonstrate her skills outside the classroom as well as provide some free musical education.
I was privileged to hear the talented flutist Amara Guitry accompanied by pianist and harpsichordist Lillian Pearson. The pursuit of these two remarkable women was to revive a forgotten love for classical artists and to share these once popular musical pieces with as many people as possible. Guitry also kept the audience engaged by giving historical background on the different flutes she used throughout the performance. In all I found it quite enjoyable and would love to attend the next concert.
Between pieces, Guitry would give a complete and extremely interesting background on the different flutes. Audience and former flutist Amber described the production as “Absolutely lovely and extremely interesting.” She also said, “I loved that I was never bored. The history of the different instruments was so fascinating.”
In addition to the beautiful flute, Pearson created a fantastic atmosphere with her skill on the harpsichord. She seemed to be able to sweep up the audience and carry them into the Middle Ages. It was a joy to experience this, and I hope to see more students at these events in the future.
This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.
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.
Agora: Spreading a Creative Spirit Throughout Campus
Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Iris Bertin
The word “Agora” refers to the forum in which people come to share their thoughts or can be viewed as the marketplace in ancient Greek city-states. Here at Belmont Abbey College, Agora is the title of our school’s literary magazine run by the students themselves. Agora is aimed to promote a creative spirit throughout our campus and open up a community where art is welcomed and appreciated to its full extent. In creating an outlet for students to put forth works of art that are meaningful to them, we are spreading a deeper sense of community throughout our college campus. Affirming the many different forms of art we receive through submission and Agora events, this magazine becomes much more than many words on the pages. The sense of community that is being formed through this literary work exemplifies how strongly the Benedictine hallmarks are spread throughout our school.
No matter what art form you choose to help express yourself, Agora is accepting of a variety of different kinds. These include poetry, photography, short stories, and
any type of graphic art. In submitting a piece of work to Agora, you are able to help enter into the community of the college as a whole. Through these many submissions, a group of team editors will take on the task of sorting through, editing, and deciding to publish all of the different pieces of art. Through this process, these students are able to gain real-life hands-on experience in the editing
and publication realm. This club is offering its members experience, a sense of community, and a drive to push them to spread their creative minds throughout a college campus in hopes to reach as many students as they can.
Agora puts on events throughout the year in order to promote the magazine as well as encourage students to submit their own works to be published. At these events,
all students are welcome to share their talents with fellow students and members of the Agora Club. These events help to build a stronger sense of community among
young college students who wish to promote their art while finding beauty in others’ art as well. The Belmont Abbey College website explains the benefits of these events as such: “Members of Agora staff gain self-confidence by serving as MC’s for events; reading works of poetry, fiction, and non-literary works aloud; and performing musical pieces in public.” Building community through a shared appreciation of art is something so special to the Agora Club that can’t be found elsewhere on this college campus. Agora will be hosting events this fall and will promote them through email, around campus, and on social media.
After speaking to some members of the Agora Club and discussing the goals they have for this club and the Agora magazine, I was able to better understand the role
that these club members hold. Lauren, a senior member of the club said the goal of the Agora club and its members is to “channel the creative spirit of this campus.”
She goes on to say that during their meetings and events they aim to “put as much as we can into what we consider to be good literature and good art.” In aiming to promote good literature and good art, they must assess what the value of each piece is and what it can contribute to the magazine in some way, shape, or form. Throughout this literary magazine and this club, our college campus is being driven by the many creative minds of our students here at Belmont Abbey College.
This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.
