The Catholic College of the South
Thank you to our whole community for making this past Founders’ Day a huge success in sharing our profound gratitude to our monks for always supporting and guiding us.
Belmont, N.C. (April 25, 2023) – Cathy Comeau, Belmont Abbey’s Coordinator of Student Life for almost a decade, has been named this year’s Spirit of St. Benedict Award winner. Abbot Solari Placid, O.S.B. and President Thierfelder announced this wonderful honor at the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon on April 24th, 2023.
Belmont Abbey’s most prestigious recognition, the Spirit of St. Benedict Award, embodies the spirit of the Benedictine community. It is presented to someone who makes a substantial contribution to the College, demonstrates hospitality as evidenced by concern for others in the College Community, and gives service without regard for recognition, among other criteria.
“Cathy Comeau is a Belmont Abbey College institution of joy, excellence, and virtue. Countless students have laughed, cried, dreamed, and celebrated successes in her Commons 202 office. Alumni regularly seek her out when they return on campus,” Vice Provost and Dean of Student Life Tom MacAlester said. “Cathy is a very fitting recipient of the Spirit of St. Benedict Award for her dedication to student life, this place, and most importantly, the students entrusted to her diligent and joyful care.”
While Cathy is known and loved by the staff and faculty across Belmont Abbey, her relationship with the students is what she is most passionate about. Belmont Abbey College sophomore Youthan Love shares, “Mrs. Cathy is a person that everyone needs to meet during their time at the Abbey. The Office of Student Life would not function without all her support.” Cathy has, in a unique way, been entrusted with the welfare of Abbey students. She continues to exemplify the Benedictine hallmarks and carries out Belmont Abbey’s mission “so that in all things, God may be glorified.”
The Globe Echo, an independent English newspaper based in London, discusses the Made True Campaign and Belmont Abbey College’s plan to secure financial independence as an institution as religious freedoms from the American government continue to come under fire.
Belmont, N.C. (April 21, 2023) – Belmont Abbey College celebrates the 147th anniversary of its founding on April 21, 2023. Belmont Abbey’s founders gave their time, efforts and financial resources to Belmont Abbey, faithfully believing that its mission would endure long past their own lifetimes. This mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified.
More than a century ago, six faithful visionaries with philanthropic hearts founded Belmont Abbey College. The first gift was in 1876 when Father Jeremiah J. O’Connell, with the permission of Bishop James Gibbon, gave a group of Benedictine monks the roughly 700 acres of land in rural North Carolina to establish the school. Father Herman Wolfe, Abbot Leo Haid, Father Prior Felix Hintemeyer, and St. Katharine Drexel shaped the future of a place they hoped would become a strong community built on faith and fellowship. To date, their impact has been immeasurable— felt by students and parents, the faithful Catholic community, priests and monks, and untold individuals across the world who have met our alumni or received our educational Catholic resources.
Chancellor of the college and the Abbot of the monastery, Abbot Placid said, “Today we have many more students and I can’t help but think that Fr. Herman would be thrilled to know that we are continuing his legacy by continually bringing more and more students to the Abbey.” Belmont Abbey’s founders gifts have made a lasting impact on the lives of many students— providing them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and others.
From the founding in 1876, the College is now home to nearly 1,500 students from 21 countries and 46 states. Belmont Abbey College continues to grow in a number of ways with exciting new developments. Made True, Belmont Abbey’s $100 million capital campaign was recently launched to transform American culture through funding campus and community improvements. In addition, CaroMont Health is in the middle of constructing a second hospital in Belmont, which will be located on Belmont Abbey Monastery land, adjoining the main campus of Belmont Abbey College. Belmont Abbey has also launched a suite of Master’s programs, including Master of Business Administration, Master’s of Leadership, Master’s of Strategic Analysis, Master’s of Science in Nursing, and Master’s of Health Administration.
Travis Feezell, Provost at Belmont Abbey College, shares, “Each year we celebrate Founders Day on April 21st to recognize the founding of Belmont Abbey College and to celebrate the generosity and support of the monastic community.”
In keeping with tradition, there are no classes on April 21st and students have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities. From Theology on Tap with Abbot Placid Solari, to lunch and Abbey’s Got Talent on the Quad, students can fully participate in celebrating the 147th Founder’s Day.
Learn more about Belmont Abbey’s Founder’s Day.
Learn more about Belmont Abbey’s Made True campaign.
The National Catholic Register interviews Abbot Placid Solari in an articled titled, A Monk’s Radical Proposal for College Today: ‘We’re Convinced There is Objective Truth to Be Learned.’ The article discusses the victories and bright future ahead for Belmont Abbey College as we continue to embrace our Catholic identity and pursue truth for our students.
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