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Belmont Abbey College Announces the Fr. Joseph Koterski Endowed Scholarship

Belmont Abbey College Announces the Fr. Joseph Koterski Endowed Scholarship

Belmont, N.C. (April 8, 2024) – On the 2024 celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation, Belmont Abbey College announces the establishment of the Fr. Joseph Koterski Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship, dedicated to the legacy of former Belmont Abbey Board of Trustee member, Fr. Joseph Koterski, and generously established by Noel J. and Maggi Fitzpatrick Nadol, will provide valuable financial support to Belmont Abbey students pursuing a degree in Nursing.

Fr. Joseph W. Koterski, SJ, lived out a vocation of servant leadership, witnessing to the profound love of God as priest, teacher, and pro-life advocate. His love for God overflowed with love for everyone especially the unborn. He would often have those around him reflect on “the heart of Christ beating in the womb of Mary.” Fr. Koterski spent almost 30 years as an associate professor at Fordham University. During that time, he also served in a variety of roles, from Philosophy Chair and Director of the Master of Arts in Philosophical Resources to Chaplain and Master of the residential college at Queen’s Court. Fr. Koterski’s commitment to the pro-life movement and his unwavering love for God made him an influential figure at Belmont Abbey College.

The scholarship aims to help nursing students graduate with a lesser financial burden, enabling them to pursue their vocations of service to the community with greater freedom. In dedicating this endowed scholarship to the memory of Fr. Koterski, Noel J. and Maggi Fitzpatrick Nadol hope to reward and inspire in Belmont Abbey nursing students the same servant leadership and joyful dedication to the cause of life.

Belmont Abbey College is actively restoring the growth and development of the healthcare industry through the formation of ethical, holistic, and compassionate nursing professionals. As these students graduate and enter the workforce, they will bring with them the values of servant leadership and a deep commitment to the well-being of others, positively influencing the communities they serve.

To ensure the success of the Fr. Joseph Koterski Endowed Scholarship, Belmont Abbey College is seeking support from the community. The college invites individuals and organizations to join in fundraising efforts, enabling more students to benefit from this scholarship opportunity. Every contribution will make a significant difference in the lives of Belmont Abbey nursing students, empowering them to pursue their dreams and make a lasting impact on society.

For more information on how to contribute to the Fr. Joseph Koterski Endowed Scholarship, please click here.

Sarah Bolton

Marketing Project Manager

Belmont Abbey College

704-461-7016

SarahBolton@bac.edu

About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide 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 to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/.

Download the press release.

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Belmont Abbey College Adds Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Digital Marketing – Three New Online & Hybrid Undergraduate Programs

Belmont Abbey College Adds Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Digital Marketing – Three New Online & Hybrid Undergraduate Programs

Belmont, N.C. (April 3, 2024) – Belmont Abbey College announces the addition of three new online and hybrid academic programs. Focused on the digital and computer sciences, the new degrees provide students with expertise in high-demand areas where employers search for talent. The college introduces Bachelor’s Degrees in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Digital Marketing.

Through a strategic collaboration with Rize Education, Belmont Abbey College has expanded its program offerings to include cutting-edge online courses that prepare students for successful careers. Available in both hybrid (combining on-campus and online courses) and fully online formats, these programs provide students with a dynamic and flexible educational experience. This collaboration offers numerous benefits, including a flexible schedule, access to industry experts nationwide, and the opportunity to acquire resume-ready skills. Combined with the Abbey’s core in the liberal arts, these degrees promise a well-rounded experience that will equip students for the workforce. 

The BS in Computer Science degree offers a dynamic learning experience tailored to suit students’ diverse interests in computing. The curriculum empowers students to analyze problems using expertise in computer technology, critical thinking abilities, research proficiency, and adeptness in articulating solutions across different audiences. Project-based and portfolio-building classes will help graduates produce impressive resumes before graduation and hone skills that hiring managers demand. Potential careers with this credential include work as a Computer Programmer, Database Analyst, or Software Developer.

The BA in Cybersecurity at Belmont Abbey College prepares students with technical expertise and business acumen, positioning them for lucrative and in-demand roles in this rapidly expanding field. Dedicated to cultivating ethical leaders committed to innovation, this program aims to redefine excellence in cybersecurity education. Through inventive curriculum, hands-on experience, and a focus on ethical decision-making, this program empowers students to adapt to and mitigate emerging digital threats, safeguarding organizations and communities in an increasingly interconnected world. Graduates with a degree in Cybersecurity can join the professional world as Forensic Examiners, IT Auditors, and Security Analysts.

The BA in Digital Marketing degree, available as an online major or in-person minor, helps students develop as nimble thinkers, skilled in both the art of persuasive communication and the science of data analytics. Belmont Abbey’s program gives students a deep background in both, along with the intuition needed to blend them into an effective strategy. The program begins with core business fundamentals rooted in Catholic values and then teaches digital marketing concepts critical for today’s emerging marketers. Individuals with a BA in Digital Marketing can work in several capacities, including Advertising, E-commerce, Market Research, and Technology. 

Dr. David Williams, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Belmont Abbey College, expressed his excitement about the new academic offerings, stating, “We are thrilled to expand our program offerings to meet the evolving needs of our students and the demands of the job market. Rooted in the principles of Catholic and Benedictine education, these new academic programs will not only equip our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in high-demand fields but also instill in them a sense of responsibility to contribute positively to the world around them.”

These new programs are available starting this fall through a partnership with the Lower Cost Models Consortium (LCMC) and Rize Education. The LCMC is a strategic partnership of private colleges and universities nationwide, collaborating with Rize Education to provide access to a cutting-edge curriculum that prepares students for successful careers.

According to Kevin Harrington, CEO of Rize, “We are proud to collaborate with Belmont Abbey College in delivering high-quality online courses that prepare students for success in the most in-demand fields. Our partnership will give students the tools they need to thrive in the rapidly evolving job market.”

Belmont Abbey College remains committed to providing its students with a well-rounded, liberal arts education that prepares them for future success. By expanding its academic offerings to include Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Digital Marketing, the college is ensuring that its graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel and ethically lead in today’s workforce.

For more information about the new undergraduate programs, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 3, 2024

Sarah Bolton

Marketing Project Manager

Belmont Abbey College

704-461-7016

SarahBolton@bac.edu

 

Megan McCorkle

Head of Marketing

Rize Education

mmccorkle@rize.education

About the Lower Cost Models Consortium (LCMC): The LCMC is a national consortium of over 130 fully accredited, non-profit colleges and universities formed in 2015. Members of the LCMC are committed to working together to address the challenges of increasing costs in higher education by implementing innovative programs and reducing institutional costs for these programs to pass along savings to students. In this way, the LCMC hopes to develop new models of higher education that benefit students while simultaneously contributing to the sustainability of accredited, nonprofit, 4-year institutions.

About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide 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 to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/.

Download the press release.

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A Reflection on the Easter Triduum

Join Br. Chrysostom, as he leads a reflection on the profound mysteries of the Easter Triduum. In this special episode of Conversatio, Br. Chrysostom offers unique insights that illuminate the spiritual significance of each day within the Triduum.

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The Role of Powerful Laywomen: Marie de Vignerot’s Enduring Legacy

Join Dr. Mary Imparato and Dr. Bronwen McShea, a Visiting Professor of History at the Augustine Institute Graduate School, historian, and author, as they discuss her upcoming new book as well as the fascinating life and legacy of Marie de Vignerot. As Cardinal Richelieu’s niece, Marie held a significant position in France’s political, religious, and cultural spheres, enduringly impacting the country’s history.

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Belmont Abbey College Names Recipient of 2024 Benedict Leadership Award

Belmont Abbey College Names Recipient of 2024 Benedict Leadership Award

Belmont, N.C. (February 26, 2024) – The Benedict Leadership Institute at Belmont Abbey College is pleased to recognize Robert Luddy as the recipient of the 2024 Benedict Leadership Award. This award highlights the achievements of individuals whose lives reflect the heroic leadership of St. Benedict.

Belmont Abbey College founded the Benedict Leadership Institute in 2016 to develop Catholic leaders and inspire them to transform society in light of their faith. Mr. Luddy is the seventh recipient of the Benedict Leadership Award, being recognized in part for his advocacy of education. He has established multiple schools with an emphasis on classical curriculum and character formation.

Robert Luddy has a unique business history beginning with his career as a graduate of LaSalle University and a U.S. Army veteran. His entrepreneurial eye recognized a demand in the marketplace and, with a $1300 personal investment, he purchased a sheet metal shop in 1981, transforming it into CaptiveAire Systems, which is now the leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation systems in North America. From its humble beginnings, the business has grown steadily. Today, with over 45 years in business, CaptiveAire employs over 1600 individuals in over 100 sales offices, occupying six manufacturing facilities nationwide, with over 40 display centers, more than 55 service regions, a Research and Development Lab, and sales over $600 million in 2021.

Mr. Luddy has maintained a single-minded focus on goal setting, constant improvement, and ongoing innovation, which made hiring the right team of people an essential component to the company’s success. As Luddy has stated, “If you hire skilled people and you give them tough problems, they’re going to solve them.”

The same philosophies evident in Mr. Luddy’s business practices earn him many accolades. CaptiveAire has been voted best in class overall in the ventilation systems category based on votes by industry kitchen equipment dealers, broadliners, consultants, and operators. CaptiveAire was also featured in Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine and won best in class for Dealers, Operators, and Consultant Class in 2014. Innovation and entrepreneurial spirit have been the keys to success at CaptiveAire.

Mr. Luddy has received numerous awards beginning in 2006 with the Benemerenti Medal from Pope Benedict XVI for exemplary service to the Church and Community. In 2007 he received the Ludwig von Mises Entrepreneurship Award for “entrepreneurial success and devotion to the free-market ideal.” In 2015 he earned the Civitas Audentia Award from the Civitas Institute in recognition of his business leadership as founder and president of CaptiveAire, and his civic leadership in establishing and supporting top-quality private and charter schools.

Mr. Luddy’s intellectual, moral, and financial support have helped propel growth of entrepreneurship education. While running his growing and successful company, in 1998, Mr. Luddy established Franklin Academy, a Wake Forest public school that is now one of the largest and most successful charter schools in North Carolina. In 2001 he founded St. Thomas More Academy, a classical college preparatory middle and high school in Raleigh N.C. In 2007 Thales Academy was created as a network of private schools offering high-quality Pre-K – 12 education at an affordable tuition. The Luddy Schools are quickly growing, with over 8000 students enrolled and nearly 600 faculty and staff employed throughout North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. In 2022 the network expanded yet again to include Thales College, a classical college offering an affordable and accelerated undergraduate degree program.

Mr. Luddy is an avid supporter of entrepreneurs and the free-market system, evident in his 2018 published book Entrepreneurial Life: The Path from Startup to Market Leader, which details the story of CaptiveAire, highlighting his principles for entrepreneurial success. In 2023 he published a second book, The Thales Way, which chronicles the story and mission behind his schools. Prior to that he had been published numerous times in U.S. News and World Report as author of “How to Bring Back American Prosperity”, “Government Regulation is Killing Economic Growth”, “Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship are Learned Young” and “Let Oil and Gas Drive the Economy.” Both the News & Observer and Business Leaders have published articles about Mr. Luddy’s businesses and schools, highlighting his leadership and impact in the triad region.

Mr. Luddy is a widely sought-after public speaker offered multiple addresses, conference keynotes, and commencement speeches.

He has two grown children and five grandchildren.

For press inquiries, please contact Rolando Rivas at rolandorivas@bac.edu or 704-461-6561.

About Benedict Leadership Institute: The Institute was founded in 2016 by Belmont Abbey College to develop Catholic leaders and inspire them to transform society while remaining true to their faith. The Institute accomplishes this goal through publications, events and through the awarding of The Benedict Leadership Award, presented annually to an outstanding Catholic leader. For more information, please visit https://benedictleadershipinstitute.org/.

Download the press release.

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