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/.
Faithful Leadership In the Workplace
Join Abbey alums Jared Orton ‘13 and Jacob Ciccarelli ‘13 as they sit down with Mike Ellis, Director of Alumni Relations, to explore the intersection of faith and the modern workplace. Tune in for an insightful conversation on leading with faith in today’s professional world.
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Belmont Abbey College and National Catholic Prayer Breakfast Host Series of Lectures on the Work of Michael Novak
Belmont Abbey College and National Catholic Prayer Breakfast Host Series of Lectures on the Work of Michael Novak
Belmont, N.C. (February 19, 2024) – Belmont Abbey College, in collaboration with the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, announces a thought-provoking series of lectures and panel discussions centered around the influential work of Michael Novak. The series, titled “An Inquiry Into the Spiritual Wealth of Nations,” will take place at the Belmont House on Capitol Hill, providing a platform for renowned scholars, experts, and thought leaders to delve into the profound impact of Novak’s contributions.
The lectures and panel discussions will provide a platform for engaging in conversations on various aspects of Novak’s work and exploring its implications for society, politics, economics, and culture. Participants will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the profound influence Novak has had on shaping our understanding of the human person, the common good, and the role of faith in public life.
This series will feature a lineup of distinguished speakers who will cover various topics. George Weigel, a Catholic theologian, political analyst, and author of Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II, will deliver the concluding lecture entitled “John Paul II’s Contribution to Political and Economic Thought” on September 10th. Weigel’s deep understanding of Pope John Paul II’s teachings will provide valuable insights into the intersection of politics, economics, and Catholicism.
Emmett McGroarty, Executive Director of the Belmont House, will kick off the series with a talk entitled “The Ideal of Democratic Capitalism” on March 5, 2024. McGroarty’s insights will provide a solid foundation for the subsequent discussions. On April 30th, Dr. Catherine Pakaluk, Director of Social Research and Associate Professor at the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America, will deliver a talk entitled “Why Catholics Cannot Support Socialism.” With her expertise in economics and Catholic social teaching, Pakaluk will explore the inherent contradictions between socialism and the Catholic faith.
Dr. Jay Richards, Director of the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Life, Religion, and Family, will present “What Can Theology Contribute to Economics?” on May 15, 2024. Richards’ unique perspective will shed light on the intersection of these two seemingly disparate fields. Dr. Joseph Wysocki, Interim Provost at Belmont Abbey College, will deliver the lecture “Are We Still A Tocquevillian Nation?” on July 9th, 2024. Wysocki’s examination of Tocqueville’s insights will prompt reflection on the current state of our nation.
Emmett McGroarty expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming series, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast to bring this thought-provoking series to Catholic staff on Capitol Hill. Michael Novak’s work has had a profound impact on Catholic intellectual and political thought, and we look forward to exploring its enduring relevance together.” Register for this series at https://resources.bac.edu/the-political-thought-of-michael-novak-lectures-landing-page/.
For press inquiries, please contact Sarah Bolton at sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.
