In the sixth episode of Conversatio, Fr. Matthew Schneider sits down with Dr. Shane Gomes and Dr. Richard Dell’Isola to discuss the integration of faith and psychology. Discover how these two fields intersect to provide healing and insight.
TopNews
Belmont Abbey College Establishes Permanent Belmont House in Washington, D.C.
Belmont Abbey College Establishes Permanent Belmont House in Washington, D.C.
Belmont, N.C. (October 19, 2023) – Belmont Abbey College announces today the establishment of a permanent residence in Washington D.C. with the purchase of a property for its thriving Belmont House, made possible with a $1.7 million gift from Dr. Maximo Alvarez. Belmont Abbey College has established a new home for the Belmont House in Washington, D.C., located in close proximity to the U.S. Capitol. The college established the original Belmont House in 2021 where it has helped to return Christian voices to the public square, promote Judeo-Christian values, and prepare young professionals to engage with our culture and politics in fruitful and ethical ways. The venue has brought together people of faith, people in government, policy experts, and Catholic ecclesiastical leaders from around the world, particularly where Catholics and Christians face severe persecution. The recent bipartisan Nigerian resolution addressing the systematic ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom in the country is one fruitful example of these consequential discussions.
In the spirit of the Benedictine Hallmarks of hospitality and stability, the Belmont House on Capitol Hill is in service to the church and country. The work of the Belmont House seeks to restore the witness of faith to its rightful place in the public square. Even within its first two years, Belmont House has become a significant Catholic intellectual and public policy venue in our nation’s capital, and thanks to Dr. Maximo Alvarez, the Abbey looks forward to a future Made Strong in Washington, and someday in other centers of cultural influence across the United States.
Having immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. as a child under Operation Pedro Pan, Dr. Alvarez now serves as a trustee of the Pedro Pan Group, an outreach of the Catholic Welfare Bureau of Miami still working to sponsor and assist immigrant children in need. Founder and President of Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc, he has long been both a vital force in the Florida business community and an exceptional philanthropist, whose generosity demonstrates an unwavering commitment to giving back.
Today Dr. Alvarez’s exceptional generosity continues to champion those often denied a voice in the public square. Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Alvarez expressed his gratitude for the pivotal role Belmont Abbey College played in his success. He stated, “I’m here to express my gratitude for the years that I spent at Belmont Abbey. Belmont Abbey is another entity, to which I owe my success. Today I’m just paying back a little bit of what was given to me. If I gave away everything I have today, it wouldn’t even be 10% of what was given to me through charity by the people of this country.”
While Dr. Alvarez’s legacy already extends far beyond any simple calculation, his contribution, through the Belmont House, to Making Strong the future, not only of Belmont Abbey College, but also of this country, is genuinely incalculable. Belmont Abbey College plans to refurbish and enhance the newly purchased property, ensuring it is ready to welcome the public. Learn more about Made True: the Campaign for Belmont Abbey College by visiting www.bac.edu/madetrue.
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/.
Belmont Abbey College Receives $9 Million in State Funding for New Performing Arts Center
Belmont Abbey College Receives $9 Million in State Funding for New Performing Arts Center
Belmont, N.C. (October 9, 2023) – Belmont Abbey College receives $9 million in funding from the North Carolina General Assembly in its 2023-2024 budget towards the total cost for the construction of a new performing arts center. With the help of this investment, the college can begin to plan for the construction of a new performing arts center which will allow the college and the surrounding region to enjoy theater, musical performances, art exhibitions, dance, along with other educational and cultural events in a beautiful, welcoming, first-rate facility.
“The Performing Arts Center at Belmont Abbey College will greatly enrich the lives of the people in our community,” said NC Senator Brad Overcash. “I am proud of the $9 million appropriation to create this important community resource.” NC Representative John Torbett echoes this sentiment, stating, “I am extremely proud to be a part of the building of Belmont Abbey College’s success through the building of a world-class cultural destination. This performing arts center will assist in growing the talents of our youth as well as presenting the talents of professional artists. I am especially honored to have played a part with so many others in support of the Abbey.”
The construction of a fully outfitted performance space will provide opportunities for theater and stage productions, as well as dance competitions, art exhibits, and conferences, making Gaston County a desired destination for large, high-quality events and performances.
The project promises to be a major economic development agent for Gaston County and will provide new opportunities for students and the community alike. Gaston County Manager Dr. Kim S. Eagle has expressed support for the project, stating that “The new performing arts center would directly connect to the County’s adopted strategic plan by supporting two of our own strategic focus areas: Economic Development and Planned Growth, and Recreational, Cultural, and Life-Long Learning Opportunities. Taken together, our community strategic plans and visions would directly benefit from the addition of this community asset and would advance our goals to provide a warm and welcoming community that is the premier destination to live, work, and play in the Charlotte region.”
Chris Peek, President and CEO of CaroMont Health, has also emphasized the economic benefits of the new facility, stating that “this new facility will not only support students in their quest to learn, grow and perform, but will also serve as a major economic development agent for Gaston County and the region.” Patrick Mumford, President and CEO of the Gaston Business Association (GBA) shares a similar viewpoint: “The GBA recognizes Gaston County’s artistic and cultural assets, such as the proposed performing arts center on the campus of Belmont Abbey College (BAC), are essential to sustaining economic growth. We are encouraged by the recognition of this facility’s ability to address arts events and performance needs of not only BAC, but also
those of the broader Gaston arts community.”
The college launched its $100 million Made True capital campaign earlier this year. As part of this campaign, the college hopes to secure additional philanthropic support from alumni, parents, and the broader community for the new performing arts center on campus. President Thierfelder remarked, “This project helps realize the college’s mission to bring the true, the good and the beautiful to as many people as possible and thereby culturally enriching the state of North Carolina and beyond.”
The Abbey will be developing a Community Leaders’ Advisory Committee to give input for the study, programming, and conceptual design for construction of the performing arts center. The committee will solicit and collect input from the college’s constituents and other subject matter experts in the community to formulate recommendations that will be developed into a report that will include conceptual drawings and suggested programming in the Center.
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/.
The Future of the Catholic Church in the American Political Order
Join us for the latest episode of Conversatio as Dr. Thomas Varacalli discusses his upcoming book, “The Future of the Catholic Church in the American Political Order,” with Rolando Rivas. Explore the history of Catholics in America and their role in American society. Tune in for an insightful conversation.
Belmont Abbey College Recognized as A Top School for Online Education in Healthcare for 2024
Belmont Abbey College Recognized as A Top School for Online Education in Healthcare for 2024
Belmont, N.C. (September 29, 2023) – Belmont Abbey College announces that EduMed.org recognizes the college as one of today’s best schools for online healthcare degree programs. The college’s Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) online program earned top honors for its overall quality, affordability, and commitment to student success.
Designed for working professionals who want to advance their healthcare careers, students can complete the Belmont Abbey College MHA program entirely online, with no on-campus requirements. Students have access to a range of support services, including academic advising, career counseling, and technical support. In addition, all faculty receive Quality Matters certification, a gold standard for instructors to demonstrate their mastery of online teaching and learning.
Dr. Gwyndolan Swain, Founding Program Director and Professor of the MHA program at Belmont Abbey College, shares, “We are thrilled to offer a 100% online program that combines academic rigor with practical skills and real-world experience. Our graduates are well-prepared to take on leadership roles in healthcare organizations and positively impact their communities.”
EduMed.org, a leading online resource for healthcare education, evaluated hundreds of schools offering online healthcare degree programs. The rankings were based on factors such as program quality, affordability, and student support services.
“Our rankings feature the programs giving future nurses and allied health professionals the best chance for success, from day one in the classroom to day one on the job,” said Wes Harris, outreach coordinator for EduMed.org. “This starts with having a price tag that students can afford, as well as providing academic counseling, career placement services, and other key resources and support that help students graduate and get hired.”
To see where Belmont Abbey College placed on the full rankings, please visit Best MHA Programs Online. For more information on Belmont Abbey College’s Master of Healthcare Administration, visit www.bac.edu/mha. For press inquiries, contact Rolando Rivas at rolandorivas@bac.edu.
About EduMed.org: EduMed.org (https://www.edumed.org) set out in 2018 to support higher education in healthcare. Our complimentary resource materials are expert-driven guidebooks help students find scholarships, financial aid and top degree programs in nursing, healthcare administration, public health, and dozens of other key medical and health disciplines. Since the site’s official launch in 2019, EduMed.org has been featured by more than 100 premier colleges and universities across the U.S.
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/.
