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August 28, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey College Celebrates Inaugural Graduate Commencement Ceremony

Belmont Abbey College Celebrates Inaugural Graduate Commencement Ceremony

Belmont, N.C. (August 28, 2024) – Belmont Abbey College celebrates a significant milestone with its inaugural commencement ceremony for graduate students, which will take place on August 31, 2024. The ceremony honors the first graduates of the College’s Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL), Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA), and Master of Science in Nursing Leadership (MSN) programs. Additionally, Belmont Abbey will award degrees to the third and fourth graduating cohorts of its Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program.

The fifty-two inaugural MBA, MAL, MSDA, and MSN graduates represent professionals who are poised to assume leadership roles in their respective fields. Graduates of the MBA program at Belmont Abbey possess great business insight, emphasizing critical thinking, analytical skills, and ethical decision-making. The MAL program prepares students to be effective business professionals who foster strong ethical and transformational leadership within organizations. The MSDA program meets the growing demand for data analytics professionals by providing graduates with exceptional skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, all rooted in Catholic social thought. The MSN degree equips nurses with sound moral formation, advanced skills, integrating specialty concepts, nursing science, and translational science to excel in multifacitated roles within the ever-changing field of healthcare.

Belmont Abbey also honors the achievements of sixteen graduates from its MHA program. Now in its third year, the program has built a strong track record of graduating exceptional healthcare leaders who are able to successfully manage the complexities of modern healthcare administration.

Dr. Bill Thierfelder, President of Belmont Abbey College, expressed his joy and appreciation for the graduating class. He said, “This commencement ceremony is much more than a celebration of academic achievements; it’s a tribute to the dedication, sacrifice, integrity, and resilience of our students, our exceptional faculty, and the unique way Belmont Abbey’s Catholic and Benedictine values have prepared its graduates for success in both their professional and personal lives.”

Dr. Brad Frazier, Director of Graduate Programs at Belmont Abbey College, added, “Today, we honor the dedication, perseverance, and vision of our graduate students. We are thrilled to see them embark on their professional journeys, confident that they are equipped to lead and make impactful contributions to their communities and organizations.”

Belmont Abbey College will hold the commencement ceremony in the Haid Ballroom. Dr. Thierfelder will address the graduates and their families, and Abbot Placid Solari will lead the Benediction. The event will be a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students, faculty, and staff who have contributed to the success of these graduate programs.

For more information about Belmont Abbey College’s graduate programs, please visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/graduate.

Press Inquiry Contact: Sarah Bolton, sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.

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May 30, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey College Partners with the Veterum Sapientia Institute to Elevate Graduate Offering

Belmont Abbey College Partners with the Veterum Sapientia Institute to Elevate Graduate Offering

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Belmont, N.C. (May 30, 2024) – Today Belmont Abbey College announces a new partnership with the Veterum Sapientia Institute (VSI). Aimed at enhancing learning opportunities for students interested in the Master of Arts in Classical and Liberal Education (MACLE), individuals seeking this degree can complete all required credits for graduation at Belmont Abbey, or 12 of the required 30 credits through VSI’s Teaching Credential in Latin Pedagogy. Intended for individuals with a passion for the Latin and Greek languages, this new certification is designed to give current and aspiring teachers the tools to make their Latin classes more interactive, and integrate the Catholic faith into their student learnings. This is the first-of-its-kind credential to teach Latin in an integrated, Catholic approach using active pedagogy from the only pontifically-approved institution for Latin and Greek language study in the United States. Belmont Abbey and VSI welcome the inaugural cohorts for their respective programs in the Fall of 2024.

VSI’s new Teaching Credential in Latin Pedagogy aligns with Belmont Abbey’s overall mission and the aim of the Master’s in Classical and Liberal Education to develop future generations of educators who believe in the education of the whole person- mind, body, and spirit. Dr. Christine Boor, The Vilma György Pallos Endowed Chair of Classical and Liberal Education, speaks to the importance of this partnership. “This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both institutions as we join forces to expand academic offerings, foster innovative learning, and prepare graduates for success in the classical education space,” said Boor.

Developed with administrators, educators, and non-profit leaders in mind, the MACLE follows an online, synchronous format with 30 credit hours required for graduation. This program offers students who are enrolled in Belmont Abbey’s MACLE program the ability to fulfill partial credits through VSI, the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE) and the Center for Independent Research on Classical Education (CiRCE). “We developed this program with the foremost goal of formation in Classical Education, but believe that these partnerships provide a personalized component to each student’s degree program,” said Boor. Belmont Abbey College is currently accepting MACLE applications for the Fall 2024 semester. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2024. Get program information and apply here.

“We are thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with Belmont Abbey College,” said Christopher Owens, CEO at Veterum Sapientia Institute. “This partnership will not only enrich the academic experience for our students, but also empower them in the schools in which they are serving or will serve. Together, we are shaping the future of Catholic education and creating innovative pathways for our students to study the wisdom received from our Catholic tradition,” said Owens. The Veterum Sapientia Institute exists to form Catholics in their cultural and spiritual birthright by teaching living Latin and Greek languages. Committing to becoming the premier institute for this purpose, VSI is a renowned organization for pedagogical education in Latin and Greek. Click here for more information on VSI’s Teaching Credential in Latin Pedagogy.

Press Inquiry Contact: Julia Long, Director of Enrollment Marketing, julialong@bac.edu or 423-827-8727

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May 11, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Belmont Abbey College Celebrates 146th Commencement Ceremony

Belmont Abbey College Celebrates 146th Commencement Ceremony

Belmont, N.C. (May 11, 2024) – Today, Belmont Abbey College marked a significant milestone with the celebration of its 146th commencement ceremony, with a total of 314 students awarded undergraduate Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees at the annual graduation event on campus. The celebration began with a customary baccalaureate Mass at the Abbey Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, followed by the graduation ceremony on the basilica piazza, presided over by Chancellor Abbot Placid Solari, O.S.B., and President Dr. William Thierfelder.

Twenty graduates earned their nursing degrees (14 pre-licensed and 6 RN-BSN), marking the first-ever nursing graduation at Belmont Abbey College under the guidance of Interim Chair and Program Director Dr. Lee-Ann Kenny. “This is a momentous occasion for our nursing program and Belmont Abbey College as a whole,” said Dr. Kenny. “These graduates have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals, and we are immensely excited to see their hard work positively impact our community.”

In addition to the nursing graduates, five seminarians received their bachelor’s degrees in philosophy, along with one of Belmont Abbey’s monks, Br. Chrysostom Sica. This group of graduates represents the college’s commitment to fostering faith within the Charlotte diocese through an education rooted in truth.

The 2024 Student of the Year was announced during the ceremony, recognizing Ronald Anthony Klein as an outstanding individual who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievements and contributions to the college community. Instead of a conventional Commencement speaker, the Student of the Year is featured, emphasizing the college’s commitment to its students.

The commencement ceremony also honored individuals who contributed significantly to their respective fields. Belmont Abbey College bestowed honorary degrees upon Kathleen Burke Barrett, Bishop Barry C. Knestout, and Mary Thierfelder, the spouse of President Bill Thierfelder, recognizing their outstanding accomplishments and dedication to their professions.

Belmont Abbey College continues to uphold its mission of providing a transformative education rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. The college remains dedicated to nurturing the intellectual, spiritual, and personal development of its students, preparing them to make a positive impact in their chosen professions and communities.

For more information about Belmont Abbey College and its programs, please visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Rolando Rivas

P: 704-461-6561

E: rolandorivas@bac.edu