Greetings!
Ah, spring! Accompanied by the rising temperatures, bright blooms, and lots of pollen, spring at the Abbey is full of anticipation. Within the Honors College, signs of steady growth have been emerging. In February, Scholarship weekend was a delightful success and in recent months, the Abbey's unique High School summer program, Schola, has been attracting attention. These developments along with the classes themselves have brought much hope to the program.
In this issue of The Forum, we highlight the latest Honors events and gatherings, the Institute’s Senior class, an interview with the head of the Biology department, Dr. Heather Ayala, and some joyful alumni news. Again, we always welcome suggestions and announcements. Please email ideas to lilymullen@abbey.bac.edu. We hope you enjoy this update on the program as it continues to grow and flourish.
-Lily Mullen, Class of '21, Honors College student worker and Newsletter Editor
The semester ended with a game of volley ball between Honors College students and faculty on May 3rd.
Senior Thesis Titles and the Honors Institute Class of 2019
Trisomy 21: From First Discovery to New Findings
and
Optogenetics: The Use of Algae in Gene Therapy
- Helen Ginski
- B.A. Biology
- Hometown: Collierville, Tennessee
Archi-Types: on Evelyn Waugh's Judgements on Aristocratic and Democratic Architecture as expressed in "Brideshead Revisited"
- Reece Kelsh
- B.A. Motorsport Management with minors in English & Business
- Hometown: Hendersonville, North Carolina
Modern Heroism as exemplified in Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms” and “Soldier’s Home"
- Elizabeth McManamon
- B.A. English
- Hometown: Steubenville, Ohio
"The Lie Theory Behind the Quark Model: A Glimpse into Nature's Underlying Symmetry"
- Casey Regan
- B.S. Mathematics with concentrations in Physics and Actuarial Science
- Hometown: Willow Street, Pennsylvania
The Effectiveness of School Violence Prevention Methods on School Attacks
- Nathan Shomette
- B.A. Criminal Justice
- Hometown: Radford, Virginia
"War Is An Ugly Thing" An Analysis of and Reflection upon "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway
- Emma Talbot
- B.A. Accounting with Greek minor
- Hometown: Montgomery, Alabama
"Anselm's Argument in Context" An Analysis and Defense of St. Anselm's so-called 'Ontological Argument' for the Existence of God
- Mark Trumpeter
- B.A. Theology with Business and Economics minors
- Hometown: Plano, Texas
| Student Spotlights |
Lily Mullen
- Year: Class of '21
- Major: Great Books and Minors in English and Economics
- Hometown: Brick Township, New Jersey
- Why the Honors College? When I accepted the invitation to be an Honors student, I jumped at the chance. Little did I know of the opportunities, experiences, and laughter that would stem from such a decision! Throughout my two years in the program, I have met wonderful friends and mentors, grown in knowledge, been challenged with new ideas, and experienced an overwhelming sense of purpose and belonging. In particular, as the Honors College develops, I am repeatedly inspired by the professors and students as they strive for excellence both in and outside of the classroom. Our shared pursuit of truth and dedication creates a close-knit community that allows for a unique and rewarding education.
William Nobers
- Year: Class of '22
- Major: History with Minor in Great Books
- Hometown: Huntersville, North Carolina
- Why the Honors College? When it came time for searching for a college, I knew I wanted a small school with a good environment. I’d heard of the Abbey but didn’t realize how good of a school and what a perfect fit it was until attending an “Abbey Experience Day.” After that, it was a pretty clear-cut decision as my classically based homeschool curriculum had prepared me for the education we receive in the Honors College. The three possible tracks also made the program attractive.
- What was the richest part of your first year experience? Looking back after my first year, two things stand out. First, the dedication to doing the best possible in all of our studies amazed me. Everyone joins together and works really hard and it creates an impressive atmosphere for learning. Second, the camaraderie between teachers and students was amazing, and I don’t think that exists in most colleges. Between the cultural events, bonfires, and barbecues everyone is more closely connected.
Dear Friends,
I pray that God’s peace is with you and your families this spring. The Honors College at Belmont Abbey has been blessed beyond measure this academic year. Around twenty-five freshman benefited from the inaugural year of our new curriculum, our seniors did excellent work on their theses, and next fall we look forward to around thirty students joining our incoming freshmen class.
Faculty are now eagerly preparing for courses offered in our new sophomore curriculum for the first time this fall. What a joy it will be for faculty and students to seek wisdom together from Holy Scripture, Augustine’s Confessions, St. Thomas’ Summa Theologiae, Plato’s Phaedrus, Aristotle’s Rhetoric and Poetics, Milton, Swift, Melville, Faulkner, and others!
Schola, our high school summer program hosted by Honors College faculty and students, will run for its third year this July. The theme of this summer’s program is “Love and Friendship." Students will engage in ten Socratic seminars on readings about love and friendship by Plato, Aristotle, Shakespeare, Kierkegaard, St. Thomas, Flannery O’Connor, and Willa Cather. Additionally, they will experience lively recreation at the Whitewater Center, in the N.C. Mountains, and in the city of Charlotte. More importantly they will have the opportunity to share in the leisure and prayer lived by Belmont Abbey’s monastic community. With such a program, it is no wonder that so many of our incoming honors freshmen are Schola alumni.
Though semi-retired, Dr. Thuot generously led the sophomore beach retreat to Hilton Head. His seminars on Shakespeare and Mrs. Thuot’s hospitality continued to bless our students on the trip as they have for over ten years.
Many generous gifts to the Honors College totaling over $13,000 this year have helped us to bring national recognition to our new program and sponsor student and alumni programming.
We were fortunate to see many of you at our alumni homecoming reception last fall and our cocktail reception in the spring. We hope to see even more of you at our 2019 honors homecoming reception this October (details coming soon)!
I remain grateful for your continued friendship and support of the Honors College. We are always happy to hear your ideas about future alumni or student events. Please email us at HonorsCollege@bac.edu or me josephwysocki@bac.edu. Best wishes for a restful and enjoyable summer!
Sincerely,
Joe Wysocki
Dr. Heather Ayala earned her B.S. in Biology from Azusa Pacific University and later, her PhD. in Biological Sciences at University of Notre Dame. In addition to her advanced science courses, Dr. Ayala is excited to be teaching the Honors freshmen General Biology course this spring.
Q. What drew you to the Abbey? A. I wanted to teach at a religious, private, small college. This is something I experienced as a student and I found it to be a wonderful opportunity. It allows me to not merely lecture, but personally interact with students. In particular, I was attracted to the Abbey's small size, welcoming atmosphere, and mission rooted in the Catholic Benedictine tradition. The Benedictine Hallmarks especially resonated with me since they help to order life and our studies.
Q. Why do you think the sciences are benefited by a liberal arts education? And in particular, what are your thoughts on the development of the Abbey's Honors College? A. There are two main approaches to a well-rounded education; either one can pursue a higher education from a research university or liberal arts college. In the world today, the liberal arts are often not valued enough. This liberal arts education aims to form the whole person and gives the student of the natural science a fuller grasp of reality. Especially for those planning on pursuing a medical profession, the liberal arts gives the student a broader understanding of the human person that helps them interact with and understand their future patients on a more personal level.
The Honors College students are enjoyable to teach. Taken from my past experiences teaching at other small, liberal arts colleges, I have tried to take a more dynamic and seminar-like approach to my science courses, always striving to encourage students to be life-long learners.
Q. If you could have any animal superpower, what would it be and why? A. I would like to either have multiple arms or to go without sleep!
*Dr. Heather Ayala was holding her youngest (and adorable!) 1 1/2-year-old daughter throughout the interview. In addition to devotedly homeschooling their four children, Dr. Heather Ayala and her husband, Mr. Adolfo Ayala, each teach the Honors College Freshmen science courses. It was a pleasure to sit down and listen to Dr. Heather Ayala share her passion for teaching, learning, and biology. We are extremely grateful to have her as part of the Honors College.
Honors Institute Alumni and Student News
It is with great joy and excitement that we announce...
The Engagement of Raphaël du Sablon (Honors '14) and Alfia Samikova in May 2018
The Marriage of Felix du Sablon (Honors '17) and Stephanie Scali (BAC '18) celebrated at St. John Neumann in Reston, VA on December 29th, 2018
The Engagement of John Wilson (Honors '18) and Mary Jacobeen (Honors '18) in Winter 2019
The Engagement of Cameron Baggot (BAC '19) and Emma Talbot (Honors '19) in Winter 2019
Michael Becker (Honors '14) and Kara Becker (BAC '15) welcomed their second child, Juliana Marie Becker, into the world on February 7th, 2019.
Matthew Peoples and Maria (Mueller) Peoples (Honors '13) welcomed their first child, Joseph Bernard Peoples, into the world on April 18th, 2019.
Helen Ginski (Honors '19) received the Outstanding Honors College Student award as a graduating senior during the Academic Awards Banquet on April 23rd, 2019
Congratulations!
Marriage? Baptism or birth announcement? Exciting career update? Email your news to Lily at lilymullen@abbey.bac.edu
*Special credit to Kateri Brehany (Honors '21) for letting us use her photo for the title backdrop
Credits:
Created with an image by DariuszSankowski - "knowledge book library"