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�� Welcomes Alums as Faculty for New Graduate Motorsport Management Program

December 3, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

�� Welcomes Alums as Faculty for New Graduate Motorsport Management Program

�� Welcomes Alums as Faculty for New Graduate Motorsport Management Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Belmont, N.C. (December 3, 2024) – �� is thrilled to announce the return of two highly accomplished undergraduate alumni who will join the faculty as professors in the newly launched Master of Arts (MA) in Motorsport Management degree program—the only one of its kind in the United States. With their extensive experience and national recognition in the field, these accomplished individuals will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the program.

The Master of Arts in Motorsport Management program at �� is designed to equip students with advanced skills and knowledge to excel in the fast-paced and competitive motorsport industry. With the addition of these accomplished alumni as faculty members, students will have the unique opportunity to learn from industry experts who have achieved remarkable success in their careers. Dr. Trey Cunningham, Program Director of the MA in Motorsport Management at ��, expressed his excitement about the return of these esteemed alumni. He stated, “We are delighted to welcome back our talented graduates who have excelled in the motorsport industry. Their success and dedication will undoubtedly inspire our students and contribute to the growth and development of our Motorsport Management program.”

One of the returning alumni, Mike Laheta, graduated from �� with a Bachelor of Arts in Business, specializing in Motorsports. He has since achieved remarkable success in the motorsports industry, holding key positions such as leading partnerships for Front Row Motorsports and the NASCAR Hall of Fame before serving as Managing Director of National Partnership Sales at NASCAR, and, most recently, Senior Vice President and Head of Partnerships at Thrill One Sports and Entertainment. Laheta has earned national recognition for his exceptional contributions to the field. He shared his enthusiasm for joining the faculty, saying, “I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to the institution that provided me with a solid foundation for my career. I look forward to sharing my experiences and helping students navigate the dynamic world of motorsports.”

The second alumnus, Quinn Beekwilder, also graduated from �� with a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management and has made significant contributions to the motorsport industry with his experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and then has worked as the Coordinator of the Abbey’s Motorsport Management Undergraduate program since 2020. He expressed his excitement for the new MA in Motorsport Management, stating, “�� holds a special place in my heart, and I am absolutely thrilled about the launch of the Master of Arts in Motorsport Management program, the first of its kind in the United States! We’re equipping the next generation of leaders for this dynamic industry.”

�� is excited to welcome back Mike Laheta and Quinn Beekwilder as faculty members for the Master of Arts in Motorsport Management program. Their expertise will enrich the student experience and bolster the college’s position as a leader in motorsport education. The program will also expand with more motorsport industry professionals in the future.

�� is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2025 semester while the Master of Arts in Motorsport Management awaits final approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). . For more information about the Master of Arts in Motorsport Management program at ��, click here.��

Press Inquiry Contact:

Sarah Bolton, ��e, sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.

Download Now.��

November 26, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

Why We’re Catholic with Trent Horn

In the latest episode of Conversatio, Dr. Tom Varacalli sits down with Catholic apologist Trent Horn to discuss his book Why We’re Catholic. They explore the intersection of faith and politics, how Catholics can engage with secularism, and how to navigate tough conversations about the faith. This episode offers valuable insights for both new and lifelong Catholics on living out and sharing the Catholic faith in today’s world.

Listen now!

November 25, 2024 By Sarah Bolton Leave a Comment

�� Launches New Master of Arts in Motorsport Management Degree

�� Launches New Master of Arts in Motorsport Management Degree

Belmont, N.C. (November 25, 2024) – Today �� announces the launch of its groundbreaking online Master of Arts (MA) in Motorsport Management program. This innovative graduate degree is the first of its kind in the United States, solidifying ��’s position as a leader in motorsports education who pioneered an undergraduate motorsport program in 2007. The college will welcome its inaugural MA in Motorsport Management cohort in the Fall of 2025.��

Recognizing the growing need for specialized education in motorsports, �� has developed an advanced curriculum that combines high-level business management principles with an in-depth understanding of the motorsports industry. The program will provide students with the technical, interpersonal, and strategic skills necessary for leadership roles in this dynamic field. The MA in Motorsport Management will prepare graduates for diverse careers in marketing, team management, finance, and community relations, while offering critical insights into governance, legal frameworks, and organizational operations within the motorsports world. By offering this innovative online program, �� extends the reach of motorsports management education beyond the Charlotte area, making it accessible to students nationwide.

“We are thrilled to offer this one-of-a-kind graduate program that combines our passion for education with the excitement of motorsport,” said Dr. Joseph Wysocki, Provost of ��. “By providing students with specialized knowledge and hands-on experience, we aim to cultivate a new generation of motorsport professionals who will contribute to the growth and success of the industry.”

��’s new MA in Motorsport Management will meet the growing demand for leading professionals in the motorsport industry. As the only graduate program of its kind in the United States, it offers students a competitive advantage in pursuing successful careers in this exciting field.��

According to Dr. Trey Cunningham, Program Director of the MA in Motorsport Management at ��, “The Master of Arts in Motorsport Management degree is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in the motorsports industry, including sponsorship, team management, event coordination, media, and marketing. Our incredible faculty, who bring valuable real-world experience in the field of motorsports, will provide students with the tools they need to succeed in this highly competitive industry.” Belmont Abbey’s location in the heart of motorsports country provides students with unparalleled access to industry professionals and networking opportunities.

Designed for working professionals, the MA in Motorsport Management is affordable, asynchronous, and fully online, allowing students to complete the program in as little as 12 months. Graduates will be well-positioned for roles such as Motorsport Team Manager, Sponsorship Coordinator, Track Operations Manager, Data Analyst, and Risk Management Specialist, among others. For more information about this program, click here.��

Press Inquiry Contact:

Sarah Bolton, ��e, sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.

Download Now.��

November 22, 2024 By radefolaju Leave a Comment

November 22nd: Update from Dr. Thierfelder

Dear Colleagues, Students, and Friends,

It is a beautiful day on campus as the semester comes to a close. Everyone is preparing to depart for Thanksgiving and remote final exams the following week. Please watch the video update to learn more about some of the wonderful academic and athletic accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students.

God Bless,

November 22, 2024 By Laura Schaffer Leave a Comment

I will be brave.

My nephew is three years old. He’s a funny, shy little guy, and he doesn’t much like the pool. So when my sister explained to him how the carpool line would work at his new preschool, he imagined a different scenario than the one she was trying to describe. A long pause followed her question, “Do you understand, buddy?” And then a little, determined voice from the backseat said, “Yes. I will be brave. I will close my eyes and jump in.”

Ever since I heard the story, I’ve had this quote on a sticky note at the base of my computer screen. I put it where I can see it every day because – for all the truly beautiful and inspiring words I’ve been blessed to encounter in philosophy, in poetry and literature, and in the stunningly great texts of our Western canon – I can remember few things that have ever cut with so little ceremony across all my distraction and self-consciousness. “I will be brave. I will close my eyes and jump in.”

As human beings we enjoy complexity. It’s delicious to delve deep into a question, or explore a difficult puzzle, or relish the symphonic workings of a natural phenomenon. People are complex and interesting; life is complex and interesting; and our emotions and relationships do and should reflect this complexity. It’s good to rejoice in the playful and profound multiplicity-in-unity that fills creation. But sometimes we forget, also, that “one thing alone is necessary.” There’s a reason Christ has to remind us to “become like little children.”

My nephew understands what it means to be brave. He can’t dispute the question in existential terms or tell a thematically complex story about fortitude. And he had trouble grasping what a carpool line is. But he also sees through to the heart of something important – and with a clarity and a moral honesty I often fail to match in my own life.

When we talk about the benefits of a specifically Benedictine liberal arts education, we don’t typically mention humility. But the fact that one of the ten Benedictine hallmarks grounds us in our littleness is actually a profound gift because – as we go about the good and necessary work of developing and maturing our human capacities of body, mind, and soul, becoming all that we were created to be – humility reminds us of our own, beloved smallness, within which a child’s innocent simplicity always has something to teach us.

This weekend, as we approach the beautiful season of Advent, let’s remember that the God who became a little child for our sake also speaks to us in the humblest, simplest of ways.