The Catholic College of the South
The Fox News article titled, Catholic college vows to gain ‘financial freedom’ from ‘increasingly hostile’ federal mandates: 海角社在线 in North Carolina is seeking financial independence from federal policies ‘inimical to Catholic education,’聽details the heart behind some of the pillars of the Made True Campaign.
Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Aslan Alp Wondergem
Seventeen hours is what it took me to come to Belmont, North Carolina. My name is Aslan Alp Wondergem, and I was born in Belgium, but I now live in Germany. My mother is Turkish, and my dad is from the Netherlands.聽
When coming from a distance and not knowing people, you would think finding new friends takes a lot of work. Still, at Belmont, the community is so welcoming and interested people that they come up and start the conversation asking about where you are from, and that shows how quickly friends are made at the Abbey. When leaving home, you understand what it is like living alone without your parent’s help, but thanks to all the helpful staff and coaches’ help, I and others settle in. Their support makes it easy and great to come into a new community all alone. When coming from Europe, you also have to adapt to the culture change and how different it is to live in these places. Since Belmont is so diverse, finding people from similar backgrounds and making a connection is straightforward. For me, one was Lex Van den Bergh, who is also from Belgium, and we instantly connected; he said, 鈥淚 enjoy the fact that Belmont is one big family and not just between the teams but a big community in general.鈥
When coming from such a distance, the trip was difficult as I had to get on two planes, and being in a plane for that long isn’t for everyone. When leaving home, I had to leave my family and friends, which is challenging as the time difference makes it difficult to talk to them as much as you do when you are back home. My car is also something I would have access to, and not having a car is difficult, as back home, I would use it every day, making life 10x easier.聽
Living here is very different from home, but with the people around us being so supportive and helpful, the transition is a lot easier. All the teachers, the staff, and the coaches want the best, which helps you when coming from a distance. Making friends that will last from the beginning till the end of college is accessible in a community like Belmont Abbey.聽
This article was originally posted in the Spring of 2023, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.
Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Ayanna Pompey
The word 鈥淢ental Health鈥 scares most individuals due to the stigma that the public has created. The truth is they have the wrong impression and are misinformed. Mental Health involves our emotional, psychological, and social state. Mental Health signs can play out in our daily activities like schooling, work, or family events.聽 A range of different emotions are among Mental Health such as Anger, Pride, Resentment, and Anxiety.聽 Luckily for us, Belmont Abbey offers a free counseling service for students on and off campus by appointment base. The school counseling session is handled by a licensed therapist that are extremely confidential and helps open a new perspective of thinking.聽 The service can be found on the school鈥檚 web page or around campus on flyers.
Social Media overuse can be harmful when used as a comparison battle. The power of social media can be changed with how we participate with any app. Instead of using it for long hours, set a timer to remind you to take a break. This certainly isn’t a bashing towards social media but merely a reality check for remembering you are worthy in all aspects.聽
College students and youth members are still evolving into the people we are meant to become. Time and hard work can help lead to our own definition of greatness without comparing ourselves to others. We have to reevaluate our priorities and live up to our standards. Be kind to yourself and allow room for mistakes and improvements. The term 鈥淢ental Health鈥 is a vibrant topic that should be seen as progression towards a person wanting help instead of being dismissive of it. Let鈥檚 start today by embracing Mental Health and everyone who feels as they need someone to vent to. I want to share a quote that embraces empowerment and togetherness in a time of need.聽
鈥淟ife doesn鈥檛 make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, the better for us all.鈥澛 鈥 Erik Erikson
This article was originally posted in the Spring of 2023, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.
Author: The Crusader Staff Writer,聽Reagan Cullen
Belmont Abbey prides itself in providing their students with a great education that will open many doors for students in the future. One way in which their education exceeds expectations is the provided options of majors and minors, despite how small the program is. Along with a lengthy list of majors, the school offers around fifty minors. One minor provided by the college is Art History. Although I am not studying this field myself, I have heard great things about the Art History minor, and therefore would like to shed some light on it.
This program is coordinated by Linda Pastryk, along with student Brianna Sroka as President. Art History studies art, infrastructure, buildings, sculptures, etc. in history, taking into consideration its historical and cultural context to understand its connection and effect on society. The Art History minor requires 15 credit hours. Some of the courses that it entails are Prehistory through the Middle Ages (AR 101), Renaissance to Modern (AR 102), and The Art, Architecture, and Religion of India, China, and Japan (AR 300).
After sitting down with the Art History minor鈥檚 president, Brianna Sroka, I was able to learn more about the minor. She shared how the classes open your eyes to how art and architecture can reveal so much information about Earth鈥檚 history. Sroka also shared that her favorite experience was when she visited the Mint Museum in Uptown Charlotte with her professor, Linda Pastryk. Sroka commented on the beautiful art that she was able to observe, recalling how excited she was when she discovered there was a section dedicated to fashion throughout history.
While it is encouraged students choose a minor that is specific to their interests and possible career choice, the Art History minor is one I highly recommend if you find yourself short of a minor and are interested in the subject. Through this program, you will be allowed to understand art from the past that has impacted historical and modern society, and even be provided with the opportunity to attend festivals, museums, and art shows firsthand.
This article was originally posted in the Spring of 2023, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.
Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Andrea Antezana
Belmont Abbey’s history minor is an excellent program for students seeking to explore the world’s mysteries through studying the past and present. By studying history, one can better understand the lives and views of those living in the world and the events that have impacted our present.
Not only do history students learn lessons about the past, but gain valuable experience and skills in research, writing, communication, problem-solving, analytical thinking, etc.聽
A minor in history complements any major and is an excellent addition to anyone’s intended career path. To pursue a history minor, one must complete 15 hours of history courses at the 200 level or above in addition to the core requirements and one’s major requirements.聽
Not all history courses are offered every year. Some courses one may choose from to complete the history minor requirements include:
The Belmont Abbey history program will prepare one to tackle any career or graduate program. History students commonly go into business, journalism, politics, law, etc. There are various internship opportunities for history students at museums, preservations, historical sites, etc.
Come and be a part of the history community at BAC!
This article was originally posted in the Spring of 2023, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.
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