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Being Broke Is No Joke… How To Become Financially Literate in College.

February 12, 2023 By bacw Leave a Comment

Being Broke Is No Joke… How To Become Financially Literate in College.

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Regina Vegihe

“Money the Abbey Way” (MTAW) is ��’s program to improve students’ financial literacy. This program has the following mission statement: “Your beliefs about money, and the decisions you make about money, are intimately related to what it means to live a good life and to lead a life of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become a responsible citizen, and to be a blessing to yourself and others.”

In other words, MTAW teaches students how to wisely save, earn, spend, borrow, and tithe money. Dr. Cote, the advisor of MTAW, recommends that students start saving now as she says, “Putting money aside daily instead of buying coffee will pay off for the long term.” Furthermore, “It is about thinking long term, not just short term.”

MTAW hosts many events for Financial Literacy as well. In September, MTAW hosted its first Financial Literacy event of the year. Soon, an email will be sent out with details about a speaker presenting on investment risks. In the spring, a speaker will be presenting on employee benefits. Dates of these events will be coming soon.

There are five tips that MTAW strives to teach Belmont Abbey Students. These include…

Knowing Personal Finance to make an informed financial decision
Apply Finance principles to a situation and choose the best financial outcome for them
Understand Church Teachings about money and apply them to their life.
Think about beliefs and values to use money wisely for themself, their family, and their community.
Confidence in making a financial decision. To learn more about MTAW, go to the Online Student Success Hub on

canvas and look under modules for “Financial Literacy: Money the Abbey Way” Many resources, such as bac.igrad.com, will help students understand personal��ھ��Բ��Գ��.

Being broke is no joke, so start learning about personal finance now. You will thank yourself later!

This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 2 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.

February 11, 2023 By radefolaju Leave a Comment

February 10th: Update from Dr. Thierfelder

Watch the latest message from the President of ��, Dr. Bill Thierfelder.

February 11, 2023 By bacw Leave a Comment

English Major Looking Forward to Potential Jobs

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Katherine Scifers

The idea of graduating college is both an exciting and very nerve-racking thing to think about. Saying that we only have about nine weeks left in the whole of the first semester, graduation is coming up faster than most seniors probably realize, and it is definitely almost here for those of us troubled souls who are graduating in December, one of which I am. No matter when the seniors are graduating, we are all concerned about what we will be doing as soon as we leave Belmont Abbey. As an English major who has absolutely no idea what I am doing once I graduate, this is extremely nerve-racking.

Having been an English major for almost my whole career at the Abbey, I have heard all the common sayings about never finding a job as an English major or that the only job I will get will be a teacher. Although being a teacher is a noble and important job, I am sure that not every English major wants to be a teacher. Therefore, I thought it might be helpful to share all the jobs I plan on applying to as an English major because I am convinced I can get a job with my degree.

The first type of job that I am applying to are jobs in social media. These jobs are new and exciting and allow for creativity. Social media jobs are great for English majors because a lot of social media actually has a lot to do with writing and rhetoric, two elements that English majors know all too well. Plus, it’s an excellent way for people who want to be creative writers to have a creative outlet and write new but short things all the time.

The next type of job that I am applying to is a reporter/journalist. These jobs are made for English majors, and I bet that each one of us English majors has dreamed about being a reporter or journalist. Therefore, we should apply for these jobs, even if we think we will not get them.

Not getting a job is not bad; the bad thing is not applying for a job because we are afraid of rejection, which goes for every major. Even if you do not meet all the requirements but want that job, you might as well apply. I mean, you never know; you might be surprised.

The last type of job that I am going to apply to is a brand strategist. This job is perfect for an English major for similar reasons to why the social media job is excellent for an English major. Both of these jobs have to do with the image, tone, and overall rhetoric of a brand, which as English majors, we are used to changing and/or presenting in a specific and well-thought-out way.

If none of these jobs sound appealing to you as an English major, I would recommend checking out Indeed’s 20 Great Jobs for English Majors. Overall, as an English major and all soon-to-be-graduates, it is crucial not to lose hope when doing a job search. Finding a job is difficult, and you will most likely get a lot of rejections, but it is all about preserving and taking risks. So, apply for that dream job and just keep on applying.

This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 2 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.

February 10, 2023 By Laura Schaffer Leave a Comment

Happy Feast of St. Scholastica!

From time to time I like to offer particular saints as sources of inspiration and models of virtue. And since this is the Feast of St. Scholastica, I just can’t pass up the opportunity to take a peek at her story today. After all, she’s St. Benedict’s beloved twin sister, and at ��, she has a special place in our Benedictine hearts.

The founder of an order of nuns based a few miles from her brother’s monastery in Monte Casino, Scholastica spearheaded the women’s Benedictine movement alongside Benedict’s masculine order. In fact, my favorite story about St. Scholastica hinges on her proximity to Benedict, in more ways than one.

Once a year, the twins would meet to spend a day at a farmhouse between their communities, where they prayed, discussed spiritual matters and shared what amounted to an annual retreat. It was a blessing to which they always looked forward, a period of refreshment and fellowship.

On what would be their final meeting before her death, Scholastica asked Benedict to stay and continue their prayer and reflection through the night. But her brother refused, reminding her that this contravened the rule of his order, by which monks weren’t permitted to spend nights outside the monastery.

I like to imagine the scene that followed: Scholastica bowing her head and folding her hands quietly, as Benedict walks to the door and stops, stares out at the sudden storm, which is rapidly gathering in what had been, up to then, an immaculate sky. Turning back to his sister with consternation, he demands, “What have you done?” But she looks up and smiles, shrugging that “I asked for something and you refused, so I asked God and he granted it.”

I always enjoy the gutsy mixture of trust and love in that story – and the tenderness and sense of humor in her relationship, not only with Benedict – with whom she models the kind of Platonic friendship that embraces a shared journey toward the Good – but also with God. She asks without presuming, and the response she receives is a seamless expression of merciful love, through which she enjoys a few more hours of Benedict’s prayerful companionship before their earthly separation. St. Scholastica reminds me that God is playful and kind, and that when He seems to be thwarting my intentions – as Benedict may have felt, looking out at the storm – He’s actually offering a different gift.

St. Scholastica, pray for us!

February 10, 2023 By bacw Leave a Comment

Stowe Hall: 136 Years of History

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, John Walker

We walk past it every day, but how often do we think about Stowe Hall’s history? Built in 1898, Robert Lee Stowe Hall has been a vital part of ��’s campus as an academic building, a dining hall, a residence hall, and even more. Named for local entrepreneur Robert Lee Stowe, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places as a part of the �� Historic District, having been added in 1993.

Construction began under Abbot Leo Haid and Brother Wolfgang Trexler in 1886, taking twelve years to complete the building. In those days, it was called the College Building. It was built directly attached to the monastery for ease of use by the monks. The building features a Gothic-style tower on its western side, while the front entrance features a neo-Classical portico.

In 1900, a fire burned through the inside of the College Building, destroying much of the inside. Work to restore the inside began immediately, and fundraising efforts helped return the building to its former state. Classes were able to be held in the building again the next academic year. As the college grew in the 20th century, the College Building was used for classes, dining, and residence. There was even a rifle range in the building at one point.

Eventually, the name was changed to Robert Lee Stowe Hall in 1983, honoring the textile magnate and Gaston County native. The Stowe family has been vital to the development of the town of Belmont and our college. Over 136 years since the beginning of its construction, Stowe Hall remains our main academic building and one of the most iconic buildings on campus.

This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 2 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.