BELMONT, N.C. (August 22, 2006) -- Belmont Abbey College broke ground today for an alumni house, the majority funded by a $400,000 contribution from Gaston county native and retired Belmont banking executive, Dr. Johnnie Lowry. A 1981 business graduate of the Abbey's Adult Degree Program (ADP), Lowry was also the first female member of the College's board of trustees.
The ceremony began with remarks by College President Dr. Bill Thierfelder who first recognized Bridget Beck ’49 SHA for making the first $200 contribution to the Alumni House eight years ago. Abbot Placid Solari O.S.B. and Bishop Peter Jugis then blessed the site along with Fr. David Kessinger 0.S.B. ’51 who provided the reading .
Belmont Abbey College National Alumni Association President, Mike McGinnis, along with Alumni and Parent Relations Director and Associate Director, Frances Kirk Piñeros '99 and Gayle Dobbs, were also on hand to participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking and group photos that followed.
" For those of us who have been blessed to be alumni of this institution, the Abbey will always be our 'home'," said Mike McGinnis. "Thanks to the generosity and vision of Johnnie Lowry and Bridget Beck, that 'home now has a 'house' for all of our alumni to enjoy," he added.
The 2,408 sq. ft. house, located near the Gaston Science Building , was designed by Bill Monroe of WGM Designs. It will feature a brick exterior, reception area, ballroom, guest quarters with a separate entrance, full kitchen and a porch as well as offices for the Alumni and Parent Relations staff. The building contractor, Charlie Caputo ’88, owner of Spectrum Building Company, was also responsible for the renovation of Belmont Abbey's coffeehouse, Holy Grounds, last year.
Continuously ranked one of the best comprehensive colleges in the southeast by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, Belmont Abbey College is located just 10 miles west of Charlotte , N.C. , the largest city in the Carolinas . Steeped in its 130-year Catholic Benedictine heritage, this liberal arts college is home to more than 1,100 students from 34states and 17 countries and welcomes anyone from any background or tradition committed to its vision of excellence and virtue.
Media Contact:
Colleen Brannan
704/458-2289
colleenbrannan@bac.edu |
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