Belmont Abbey College

The Honors Institute of Belmont Abbey College
provides to qualified students a wide range
of unique curricular, co-curricular, and
extra-curricular experiences. Most
prominently, the Honors Institute curriculum
features courses in which some of the greatest
or most influential texts of ancient, Christian,
and modern writers are studied and discussed.
To frequent the company of such authors
enables one to consider the enduring truths of human existence and confront the roots of contemporary thought and attitudes.

Financial Aid still available for qualified students...

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Click here to download the Honors Institute Brochure (PDF)

• Expanded 4-year core curriculum based on the ‘Great Books’, while still earning one of our many academic majors
• $3500 travel stipend for summer study in Europe OR a "The Washington Experience," a week in our nation's capital.
• Beach/mountain retreats with faculty
• Extensive cultural appreciation opportunities to attend ballets, symphonies, plays, jazz concerts, and the like

• Honors degree and Honors Institute diploma

Students with the following qualifications will be considered for admission to The Honors Institute:

• 3.70 or higher high school GPA (unweighted)
• 1200 SAT score (minimum verbal score of 600)
• Honors Institute application including an essay
• Personal interview

More information and an Honors Institute application can be obtained online or from the admissions office.

Students accepted to the Honors Institute become ‘fellows’ of the college and receive competitive fellowship awards ranging up to $17,000 per year in financial assistance.

Dr. Thuot is Director of the Honors Institute, Professor of Political Science, and Chair of the Social Sciences Division. He received a B.A. in Philosophy from Assumption
College, has studied literature at
the Bread Loaf School of English in
Vermont and Theology at the
University of Ottawa. He obtained
his Ph.D. in Political Science
from the University of Chicago
in 1983.

Dr. Thuot is also
the recipient of the
Adrian Award for
Teaching Excellence
and was recently
a Fulbright Lecturer
at the University of
Malta. He has been
at Belmont Abbey
College since 1975 and
teaches courses in political
philosophy, Shakespeare’s Politics, constitutional law, American government as well as the History of Ideas courses in the Honors Institute. Several of his courses place special emphasis on the dramatic clash of ideas between ancients and moderns, a clash which helps students to understand better some of the principal tensions within the soul of modern man. He stresses the importance of being prepared for every class and seeks to encourage independent-minded reflection in his students.In addition to his keen appreciation of the performing arts, he relishes the discipline and grace of athletic competition and is an avid tennis player.