Belmont Abbey College - Spire Yearbook (Belmont, NC)

Text from Pages 1 - 28 of the 1951 volume:

J ul SpbudtsL . Let us forget the mistakes of the past, and press on .to the gBeater, achievements .of ibe. future , http: www.arcnive.org aeTails spire1951 belm 53083 MIRRORS OF MEMORIES Compliments of JONES FURNITURE COMPANY FRED H. JONES, Owner FURNITURE, RADIOS AND REFRIGERATORS 262-264 Weir Main Avenue GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA TELEPHONE 5-0061 WE ' RE ON OUR WAY Pmident Student Council _ _ Joha Q y Officen College Grtdutting Clau: President _ _ H«ry J. McOrth,, jr. J Pfe dent - J 0. Moody Trewurer Fflndj £ Mod r tor - -Father M tthew, 0 3.  ■- .- THE COLLEGE Mooney Jewelers 108 E. 4th St. Phone 4-5674 Charlotte 2, N. C. Expert Watch Repairing Compliments ! of the HARRY PARKER CO. ■ Charlotte Council Knights of Columbus Compliments Charles Moody Co. i • Charlotte, N. C. • « • • • • • • Compliments Bank of Belmont Belmont, N. C. Compliments F. E. CHECKWRITING CO. • CharloHe, N. C. £ johne.eck Ralph A. Padgett Gastonia, N. C. £ POU ch D fr°M R r CO Jeweler Charlotte, N. C. STOWE MERCANTILE CO. i „ , Belmont, N. C. | Belmont ' N ' C 1 WE MOVE FORWARD - - ON NEW TOURS ST. LEO ' S HALL THE PREP SCHOOL President Student Council.. Secretary Officers Prep Graduating Class: Jim Pat Ros Michael G. P. Walsh, Jr... J. Marshall McDonnell ..... Francis R Moeslein, Jr Mr. David J. Gorney ...Michael G. P. Walsh, Jr. ltio... A. Quigley President -Vice President Treasurer Secretary Moderator The World Makes Way For A Determined Man ' THE COLLEGE GRADUATES! They are from left to right, FOURTH ROW: Gerard White, Wilbur Loving, Donald Flaherty Horace Harris George Reuier, Belton Patty, Robert Driscoll. rianerty, Horace Hams, THIR Mn °T : R0 !T Kdl I ' Th ? maS Melvin Efskine Rh0deS ' GeM WiIson - J° hn Yacobi, Gordon Payne Silas Moore, Gene Reeves, Samuel Rhyne, Thomas Hovis, Harry Brown, Edmund Rabil. SECO £? K R S! : « mme p n I fT n AugUSt N ° Vak Rafael Cowle y- Francisco S ™, H «y McCarthy, Jack Moody Joseph McCaffrey, Frank Gragnani, Porter Gibson, Frank Pelone. J Y ' FRONT ROW: Wells McConnell, Henry Kmiec, Frank Stolte, David Kessinger, Otis Helms. ABSENT: William Allen, Richard Bain, James Cloniger, William Danco, Aubrey Hollar, Roger Wright. Charles KKOajt, Joseph Moore, Wdburn Queen, Norns Rumfelt, Joseph Shine, Thomas Smile red $L±, John The Man Ever Loaded With An Excuse Seldom Gets Th ere THE PREP GRADUATES! Introducing from left to right, BACK ROW: Van Gnann, Herbert Ferguson, Jr., Fred Jones, Jose Ysern, Thomas Quigley. FRONT ROW: Wilham Frain, Frank Moeslein, Jim Pat Ros, Michael Walsh, J. Marshall McDonnell, Charles Nobles. DEDICATION FATHER FLORIAN S. CHECKHART, O.S.B. Treasurer 1933 to 1951 We, the Graduates of Belmont Abbey College and Preparatory School, together with all the students past and present, respectfully dedicate this SPIRETTE to his memory because Great servants of God are often most careful about little things. They waste nothing. So we must be careful; life must have its Dont s as well as its ' Do ' s ' . Have Courage! Have Confidence! THE CLASSES COLLEGE FROSH F0U f™) ChaT RObCrt ' S ' John GtUe ° 1 Se Brown ' Fraak Petenon - J°«P h Sheenan, Robert Kelleher, Yi-Chun ™5LL°k J JSl ] t ?°ble WUliam Caskey .John Chesser, Gene Hanna, Edward Anderson, Richard Mathews. Harold Kusterer, Malcolm Rawlins, Norman Bain, B. T. Green SBC ° D 3°Jl. 2 LuCM ,J J ™ 1 ™ B ™ D iel Blackwood, William Ach, William Kennedy, Frank Creery, Edward McCaffrey, Gene Ratchford, Albert Franklin, Manuel Bias, Luther Lineberger M tahcT Th ° ma5 ' PatriCk NeiU011 ' AXthUf D0Wdy, Tb ° miU IUftery CaXroU Thom ' ThomM D vi  ' J° P° ABSENT: Shao-Hsiang (Luke) Chang Phil De Turk, David Horne, Kenneth Huffstetler, Lindsay McElwee, Howell Moore Melvin Rabb, Frankhn RozielL Joseph Shackelford, Robert Yacobi. PREP III BACK ROW: Gerald Genest, Gerald Leeper, Peter Harris, Gerald Sinkoe, Edward McDonald, Charles Newton, Joseph Bistany. CENTER ROW: Guy Titman, Jerrell Mock, Christopher Dudley, William Mundy, Rory Ros, Raymond Mc- Dermott, Richard Spencer, Jr. FRONT ROW: Rodolfo Laama, Edward Palomo, Charles Wade, John Anderson, George Stuart, John William- son, Howell Mann. PREP II rriS ™ Ha r7 Elmore ' J r - Colin Campbell, John Mercer.. FRONT RO sI hT 5 ' ff A Essex ' Geo ' S e Younginer, Donald Barlcley, Thomas Shaw, Thomas Barnett FRONT ROW. Sammy Hagley, John Grose, Edward Quigley, Bucky Dav.s, John Borrini, Louis Kaman Gary LyonT ' PREP I ?RSNT R ?OW R ° S e t r,h e Aif Ma Hedri - Louis Martinez, Dick Tart, Donald Shirley, Robert Barnett. Sri J P ° ' Da ny Gardner ' Jam£S AnderSOn ' Den y Freeman P ri McDonnell, Manuel Lopez, Donald ABSENT: Jack Martin. WITHIN THESE WALLS There Is No Such Thing As Undoing What We Have Done ABBEY PLAYERS: The dramatic group is composed of srudents from Sacred Heart College and Belmont Abbey College. ' They are one of the most active clubs in college life. Seven successful productions in the 1950-1951 season is their record viz BROTHER ORCHID. SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, THE RIVALS, THE YELLOW SHEET, PULLING THE CURTAIN VISION (Passiontide Drama) and ALL MY SONS. Forty-one srudents from the two schools participated in the busy season. The off.cers are: President— Belton Party; Vice President— Helen Anderson; Treasurer— Robert Kelleher; Secretary— Frank Stolte Director — Mr. David J. Gorney. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (College) : The season was Christmas, 1950. Men were of good cheer. Havana, Cuba saw a group of Abbeymen gather with Fathers Bernard, Cuthbert, and Anselm as their guests. The result of this meeting was an organization of an active and working college alumni association. Jose Atienza and Nicholas Medina are the leaders of this new movement to stir up the spark into a flame of interested activity among all former Abbeymen. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (Prep): Organized in December, 1949 with its purpose being a nonprofit organization for the de- velopment of an active interest in the Alma Mater as active members fcnd as alumni. The organization will promote better under- standing of vital affairs of school and members at large as well as everlasting good fellowship for those who desire it. BETA ALPHA SIGMA is a service club for the benefit of promoting school spirit and activities. The Club has done much to better the school and relationship of srudents to Abbey Life. The Officers: President Jerry White; Vice President Joe McCaf- frey; Secretary Dick Bain; Treasurer Frank Souza; Moderator Father Anthony, O.S.B. The Class Organizations: PREP I: We are the first year men. We ' ve been initiated into Abbey life. Our purpose this year was to watch and learn Under the guiding hand of our Moderator, Father Anthony, OSB., and our President, Bob Barnett; Vice President, Danny Gardner Treasurer, Louis Martinez; and Jim Anderson as Secretary, we have made an impression. PREP II: We sponsored a few raffles and the highly successful ' Sophomore Hop during the year. At the same time much of our work was to po.nt and lay plans for a busy and productive third year. Our mission has been accomplished! Our officers were Bucky LW, President; Ed Quigley, Vice-President; Jack Grose, Treasurer; John Borrini, Secretary; and Mr. David J Gorney Moderator. ' PREP III: We are responsible for the Junior-Senior Banquet. With Father Anselm, OS.B., as Moderator; John Anderson Presi- dent. George Stuart. Vice Present; John Williamson, Secretary; Charles Wade as Treasurer, we marched onward. The Armistice Day Dance, the raffle of the Record Player, being hosts to the annual April Shag dance, the Banquet, the Class Picnic were successfully completed. Scholastically, we were able to hold an above average position. PREP IV: We are the Seventy-Third graduating class of the Belmont Abbey Prep Department and the smallest since the war Our pro,ecrs for the year have been successfully completed. We had printed Birthday Card greetings and Christmas Card greetings for the entire student body. We sponsored the Christmas Play. We undertook the publication of THE SPIRETTE We continued the tradition of holding the annual SPRING SWING Dance. COLLEGE FRESHMEN: We are an average college freshman class. We played hard at sports; we studied; we remembered our friends in sickness and in health; we sponsored the satirical farce PULLING THE CURTAIN ; and, we enjoyed our St Pat- ricks Dance; the final prom of the year was ours to make a success— you are the judges. The class off.cers were President Frank Creery, Vice President William Kennedy; Secretary William Ach; Treasurer Edward McCaffrey; and Moderator Father Raphael, OS.B. COLLEGE SOPHOMORES with Father Matthew, O.S.B., as Moderator, sponsored successfully the traditional Christmas FormaL Members of the class worked unceasingly with delegates on a Constitution for the new Srudent Government. This was approved by the srudent body. rr THE CONTACT: This is our srudent newspaper, published monthly, carrying campus news, editorials, and literary aKides This publication provdes an outlet for the journalistic ventures of the srudents. Twenty-five members make up the staff under the direction of the faculty adviser, Father John, OS ., whose place was taken in April by Father Matthew, OSS. PREP D u D ,r Y STUDENTS GROUP has for its °« icers President Frank Moeslein; Vice President J. Marshall McDonnell Secre- tary PhUlip Martin; Treasurer Jerry Leeper; Moderator Father Anthony, OS.B. It was organized in October with the purpose of bringing the Off-Campus men closer to the Abbey and of making them an integral part of the schooL ££ Clm0nt AbbeyS ZETA LAMBDA a P °f the national junior college honorary society I r, f, ,u T ' ? M 8 ' Ve Sfeater inCeDtiVe l ° StUdy aDd scholarshi P; t° P °mote student leadership; to develop character- to cultivate fellowship and create a greater school spirit among the students of Belmont Abbey CoUege. ALPHA PI DELTA SIGMA: The purpose of the Prep schools ALPHA PI DELTA SIGMA Chapter of the National Honor Society £lS a ,S: !° T1 enthusiasm for olarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote worthy lead- ership, and to encourage the development of character in the students of Belmont Abbey Preparatory SchooL THE COLLEGE MONOGRAM CLUBS purpose is to promote loyalty, school spirit, good sportsmanship and to foster a friendly feeling among those who represent the Abbey in athletic competition. The group has been socially active during the pas. year AU proceeds realized are used ,n purchasing athletic sweaters for all eligible members. The officers of this organization are Presi- dent Frank Gragnam; V 1Ce President Bob Kelly; Treasurer Dick Bain; Secretary Hoof Gibson; Sgt.-atXms Tom Melvin THE PREP MONOGRAM CLUBS officers are WiUiamFrain, President; Chris Dudley, Vice-President; Van Gnann, Secretary- dr D U romot7. me er u ' V? SC , h r ' ?° a m0n ° gram any ° f the ™i° ' S P°- is eU « ible ' ° r -emr rship. Z club promotes loyalty to the school and friendship among the athletes who represent the school in competitive sports. 22 J? CLUB ' S a ° ° rganiza , 0n devoted t0 the «  ' of political, social, economic, and religious questions through the round to Lt ' y th£ PanidPantS C ° 8Sin a Cleaf id6a ° f thC thCOretiCal 3nd im P°™ things THE RIFLE TEAM is coached by Sgt. Costner and ,s a member of the National Rifle Association of America. The clubs purpose flT 71 t0 A r m ° te marksma sh, P ' but ak ° sportsmanship and good fellowship. A modern indoor range is located on the fourth melers Adm ' mStratl ° n B M « ™ h « - held with other colleges as well as matcln meets among tneloS LcSa Th? ' 5 $OCl u intended f ° r thC Prie h00d StUdem fieneral and Candidates for the Benedict! Order, in ss ist i l: s meet,n8s monthly - Topics « to vocations and reiiei ° n - di d - d - ™ H m thfA C bt?aL S dTT7 W3S f ° Unde V n ,914 f ° r PUfPOSe ° f Prepari 8 ?™S -  - ' at «« ZZZZ ,H V u ? lmp ° rtanCe of y° u g altar boys to serve at the sacred ceremonies cannot be estimated but to w,tness the young men as they take part in the holy rites is an inspiring sight. Father Thomas, O.S.B., is the Moderator. ES. DUrinS tHe T 3demiC yeaf ° f 195 °- 1951 ' the ScienCe Club ° une lnt ° an im P° rtant P ition in the life of many emo ovT P T Se ' 7 U y r at ' ° nal a d 8iVeS th ° Se imereSted a °PP° rtuni  h - ™ -iew prominent people zEz tzfizzizz act,ve clubs on the camp e officers are President ,Lph MccZ; STUDENT COUNCIL (College): One of the most important functions of the student government in a Catholic College is to c vur? r p to a r moral life - smdem c ° unca ° f Bd ™ nt « ™  guide ,ss act.vu.es, to foster a spirit of companionship among the student body and to do honor to the name of Belmont Abbey cXg, STUDENT COUNCIL (Prep): Is organized primarily to aid the students by giving advice and direction. It fosters leadershio MIRRORS OF MEMORIES There Never Is A Day When It Is Not Worth Your While To Be At Your Best MIRRORS OF MEMORIES H |M ' 11 mt i 1 s 1 1 tf C s i- j till THE YEAR No Matter What You May Undertake, Education, Forethought And Organization Will Help You To Accomplish It Better September 15. 1950! ' ! Bells began to ring! In procession we entered the Abbey Cathedral. We were awed by the solemnity, (he richness, the beauty of ihe ceremony. The inspirational sermon made us resolve to make good in this year of study. Six days later we heard wafting from the gym music, music, music. The annual Introductory dance was on in full swing. We watched the girls on our s.de of the gym and they watched us from their side of the gym. What beautiful music was wasted— remember? Now in October there was much done. Initiations were in progress or already completed. The bells continued to ring long and loud but we were also becoming accustomed to a new sound which came to us over the PA System. We were able to distinguish Mess Call from Taps. The big event of the month was attending the show BROTHER ORCHID given by the re- activated ABBEY PLAYERS. This was an all male cast and they were all stars from the silent Dum Dum to Little John Sarto (alias Brother Orchid) This was on the 27th. And oh yes, many of us journeyed to Sacred Heart College for the Halloween Dance. The Third Prep became the first class organization to sponsor a social event. This was the Armistice Day Dance. These lads of the Third Prep are hustlers. For a good reason too— theyve a heavy date in May— the annual Junior-Senior Banquet. November was also the month in which the height of Intramural Competition was in progress. The spirit of competition ofttimes produced a bloody nose here and a black eye there — d ' ya recall? Somehow, when December arrives, the spirit of Christmas permeates the air. The social activities have a tendency to lean to the happy holiday season. On the 2nd day of the last month of the year the successful and brilliant Christmas Formal Dance spon- sored by the Graduating Class was held. The decorative motif was in the Yuletide spirit and quite breathtaking. We were seeing the ABBEY PLAYERS for the second time this season. Their presentation sponsored by the Fourth Prep was a series of One Act Plays. They were THE YELLOW SHEET 1 (a comedy of campus journalism); THE RIVALS and SHE STOOPS TO CON- QUER (abridged plays of the original famous works). This presentation was good for a thousand laughs. How the heart leaped after Taps, a week before the holidays— over the PA system came the soft and sweet Christmas Carols. And then— the last bell! We were homeward bound for the Christmas vacation. Happy New Year! January, the month of exams, was upon us. Resolutions to do better dropped by the way. We followed the battles of the two representative teams on the hardwood. The Crimson and White Crusaders under Coach Wheeler were new and green and had an uphill fight all season. The Green and White Ramblers of F r . Thomas. OS.B., enjoyed a split season on wins and losses. In February, Ash Wednesday and the holy season of Lent arrived early. On the 4th, the ABBEY PLAYERS presented a satirical farce PULLING THE CURTAIN . This play was sponsored by the Freshman Class. On the 6th, the BETA ALPHA SIGMA again came through and gave us the Annual Mardi Gras Da ice. Fun and frolic reigned supreme. March came in like a lion and kept on roaring all the way. This was a very busy time for all. The date was the 2nd when the Ramblers went to Asheville and won the first K. of C. Catholic High School tournament. PHI THETA KAPPA held its initiation and banquet on the 8th. Our Retreat was a good one and th days were 9-10-11. The Frosh came through with the St Patricks Day Dance. Late that night, death took the college treasurer, Father Florian, O.S.B., from our midst. On the 18th the ABBEY PLAYERS presented the Passiontide Drama VISION . The 20th was a surprise because the bells stopped ringing and the bugles were quieted at noon instead of three: The Easter holidays began. The 29th ended the vacation and on the 30th we were attending a Pri« Dance at Sacred Heart College. We are on the last Up of school— or almost the end is in sight. The collegians are frantically doing research work for assigned Theses. The Prepsters are worrying about graduation; others, about passing. There was a Weiner Roast at SHC on the 3rd. The transferred Feast of St. Benedict on the 4th was enjoyed by attending the colorful holy rites in the Cathedral and a free day was acceptable. The Second Prep held its annual SOPHOMORE HOP on the 6th. The 20th was a gala date because the Third Prep gave us the now famous APRIL SHAG The social pace is killing. Reading this, one would think that we were living only for die social festivities. How wrong the thought! We had our intramural matches in tennis, handball, horseshoes, etc., when weather permitted. Our Crusaders were a power on the diamond and looked like champions. Scholastically we were bearing down at long last! May, the last month of hard work! Another year slowly grinds to an end. As this report goes to press we have the following dates facing us. The 3rd is Ascension Thursday and a free day. The Fourth Prep ' s biggest little dance SPRING SWING is due on the 5th. The Beta Alpha Sigma ' s picnic is scheduled for the 6 th. We ' ll all be present for Father Gabriel ' s, St. Benedict ' s Bazaar on the 9th (we hope). The 12th has been chosen as the Second Prep ' s picnic day. The 17th will find the Junior-Senior Banquet in full enjoyment. The final formal dance on the 19th. And on the 20th, the final production by the ABBEY PLAYERS will take place— it ' s Arthur Millers ALL MY SONS . The 28th will see us deep in exams— ugh! Good luck to alL June— it ' s all over now! Our Solemn Academic Mass of Thanksgiving and Baccalaureate Sermon takes place in the Abbey Cathedral on the 3rd. Monday the 4th, the graduating class of the Prep Department will hold its class day exercises in the college auditorium. June the 5th is the day of days — Graduation! So another year has passed into history. Goodbye, good luck, God Bless all of us. AtdatftUAfJu CRUSADERS Crusader Basketball and Baseball Review BY THE CONTACT SPORTS STAFF Usually when i school hai i ream thit wins only five out of 19 contests, people sort wondering what u wrong. There u my number of factors that can be considered in the case of this years Crusader five Looking for the different weaknesses, we see that among the prominent are: missing free throws (the Crimson and White lost five close ones due to their inaccuracy from the 15 foot marker), early season inexperience, and poor fan support. When Coach Wheelers original five took to the floor last November, they were De Turk, a freshman from Upper Darby, Pa., with no experience, at center; Kelly, last seasons big star and the captain, and Shine, a four-year player from Goldsboro High School, as forwards; Gibson, another returnee, and Yacobi of Hampton High School, at guards. Throughout the games, this starting lineup varied somewhat but the boys rounded into a fine smooth -working squad that looked like a good club during their last seven games. So now the 1951 season is finished. It was one which all who really followed the squad will remember; for, although the record isn ' t one to be envied, it was complete with thrills and some fine playing. However, on the good side of the ledger, we find that four of the boys who provided most of the seasons punch will be rerurning. Center De Turk, who amassed a total of (327) markers. Shine (149), Yacobi (95), and Raftery, all will be back in the crimson uniforms if khaki uniforms aren ' t substi- tuted. Peterson, a Winston-Salem freshman who missed most of the season with a broken arm, RozzeUe, Creery, and Kennedy will make the nucleus for a good team. With next seasons outcome a secret of the future, we want to say goodbye and wish luck to Captain Bob Kelly who easily was the most outstanding player on both defense and offense with a 184 total; also, gratitude to Frank Gragnani and Hoot Gibson and to reserves John Yacobi and Frank Souza, who possessed the kind of team spirit that we hope will be instilled for the next BASEBALL BEVIEW With a five won and two lost record at this writing, the 195 1 edition of the Belmont Abbey baseball team stands a fine chance of coming out on the top of the heap, come May 20. Gene Hanna is the main reason for the Abbeymen ' s third place posi- tion. Sam Rhyne, who has been doubling as short-stop pitcher dropped two heartbreakers. Tommy Davis has one win— that a 17 run slugfest in which he showed fine form. Bias and Dudley round out the Abbey mound staff. Captain Dick Bain has been doing fine work behind the plate. First base is being ably handled by BiU Frain. Frank Gragnani is a mainstay at second. Otis Helms and Erskine Rhodes, respectively, have been dividing third base chores. Sam Rhyne at short completes the infield. In Rhyne and Gragnani, Coach Wheeler possesses a better than average double-play duo. Jim Ros, a Prep speedster, is in left field and Tom Melvin is proving to be a terrific asset in center. Hanna and Bob Kelly have been sharing right field duties. Frank Creery and Jerry Leeper are being used as utility in fielders. Graduates on the ' 51 roster include Sam Rhyne. Frank Gragnani, Bob Kelly. Tom Melvin. Captain Dick Bain, Erskine Rhodes and Otis Helms. Conact will have to complete this history as we go to press before the baseball season ends. CRUSADERS - - THEIR PICTORIAL REVIEW ( SSC£. John Yacobi - Robert Yacobi - Porter Gibson - Hu h Sh - - ■ m Te Zl Gaeaa Kdly ' Phi ' De ™ ' - ABSENT: Frank Souza, Frank Rozelle. THE RAMBLERS THE GREEN AND WHITE When the call was issued for the Rimbler Basketball candidates, about forty boys tried out. In some schools this wouldn ' t be anything out of the ordinary, but when you realize that there are only about seventy boys in the entire Prep Department, it is quite an example of school spirit All Abbeymen are justly proud of the small Green and White squad. Fighting tooth and nail, the Ramblers asked no quartet  nd gave none. The season record is not impressive, bur they lost only three games by more than four points. A fourteen game schedule was split in even numbers lostwon With a new coach. Father Thomas. O.S.B.. at the helm, the team displayed fight and gameness in all their play. At the end of the regular season, the Ramblers journeyed to Asheville to participate in the first annual Knight of Columbus Basketball Tournament. This was an invitational tourney for the Catholic High schools of North Carolina The Ramblers defeated Catholic 66-17 in the first round and Cathedral Latin of Raleigh 46-32 to take the championship. A permanent trophy was brought home and the boys have one leg on the beautiful K. of C Rowing Trophy. Two more successive wins are necessary for permanent ownership. The Rambler spirit is a wholesome picture of what is meant by the Abbey spirit. Their zest to win is only overshadowed by their sportsmanship They are true representatives of the Abbey THE PREP INTRAMURAL PROGRAM King Football had gone from us by official decree. What now? What was there left to occupy the lively spirits of seventy odd Prepsters? In the minds of all, only bleakness and despair reigned. But. our fretting was to no avail. Coach Wheeler and Father Kevin. OSB.. had a full intramural program mapped out for us to participate in and enjoy. We were to have baseball football, tennis, handball, volleyball, basketball, ad infinitum. Four captains were chosen from the entire group, who in turn, from a hat, picked their teams. With such a beginning, any- thing could happen— and did Never was a sport in any field so hotly contested. The participants became scrappers with a never- say-die spirit. The seasons progressed and we found Captain Bill Frains YANKEES supreme in Baseball and Football and Captain George Stuarts GLOBETROTTERS, giants of the hardwood, win the championship in Basketball It ■ springtime again, and we find the young men busy on the courts of tennis, handball, horseshoes, and the diamond. At this writing two new champs have been crowned-Tom Quigley in Tennis and Jose Ysern ,n Handball. The program is far from bei ng complete but as the printer is calling for copy , we stop and refer you to final results which will appear in CONTACT THE RAMBLERS PICTORIAL REVIE W SEVENTY - FIVE YEARS OF PROGRESS You Can ' t Make Good Unless You Are Good In the fru of Our Lord 1875, the Benedictine Order acquired the Caldwell Plantation in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. The Rev. Dr. J J OConnell donated the land. In 1896, Father Herman Wolfe, O.SB., arrived at the Caldwell farm. This date marks the beginning of what 15 now Belmont Abbey Junior College and Prep School. Father Herman called the place Maria Stein (Mary of the Stone) because of a large shaft of granite which was found on the property It had served both u an Indian altar, and as a block on which slaves were sold The name was later changed to Mary-Help-of-Christians Abbey, and Sc Mary ' s College, and finally to its present title. Two boys from Richmond, along with Frederick and Samuel Gross from Charlotte, became the first students The first official school year began in the Fall of 1878. In March, 1877, Father Julius Kelly reached the new Priory. Most of the credit for building a small chapel belongs to him. Before the institution was much older, Abbot Wimmer left Saint Vincent ' s in Pennsylvania and visited the school He lifted the faltering spirits of the founders. When school started in 1881, a new brick building was used for the classrooms. This budding is now a pan of the monastery. It is interesting to note that the bricks which were used to build the original structures were made by the Brothers on the premises. They were baked in the sun and are now considered quite valuable Father OConneU, the original donor, came to the little community and took up his permanent residence here. Little progress wa made in the next few years, and by 1884 only three priests remained on the faculty. Abbot Wimmer, in order to save the foundation, enlisted eight monks who agreed to augment the declining staff of the school. In November. 1884, Rome elevated Mary Help to the dignity of an Abbey. On July fourteenth, 1885, Father Leo Haid was elected the first Abbot of Mary Help Abbey. In the next decade, a new college building was erected and the school received its charter from the State of North Carolina. On May 7, 1891, the Grotto was dedicated. It is a remarkable replica of the place where Saint Bernaderte saw Our Lady One year later Abbot Haid, now Bishop and Vicar Apostolic of North Carolina, laid the cornerstone of the new Abbey CathedraL On the morning of May 19, 1900, a fire broke out in the new west wing of the College The flames destroyed the building and caused a loss of more than one hundred thousand dollars. It was rebuilt immediately, and the college opened as usual in September. In 1924, Bishop Haid passed away and was succeeded by the present Abbot, the Rt Rev. Vincent G. Taylor, O.S.B. In recent years, a new gymnasium, along with several smaller buildings, and a new water system, have been added to the Abbey. The old gymnasium has been renovated and is now the library; the west wing of the brother ' s house has become a modern science building. In seventy-five years. Belmont Abbey has developed into a flourishing institution. It is historic in its traditions. Christian in its principles, and is regarded as one of the finest Junior Colleges in the South. At the Abbey, mental, physicaL and spiritual development forms modern Christian gentlemen . . . Abbeymen. THE ADMINISTRATION The Blessing Of Earth Is Toil Rev. Bernard L Rosswog, O.S.B. r ev . Cuthbert E. Allen, O.S.B. Rev. Anthony Cahill, O S B The R «Dr College Dean Prep Dean Rt. Rev. Vincent G. Taylor, D.D., O.S.B. Abbot-President Rev. Walter Coggins, O.S.B. Chaplain Rev. Raphael Bridges, O.S.B. Assistant College Dean THE SPIRETTE STAFF The Great End Of Life Is Not Knowledge But Actions Francis R. Moeslein, Jr. Editor Mr. David J. Gorney Moderator The Graduating Class of Belmont Abbey Prepara- tory School, who made this publication a reality, express their sincere appreciation to those Abbeymen, who, realizing the importance of this endeavor, gave aid unstintedly. The Alma Mater Hymn Hail! Alma Mater, hail dear ol ' Abbey, We axe thy sons and thee we love; Faithful we ' ll always be Strengthened in loyalty — With help from above. The Varsity Victory Son£ Hail to the Crimson Hail! to the White; Hail! Alma Mater, we ' ll always fight; We love no other — Let our motto be: Victory, Abbeymen, Varsity! Directory of College Graduates and Preparatory School Grad uates COLLEGE Allen, William Marcus, Jr 207 N. Central Ave., Belmont, N. C Bain, Richard E Cro2et Va Brown, Harry Edwin 406 W. Sixth Ave., Gastonia, N. C. Cowley, Rafael. Calle 13 859 ent. 4 y 6 Vedado, Havana, Cuba Danco, William John. — _..1308 Oleander Ave., Norfolk 6, Va. Driscoll, Robert William Carmel Road, Charlotte, N. C. Flaherty, Donald Joseph 1375 E. 34th St., Brooklyn 10, N. Y. Gibson, John Porter _ _ 1816 East Blvd., Charlotte 3, N. C Gragnani, Francis Dominic 3 South Blvd., Richmond 21, Va. Helms, Otis Dwight ._ (Box 203), N. Belmont, N. C. Hollar, Aubrey Cepn _ _ Mt. Island Rd., Mt. Holly, N. C. Hovis, Lowell Thomas 58 N. Trent St. (Box 525) Belmont, N. C Kelly, Robert Kevin 1338 Eleventh Ave., Brooklyn 15, N. Y. Kessinger, David Egan 69 Alleghany St., Clifton Forge, Va. Kienast, Charles Frank R. F. D. 1, Chipley, Ga. Kmiec, Henry Martin 1416 Princeton Ave., Trenton 8, N. J. Loving, Wilbur Monroe __. 2903 Woodcliff Ave., Richmond 22, Va. McCaffrey, Joseph Edwin care International Paper Co., Georgetown, S. C. McCarthy, Harry Joseph, Jr 1404 Raleigh Ave., Hampton, Va. McConnell, Abram Wells _ ....Route I, Mt. Holly, N. C. Melvin, Thomas Joseph _ 4006 Park Ave., Richmond 21, Va. GRADUATES Moody, Jack Owen, Jr _39 Main St., Cooleemee, N. C Moore, Joe Taylor 1020 Ridge Street, Gastonia, N. C Moore, Silas Alton _ _ . Stanley, N. C Novak, August Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, N. C Patty, Belton... 25 Clyde Street, Asheville, N. C Payne, Gotdon Beames Union Road, Gastonia, N. C Pelone, Francis Wheeler 621 E. Fremont, Charlotte, N C Rabil, Edmond John 503 Kenmore Ave., Louisburg, N. C Reeves, Gene Sigmon R. F. D. 2, Gastonia, N. C Reiner, George Henry Southern Pines, N. C Rhyne, Samuel Cornelius (Box) 342, Dallas N. G Rumfelt, Norris Richard 63 Garrison, Belmont, N. C Shine, John Faison, Jr 1102 Laurel, Goldsboro, N. G Smiley, Thomas Edgar 220 Garrison, Bolmont, N. G Smith, Fred 1007 State Street, Charlotte, N. G Soma, Francisco Rodolfo.. care Ga Agricola de Guatemala Tuquisate, Guatamala Stolte, Francis Vincent — 276 Conover St, So. Amboy, N. J. White, Gerard Peter 318 Grandin Road, Charlotte, N. G Wilson, Gene Francis 109 Edgefield Ave., Gastonia, N. G Wright, John Evans 403 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem, N. G Wright, William Roger 184 Center St., Cramerton, N. G Yacobi, John Carroll 129 Locust Ave., Hampton, Va. PREP GRADUATES Ferguson, Herbert Earl 511 Central Ave., Belmont. N. C. Moeslein, Francis Raymond, Jr 1500 Kenilworth Ave, Frain, William Joseph III 49 East 59th St., Savannah, Ga. Charlotte, N. G Gnann, Van Clark _ Deerfield Beach, Fla. (Box 638) Nobles, Alfred Charlers...._ ...6 Willobank, Georgetown, S. G Isetn, Peter Joseph 722 San Benigno, Havana, Cuba Quigley, Thomas Augustine .527 Poindexter Drive, Charlotte 3, N. G Jones, Fred Ridgeway 1305 Jackson Road, Gastonia N C D , t, • ,„ n • , „ „ . D ,.„. CJ , ' u Ros, James Patrick 518 Prince St. (Box 175). Georgetown, S. G Mart.n, Philip Edward North Main St., Mount Holly N C McDonnell, Joseph Marshal. _. _ „, Bryan St., Belmont, . C. ££ P G 53083