Belmont Abbey College - Spire Yearbook (Belmont, NC)

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the third Abbot Ordinary of Belmont Abbey. Abbot Wal- ter undertook an ambitious expansion program, ably as- sisted by Father Jude Cleary, O. S.B. Within twelve years he had completed an expan- sion program costing over 4.5 million dollars, includ- ing the Taylor Library, the three dormitories, Wheeler Centers, and the Gaston Sci- ence Hall, among other projects. By 1964, these ad- ditions were paying off: res- ident students became the support of the Abbey, total enrollment was up 27% and, in 1969, 830 students were enrolled at Belmont Abbey College. Times were also changing: the faculty became, to a large degree, lay, students arrived with new ideas on individual liberty, and many restrictions were dropped. Vatican Council II called Abbot Walter to Rome from 1962-1965. By the time of his return, many problems had arisen, not the least was ' HAH Twelve - - - ' -- v™™ -™.™—.™-

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Taylor as president, with Fathers Cuthbert Allen and Bernard Rosswog, O.S.B. aiding him. Due to several factors, among them age and illness, Abbot Vincent ordered the election of a vicar to assist him in the administration of his office. Accordingly, Father Walter Coggin, O.S.B. was elected and took the position. Fa- ther Walter demonstrated remarkable energy, and immediately, improvements began to take place at the Abbey. In 1956, the Prepara- tory High School Department was dropped. An extensive overhaul of the electrical wiring was completed. Ground was broken for the Abbot Vincent Taylor Li- brary in 1957, a student center was set up in St. Leo ' s Hall, the school be- came accredited as a senior college by the Southern As- sociation, and the student chapel was abolished. Hence- forth students and monks worshipped together. Many changes too, were affected in the monastery, among them the renovation of some of the rooms and the con- struction of a crypt under the monastery for private masses. On Thursday, November 5, 1959, Abbot Vincent George Taylor was returning to Bel- mont Abbey. At about 9:30 A.M. in the city of Greens- boro, North Carolina, he had a heart attack and died. Before the month was out, Father Walter was elected Eleven

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the challenge to authority and tradition in both the College and monastery. Crisis loomed: college enrollments fell off nation-wide, and among the institutions hurt was Belmont Abbey College. A merger with Sacred Heart College (for girls) was con- sidered. In 1970, Abbot Walter pe- titioned the Holy See to ac- cept his resignation. On Febraury 11 of that year, the chair of Leo Haid was again vacant. Quickly, an election was held in the monastery chap- ter, and Father Edmund Mc- Caffrey, O.S.B. was elected fourth Abbot Ordinary. The young Abbot (only 37 years old) entered his office fully aware of the problems that confronted him; he assumed full leadership, and expected cooperation and goodwill from all fronts. As his first move, he appointed Father John P. Bradley, a secular priest, as President of Bel- mont Abbey College. This was the first time a non- Benedictine had occupied this position. Father Jude was appointed assistant to the President. Immediately, the ideology of Belmont Ab- bey College went under scru- tiny and overhaul, and a new image appeared. But the new Abbot was not destined for a long abbacy. In 1975, Abbot Edmund re- signed from office, and once again, the cathedra of Bel - Thirteen