Belmont Abbey College - Spire Yearbook (Belmont, NC)

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His Holiness Pope John Paul II, born Karol Wojtyla in Poland, was elec- ted to the Papacy on Oct. 16, 1978 — the 263rd successor to St. Peter. At age fifty-eight, John Paul II is the youngest pope to be elected in over a hundred years, and also has the distinction of being the first non-Italian pope since 1522. Pope lohn Paul II began his priestly studies in 1943 in an underground seminary during the time of the German occupation of Poland and was ordained four years later in 1946. He gained recognition for his hard work and contributions to the church and was designated Archbishop of Crakow in 1962. After achieving international prominence at the Second Vatican Council his popularity increased and finally led to his present position as head of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1979 the United States was honored by a seven day visit from the pope during which he visited a number of cities. Catholics and non- Catholics alike traveled hundreds of miles to view the newly elected pope and make him welcome. Among those travelers were twenty-two Abbey students who went to Washington, D.C., October 7, 1979 to see him. His messages to the youth of the United States were particularly welcomed and in his special message to the Youth of American at Madison Square Garden Pope John Paul II said When you wonder about the mystery of yourself, look to Christ who gives you the meaning of life. When you wonder what it means to be a mature person, look to Christ who is the fullness of humanity. As a Catholic institution, therefore, we are proud to include Pope John Paul ll ' s picture in the hope that it will serve as an inspiration to the stu- dents and friends of Belmont Abbey College through the years. Pope |ohn Paul II Abbot Peter Stragand was elected to his present position in Belmont Abbey Monastery in November of 1978. Abbot Peter has served his con- stituency at Belmont Abbey in the roles of student, professor and monk. That he served and serves well was acknowledged by his election as Ab- bot only nine years after his ordination. In 1961-62 Abbot Peter attended Belmont Abbey College for a year and a half and then transferred to Illinois Benedictine College at Lisle, III., where he graduated majoring in mathematics. Returning to the Abbey in 1965 he joined the seminary and in the fall began teaching in the Mathematics Department. Fr. Peter remained at Belmont Abbey College until the Spring of 1968 when the seminary was closed and he transferred to SI. Vincent ' s Arch Abbey in Pennsylvania to complete his spiritual training. One year later he returned to North Carolina where he was ordained a priest in May of 1969 at the Belmont Abbey Cathedral. Thereafter he continued his studies at Chapel Hill and from there received his Masters Degree in Mathematics. Fr. Peter has been recognized for his talent and hard work by the members of the monastery and his contributions have led to his position as Abbot of Belmont Abbey Monastery and spiritual leader of Belmont Abbey College. Ad multos annos! Abbot Peter Stragand, O.S.B.

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Contents Abbey History 2 Administration 8 Faculty 12 Seniors 24 Suites 44 Activities 72 Sports 120 Graduation 152 Candids 158 Ads, Patrons, and Directory 168 Dedication 1% SPIRE 1980 Belmont Abbey College Belmont, North Carolina

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SUCCESSION OF ABBOTS Abbot Leo Haid, 1885 Abbot Vincent Taylor, 1924 Abbot Walter Coggin, 1959 Abbot Edmund McCaffery, 1970 Abbot Jude Cleary, 1975 Abbot Peter Stragand, 1978