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“At what other school or in what other program do students have the privilege of dining with the Academic Dean, the Abbot of the monastic community, the President of the College, members of the Board of Trustees? These occasions are wonderful opportunities to talk with fascinating people who have achieved much in their lives and who are gracious enough to take time to spend an evening with a group of college students. Being a member of the Honors Institute challenges me to become an excellent person in the Aristotelian sense of the word and offers me Benedictine values that I shall treasure for the rest of my life.”
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“As a student in the Honors Institute, I have become part of a unique and engaging academic community. From classes and cultural events to professors and students, the Honors Institute has been my ideal college experience. In my History of Ideas course, I gained a profound appreciation for and greater understanding of philosophic texts. The artistic performances we attended were exciting and entertaining. I was able to build closer friendships through the shared experience of these events.”
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“Being part of the Honors Institute has been the highlight of my experience at Belmont Abbey College. In addition to a challenging curriculum, the Honors Institute involves studying with other students who share an enthusiasm and excitement for what they learn and how it applies to life and the world around them.”
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“When I was offered an Honors Fellowship a few years ago, I could not have imagined the way that participating in the Honors Institute would broaden my perspectives both in and out of the classroom. Friendships, laughter, stimulating classes have contributed to an experience that sets not only the Honors Institute but this school apart from any other college. My education has been a blessing and an experience that I will treasure throughout my life.”
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“What I love about the Honors Institute is that it has focused not merely on knowledge, but on something higher: the awesome quest for truth, meaning, and happiness. It integrates the mind with the soul, logos with arête, Athens with Jerusalem. The result has been a life-changing experience. Even at dinner with my friends, conversation can easily turn to passionate discussions on the difference between rights and duties, the shrewdness of Machiavelli, which Greek philosopher is the better one. I have also been fortunate in having been able to attend performances of Baroque music, Verdi’s Aida, the music of an African Gospel choir. My Honors Institute friends and I have friends throughout the College, participate in a range of college activities - go to movies together, listen to concerts, and make occasional pilgrimages to Steak’n’Shake."