By STEVEN PRICE
March 9, 2006

Chances are you see them almost every day. You may spend several hours with them during the week. They pass by you in the hallway, or in Holy Grounds. Perhaps you even see them at Mass.

The Belmont Abbey family consists not only of the students, but also the faculty who teach here. At any college or university, you’re bound to run into students who sing the praises of their professors. But I am proud to say that here at Belmont Abbey College, we have the best group of instructors around. It’s about time that we stood up and took notice of the professors we have to teach us.

Far too often, people view the stereotypical professor as being a monotonous, uninteresting book worm that spends their whole life thinking up new ways to torture students. While I’m sure that there are moments when our professors would like to throw extra quizzes at us, the faculty here is about as cool as it gets.

I dare you to sit in on an English class here at the Abbey, and not leave with a smile on your face. Professors here make you feel comfortable in the classroom, not nervous or out of place. There is a genuinely great atmosphere with regard to academics here at the Abbey.

Of course, our professors are incredible teachers to boot. We all can recall having a class where the teacher had to rely on the book to teach. Here at Belmont Abbey, each and every professor has something to bring to the table, whether it is in English, History, Theology, Mathematics, Science, and the like. Professors here are knowledgeable to such an extent that you almost envy their intelligence. I’ve seen so many classes here where the text you bring to class is merely an afterthought: the professors supply you with all the information you’ll need.

The faculty here is easily approachable as well, which is wonderful for carrying out conversations. There is no anonymity here between professors and students, unlike at bigger schools where a class consists of 150 people. Here, the teachers know you by your first name. Some even know you by your nickname, regardless of how ridiculous a moniker it is. That’s learning at the Abbey for you.

Most importantly, the professors of Belmont Abbey are genuine friends to students. A lot of the faculty here shares many of the same interests and passions that students do, whether it be the love of an animated sitcom or the unyielding support of a formerly-cursed baseball team. What’s more, you can really talk to professors here, and get to know them. They are just as quick to help you through a personal problem as they are with a pre-exam question. They make learning fun and interesting yes, but they also make the Abbey Experience one that no one soon forgets. Without the incredible faculty that the Abbey has, life on this campus would be nowhere near as good.

They come from far away, and all possess a depth of knowledge in various disciplines. They never shut you out, and never let you live down a boneheaded answer to a question you should know. They’re your professors, and they’re your friends.

This is for the men and women that have made Belmont Abbey College such a memorable experience for so many people. Never let it be said that the students here let your work go unrecognized.