Belmont Abbey College

Roger Jones

Director of Admission and Transfer Counselor

RogerLJones@bac.edu

Born in Erie , Pennsylvania , Roger spent the majority of his “growing pains” years in Erie , but his more formative teenage years were spent in the Carolinas as a Marine Corps dependent. He lived at both Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and at Camp Lejeune before graduating from Jacksonville High School . A graduate of Pembroke State University (now The University of North Carolina at Pembroke), he continued his time there as an Admissions Representative and Counselor. He has also served as an Assistant Director at UNC Charlotte as well as a recruiter at Central Piedmont Community College . Roger is very active within the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. However, the most important daily tasks he has are being a husband to his wife Lori, and a father to his daughter Brenna.

Sharon Johns

Data Entry Specialists

SharonJohns@bac.edu

Sharon began working at the Abbey in July of 2006. She is also a self-employed artist and has had her own business, DreamStar Designs, for twenty years. Recently she has sculpted replicas of historic local buildings, including one of the Abbey Basilica.

When not sculpting or doing data entry, Sharon enjoys photography and international travel. In the last ten years she has island hopped in Greece and explored museums and churches in Italy , as well as other countries in Europe . She is especially interested in Southeast Asian culture and art and her last trip included Thailand , Cambodia , and Vietnam .

Sharon has a BA in History and Art from Gardner-Webb University , and has lived in Belmont for the past twelve years.

Jon Blackwell

Admission Counselor

JonBlackwell@bac.edu

Jon is originally from Hartsville , South Carolina . He graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in 2000 where he received a degree in History. Following graduation he worked in the legal technology industry for several prominent law firms in the Charleston area. Jon is not only a member of the Admissions Team, but also a student at the Abbey. He is currently seeking a second bachelor’s degree in Business Administration concentrating in Motor Sports Management.

“It has been a dream of mine to work in NASCAR since I was a kid growing up in Darlington County . The demand for management in the racing industry has steadily increased along with the sport’s growth and popularity. I am truly blessed and thankful that I have been given the opportunity to follow my dream.”

Jon is a true South Carolina boy. He is an avid shag dancer and beach goer. If you come to visit our campus and spot a guy wearing a brightly colored seersucker suit and bowtie, that’s Jon!

Dawn Simmons

Office Manager of Admissions

DawnSimmons@bac.edu

Dawn Simmons is the Office Manager of Admissions here at Belmont Abbey College and is here to support the team. Dawn has over 10 years of Administrative and Finance experience. Having worked in the corporate world, Dawn has found that working here at the Abbey has proven to be rewarding and challenging!

When not overseeing the day-to-day operations of Admissions, Dawn enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and being an active member of the Junior League of Gaston County. However, Dawn’s greatest enjoyment comes from being a mother to her daughter and wife to her husband.

Dawn has an AS in Office Administration and Medical Office from Gaston College, and in the near future, she plans to finish her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration here at Belmont Abbey College.

Betsy Cunneen '07

Admissions Counselor

BetsyCunneen@bac.edu

Betsy is a recent Abbey alumna from Lilburn, Georgia and began as an Admissions Counselor in June of 2007. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and spent much of her four years staying involved with various clubs and organizations on campus. As a student, Betsy thoroughly enjoyed performing on the Haid Stage with the Abbey Players, meeting prospective students and their families as an Abbey Ambassador, and participating in various activities in campus ministry. In her spare time, Betsy enjoys exploring Charlotte and spending time with family and friends.

“I genuinely enjoyed my time as a student at Belmont Abbey. The faculty and staff worked tirelessly to help me grow in mind, body and spirit. Their efforts inspired me to pursue a position in the Office of Admission to share all that the Abbey has to offer with prospective students. I truly feel that God is working through this community, and I am blessed to be a part of it.”

Danielle Blanchard

Admissions Counselor

DanielleBlanchard

A native of Louisiana, Danielle began working at the Abbey in July of 2007. Growing up, she split her time among family in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and eventually wound up graduating from the University of Louisiana – Monroe after a short stint as an LSU Tiger. During and after college Danielle worked in the marketing department of a book publisher until joining the admissions team at Belmont Abbey College. As a devoted Saints fan Danielle is clearly a glutton for punishment who also enjoys reading and exploring her new home state. Danielle loves to watch the Food Network and think about getting off of the sofa to cook.

Tara Thomas

Admissions Counselor

TaraThomas@bac.edu

Tara was born and raised in sunny, San Diego, CA. Immediately after high school she worked for Costco, her favorite place to shop, in the photo lab, for four years, while earning her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts at Palomar community college in San Marcos, CA. After earning her A.A. at age 22, she transferred to St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC in 02' and was a two-sport student-athlete on scholarship in soccer and softball. She was known as "grandma" to her teammates, but to watch her play you would've never guessed her ageJ She finished her B.A. degree in Psychology graduating in 04'. Not only did she play collegiate ball year round, she performed at several events with the school choir, both years on scholarship. Aside from those taxing privileges she worked in several positions for the athletics office, and also took charge of a dormitory as a Residential Assistant. Since graduating she spent three years in the admissions office at St. Andrews and most recently has joined our team in admissions at the Abbey. She continues to sing at weddings and church events in her free time, loves decorating her place and spending time with her black lab, Dakota, friends and family.

“I’m excited to be working for the Abbey. It’s a school I’m familiar with through athletics and in my travels through our job. The school is located near a great city, with so much going on. I look forward to new challenges and opportunities and I hope to bring some different perspectives, creativity and laughter to our office”.

Meagan Smith

Admissions Counselor

MeaganSmith@bac.edu

Meagan Smith is originally from Sparta, North Carolina which is located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. She graduated from Appalachian State University in May of 2007, with degree in Public/Organizational Communication. During her time at Appalachian she did many things including working in the Office of Admissions, spending her free time with her best friends in the world and she also had the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica.

After graduation Meagan was able to continue working for the admissions office as a university representative, traveling and recruiting for Appalachian State. After getting a little glimpse all that goes into working in the world of higher education -specifically admissions- she realized it is a world in which she wanted to continue to work. Meagan is so excited to be at Belmont Abbey College, a college that she believes in, and she is ready to reach out to students and help them achieve their college dreams.

Katherine Blum

Admissions Counselor

KatherineBlum@bac.edu

Katie graduated in May 2007 from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a minor in Spanish. At Meredith, Katie served as a Transfer Student Ambassador and was involved in a variety of volunteer programs on campus. During her senior year of college, Katie spent four months studying abroad in Madrid, Spain and exploring the Spanish culture.

She recently moved to the Charlotte area from Apex, North Carolina to join the Belmont Abbey Team as an Admissions Counselor. In her spare time, Katie loves to travel, discover new recipes, and root for the Carolina Hurricanes. Go Canes!