The Benedict Leadership Institute at Belmont Abbey College Names Dale Ahlquist 2026 Honoree Belmont, N.C. (January 28, 2026) – The Benedict Leadership Institute at Belmont Abbey College is honored to announce Dale Ahlquist as the recipient of the 2026 Benedict Leadership Award, to be presented in a public ceremony on March 5th. This award recognizes the extraordinary achievements of men and women whose lives reflect the heroic leadership of St. Benedict and whose work has strengthened culture, faith, and education. Mr. Ahlquist is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on the life, writings, and legacy of G.K. Chesterton. As the co-founder and president of the American Chesterton Society and the founder of the Chesterton Schools Network, Mr. Ahlquist has played a central role in a national renewal of classical Catholic education. Under his leadership, the Chesterton Schools Network has grown into a flourishing movement of classical high schools across the United States, forming young men and women in faith, reason, virtue, and joy. On December 8, 2025, the Chesterton Schools Network received national recognition when it was awarded the prestigious $1 million Yass Prize, honoring its outstanding contribution to educational excellence and innovation. This recognition reflects Mr. Ahlquist’s tireless work in building a model of Catholic education rooted in the Great Books, the liberal arts, and the formation of character — an approach inspired by Chesterton’s vision of human dignity, freedom, and truth. Mr. Ahlquist has helped establish more than 70 Chesterton Academies that serve families seeking an education that is academically rigorous, culturally rich, and spiritually grounded. These schools emphasize the integration of faith and reason, the pursuit of wisdom, and the cultivation of joy — hallmarks of both Chesterton’s philosophy and the Benedictine educational tradition. In addition to his work in education, Mr. Ahlquist is...