Belmont Abbey College Names Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley, an Accomplished Scholar, Business Executive, and Retired Three-Star General, as Its Twenty-First President Belmont, N.C. (November 18, 2025) – The Board of Trustees of Belmont Abbey College has appointed Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Retired), as the 21st president of the college. He will assume office on January 2, 2026.  Dr. Jeff Talley is a leader who combines extensive and profound experience in both the academic and business worlds with a decorated 34-year active and reserve military career, culminating in his appointment as the 32nd Chief of Army Reserve & Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command. He has received three Bronze Stars, two Army Distinguished Medals, and the Gold de Fleury Medal, which is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ highest individual honor. He is an exceptional scholar, researcher, teacher, entrepreneur, and executive who now joins Belmont Abbey College as its 21st President. After the announcement of Dr. Bill Thierfelder’s retirement following 20 years as president, the college established a 12-member Presidential Search Committee to ensure representation from faculty, staff, students, the Board of Trustees, and the monastic community. This appointment concludes a thorough and comprehensive seven-month search process conducted in partnership with Russell Reynolds Associates to guide the committee’s work.  Charles Cornelio, who serves as Chair of the Belmont Abbey College Board of Trustees, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment: “Through the diligent work of the search committee, I am thrilled to announce Gen. Talley as the next president of Belmont Abbey College. We entered this search from a position of strength and optimism, seeking a leader who would not only preserve the College’s Catholic, Benedictine mission but also inspire innovation and growth that will sustain Belmont Abbey for generations to come. Jeff brings a vision...