Alumni Outcomes

“TechWorks Gaston is very grateful for the collaborative partnership with Belmont Abbey College, particularly with their internship program, which has provided exceptional interns for TechWorks over the past 5 years. The interns are excellent critical thinkers with a strong work ethic and are very disciplined, reflecting the core values of the college. We are very proud to have BAC students as part of the TechWorks team!”

“The interns from Belmont Abbey College have had a transformative impact on the students of Dream Center Academy. They have provided vital tutoring support in academics, and through their consistent encouragement and dedication, they have helped students gain confidence and recognize their own potential. Their guidance and instruction have provided Dream Center Academy students with skills that will carry them through their educational journeys and beyond.”

“Reflecting on my nearly 40-year career, I’ve come to realize the immense value of my experience at BAC. Not only was I well-prepared academically, but the surrounding culture had an even greater impact. BAC fostered an environment that aligned with my Christian values and consistently demonstrated compassion throughout my education. This holistic approach instilled ethics and integrity, which have been fundamental to my success both personally and professionally.”

“Belmont Abbey College (BAC) interns enable Gateway Gaston to achieve outcomes that would otherwise be beyond reach. In just one semester, BAC interns helped generate nearly 4,000 donated “Grab and Go” meals for the unhoused and played a vital role in launching and sustaining the community’s overnight cold weather shelter—coordinating volunteers, food, and essential supplies. Their impact extended even further, facilitating the donation and distribution of hundreds of tents, blankets, and sleeping bags to those in need.”

“When I first enrolled at Belmont Abbey College, my plan was to attend for one semester before transferring to a larger university. However, I quickly realized that the Abbey had everything I needed. The supportive environment allowed me to continue working while furthering my education, and it truly felt like home. The atmosphere for learning was unmatched, and the lessons I learned—especially in Abbot Walter’s Ethics class—have guided me throughout my nearly 40-year banking career. I am honored to be an alumnus of Belmont Abbey College.”

“Belmont Abbey College didn’t just shape my career—it shaped me. Steeped in faith and tradition, the Abbey’s Master’s program in Middle School Education gave me the confidence and skills to step into administration, and those same lessons in leadership, communication, and service continue to guide me as President of the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce. The Abbey will always feel like home. I cherish its rich traditions and the sense of community that I feel each time I step back on campus.”

“I don’t think a number one college in the country is going to make you the greatest thing since sliced bread. You’re going to make yourself the next best thing after sliced bread, but you need to be at a place that brings the best out of you, and I think Belmont Abbey is one of those places.”

“My experience in the Performing Arts Department at The Abbey has completely changed my life. Over the past four years, I have been able to grow so much as a performer, being a student in this department. Now, I get to grow more as an adjunct professor and choreographer. I’ve loved watching all of the students grow and being able to guide them on their journey. This department, being a large part of the college’s history, continues to give back to the community and to our students by celebrating every part of the arts. I’m so excited to see what is next in this department for years to come.”

“My experience at the Abbey shaped not just my education, but it fueled my passion for community and connection—starting with an internship with the Gaston Business Association that I obtained through the Abbey, which ultimately led to my current role with the GBA. Now, I have the opportunity to support and grow the place that truly feels like home.”

Do you think your liberal arts education prepared you well for life after college?
“Definitely. I got to be an intern up in Washington, D.C., for a little bit as an underclassman. Most of all my fellow interns were from Harvard, Yale, and Hillsdale — schools with elite reputations. But when I engaged with those students, I realized that my education had connected me to texts in a much deeper way. Instead of being a broad survey of philosophy or theology, my experience was incredibly deep and formative. At the Abbey, education wasn’t soul-grinding work. It was soul-blossoming.”

“My leadership skills and understanding of community were developed at Belmont Abbey. I always felt very grounded there because it’s very much a family atmosphere that allows students to thrive and learn as individuals. I graduated with a better understanding of my responsibilities as a good citizen in both my personal and professional lives.”

“I graduated from Belmont Abbey College’s Early Childhood program in 1989. The exceptional instructors at BAC provided a superior education that prepared me to become a highly effective and successful educator in the Gaston County School District for 31 years and equipped me to lead an extraordinary out-of-school-time program, Dream Center Academy, today.

“The psychology program at Belmont Abbey has empowered me to be able to grow in my understanding of Psychology from many different perspectives. It has also prepared me for graduate-level coursework. As president of the psychology club, I was able to plan events, go to conferences, and make memories I will never forget.”

“I loved being in the Education Department at the Abbey. The professors are incredible, and I felt so prepared for the classroom after completing the program.”

“Belmont Abbey is just a great place to be. …And I have a long history. My dad went there. My uncles went there. My sister went there. My aunt went to Sacred Heart before it was coed. You know you’re cared about. You’re paid attention to. You’re not just a number. It’s a small school, but it’s small for all good reasons.”

“Dr. Reed was my advisor and just put a lot of care into everybody that came through his door. He’s the one who kind of encouraged me to go to the Speedway and put in for the internship there. So I definitely would not be in the position I am now if it wasn’t for Belmont Abbey.”

“Marketing is an extremely competitive field, but Belmont Abbey prepared me well. Career Services offered me an internship with the top media company in the world: Clear Channel Media. The week my internship ended, I was offered a paid position in the promotions department. Recently, I was hired by Time Warner Cable Media to build marketing strategies for companies all over the US.”

“Having teachers that are invested in our futures beyond Belmont Abbey College, and who genuinely want us to be their coworkers – some are still currently working in their field – makes our learning experience a little bit more personable than we would get anywhere else, and gives us confidence for the future.”

“Belmont Abbey has truly become a second home for me. After being homeschooled K-12, I was looking for a small school environment where I could play tennis and receive a liberal arts education while also growing in my Catholic faith. Through the Godly people I’ve had the great benefit of meeting here, whether it be friends, coaches, professors, or the monks, I’ve found a second family that has formed and prepared me for the rest of my life.”

“Belmont Abbey truly exemplifies what it means to educate the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – and I found opportunities and activities to support my learning, growth, and development in all three areas. Having access to professors outside the classroom allowed me to explore areas of interest to me beyond the course curriculum. I think that is something that makes the Abbey unique.”

“What struck me was their dedication to education.”

“The professors in the Belmont Abbey College Sport Management department truly care about their students both in and out of the classroom. Not only have I gained a deep understanding of the business side of sports, but I have also gained invaluable work-ready experiences that have prepared me for the workforce. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities that the program and the professors have given me to get my foot in the door within the sports industry.”

“I had a wonderful experience there, and I still cherish it every day.”

“Few schools offer such a specialized program that provides access to influential people within that industry. Belmont Abbey’s motorsports management program delivers the unique ability to not only learn the industry but also connect with industry professionals who frequented our classes as guest speakers. At the end of the day, opportunities are about people and relationships. Establishing those vital connections helps lead to a bright future.”

“What I love about Belmont Abbey’s Motorsport Management program is the opportunity to build connections within the industry through the events and races our classes attend each year. Without the motorsports management professors and classes, I wouldn’t have had the job opportunities I have today.”

“The Abbey’s Theology Department has allowed me to dive deeply into my faith by studying Scripture and the most influential theologians throughout history, from Saint Augustine to Pope Benedict XVI. Not only have the classes increased my knowledge, but I have also been formed as a person because of the Theology Department. Interacting with the Theology professors outside the classroom has inspired me to pursue college ministry when I graduate and equipped me with the tools to do so well.”

“Being here has taught me to integrate my faith into my everyday decisions and actions… building friendships with the monks has just been amazing.”

“Our professors just want us to succeed, and it’s so important to know that we can go to them if we have any questions – to have that extra support through hard material. Our professors all want the best for us. I want to make an impact on someone’s life, be someone’s support system through a hard time.”

“I’m deeply grateful for Belmont Abbey College and the role it has played in shaping who I am today. The Abbey’s mission and community provided an environment where I could grow not just academically, but personally – forming values and relationships that continue to guide me. The college’s strong ties to Gaston County businesses and the regional economy also opened doors to meaningful career opportunities, giving me the foundation to build a fulfilling professional life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Abbey, and I’m forever thankful for the experience.”

“Belmont Abbey became my home. It’s not an exaggeration to say that I found a whole new family there. And that didn’t disappear after graduation. I still think of the Abbey as a former home, and I still count as family the friends I made there. The Abbey surrounded me with a prayerful, loving, and welcoming environment while providing me with an education that will take me through life. I couldn’t have asked for more from a college.”

“Being a Belmont Abbey Honors College alum equipped me with the necessary tools to enter into conversation with honesty, openness, and integrity. The carefully constructed curriculum and seminar-style courses have taught me the art of dialogue, coupled with a solid philosophical background that allows me to defend as well as engage in meaningful conversation.”

“I had some classes where I only had probably eight or nine students within a course, and the experience of having really that one-on-one conversation with professors was very special, and for me, I felt more comfortable once I was able to get into those courses as a student and be able to speak up and have a discussion and express my opinion.”

“My experience at the Abbey, both social and academic, prepared me well for my professional career in law. The personal focus and high academic standards were essential in helping me achieve my goals and shaping my worldview.”

“The Economics department helped me forge a new path! When I entered the Abbey, economics was only a minor, and in four years, I became part of the first economics graduating class in decades. Thanks to the professors’ encouragement, especially Dr. Watson as my advisor, I graduated summa cum laude and was honored as an Economics Student of the Year – both of whom were female. I am now pursuing an M.A. in Economics at George Mason University and conducting research as an MA Fellow at the Mercatus Center. I am so thankful for the guidance of the Economics department and am excited to see what my future holds.”

“I came to the Abbey because the professors provide not only academic assistance, but also guide us to be better people, and to glorify God in everything that we do. I wanted an authentic Catholic education, and I am confident that I received that. We are encouraged to be our best selves.”

“Belmont Abbey has opened so many doors for us, both personally and professionally. We met at The Abbey, each of us majoring in different disciplines. We apply the principles that we learned at The Abbey in our business on a daily basis. Attending events on campus – 30 years later, still opens doors for us and introduces new opportunities. We are both extremely grateful and proud of our time and our connection with Belmont Abbey College.”

“My four years at Belmont Abbey were years that helped me grow and learn, as an Accounting major and as a Christian. I am who I am today because of the people that I met and the experiences I encountered during college. My spiritual life had the biggest change. I was able to grow deeper in my faith and fall in love with God all over again. I was challenged by my peers, professors, and the monks to take advantage of every opportunity that I had at the Abbey, including daily mass and confession and a beautiful adoration chapel outside my door. I was also able to find a career that I absolutely love, and I am excited to continue developing skills and talents to help me succeed. The community at Belmont Abbey is like no other. I feel like Belmont Abbey draws certain types of personalities, and I am so grateful for that because I have met some of my best friends there. You really become a family at the Abbey.”

“A lot of people lose that religious thought when they go off to college, I feel like here you don’t because there’s always people here to talk to, it (Belmont Abbey College) just helped me be more in touch with God.”

“The performing arts department taught me to come out of my shell and do things I never dreamed I could have done on stage. Theater was something I didn’t think I would be able to continue in college, but The Abbey made that possible. The community really feels like family, and everyone else wants to see you succeed in every aspect of life. I would like to thank Whitney Yancey for helping me gain confidence in my dancing onstage as a fellow dancer and now teacher. I would also like to thank Christopher Donoghue, Kristin Hayes, Blake Williams, and Melissa Price for all their hard work and endless support with me throughout my time at The Abbey and for pushing me to do things I never believed I could do.”

“I came to the Abbey for many reasons – the usual suspects of faith, education, and small community. But the real question is, why do I stay? Because of the people. The people of Belmont Abbey are one of a kind, and the friendships I’ve made here surpass all of my expectations!”

“Even though we’ve only known each other, most of us, for six months, I feel like we’re one big family. Already we’re so close. I’ve always wanted to do something in the medical field, and when I took Anatomy last semester, I thought, “Yep, this is definitely what I want to do.” Just learning about the human body, understanding how it works, and then applying it to what you’re doing every day: it makes it all worth it.”

“The English Department at Belmont Abbey College has bolstered my lifelong love of literature while teaching me how to analyze the texts we study on a deeper level and also how to strengthen my own writing style. My experience as an English major at BAC has provided me with opportunities, at school and in the local community, to become a more well-rounded individual and has prepared me for a successful career post-graduation.”

“I think that it’s a beautiful campus, and people kind of get enchanted by it when they come here. I think that the study body overall is just sort of happy to be here, and they enjoy the class settings that are smaller, and being able to have a more personal relationship with the teachers.”

“If you look at what makes the Abbey the Abbey, it’s the monks and their influence. You can’t count the incalculable value of their daily prayers for the college community, its alumni, friends, and beyond. It’s priceless.”

“The Abbey is a great school to come to because of the community; nobody is a stranger.”

“You’re going to get an education, but not just be a number or test on the information that you know, but actually get that small class with one-on-one time with the professor and the students in the class. So you’re not going to memorize that information–you’re going to learn it.”

“The coaches not only help me on the court, but they’ve been great mentors and great role models… they’ve taught me a lot of life lessons.”

“As a current 1L in Law School, I am able to say that my history degree equipped me with the quick, profound deductive reasoning skills that you need in law school. The approach and considerations for critically analyzing a document in law are very similar to those of a historian. As a result, the expertise from the history department allowed for my confident and smooth transition into law school.”

“I am so blessed to be a part of the education department here at Belmont Abbey College. I can confidently say that I look forward to class and to seeing my supportive classmates who enjoy learning about how to be amazing educators. Not only are the professors amazing instructors, but I have found that they are even more amazing mentors who care about cultivating my personal skillset to be the best future teacher that I can.”

“Studying the humanities at the Abbey has formed me by granting me the lens of our intellectual tradition, through which I could see Truth. It has also enabled me to pursue my dream career after I graduate.”

“Being in Honors is an incredible experience! The education and community that you become a part of fully forms you—body, mind, and soul—and gives you lifelong friendships. Studying the Great Books challenges you to encounter new ideas, preparing you to critically think about and articulate complex concepts. Honors especially taught me how to joyfully pursue excellence in both my professional and personal life.”

“Had I not experienced the Abbey, I don’t think I would be in Congress today. I don’t think I would be as happy personally and have a fulfilled spiritual life and fulfilled personal life as I do without my Abbey education and training. It’s those monks that are on campus and those professors that gave me just a little bit more than I could have experienced at any other institution.”

“As a student homeschooled K-12, I only looked at small schools because I wanted a low student-to-teacher ratio. The Abbey has provided that and so much more! All of my professors know me personally and are invested in knowing me in and out of the classroom–knowing about my major, my sport, my family, friends, and interests. It’s like having lots of extra, really brilliant parents that give you homework (which isn’t actually very different from just having parents).”

“The Abbey gave me all the knowledge and skills to succeed in starting my own business- Easton Insurance, which has been operating for 40 years.”

“My experiences with Biology at the Abbey have more than prepared me for the rigors of Medical School. In my classes, I find that I can often grasp a basic science concept and move directly into clinical applications and more advanced principles thanks to the depth and breadth of topics covered in my four years with Abbey Biology.”

“The curriculum at the Abbey improved my critical thinking skills and my ability to consider different viewpoints. These skills were a benefit to me as a Plant Superintendent during my years as a public servant.”

“The Philosophy department has given me the skills to think critically, reason ethically, and always seek truth. These skills have paved my path into law school, where I will continue to seek justice with a deeper understanding of society and the human person. The Dance department has been more than just a fun hobby; it has been a canvas for self-expression, a stage for growth, and a gateway to unforgettable opportunities, including choreographing and performing for the public. The Dance program offers something for everyone, whether you’ve taken many years of training or have never stepped foot in a dance studio before.”

“Being known and understood, being loved, it’s so easy to find a community that supports you in this place.”

“It’s really beneficial that we are a small group; it makes us a lot closer with our professors. I feel like I can easily reach out to them, and I feel like I’m really comfortable with everyone in the class.[As a nurse,] your job is just taking care of someone. For you, it could just be a regular day at the job, but for them, it could be super impactful – either super scary or super exciting – and you’re helping them through.”