The Catholic College of the South
Dear Colleagues, Students, and Friends,
The end of the academic year is quickly coming to a close. There are only two weeks of regulars classes remaining followed by a week of final exams and then commencement on Saturday May 17th. There are some wonderful academic and athletic achievements in this week’s update.
God Bless,
Belmont Abbey College Recognizes Adrian Award For Teaching Excellence Recipient
Belmont, N.C. (April 11th, 2025) – Belmont Abbey College held the 34th Annual Academic Awards Ceremony on April 11, 2025, in the Haid Ballroom. Among the thirty-eight awards presented was the prestigious Adrian Award for Teaching Excellence. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Adrian established the award in 1984 to recognize outstanding teaching performance by Belmont Abbey College faculty.
Belmont Abbey College encourages students to learn, seek truth, and thrive in an authentic and supportive environment—guided by exceptional faculty who lead in their fields and serve as exemplary community members. This year, the college honored Dr. Nancy Llewellyn, Associate Professor of Latin, with the Adrian Award for Teaching Excellence.
“Dr. Llewellyn has made a striking impression on campus as an exceptional teacher and mentor since her arrival in 2017,” said Dr. Joseph Wysocki, Provost at Belmont Abbey College.
A true embodiment of the Benedictine hallmarks, Dr. Llewellyn brings simplicity, enthusiasm, and depth to the challenge of teaching Latin—making a notoriously difficult subject accessible, engaging, and enjoyable. Beloved by both students and colleagues, she fosters a dynamic classroom experience rooted in active participation and deep respect for the classical tradition.
One student shared, “Dr. Llewellyn (Magistra) is an exceptional teacher with a passion for the Latin language. She encourages her students to speak only Latin in class and uses creative methods like vocabulary games to keep us engaged. She’s always available for help, and thanks to her, my understanding of Latin has grown immensely. It’s amazing to see how much of the English language is rooted in Latin. Dr. Llewellyn is a treasure at our school, and we are so fortunate to have her.”
In addition to her work at Belmont Abbey College, Dr. Llewellyn teaches Latin at the Charlotte Diocese’s St. Joseph College Seminary and is the co-founder of the Veterum Sapientia Institute, an organization dedicated to forming Catholics in their cultural and spiritual heritage through the teaching of living Latin and Greek.
The faculty at Belmont Abbey College are committed to guiding students in their pursuit of truth, excellence, and virtue. Past recipients of the Adrian Award include Dr. Thomas Varacalli, Dr. Matthew Siebert, Dr. Heather Ayala, Dr. Mike McLeod, and Dr. Joshua M. Hren—each a testament to the College’s tradition of academic distinction and transformative education.
Press Inquiry Contact:
Sarah Bolton, Marketing Project Manager, SarahBolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.
Dear Colleagues, Students, and Friends,
There are so many wonderful academic and extracurricular activities and accomplishments to share with you.
God Bless,
Belmont Abbey College Awards Excellence in Dance Education Award
Belmont, N.C. (April 4th, 2025) – Belmont Abbey College announces that Carly Thompson is the recipient of the inaugural Excellence in Dance Education Award, which recognizes educators’ dedication and commitment to the performing arts in our community. This award honors an outstanding dance teacher who exemplifies excellence in their craft and makes a significant impact on their students’ development.
Carly Thompson received a $1,000 grant to support supplies and equipment for her dance program. This initiative reflects Belmont Abbey College’s commitment to supporting educators and enhancing the quality of dance education in the community. A Dance Showcase performance for 200 school-children will celebrate the award.
Originally from Myrtle Beach, SC, Carly grew up training in competition dance at a local studio while attending a performing arts high school. She earned a degree in dance education with K-12 certification from Winthrop University in 2017 and currently performs with Baran Dance, a professional contemporary dance company based in Charlotte, NC. Since 2019, she has worked as a dance educator at Mooresville Middle School and Selma Burke Middle School in the Mooresville School District, where she has made a profound impact on her students’ lives.
Expressing her gratitude, Carly stated, “I am honored to receive this award and grateful for the support from Belmont Abbey College. It inspires me to continue fostering a love for dance in my students and to provide them with the best possible education.”
“Belmont Abbey College understands the time and dedication it takes to be an educator,” said Kristin Hayes, Chair of the Performing Arts Department at Belmont Abbey College. “We are excited to support the performing arts in our region and recognize the hard work of teachers like Carly, who inspire and shape the future of dance.” Belmont Abbey College officially announced the Excellence Dance Educator Award at the North Carolina Dance Educators Organization conference, where educators from across the state gather to share their passion for dance and education.
Belmont Abbey College believes that investing in educators is essential for the growth and development of the performing arts in the region. Through the Excellence in Dance Education Award, the college aims to empower teachers by providing financial support to enhance their programs and equip students with the resources they need to thrive.
Press Inquiry Contact:
Sarah Bolton, Marketing Project Manager, SarahBolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.
Professor Bennett Quillen was recently featured as a finance expert in WalletHub’s article titled, Credit Card APR Guide.
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