Abbey Excellence

Belmont Abbey College Welcomes Daniel Wiseman as Vice President of Advancement

Belmont, N.C. (July 7th, 2026) – Belmont Abbey College is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Wiseman as its new Vice President of Advancement. Bringing more than 25 years of fundraising and advancement leadership in Catholic organizations and higher education, Daniel will lead the college’s efforts to strengthen philanthropic support and deepen engagement with alumni, donors, and friends of the Abbey.

Wiseman joins Belmont Abbey from Clemson University, where he served as the Executive Director of Gift and Estate Planning. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions in advancement at Clemson University, the Archdiocese of Atlanta, and the University of Mississippi, among other nonprofit and higher education institutions. His extensive experience in philanthropy, donor engagement, and strategic fundraising positions him to advance Belmont Abbey’s mission and long-term growth. 

As the Vice President of Advancement, Wiseman will oversee the college’s fundraising, alumni relations, planned giving, donor stewardship, and advancement operations, cultivating relationships that sustain Belmont Abbey’s Catholic and Benedictine mission. 

“Daniel brings a remarkable combination of leadership experience, strategic vision, and a deep appreciation for the mission of Catholic higher education,” said Dr. Jeffrey Talley, President of Belmont Abbey College. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build meaningful relationships and inspire philanthropic support. We are delighted to welcome him to Belmont Abbey and look forward to the leadership he will provide to advance our mission.”

Before attending Indiana University, Wiseman served three years in the United States Army, including service during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a Forward Observer with the 3rd Infantry Division. He credits his military experience with shaping his leadership style through teamwork, communication, and “esprit de corps.” 

At the beginning of his civilian career, Wiseman worked on political campaigns throughout the Midwest and Southeast, beginning with a state senate campaign in southern Indiana before advancing to work with state political parties and congressional campaigns. These experiences reinforced the importance of volunteer engagement, thoughtful stewardship, and building lasting relationships – principles that have guided his career in advancement. 

“I am honored to join Belmont Abbey College and become part of a community so deeply committed to academic excellence, faith, and the formation of students,” said Wiseman. “I look forward to working alongside President Talley, the college’s faculty and staff, alumni, and generous supporters to strengthen Belmont Abbey and expand opportunities for future generations of Crusaders. I am also excited to deepen our partnerships with businesses, community leaders, and organizations to expand economic opportunity, develop talent, and contribute to the long-term vitality of our region.”

Belmont Abbey is excited to welcome Daniel to its leadership team and looks forward to the experience and vision he brings to the Office of Advancement. His leadership will help strengthen the college’s philanthropic efforts and further its mission of educating students in the Catholic liberal arts tradition. 

For more information about Belmont Abbey College, please visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.

About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit belmontabbeycollege.edu.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Sarah Bolton

P: 704-461-7016 E: sarahbolton@bac.edu

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Belmont Abbey College Receives $70,000 Grant from CaroMont Health Foundation to Expand AED Access and Nursing Education

Belmont, N.C. (June 2, 2026) –Belmont Abbey College has received a $73,526 grant from the CaroMont Health Foundation to strengthen community cardiac emergency preparedness, in collaboration with the City of Belmont, and to advance nursing education. 

The grant comes in response to a tragic incident in downtown Belmont, where the absence of nearby Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) contributed to the emergency in which Nancy Litwak, a cherished friend of the Belmont community and member of the Belmont Trolley Board, lost her life. Her passing highlighted a critical gap in the community’s emergency response resources, inspired changes to the downtown policy, and motivated Belmont Abbey College to pursue this grant to help prevent future tragedies. In the last year, Belmont Abbey’s nursing department has already implemented CPR classes and training for community members. To date, more than 70 participants have been trained, equipping residents with the skills to respond during cardiac emergencies. 

In collaboration with the City of Belmont, the grant will fund a public AED initiative to enhance the community’s cardiac emergency response plan. The project will:

• Install nine AEDs: Six in strategic downtown Belmont locations and three on the campus of Belmont Abbey, ensuring any point in the downtown corridor is within a two-minute walk to an AED, well within the critical four-minute window for defibrillation. 
• Train faculty and the community: Four nursing faculty will become certified American Heart Association CPR instructors. Recurring CPR and AED training will be offered to local business employees, organizational staff, and community members. 
• Establish sustainable preparedness: The initiative will create a long-term, faculty-led model for ongoing community cardiac emergency preparedness and public education. 

“The safety and well-being of our community is always a top priority,” said Joe Jordan, Mayor of Belmont. “This collaboration with Belmont Abbey College and the support of the CaroMont Health Foundation will ensure that lifesaving resources, like AEDs and CPR training, are accessible to everyone in our town. Together, we are strengthening Belmont’s ability to respond quickly in emergencies and protect our residents.”

“Belmont Abbey College and the CaroMont Health Foundation share a commitment to the well-being of this community. It is at the heart of our relationship, and we are proud to support an institution whose programs reflect that caring for the people around us is both a calling and a privilege. It is an honor to help advance the meaningful work they do right here at home,” said Mary Grace Bean, Director, CaroMont Health Foundation.

The grant also supports the development of a dedicated Fundamental Skills Lab at Belmont Abbey College. This lab will provide a foundational space for 40 first-semester nursing students to master essential clinical skills while supporting 40-80 upper-level students through the intensive clinical “boot camps” and year-round remediation sessions. Beyond the classroom, the lab strengthens the regional healthcare pipeline through high-impact partnerships, including CNA training collaborations with Gaston College and integrated public AED education. 

“This grant from the CaroMont Health Foundation equips both our students and our community to respond effectively in life-saving situations,” said Dr. Lee-Ann Kenny, Chair and Program Director of Nursing at Belmont Abbey College. “The combination of new AEDs in the community and enhanced nursing training will have a meaningful impact on public health and healthcare education.”

The college is currently finalizing the timeline and securing locations for each AED. A public launch event for the AED initiative is being planned to raise awareness of the new network and recognize the Foundation’s support. An announcement will be made when plans are finalized.

About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit belmontabbeycollege.edu.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Sarah Bolton

P: 704-461-7016 E: sarahbolton@bac.edu

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Belmont Abbey College Celebrates 148th Commencement During 150th Anniversary Year

Belmont, N.C. (May 18, 2026) – Belmont Abbey College celebrated its 148th commencement ceremony on Saturday, honoring 309 graduates and marking a milestone in the college’s 150th anniversary year. The day began with a baccalaureate Mass on the piazza of the Abbey Basilica, presided over by Abbey alumnus the Most Reverend John Joseph McDermott, Bishop of Burlington, Vermont. The graduation ceremony followed, led by Chancellor Abbot Placid Solari, O.S.B. and President Jeffrey W. Talley, Ph.D., P.E., who welcomed families, friends, faculty, and staff to witness the culmination of years of study and dedication. 

This year’s graduating class is a testament to the college’s commitment to excellence across a variety of disciplines. The class includes 26 nursing majors who are entering the healthcare profession, prepared to provide compassionate, skilled care. Ten students completed degrees in Motorsports Management, with several already securing positions within the industry, including with Automotive North America, AM Racing, and the International Motor Racing Research Center. Psychology celebrated 27 graduates, many of whom plan to continue their education in graduate school. 

A significant number of student-athletes also graduated this year, demonstrating dedication both on the field and in the classroom. Among this year’s honorees, Addie Galek, a senior on the women’s soccer team, was named the recipient of Conference Carolinas’ 2025-26 Murphy Osborne Award. In addition, ten athletic teams earned the Messick Award, while the college’s athletic department received the overall Messick Award for the year, the highest sportsmanship honor within the conference. These achievements reflect the college’s mission to cultivate sport and virtue while fostering the holistic development of body, mind, and soul. This graduating class stands as a testament to the college’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers and impactful contributions to their communities. 

Several legacy families celebrated another child’s graduation, demonstrating the enduring values and strong sense of community instilled by Belmont Abbey College across generations. Susan Reid, a member of the 5th Honors College cohort majoring in Great Books and minoring in Classical Languages, was named the 2026 Valedictorian. The graduating class also includes 22 Honors College Scholarship students, 24 Hintemeyer Catholic Leadership Scholarship scholars, and three seminarians, Matthew Hennessey, Theodore Holthe, and Jeremy Smith, who are continuing the Abbey’s long tradition of forming men and women of faith and service.

“Today, we celebrate not only the remarkable achievements of our graduates but also the enduring spirit of Belmont Abbey College. Each of these students has demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and service, and we are inspired by the virtues and character they carry into the world. As we honor our 150th anniversary, we are reminded that the values instilled here will guide them for a lifetime,” said Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley, President of Belmont Abbey College.

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the 2026 Abbey Student of the Year award to Caroline Gutierrez. The Abbey Student of the Year recognizes a student who exemplifies engagement, leadership, and academic and extracurricular excellence. In a cherished tradition unique to Belmont Abbey, the award recipient delivers a speech in place of a traditional commencement speaker, offering personal reflections and inspiration to fellow graduates. 

In her remarks, Gutierrez encouraged her classmates to embrace their unique calling and lead with courage and conviction: “Each of us has been given a unique purpose in this life, and the Abbey has helped us to foster it. One of my favorite quotes is by St. Catherine of Siena, she says, ‘Be who God made you to be and you will set the world on fire.’ So, class of 2026, I encourage you to carry this wisdom with you and share your unique light and gifts with the world. Be brave and stand firm in the morals and values that guide your heart. This is what Belmont Abbey has taught us, that in all things, we may strive for excellence and virtue.”

Belmont Abbey College also conferred honorary degrees on the Most Reverend John Joseph McDermott, Bishop of Burlington, Vermont, and Jesse Aaron Grapes, former headmaster of Benedictine High School in Richmond, Virginia. Both honorees were recognized for their extraordinary contributions to education and service, embodying the Abbey’s mission to glorify God in all things.

For more information about Belmont Abbey College and its programs, visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.

About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit belmontabbeycollege.edu.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Sarah Bolton

P: 704-461-7016 E: sarahbolton@bac.edu

Download Now.