Belmont, N.C. (April 21, 2023) – Belmont Abbey College celebrates the 147th anniversary of its founding on April 21, 2023. Belmont Abbey’s founders gave their time, efforts and financial resources to Belmont Abbey, faithfully believing that its mission would endure long past their own lifetimes. This mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified.
More than a century ago, six faithful visionaries with philanthropic hearts founded Belmont Abbey College. The first gift was in 1876 when Father Jeremiah J. O’Connell, with the permission of Bishop James Gibbon, gave a group of Benedictine monks the roughly 700 acres of land in rural North Carolina to establish the school. Father Herman Wolfe, Abbot Leo Haid, Father Prior Felix Hintemeyer, and St. Katharine Drexel shaped the future of a place they hoped would become a strong community built on faith and fellowship. To date, their impact has been immeasurable— felt by students and parents, the faithful Catholic community, priests and monks, and untold individuals across the world who have met our alumni or received our educational Catholic resources.
Chancellor of the college and the Abbot of the monastery, Abbot Placid said, “Today we have many more students and I can’t help but think that Fr. Herman would be thrilled to know that we are continuing his legacy by continually bringing more and more students to the Abbey.” Belmont Abbey’s founders gifts have made a lasting impact on the lives of many students— providing 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 others.
From the founding in 1876, the College is now home to nearly 1,500 students from 21 countries and 46 states. Belmont Abbey College continues to grow in a number of ways with exciting new developments. Made True, Belmont Abbey’s $100 million capital campaign was recently launched to transform American culture through funding campus and community improvements. In addition, CaroMont Health is in the middle of constructing a second hospital in Belmont, which will be located on Belmont Abbey Monastery land, adjoining the main campus of Belmont Abbey College. Belmont Abbey has also launched a suite of Master’s programs, including Master of Business Administration, Master’s of Leadership, Master’s of Strategic Analysis, Master’s of Science in Nursing, and Master’s of Health Administration.
Travis Feezell, Provost at Belmont Abbey College, shares, “Each year we celebrate Founders Day on April 21st to recognize the founding of Belmont Abbey College and to celebrate the generosity and support of the monastic community.”
In keeping with tradition, there are no classes on April 21st and students have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities. From Theology on Tap with Abbot Placid Solari, to lunch and Abbey’s Got Talent on the Quad, students can fully participate in celebrating the 147th Founder’s Day.
Learn more about Belmont Abbey’s Founder’s Day.
Learn more about Belmont Abbey’s Made True campaign.
This past Saturday, April 18th, students from Belmont Abbey’s 
