Alumni News

Belmont Abbey College Launches Graduate Certificate in Catholic Educational Leadership

Belmont, N.C. (May 4th, 2026) – Belmont Abbey College announces a new Graduate Certificate in Catholic Educational Leadership launching in Fall 2026, designed to prepare current and aspiring leaders to serve Catholic schools and organizations with clarity, competence, and conviction. The fully online program is distinctive in its focus on operational vitality and change management through the lens of the Church, while also deepening students’ understanding of Catholic educational mission, identity, and best practices.

Catholic education and organizations face unique challenges, from sustainability to cultural change, while remaining rooted in an unchanging mission. “Catholic education is an essential ministry of the Catholic Church. Now more than ever, families, bishops, and religious orders need strong leaders to guide our Catholic schools, diocesan systems, and programs,” said Gregory Monroe, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Charlotte. “They need leaders who are well-formed in the purpose of Catholic education, leaders who understand that we educate in order to form and evangelize, and leaders who also have the prudence, wisdom, and practical expertise to respond to the unique challenges facing our schools and systems today. Our goal is to form exceptional leaders who can strengthen Catholic education for the future while remaining firmly rooted in the wisdom and tradition of our Church.”

The program begins with the purpose of Catholic education, focusing on formation and evangelization, and then equips leaders with the tools needed to strengthen their ability to ensure operational vitality, lead effective institutional change, and deepen Catholic identity at every level. 

The certificate includes four eight-week courses: Catholic Education – History and Mission, Operational Vitality in Catholic Schools, Leading Organizational Change in Catholic Education, and Servant Leadership & Catholic Identity Formation. The program can be completed within a year and is delivered in a 100% online asynchronous format. 

“This program is designed to help working professionals grow into stronger, more effective leaders,” said Dr. Brad Frazier, Vice Provost and Dean of The Graduate School at Belmont Abbey. “Whether you are a teacher preparing for a leadership role, a current administrator, or a professional seeking to advance in Catholic education or nonprofit leadership, this certificate provides the formation, skills, and confidence needed to make a real and lasting impact on your school, organization, and community.”

Belmont Abbey College is addressing a critical need in Catholic education in partnership with Diocesan leadership, Dr. Monroe, to form leaders ready to guide schools with enduring and effective leadership. The program is designed for teachers, current administrators, diocesan leaders, Catholic nonprofit leaders, and professionals discerning a transition into Catholic educational leadership. Completion of the certificate program could put students on the pathway to complete a full master’s degree at Belmont Abbey.

For more information on the program, visit www.bac.edu/catholicleadership.

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 Awards Simon Donoghue Lifetime Achievement Award

Belmont, N.C. (May 1, 2026) – During its third annual Celebration of the Arts Dinner and Reception, Belmont Abbey College awarded Simon Donoghue a Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of dedication and service to the college and the broader performing arts community.

Simon Donoghue served for 48 years as Director of the Abbey Players, one of the longest-running theatre troupes in North Carolina, with 143 consecutive seasons. In addition to his considerable gifts as playwright, actor, and director, Simon is an exceptional teacher and mentor, and his impact on the last fifty years of Abbey Players and Belmont Abbey students cannot be overstated. 

Throughout his tenure, Simon built a substantial and thriving campus community and developed collaborative relationships with the local performing arts. Under his faithful leadership, the Abbey Players brought together not only students, faculty, staff, and monks, but also local professionals, enriching the student experience and expanding the network of community theatre in the Carolinas. He also played a vital role in both the full renovation of the Haid Theatre in 1987 and the establishment of the performing arts as a recognized academic department, with majors, minors, and a premier scholarship named for Fr. John Oetgen. 

As Christopher Donoghue, Simon’s son and current Director of the Abbey Players, notes, “For almost one third of the existence of the Abbey Players, he was at the helm. My father is the reason the Performing Arts Department exists at Belmont Abbey. We all benefit from his legacy.”

Kristin Hayes, Chair of the Performing Arts Department, adds, “We are thrilled to honor Simon Donoghue with the  Lifetime Achievement Award. Through his dedication and hard work, the Performing Arts Department at Belmont Abbey College was born. He has impacted the lives of so many Abbey students, and people throughout the Gaston community and beyond. I am so grateful we get the chance to honor his legacy!”

“In Simon’s amazing forty-eight years as Director of the Abbey Players,” writes Abbot Placid Solari, OSB, “he not only enriched the artistic and cultural life of our college, but equally as important he served as mentor, counselor and director to generations of Abbey players whose college careers were immeasurably enriched by his guidance.”

The performing arts have been a vital part of Belmont Abbey culture since Abbot Leo Haid, himself an accomplished playwright, formed the Abbey Players in 1883. Mindful of this legacy and of the ways that art and theatre bring our campus together, the college is profoundly grateful for Simon Donoghue’s years of selfless dedication and arts leadership, through which the Abbey Players and the Performing Arts Department have grown and flourished.

To learn more about the Abbey Players and the performing arts at Belmont Abbey College, visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/campus-life/performing-arts/.

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 Honors Recipient of the Adrian Award For Teaching Excellence

Belmont, N.C. (April 27th, 2026) – Belmont Abbey College hosted its 35th Annual Academic Awards Ceremony on April 24, 2026, in the Haid Ballroom, recognizing outstanding student and faculty achievements across the college. Among the thirty-five awards presented was the Adrian Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the institution’s highest faculty distinctions. Established in 1984 by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Adrian, the award celebrates faculty members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to teaching and student development.

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’s recipient of the Adrian Award is Dr. Jennifer Ellington, Associate Professor of Biology.

“As Dr. Ellington marks her twentieth year at the Abbey, her impact extends far beyond the curriculum,” said Dr. Joseph Wysocki, Provost at Belmont Abbey College. “She is an exceptional professor and mentor who goes above and beyond to support her students both academically and personally. She truly embodies the Benedictine hallmarks, fostering a community rooted in hospitality, humility, and a genuine commitment to the growth and well-being of each student.”

Dr. Ellington is widely recognized for her engaging instruction across courses such as genetics, microbiology, and molecular biology, as well as for her dedication to undergraduate research opportunities. In her role as the college’s Pre-Health advisor, she also plays a key part in strengthening professional pathways for students, helping many successfully pursue admission to competitive medical programs.

Her influence is best reflected in the words of her students. One student shared, “Dr. Ellington has a kind and gentle heart. She is extremely smart and over-qualified as a Professor, and I feel lucky to have her as my Professor. She loves what she teaches, and her excitement is contagious. She knows what I am capable of and encourages me to work hard and reach my potential. Dr. Ellington takes time and effort to learn about her students, and it makes me and other students feel important. Along with her laugh, her happiness is very contagious, and I never feel intimidated to show up to office hours.”

Rooted in the Benedictine tradition, Belmont Abbey College remains committed to fostering a learning environment centered on truth, excellence, and virtue. The Adrian Award continues to highlight faculty who embody these ideals. Previous recipients include Dr. Nancy Llewellyn, Dr. Thomas Varacalli, Dr. Matthew Siebert, Dr. Heather Ayala, and Dr. Mike McLeod.

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 150th Anniversary with Year-Long Celebration

Belmont, N.C. (April 21, 2026) – Belmont Abbey marks its 150th anniversary with a year-long celebration beginning on its Founders’ Day, April 21, which commemorates the arrival in 1876 of the first monk and students who came to establish a monastery and college in North Carolina. From that until now, the abbey and college have not only helped found and invigorate the life of the Catholic Church in North Carolina but have also played a leading role in higher education in the South.

“For 150 years, Belmont Abbey College has formed generations of students to think critically, lead faithfully, and serve others with purpose. Since 1876, we have remained dedicated not only to preparing students for successful careers but also to forming lives rooted in truth and virtue,” said Dr. Jeffrey Talley, President of Belmont Abbey College. “As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to our founding mission and to the graduates who carry that mission into the world each day.”

Today, Belmont Abbey College is the region’s only Catholic private liberal arts college. The college has more than 17,000 alumni and currently serves over 1,700 students through 30 undergraduate and 7 graduate programs. This year, Belmont Abbey College announced the highest total enrollment in its history — 1,741 students for Fall 2025, a 3.2% increase over last year. Belmont Abbey continues to earn national recognition for academic excellence. It is ranked number two for Best Undergraduate Teaching among Regional Colleges in the South for the second consecutive year in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The college also rose 10 places to number 12 among Regional Colleges in the South, placing it in the top 10% percent of institutions in the region.

With exciting new initiatives, including the American Semester in Washington, D.C., which offers students opportunities for internships, academic coursework, and firsthand experience in the nation’s capital, Belmont Abbey continues to expand opportunities for student formation and professional development. The Honors College remains a cornerstone of the academic experience, offering a rigorous and transformative program for high-achieving students interested in the Great Books. A vibrant athletic program also plays a vital role in campus life, competing at the NCAA Division II level as members of Conference Carolinas. Belmont Abbey College has earned national and regional recognition, including multiple conference championship titles and the Messick award for overall sportsmanship 37 times in the past five years.  

The college has formed servant leaders who bring the excellence and virtue of Christian leadership to their employees, colleagues, parishioners, and communities. Through its Benedictine tradition of prayer and work, the Abbey continues to form students through a liberal arts education rooted in truth, goodness, and beauty. 

The first monks devoted themselves both to building up the church and founding a college, laying the foundation for a mission that endures today. Early leaders such as Father Herman Wolfe, Bishop Leo Haid and Father Felix Hintemeyer began this work. Through the years, others such as Saint Katharine Drexel whose generosity helped establish and sustain the Abbey and college, and the men and women of the college community have continued and developed this legacy of service.

“Beginning with our first abbot, Bishop Leo Haid, who was responsible for the Catholic Church in the entire state of North Carolina, Belmont Abbey has played an active role in the Church in the Southeast,” said Abbot Placid Solari, the current Abbot of Belmont Abbey. “Together with the Sisters of Mercy, the monks began Catholic education in North Carolina and established monasteries and schools also in Florida, Georgia and Virginia.” 

Unique in American Catholic history, Belmont Abbey existed as an independent diocese from 1910 until its incorporation into the territory of the Diocese of Charlotte in 1977. The Abbey plays a significant role in the Charlotte Diocese by providing the academic formation for the seminarians of the Saint Joseph College Seminary and the academic formation for candidates for the permanent diaconate in the Dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh. Belmont Abbey regularly hosts diocesan events on its campus, including the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage, as well as vocational discernment retreats such as Duc in Altum, and Quo Vadis Days. Our students regularly assist in leading youth tracks at the diocesan Eucharistic Congress and serving in the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage. Over the years, numerous alumni have gone on to serve the Church as bishops, priests, deacons and consecrated religious.

Throughout the college’s 150th year, Belmont Abbey College will host a series of special events designed to bring together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the surrounding community for celebration. The celebration will kick off with a campus-wide celebration honoring the founding monks and the college’s Benedictine legacy. For more information about Belmont Abbey’s 150th anniversary celebrations, please visit www.bac.edu/150.

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.

Belmont Abbey College Announces 2026 Inductees to the Dr. Michael P. Reidy Athletics Hall of Fame

Belmont, N.C. (April 9, 2026) — Belmont Abbey College is pleased to announce the Dr. Michael P. Reidy Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2026 on the 150th anniversary year of Belmont Abbey College. Nominated by members of the Belmont Abbey College community and selected by all living members of the Hall of Fame and coaches past and present, this incoming class includes four distinguished alumni and one team. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 1, 2026, honoring individuals and a team whose achievements embody the Abbey way and the college’s tradition of excellence and virtue.

This year’s inductees include:

• 1987–88 Men’s Basketball Team – A historic season featuring a perfect 10–0 February run, a District 26 championship, and the program’s first NAIA National Tournament appearance since the Al McGuire era of 1962. This was the last team to reach the NAIA National Tournament prior to its move to NCAA Division II.
• Hannah Schellenberg ’15 (Volleyball) – The most decorated volleyball player in Abbey history, earning multiple All‑Conference, All‑Region, and All‑American honors. Renowned for her leadership and humility.
• Tristan Keas ’10 (Men’s Lacrosse) – A defensive cornerstone who helped lead the team to its first Conference Carolinas title and earned multiple All‑Conference and All‑Tournament selections.
• Chris Neidermeier ’09 (Wrestling) – The first Abbey wrestler to be inducted, the program’s first NCAA All‑American, and a foundational leader whose legacy continues as a mentor to current athletes.
• Tim “TJ” Reilly ’78 (Tennis) – A standout player regarded as one of the best in program history, known for his elite forehand and success both during and after his Abbey career. TJ was also a decorated junior player, earning national recognition for his performance.

Interim Director of Athletics Paul Lyon emphasizes the significance of the event, noting that each inductee reflects the character, achievement, and Benedictine values that define Belmont Abbey Athletics.

“This Hall of Fame class represents the very best of Belmont Abbey Athletics,” said Lyon. “Each inductee has not only achieved excellence in competition, but has also demonstrated the integrity, leadership, and commitment to community that defines the Abbey way. We are proud to honor their lasting impact on our college community.”

Belmont Abbey has long been committed to an athletic program rooted in excellence and virtue, dedicated to forming young men and women into blessings in the lives of others. The Hall of Fame stands as a testament to this mission, honoring those who exemplify these ideals and inspiring future Abbey Crusaders to follow in their footsteps. 

The Hall of Fame ceremony celebrates not only records and championships but also the personal excellence, leadership, and service demonstrated by these honorees—hallmarks of the holistic education Belmont Abbey College has provided since its founding in 1876.

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.