Belmont Abbey College Installs Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley as 21st President
Belmont, N.C. (January 15, 2026) – Belmont Abbey College officially installed Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley as its 21st president on Wednesday, marking a new chapter in the college’s 150-year history.
Dr. Talley brings a rare combination of distinguished academic, business, and military leadership experience to Belmont Abbey College. A retired three-star general, he served for 34 years in active and reserve military service, culminating in his appointment as the 32nd Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command. His military honors include three Bronze Stars, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, and the Gold de Fleury Medal, the highest individual award of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
An accomplished scholar, researcher, teacher, entrepreneur, and executive, Dr. Talley now assumes leadership of Belmont Abbey College as it continues its mission of Catholic, Benedictine higher education.
The day’s events began early in the morning as Dr. Talley met with students over coffee and donuts. Later, the Abbey community gathered for a Mass of the Holy Spirit at Mary Help of Christians Basilica. Faculty and staff then joined him for lunch in the Haid Ballroom, where he was formally introduced by Charles Cornelio, Chairman of the Belmont Abbey College Board of Trustees.
Cornelio expressed confidence in Dr. Talley’s leadership, stating, “The Presidential Search Committee faced no small task in identifying a successor to Dr. Bill Thierfelder, but after careful consideration, it became clear that Jeff Talley is the right person to lead Belmont Abbey at this time of growth, opportunity, and challenge. I firmly believe he can bring this remarkable institution to new levels of excellence.”
Talley gave remarks to faculty and staff at a mid-day luncheon and reflected on the college and its mission. Dr. Talley said, “In a culture that often reduces education to transaction, we insist — sometimes at great cost— that education is formation. The truth is not always efficient. It is rarely applauded. But it is profoundly Catholic. We are small, and that is not a weakness. Our smallness allows us to know names. To notice when someone is missing. To teach not just minds, but persons. To integrate faith and reason as not abstract theories, but as a lived practice—imperfect, sometimes messy, always sincere. So thank you…Thank you for believing in this mission when it would be easier not to. Thank you for trusting that God works through your preparation, your patience, and your perseverance. May we continue…confident that even the smallest college, when rooted in Christ, can change the world.”
The inauguration ceremony included a Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity and concluded with Vespers and a reception, formally launching Dr. Talley’s presidency. A Benedictine Oblate for nearly 40 years, Dr. Talley now leads Belmont Abbey College as it looks ahead to continued growth, academic excellence, and faithful service to its mission.
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
