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Announcement from the Board of Trustees on the 21st President of Belmont Abbey College

Message From Charles Cornelio

Chair of the Belmont Abbey College Board of Trustees

Belmont Abbey College thrived under the leadership of President Bill Thierfelder for 21 years, and last spring’s retirement announcement led the Board of Trustees to engage in a search for his successor. We employed one of the top Catholic recruiters in the country, formed a Search Committee, and worked for over 7 months to carefully select the new President of Belmont Abbey College from a pool of exemplary candidates.

I am very pleased that Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Retired), has joined the College as our 21st president, as of January 2, 2026. A Three Star General who commanded the US Army Reserve, Jeff holds a PhD, several master’s degrees, and a number of patents. He has also served on the faculty of several prestigious universities.

In making this decision, the Board sought several essential characteristics. The first was leadership: the ability to provide vision; set clear, measurable goals and attain them; and identify, motivate, and work with excellent people. Jeff has led men in combat and has been highly praised for his collaborative success, including in the academic setting.

Second, Jeff is a man of deep Catholic faith who understands the College mission and will live it. He has been an active Benedictine Oblate for decades. He understands and expresses the importance of the College’s Benedictine and Catholic tradition and the apostolate that our monastery formed nearly 150 years ago.

Third, Jeff will lead the College in continuing and improving its academic work. He believes that a strong Catholic liberal arts college, with its other important offerings, can thrive in this competitive environment. His many years as a faculty member provide the background to value and support our Abbey faculty.

Fourth, Jeff advocates forming the whole person: mind, body, and soul. He wants all the areas of the College to thrive in accordance with its mission and vision, from its students to academics, sports, and administration.

Fifth, like all colleges, we are constantly under strain from the financial environment. Jeff has a track record of running successful organizations. He is a proven fundraiser. Given his military and academic background and his experience building and running his own thriving business, Jeff is “well connected,” which will greatly benefit the College.

Though not a comprehensive list, these strengths identify Jeff Talley as the person to lead Belmont Abbey College forward, now and into the future. Through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians, we believe and trust that the Holy Spirit led the Board, the monastic community, and Jeff to this exciting new beginning.

Cornelio

Charles Cornelio
Chair of the Belmont Abbey College Board of Trustees

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Belmont Abbey College Names Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley as President

Belmont Abbey College Names Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley, an Accomplished Scholar, Business Executive, and Retired Three-Star General, as Its Twenty-First President

Belmont, N.C. (November 18, 2025) – The Board of Trustees of Belmont Abbey College has appointed Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Retired), as the 21st president of the college. He will assume office on January 2, 2026. 

Dr. Jeff Talley is a leader who combines extensive and profound experience in both the academic and business worlds with a decorated 34-year active and reserve military career, culminating in his appointment as the 32nd Chief of Army Reserve & Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command. He has received three Bronze Stars, two Army Distinguished Medals, and the Gold de Fleury Medal, which is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ highest individual honor. He is an exceptional scholar, researcher, teacher, entrepreneur, and executive who now joins Belmont Abbey College as its 21st President.

After the announcement of Dr. Bill Thierfelder’s retirement following 20 years as president, the college established a 12-member Presidential Search Committee to ensure representation from faculty, staff, students, the Board of Trustees, and the monastic community. This appointment concludes a thorough and comprehensive seven-month search process conducted in partnership with Russell Reynolds Associates to guide the committee’s work. 

Charles Cornelio, who serves as Chair of the Belmont Abbey College Board of Trustees, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment: “Through the diligent work of the search committee, I am thrilled to announce Gen. Talley as the next president of Belmont Abbey College. We entered this search from a position of strength and optimism, seeking a leader who would not only preserve the College’s Catholic, Benedictine mission but also inspire innovation and growth that will sustain Belmont Abbey for generations to come. Jeff brings a vision and commitment that align deeply with the values and spirit of the Abbey. I am confident that under his leadership, Belmont Abbey will continue to flourish — academically, spiritually, and as a community devoted to forming students in mind, body, and soul. This is an exciting new chapter for the college as we look ahead to the next 150 years and beyond.”

Committed to higher education as a means of focused and intentional service, Dr. Talley earned his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford, and holds a number of other graduate degrees in liberal arts, religious studies, and applied sciences. In 2025, he was honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters degree (honoris causa) from Assumption University. He has taught, conducted research, and offered academic leadership at elite private universities across the country. He has held appointments at the University of Notre Dame, Southern Methodist University, The Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, and the University of Southern California. He also maintained professional certifications as a Professional Engineer (P.E.), Board-Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) in Sustainability, and Board-Certified Water Resources Engineer (BC.WRE).

Since he retired from the military in 2016, Dr. Talley served as a Vice President and Global Fellow at IBM. He then founded his own advisory firm focused on Public Private Partnerships (P3s), called The P3i Group, where he served most recently as Managing Partner and Chairman.

Looking ahead, Dr. Talley shares his vision for Belmont Abbey College: “We have a unique opportunity to help young men and women get a rigorous academic experience in a faith-filled environment that’s strong in its Catholic identity, so they can go forth in a world that’s become so challenging, so complex, so difficult. Leaders who are balanced both morally and professionally are in greater need than ever before. For this purpose, Belmont Abbey College exists. I thank God for the opportunity to become part of the Belmont Abbey College family, where together, we can bear the light of Christ in the world today.”

Abbot Placid, O.S.B., Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College, shared: “The selection of Jeff as our next president affirms the College’s enduring commitment to its Benedictine mission—to educate students in the fullness of truth and to foster a community rooted in faith and learning. Jeff’s dedication to the Catholic intellectual tradition, academic excellence, and the formation of the whole person will ensure that Belmont Abbey remains a place where faith and scholarship thrive together. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to build upon the strong foundation that has long guided the Abbey and the College.”

In addition to extensive research, patents, publications, speaking engagements, and Congressional testimonies, Dr. Talley has been an active and integral member of numerous advisory boards, councils, panels, and other committees throughout his civilian careers. His direct and responsive vision combines a concentrated focus on essential, strategic priorities with a recognition of the value of collaboration and the necessity of clear and open communication. Accountability, compassion, and a faithful dedication to excellence have enabled him to empower others and pursue solutions that seek the good, even from positions of authority over hundreds of thousands of people and billions of dollars in corporate and military resources.

A Benedictine oblate of nearly 40 years, Dr. Talley was born in St. Louis, MO. He and his wife, Linda, have recently relocated from Scottsdale, AZ, to the Charlotte area. They have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.

Dr. Talley will assume the presidency on January 2, 2026, and will be formally inaugurated on January 14. Following his inauguration, he will embark on a statewide and national tour to connect with alumni, donors, and community partners. 

To learn more about Belmont Abbey’s new president, Dr. Talley, please visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu/president.

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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Conversatio: Cardinal Müller on Truth, Culture, and the Church

Cardinal Gerhard Müller, former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, reflects on his vocation, his friendship with Pope Benedict XVI, and the challenges facing the Church today—from artificial intelligence to cultural confusion. Speaking with Abbot Placid Solari, the Cardinal offers a profound vision of faith and reason in harmony, the dignity of the human person, and the universal mission of the Church in the modern world.

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Belmont Abbey College Launches Online Skills Marketplace to Expand Access to Industry Certifications

Belmont Abbey College Launches Online Skills Marketplace to Expand Access to Industry Certifications

Belmont, N.C. (November 3, 2025) – Belmont Abbey College announces the launch of a new Belmont Abbey Skills Marketplace, an online platform offering short-term credentials and professional certificate programs designed to meet evolving workforce demands of the greater Charlotte region. Developed in partnership with Acadeum, the nation’s leading course-sharing network, the Belmont Abbey Skills Marketplace offers flexible and affordable learning opportunities that directly connect to in-demand careers.

“Belmont Abbey is deeply committed to forming the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—while helping students pursue their passions,” said Dr. Brad Frazier, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School. “The Skills Marketplace builds on that mission by offering new pathways for learners at every stage of life to gain affordable, career-aligned credentials that meet employer demands.”

The Skills Marketplace features more than 80 curated certificate programs in high-demand fields, including Information Technology, Healthcare, Business, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science. Learners can access the Skills Marketplace from any online device and choose from programs developed by trusted online education providers such as Coursera and MedCerts. Each module is offered fully online and can be completed at the learner’s own pace. Recognizing the high cost often associated with industry training, the college developed the Skills Marketplace to provide these courses at a more affordable rate.

The Skills Marketplace curriculum and platform not only meet employer needs but also align with shifting attitudes toward higher education, providing learners with in-demand skills valued by today’s and future employers. Research shows that an increasing number of learners are seeking flexible, self-guided online opportunities—such as industry-specific certificates and other résumé-enhancing micro-credentials—to complement traditional degree programs.

This initiative reflects the Abbey’s ongoing commitment to student success, bridging the gap between traditional degree programs and the growing demand for microcredentials that enhance employability and lifelong learning.

To learn more about the Belmont Abbey Skills Marketplace, visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu/skillsmarketplace.

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.

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Praise that blossoms into joy

Psalm 65 is one of my favorite psalms.

Recurring each week during the ordinary course of Wednesday Lauds, it expresses a jubilant awe at all that God has done. One of the things I love most about this beautiful prayer, in fact, is the way its very act of praise blossoms from something we owe to God in justice to something we sing joyously in overflowing hope and gratitude.

In the Grail Translation, which the monks of Belmont Abbey adopt in their psalter, Psalm 65 begins, “Praise is due to you in Sion, O God. To you we pay our vows in Jerusalem, you who hear our prayer.” The language is calm and measured, acknowledging an exercise of duty, a debt we owe to our Creator. Moreover, the next verses emphasize this creaturely dependence by articulating both our mortality and our fallenness: “To you all flesh will come. Our evil deeds are too heavy for us, but our transgressions you wipe away.”

But by admitting our guilt and our inability to bear up under the self-incurred burden of sin, the psalm opens us to more profound gratitude. And in this recognition, God’s mercy changes even the metaphor at work. From a heavy load we try to lift – and which keeps us from standing upright – our sins become a mark that God simply wipes away.

The fact that God loves and delivers us – even though we can do nothing to deserve it – lies at the root of our gratitude, and it prompts the psalmist to marvel at the sheer blessing of God’s care. As the language warms, we arrive for the first time at hope: “You are the hope of all the earth, and of far distant isles,” and the psalmist’s praise shifts more and more deeply into awe. The omnipotent God not only forms the vast and terrible mountains but also quiets the storm, brings stillness to restlessness, and order to chaos. He fills the world with enduring joy.

And here the psalm seems to blossom out in its fullness:

“…God’s ever-flowing river brims over
to prepare the grain.

And thus you provide for the earth:
you drench its furrows;
you level it, soften it with showers;
you bless its growth.

You crown the year with your bounty.
Abundance flows in your pathways;
in pastures of the desert it flows.

The hills are girded with joy,
the meadows clothed with flocks.
The valleys are decked with wheat.
They shout for joy; yes, they sing!”

In these last verses we discover a river of grace and the promise and purpose in its brimming-over. We find a vision of care that embraces the good of a future harvest from the beginning, preparing the grain by readying the soil in which it will grow. We encounter the hope inherent even in the sometimes painful realities of flood and rain, which level and soften the earth: they, too, become means of readying the ground for a promised bounty. And the very pathway of our life in God transforms, by His mercy, into a river of joy, flowing undiminished through the desert places.

I love Psalm 65 for its beautiful act of faith in the will of God. With our limited, human vision, we only see a sliver of the journey at any given moment, and it can be difficult to appreciate or even guess, sometimes, how God will and does work even in periods of darkness or uncertainty. But Psalm 65 sees with the vision of praise. And it embraces the gratitude and hope that bring past and future together under God’s eternal mercy. The plowing and watering, growth and harvest, are equally present in His loving will. It is why we can “thank God ahead of time” without presumption, as Bl. Solanus Casey urges.

This weekend, All Saints Day calls us to praise God in blessed communion, and All Souls Day reminds us to pray in hope for our beloved dead. Let’s remember that this praise and this hope unite us in Christian joy because both have their source in the eternal love of God, brimming even in the desert.

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