BELMONT — With voices lifted in prayer and song, members of the Belmont Abbey College community welcomed their new president, Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley, Wednesday.
Talley, who promised students “a holistic education strong both in academics and in building faith and morals,” was formally inaugurated during a Vespers of the Holy Spirit service in the Basilica of Mary, Help of Christians. The service was celebrated by Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, chancellor of the college. Earlier in the day, Talley met with faculty and staff at a special luncheon.
Many of the pews at the basilica were filled with faculty members dressed in their academic robes. Some seminarians studying at the college while in formation for priesthood in the Diocese of Charlotte also attended, along with many others from around the diocese.
Talley offered a Profession of Faith and took an Oath of Fidelity during the service, a gesture that tied together his role as leader of a college known for combining academics with a commitment to strong Catholic faith and values.
“I’m just very grateful to be here, working with all of the people here, and so happy to be part of this wonderful community,” Talley said during a reception held afterward in The Haid theater building. “This is a great school with a great mission.”
Talley was selected after a seven-month search that started when Dr. Bill Thierfelder announced his retirement in early 2025 after 20 years as president. Under Thierfelder’s leadership, the college more than tripled undergraduate enrollment, expanded academic programs, opened five new residence halls, enhanced campus facilities, launched and carried out an unprecedented $150 million capital campaign, reinvigorated the college’s Catholic identity, and strengthened community partnerships.
Talley’s background combines experience in 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 and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command. He has received three Bronze Stars, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, and the Gold de Fleury Medal, which is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ highest individual honor. Talley has also been a Benedictine oblate for nearly 40 years.
He has taught, conducted research, and offered academic leadership at the University of Notre Dame, Southern Methodist University, Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University and the University of Southern California.
Abbot Placid said he looks forward to seeing how Talley guides the college into the future.
“Dr. Talley brings to us the right combination of skills we need to build on the legacy left by Dr. Thierfelder,” he said. “He’s very solid in his faith and as a retired general he’s well versed in leadership. He has the training to take on a mission and make it effective. As a Benedictine oblate, he also has a real love for the mission of the college.”
Talley formally stepped into his new role on Jan. 2 and immediately focused on one of his priorities – hearing from the college community. He’s been involved in more than 20 listening sessions with Belmont Abbey College students, discovering what they like about their college experience and taking suggestions on things to be changed or added.
“I’m very much in a listening mode,” Talley said. “I want to find out what we can do to help students continue to have a great experience here and also ways we can make the campus more fun. I want this to be a college where students receive a holistic education strong both in academics and in building faith and morals, where we also teach students not what to think but how to think, so they will be prepared to become leaders.”
Talley is planning a statewide and national tour to connect with alumni, donors and community partners.
— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Troy C. Hull
Related: Belmont Abbey College names retired general and Oblate as new president