Belmont Abbey College

Belmont Abbey Taps Lamadrid For Dual Role - Veteran College Administrator to Lead Both Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.

Belmont, N.C. (January 9, 2007) -- Belmont Abbey College, continuously ranked one of the best comprehensive colleges in the southeast by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, today announced the appointment of  Dr. Lucas Lamadrid as Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, effective tomorrow, January 10. In his new role, he will be responsible for Admissions, Financial Aid, Retention and Student Life which also includes Athletics.

"Lucas was a natural choice for this combined position because he has excelled elsewhere in the same dual capacity and understands how higher education is enhanced through the Catholic Benedictine intellectual tradition,” said Dr. Bill Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College . "In keeping with our College’s vision, he is deeply committed to providing a comprehensive higher education experience focused on development of the whole person -- mind, body and spirit.”

Lamadrid comes to The Abbey after seven years with St. Vincent College in Latrobe , Pa. where he served as Vice President, Chief Student Affairs Officer. He joined St. Vincent in 2000 as Dean of Students. Prior to that, he was Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Resident Life at Bellarmine University in Louisville , Ky.

“It’s a huge responsibility and makes great sense to have one person oversee a student’s journey through college from the time they begin searching for the right college fit through graduation,” said Dr. Lamadrid. “I believe my experience in a similar role and environment will ease my transition and help me hit the ground running at Belmont Abbey.”

Lamadrid holds three degrees: a PhD in Religion from Duke University , a Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor’s degree in Economics and English from Marquette University . He is married to Dr. Beth Kreitzer and has three children.

Consistently ranked one of the best liberal arts colleges in the South by U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review, this past fall the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) selected Belmont Abbey College as one of the top 50 “All-American Colleges.” Belmont Abbey College finds its center in Jesus Christ and believes in the development of the whole person -- mind, body and spirit.  Founded in 1876, the College celebrates its Catholic Benedictine heritage and welcomes anyone from any background or tradition committed to its vision of excellence and virtue.  Home to more than 1,100 students from 29 states and 24 countries, the 650-acre picturesque campus, located just 10 miles west of Charlotte , N.C. , is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

###

Media contact: Colleen Brannan at 704/458-2289 or colleen@branstorm.com