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...