Dr. William Thierfelder, the 20th president of Belmont Abbey College, has announced plans to retire. (File photo)
BELMONT — After 21 years at the helm, Dr. William Thierfelder has announced plans to retire as president of Belmont Abbey College. His last day will be Aug. 2 – the 21st anniversary to the day of his arrival on campus.
Under Thierfelder’s leadership, the Catholic liberal arts college west of Charlotte has gone through remarkable growth and transformation. It has expanded academic programs, opened five new residence halls and enhanced campus facilities to accommodate rising enrollment, launched and carried out an unprecedented $150 million capital campaign, reinvigorated its Catholic identity, and strengthened community partnerships.
ThierfelderLast fall, the college recorded the fourth highest total enrollment in its history: a total of 1,687 enrolled students and a 2% increase over the prior academic year.
“Serving as president of Belmont Abbey College has been the joy of a lifetime,” Thierfelder said in his retirement announcement Feb. 20. “Together with an incredible team of administrators, faculty and staff, we have achieved tremendous milestones. I am deeply grateful to our students, alumni and supporters for their commitment to our shared mission. I have overwhelming gratitude to God for giving me this charge and the grace of the confidence to know that I am leaving the college a more secure, more stable and more faithful place dedicated to His mission.”
A licensed sports psychologist before coming to Belmont Abbey College, Thierfelder helped more than 100 Olympic and professional athletes achieve dramatic improvements in performance. He is also a former NCAA Division I coach, Olympian (did not compete due to injury), national champion (Ireland) and a two-time All-American from the University of Maryland. He is a member of the Sports Faith International Hall of Fame.
Thierfelder said he was driven by his faith to join the mission of Belmont Abbey College in 2004. Inspired by an ad in a newspaper, he applied and, once hired, made it his life’s mission to strengthen the college for the glory of God – a reference to the Benedictine community and college’s motto “That in all things God may be glorified.”
Chuck Cornelio, who chairs the college’s Board of Trustees, reflected on the impact of Thierfelder’s presidency.
“Belmont Abbey College would not be the wonderful place it is if not for Bill Thierfelder,” Cornelio said. “Bill’s leadership over the last two decades has been instrumental, and we congratulate and honor his faith-filled stewardship of our vibrant Catholic community.”
Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, who serves as Belmont Abbey College’s chancellor and spiritual leader of the community of Benedictine monks that founded the college in 1876, also thanked Thierfelder for his leadership and commitment.
“On behalf of all the monks of Belmont Abbey, I wish to express our profound gratitude to Dr. and Mrs. Thierfelder for their 21 years of generous and dedicated service to Belmont Abbey College,” he said in a statement. “We give thanks to God for their leadership and devoted service to Belmont Abbey and Belmont Abbey College.”
Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., added, “Bill Thierfelder has helped shape Belmont Abbey College for over 20 years, preparing students to take on the issues of our day with faith, hope and charity. His enthusiasm for Catholic education and for the growth and well-being of students is clear, and his personal faith and discipleship are inspiring. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him, Abbot Placid and the Benedictine monks who make the abbey and college a gem that distinguishes our diocese and the southeastern United States.”
Thierfelder said he plans to return to Belmont Abbey College this fall to join the faculty after a short sabbatical.
The college said it plans to initiate a national search for Thierfelder’s successor, and to announce more details on the transition process in the coming months.
— Catholic News Herald
Key achievements during Dr. Bill Thierfelder’s tenure
Academics:
• Achieved an academic level change to award master's degrees with eight new programs launched
• Launched the Honors Institute, which has since evolved into the nationally recognized Honors College
• Launched the nation’s premier Motorsports Business Management Program
• Oversaw the faculty’s recognition as the #1 teaching faculty in the South by US News & World Report
Enrollment:
• Increased undergraduate enrollment from less than 500 to more than 1,600
• Grew on-campus residency by over 65%
• Achieved most recently an all-time high in retention of 72%
Facilities:
• 40 new or refurbished facilities, including:
• Sacred Heart Extension
• St. Joseph Adoration Chapel
• Jerry & Martha Schmitt Dining Hall
• Five new residence halls
• Lowry Alumni House
• Belmont House in Washington D.C.
• Eight refurbished sports fields and playing venues
Philanthropy:
• More than $185 million raised since 2004
• Surpassed Made True Capital Campaign's original $100 million goal
• Increased the total number of annual donors to the college fivefold
Athletics:
• Instituted the Sport & Virtue approach in all athletic programs, inspiring coaches and athletes to pursue athletics as a method to achieve personal virtue
• During President Thierfelder’s tenure, more than 65 teams won the Messik Award, the Conference Carolina’s recognition of best overall sportsmanship.
• Grew athletics program to the 7th largest in the country, including adding 15 programs for a total of 44 teams.
Community:
• Spearheaded a relationship with CaroMont Health to build a medical campus adjacent to the campus
• Launched effort with a North Carolina state grant to build a performing arts center for the college and the Gaston County community
• Helped to launch the Benedictine Leadership Institute and Benedictine Leadership Award
• Participated in more than 1,000 speaking engagements and media appearances extolling the virtues in sport and academics and the role of faith in the public square
• Served on the NCAA Presidents Council for five years.
• Published two bestselling books: "Less Than a Minute to Go" and "MVP Hands"