BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE - Key Persons
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- Associate VP for Strategic Initiatives
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- Associate VP, HR / Operations
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- Executive Director of Major Gifts
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- Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
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- Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
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- Dean of the Honors College Associate Professor
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- Associate Professor of Theology
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- Provost at Belmont Abbey College, Brough
Dr. Travis Feezell, Provost at Belmont Abbey College, brought almost three decades of experience in higher education to the position, including service as an academic administrator, faculty member, athletic director and baseball coach.
From 2017 to 2020, Dr. Feezell served as President of Hastings College. There he led the Hastings 2.0 project, a comprehensive series of changes in calendar, curriculum, technology and student development. From 2014 through 2017, he was Provost and Chief Academic Officer at the University of the Ozarks where he served as chair of a successful strategic planning process as well as co-leading the Enrollment Management Team to oversee increases in enrollment and retention. In addition, he initiated academic and governance changes at the four-year liberal arts institution.
Before joining the University of the Ozarks, he served as a tenured professor and administrator at Belmont Abbey from 2008 to 2014, He was also awarded the Belmont Abbey College Spirit of St. Benedict Award in 2012, the highest award for service to the college, and the Adrian Faculty Excellence Award in 2011.
Feezell received a doctorate in education from the University of Idaho in 2005. Additionally, he received his master's degree in medieval British studies from the University of Wales-Cardiff in 1992. He earned his undergraduate degree in English from the University of Wyoming. He taught at the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and was the director of athletics at Macalester College in Minnesota. He also served as a faculty member, chair of the Department of Sports Studies, director of athletics and head baseball coach at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. A former Rhodes Scholar national finalist, Feezell often speaks and writes on issues of sport and higher education in America.
Dr. Thierfelder has been serving as the 20th President of Belmont Abbey College since 2004. Under his leadership, enrollment has consistently reflected strong growth, 30 facilities have been built or refurbished including expansion of the college's footprint of our main campus to incorporate the historical Sacred Heart College facilities, and the College has gained national recognition for its Catholic and Benedictine mission and identity. In addition, Dr. Thierfelder has championed college affordability by reducing tuition 33% and the college now offers a four-year tuition guarantee to every incoming student.
Prior to his appointment as President of Belmont Abbey College, Dr. Thierfelder successfully lead and transitioned fitness legend, York Barbell Company, from a manufacturer to a solutions-based partner providing sales, marketing, product development and logistical services to mass merchants and major sporting goods retailers throughout the United States and Europe.
Dr. Thierfelder was also a principal in Joyner Sports Medicine Institute, a physical therapy corporation he helped conceptualize, found, and develop. He was instrumental in negotiating the sale of the company to NovaCare and subsequently served as the National Director of Sports Science.
Dr. Thierfelder has also served as Executive Director of the Player Management Group, a sports representation company that provided contract negotiation, financial management, legal, career planning and sports medicine services to professional athletes. He has helped thousands of athletes, including many at the Olympic and professional levels, achieve dramatic improvements in their athletic performances.
Dr. Thierfelder received his master's and doctoral degrees in Sports Psychology and Human Movement from Boston University. He is a licensed psychologist, a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychological Specialties, a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, and a past member of the United States Olympic Committee's Sport Psychology Registry. He is a former NCAA Division I Coach, National Champion, and a two-time All-American from the University of Maryland. Dr. Thierfelder is an inductee of the Sports Faith International Hall of Fame, which includes world-class athletes, coaches, and team owners, such as George "Papa Bear" Halas, Vince Lombardi, Wellington Mara and Brian Piccolo.
Dr. Thierfelder has also led the fight for religious freedom and has testified before the United States Congress in matters related to religious liberty. He is the author of Less Than A Minute To Go: The Secret to World-Class Performance in Sport, Business and Everyday Life with Foreword by Coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Dr. Thierfelder was born and raised in New York City. He is a Knight of Malta and currently lives just outside of Charlotte, NC with his wife, Mary, and their ten children.
Job Titles:
- Admissions Counselor
- Your Admissions Counselor Is
Joseph is a Belmont Abbey College graduate, class of 2021, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management and a minor in Digital Sports Media. He was originally from South Bend, IN. During his time at Belmont Abbey College, Joseph was part of the Abbey Advocate program for admissions for 3 years. He was also a part of the Campus Activity Board, a New Student Mentor, and part of the Hintemeyer Catholic Leadership Scholarship program. In his free time, he enjoys gaming, traveling, hanging out with friends, and getting to know new people. He is excited about coming back to the Abbey to be an Admission Counselor where he can share his experiences and love for the Abbey. He is looking forward to interacting with students and helping them experience the beauty and homelike atmosphere of Belmont Abbey College.
Job Titles:
- Your Admissions Counselor Is
Kathryn was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She graduated from Belmont Abbey in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Biology. During her time at the Abbey, Kathryn played on the Women's Soccer team and was elected captain her senior year by her teammates. She also participated in the Student Government Association for three years and was an Abbey Advocate. After graduating, Kathryn studied at Nottingham Trent University, U.K. for a year studying Child Psychology and playing soccer for the university. She is excited to be back home and to be a part of the Admissions team. Kathryn is looking forward to helping students through the admissions process and sharing her love for the Abbey.
Job Titles:
- Admissions Counselor
- Coordinator of Campus Visit Experiences
- Your Admissions Counselor Is
Lindsay Wolcott grew up in New York where she was a 2020 graduate from the University at Buffalo, with a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Health and Human Services. Lindsay recently finished her Masters of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration at Canisius College in the spring of 2022. Outside of the classroom, she served in various leadership roles, and student assistant positions during her time at both the University at Buffalo, and Canisius College. One of her most influential roles in college was being a campus ambassador and tour guide. She is excited to join the Admissions team to help prospective students find their home at Belmont Abbey College.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Admissions
- Your Admissions Counselor Is
Lindsay-Janae is a May 2018 graduate of Belmont Abbey College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management and a minor in Business Management. She is originally from Orange County, California. As a student at Belmont Abbey, Lindsay was a member of the softball team and was elected captain her senior year by her fellow teammates. She joined the Abbey Ambassador program her senior year, and that is where she developed her passion for helping prospective students discover what Belmont Abbey College has to offer. She is excited to be a part of the Admissions team and is looking forward to assisting students through the admissions process.
Job Titles:
- Director of Graduate Admissions
- Recruitment Coordinator
- Your Admissions Counselor Is
Lunden was born and raised in the Charlotte, NC area where she now resides. She graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies. During her time at UNC, she studied abroad in Florence, Italy and held positions on multiple advisory boards. Post graduation, Lunden has worked in Event Planning, Marketing and Collegiate Organizational Operations. During her free time, Lunden takes advantage of her passion of traveling, with some of her favorite destinations being Tokyo, Switzerland and Italy. She is excited to be on the admissions team and help guide students into their future at Belmont Abbey!
Job Titles:
- Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions
- Vice Provost and Dean of Enrollment
- Your Admissions Counselor Is
Martin, a native of River Ridge, Louisiana, holds a Master's in Higher Education from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor's in Government & Political Philosophy from Belmont Abbey College. Similar to many students, he was not the first in his family to attend the Abbey and followed in the footsteps of his oldest brother. He began his career in college admissions his freshman year as an Abbey Ambassador and has since served the Admissions Office as an Admissions Counselor, Operations Manager, and Director of Admissions. Martin lives near campus with his wife and children and is passionate about welcoming new students to share in this unique tradition of Catholic higher education.
Job Titles:
- Admissions Operations Coordinator
- Assistant Director of Recruitment and Enrollment Events
- Your Admissions Counselor Is
Megan Walden was born and raised in Belmont, North Carolina. She is a 2013 graduate of UNC Wilmington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication and minor in Sociology. She developed her passion for admissions through her internship in the UNCW admissions office where she - attended college fairs and high school visits, assisted during the planning and execution of events, application review and created various schedules, documents and itineraries for the team. Megan's territory includes Gaston County where she was once an English teacher at a local high school! She is excited to be back in her hometown and continue her career as an Admissions Counselor at Belmont Abbey College. She enjoys aiding future students through the admissions process and encouraging them to become a part of the wonderful community here at The Abbey.
Job Titles:
- Director of Planned Giving
Mr. Allan Mark, CPA, is the Chief Financial Officer at Belmont Abbey College. He has 14 years of combined experience in auditing, financial reporting, and education.
Mr. Mark began his career in finance as a Staff Auditor for Deloitte & Touche, LLP in 2005 where he analyzed client operations and transactions. He previously served as an Internal Auditor for Motorsports Authentics. Most recently, Mr. Mark spent seven years as an SEC Financial Reporting Analyst at Sonic Automotive Inc., specializing in SEC filings and fixed asset project tracking. Prior to entering the financial industry, he spent six years teaching Mathematics at Gaston County Schools.
Mr. Mark earned a Master of Accountancy at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, as well as a B.A. in Science from Canisius College. He lives near Charlotte, NC with his wife Susie and their son.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of College Relations
Philip Brach, Vice President of College Relations, has held several posts in the for-profit, nonprofit and government sectors. As Vice President of College Relations, he oversees all external relations and resource development for the College.
Prior to joining Belmont Abbey, Philip was one of the founders of the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America (CUA) and served as Assistant Dean for seven years. Also, while at CUA Philip taught courses in leadership, entrepreneurship and philanthropic management.
Philip began his career with Mobil Oil in their Los Angeles downstream operations. In 1995, he became a marketing strategy consultant for Ernst and Young. Philip left Ernst and Young in 1996 to help found the SQAD Company, of which he then became the Vice President and CFO. During his time there, he was awarded three patents for innovative marketing inventions.
Philip sold his stake in the SQAD Company and turned his skills and energy towards the non-profit sector. He became the Director of Operations for the Midtown Center for Boys. His role later expanded to his being the Executive Director of the entire Midtown Educational Foundation, a Chicago-based non-profit organization. The Foundation sponsors programs to help inner-city youth achieve academic excellence and develop strong moral character.
In 2004, Philip returned to his high school alma mater, St. John's College High School, in Washington, D.C., where he served as Vice President. In this capacity, he oversaw all fundraising, alumni relations and external communications. He also directed the production of all external communications, including the publishing of an award-winning alumni magazine.
After seven years at St. John's, he took a year sabbatical working as the Chief of Staff for Congressman Jeff Fortenberry. After spending time as the Director of Development for the Sellinger School of Business at Loyola University of Maryland, he left to help found the Busch School of Business.
Philip, the father of nine children, resides in Belmont, North Carolina with his wife Liz.
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President for Marketing & Communications
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- Associate VP for Administration
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- Admissions Counselor
- Your Admissions Counselor Is
Theresa Wilson grew up in Sussex County, New Jersey. She anticipated her family's move to the Carolinas 2 years in advance when she began as a student at Belmont Abbey College in the fall of 2016. During that time she ran Cross Country and Track, was a scholar in the Honors Institute, and was heavily involved in putting together the Agora literary magazine and campus events. In addition, she was an Abbey Advocate for admissions for 3 years. After graduating in 2020 with a B.A. in History and minors in English, Theology, Medieval Studies, and Education and teaching at Angelus Academy in Virginia for a year, she is deeply blessed to be back home at The Abbey. She is excited to help students explore God's plans for them especially in getting to know and love The Abbey like she does!