Gastonia Times

Belmont Abbey College recently held its 34th Annual Academic Awards Ceremony on April 11, 2025, in the Haid Ballroom, where thirty-eight awards were distributed. Among these, the prestigious Adrian Award for Teaching Excellence was presented. Established in 1984 by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Adrian, this award acknowledges remarkable teaching performance by the college's faculty.

The recipient of the Adrian Award this year is Dr. Nancy Llewellyn, Associate Professor of Latin. Appointed in 2017, Dr. Llewellyn's teaching methods have impressed both students and colleagues. Dr. Joseph Wysocki, Provost at Belmont Abbey College, commented, “Dr. Llewellyn has made a striking impression on campus as an exceptional teacher and mentor since her arrival in 2017.”

Students described Dr. Llewellyn as passionate about Latin. One student mentioned, “Dr. Llewellyn (Magistra) is an exceptional teacher with a passion for the Latin language. She encourages her students to speak only Latin in class and uses creative methods like vocabulary games to keep us engaged. She’s always available for help, and thanks to her, my understanding of Latin has grown immensely. It’s amazing to see how much of the English language is rooted in Latin. Dr. Llewellyn is a treasure at our school, and we are so fortunate to have her.”

Dr. Llewellyn teaches Latin not only at Belmont Abbey College but also at the Charlotte Diocese’s St. Joseph College Seminary. She co-founded the Veterum Sapientia Institute, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual heritage through living Latin and Greek teachings.

Past Adrian Award recipients include Dr. Thomas Varacalli, Dr. Matthew Siebert, Dr. Heather Ayala, Dr. Mike McLeod, and Dr. Joshua M. Hren, reflecting the college’s commitment to academic excellence and transformative education.