In Memoriam Archives - è��ͷ�� University

è��ͷ�� Remembers Trustee Emeritus Dr. C. Lorance ‘Rance’ Henderson

Office of University Communications — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:29:10 +0000

Henderson Remembered as Advocate, Educator and Visionary Servant

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—è��ͷ�� University is celebrating the life of Dr. C. Lorance “Rance” Henderson, a beloved trustee emeritus and passionate advocate for Christian higher education, who passed away on July 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. He was 92.

Rance Henderson

Known for his brilliant mind, compassionate heart and tireless dedication to service, Henderson’s impact on è��ͷ�� spanned nearly five decades. His remarkable journey with the University began in 1977. In 1979, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, and in 1980, he joined the è��ͷ�� Board of Trustees. He served multiple terms faithfully for decades and was named trustee emeritus in 2021.

“Rance Henderson was a man of uncommon intellect and boundless compassion,” said Noel T. Manning II, associate vice president for Marketing and Communications at è��ͷ��. “If he cared about a cause or an organization, he would rally, encourage and recruit others to join him in that support. If you met Rance as a stranger, you’d leave him as a friend.”

In recognition of his steadfast support and generous philanthropy, Henderson received the University’s Distinguished Service Award in 2012. He and his wife, Betty Ledford Henderson—a 1953 è��ͷ�� alumna—established multiple endowed scholarships that continue to provide access to higher education for deserving students. In 2018, the couple received the North Carolina Baptist Heritage Award for their lifelong commitment to Christian service and education.

One of Henderson’s most lasting legacies at è��ͷ�� was his championing of the creation of the Noel Center for Disability Resources, a transformative program that ensures students with disabilities have full access to the university experience. A longtime supporter of inclusion in education, his vision helped shape a more equitable academic environment for generations to come.

Rance Henderson, left, greets Scoot Dixon, former GWU
senior vice president for Community Relations, at an
event on campus.

“He was such a wise man, and he treated everyone with such dignity and respect and positivity,” said Cheryl Potter, director of the Noel Center for Disability Resources. “Over the years he always took the time to talk to me, and he was always willing to share his insights.”

Born in Kings Mountain, N.C., in 1933, Henderson was a U.S. Navy veteran and a pioneer in deaf education. His distinguished career included leadership roles at the Oregon State School for the Deaf and the North Carolina Schools for the Deaf, where he served as superintendent and director. His advocacy and academic contributions elevated educational standards nationwide for students with hearing impairments.

Beyond his professional life, Henderson gave freely of his time and energy to numerous civic and community organizations. His service included roles with the Piedmont Council for the Boy Scouts of America, the N.C. Clean Water Fund, the N.C. Partnership for Children, and the Friends of Lake James State Park, which he founded. In 2008, he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors.

è��ͷ�� University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., è��ͷ�� prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at è��ͷ��.edu.

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è��ͷ�� Mourns the Loss of Longtime Staff Member Will Corn

è��ͷ�� University — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 18:53:19 +0000

From the Field to the Heart of Campus, Will Corn’s Influence Will Be Felt for Years to Come

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The è��ͷ�� University community is mourning the unexpected passing of longtime staff member Will Corn, who died Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the age of 46.

For more than a decade, Corn served as the athletics facilities coordinator at è��ͷ��, where he became known not just for his tireless work ethic, but for the care, humor and warmth he brought to every interaction.

“Will never met a stranger. He truly lived out Jesus’s commandment to love your neighbor,” said Chuck Burch, interim vice president for athletics. “His life epitomized the servant leadership ideal. Will’s contributions to our teams, coaches and student-athletes will be sorely missed, but more than that, we will miss the friendship, joy and laughter that he brought with him every day.”

Whether preparing fields, assisting a coach, or offering a kind word, Corn’s impact on campus extended far beyond his job description. His presence could be felt in every corner of the athletics community—and beyond.

“Whether you knew Will for a week or for years, you experienced his energy, joy and the genuine care he brought to every interaction,” said Nate Evans, interim president. “He poured his heart and soul into è��ͷ�� University each and every day, and his commitment to this community was unwavering.”

A native of Lattimore, N.C., Corn was a graduate of Crest High School and attended UNC-Greensboro and Guilford Technical Community College. He also held roles at Plastic Oddities, First Citizens Bank in Blowing Rock, and Riverbend YMCA Golf Course before joining è��ͷ��.

Beyond his professional duties, Corn was deeply invested in service. He was an active member of the Boiling Springs Rotary Club, the Historic Mount Harmony Church board, and the security team at First Baptist Church of Shelby.

Friends and colleagues remember him as a joyful, selfless presence—someone who loved music and laughter, and showed up with a heart for others, friends and strangers alike.

“Will lived a life of deep friendship, love, compassion and true acceptance of everyone,” one friend shared. “One of a kind.”

The è��ͷ�� family joins in honoring the memory of a beloved colleague and friend whose legacy of service and kindness will not be forgotten.

Receiving of friends will be held at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Shelby, with the Rev. Asher Panton and Dr. Robert Canoy officiating. Burial will follow at Lattimore Baptist Church Cemetery.

The full obituary can be found .

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è��ͷ�� Community Remembers Professor Emeritus Dr. Phil Perrin: Musician, Mountain Climber and Missionary

Office of University Communications — Fri, 16 May 2025 17:28:34 +0000

Perrin, who Taught at GWU for 34 Years, Passed Away on May 14, 2025

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—è��ͷ�� Professor Emeritus of Music Dr. Phil Perrin, who shared his love for God and music with many students during his 34 years at the University, passed away on May 14, 2025. He also found ways to combine his ministry with his hobbies of hiking and mountain climbing. In his retirement, Perrin continued to use his talents to lead worship in area churches and teach music on the mission field.

Dr. Phil Perrin

During his final two years at è��ͷ��, Perrin taught worship, children’s choir leadership, and advanced conducting in the Master of Church Music program in the è��ͷ�� School of Divinity. School of Divinity Dean and Professor of Christian theology Dr. Robert W. Canoy noted that Perrin was an asset to the school on many levels.

“He came to us with years of experience as a gifted musician,” Canoy affirmed. “Best of all, he was able to conclude his academic career by returning to his first-love, church music. We needed someone to help us in our church music concentration, and he was looking to end his academic ministry by helping students become better church musicians.”

Canoy added, “Phil was a man of great energy, always positive, always smiling, and always looking for another trail to hike or mountain to climb.”

Perrin grew up in a rural setting near Knoxville, Tenn., and graduated from Knoxville Central High School in 1958. He earned a Bachelor of Science in music education at the University of Tennessee in 1962. He earned a Master of Church Music in 1964, then a Doctor of Musical Arts in music history at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1968.

Perrin spent the school year of 1968-1969 teaching and directing the chorus and band at Hazard Community College in Hazard, Ky. In 1969, he began teaching music at è��ͷ�� and became director of the choirs. He taught music history, church administration, hymnology, choral conducting, worship, and children’s choir methods and materials in the undergraduate program, and assisted students in church vocational placement. Upon the University’s acquisition of handbells, Perrin became director of the handbell choir.

Dr. Patricia Sparti, professor of music and director of è��ͷ�� orchestral activities, described Perrin as a “great man and extraordinary servant of the Lord.” She continued, “He was an extremely kind and gracious person to me and to everyone. Alumni have always told me what a kind and talented professor he was. Dr. Perrin filled in for me at my church in the summer of 2008, when I had shoulder surgery. He was available, because he was in between mission trips.”

Sparti added that Perrin still attended concerts at è��ͷ��. “He loved music and would always write and tell me how much he enjoyed them,” she noted. “When he retired in 2003, he was immediately honored as a GWU professor emeritus, and we all said we hoped we could serve as well as he did.”

Through the years, Perrin served as minister of music in numerous Baptist churches in the area. He served Florence, Floyd’s Creek, Rutherfordton First, Race Path and Shiloh in Rutherford County, N.C.; Boiling Springs, Calvary, Dover, Elizabeth, and Putnam in Cleveland County, N.C.; and Macedonia and West End in Cherokee County, S.C.

He also enjoyed hiking and combined ministry with mountain climbing. He completed the Appalachian Trail (approximately 2,190 miles) and climbed the highest mountain on all seven continents, reaching the peak of six of the seven, and 23,800 feet on Mount Everest. On these trips, he participated in short-term mission assignments, serving in Nepal, Indonesia, The Philippines, Malaysia, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Crimea, Russia, Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, India, and China.

After training with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2003, Perrin and his wife, Wilda, moved that fall to East Africa to begin a two-year assignment as music missionaries at Mount Meru (Baptist) University in Arusha, Tanzania, working among the Masai people. The Perrins taught church choral techniques, hymnology, Biblical foundations of church music, vocal technique, music theory, church music administration, children’s choir leadership, guitar and keyboard.

The Perrins left home again on Aug. 21, 2014, to teach choral music in a private high school near Chengdu, China. Although they were confronted with power outages, robbery, rationed/impure water, poor roads, auto accidents, and many cultural differences, their retirement experiences were highly rewarding during these adventures.

Perrin once listed what they learned from these experiences:

Appreciate simple things.
Happiness is not determined by one’s standard of living.
An event is more important than when it either starts or ends.
Relationships are of supreme importance; God loves the entire world.
God can use anyone who will love Him and serve Him.

A celebration of life service for Perrin will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at 2 p.m. at Cliffside Baptist Church, 220 Old Main St. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., also at Cliffside Baptist.

Sources: Faculty Emeriti profile; personal Interviews, Phil Perrin’s newsletters, his Aug. 4, 2004, speech, and the “Westview Witness” church newsletter of July 25, 2004; Oland and Joyce Summers

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è��ͷ�� Alumnus and Retired Navy Commander John E. Sutton is Speaker for University’s Memorial Day Observance

Office of University Communications — Tue, 13 May 2025 19:12:01 +0000

Ceremony will be Held on May 23 at 11 a.m. in Dover Chapel

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—è��ͷ�� will host its Memorial Day Observance on Friday, May 23, at 11 a.m. in Dover Chapel, and the public is welcome to attend. Each year, the University sets aside this time to remember the lives of those who have died in military service to their country. The national Memorial Day observance dates back to 1868 when Americans started gathering in their communities to decorate soldiers’ graves and pay tribute to their fallen heroes. The day was established as a federal holiday in 1971.

Retired U.S. Navy Commander John E. “JES” Sutton

Retired U.S. Navy Commander John E. “JES” Sutton will be the featured speaker. He is a 1976 alumnus of è��ͷ�� University with a degree in mathematics.

The service will begin with a welcome and invocation by Vice President for Christian Life and Service and University Chaplain Dr. Josh Parrott. Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Music Dr. Aaron Rice will sing the national anthem. Adjunct Instructor and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Dr. Jim Rennie will lead the Responsive Reading of Psalm 67:1-7.

Interim è��ͷ�� President Nate Evans, who is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, will introduce Sutton. “Memorial Day is a special time for our community to pause and reflect on the high cost of freedom,” Evans asserted. “Through this observance, we are reminded of the courage and sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price for our nation’s freedoms. We are grateful to Commander Sutton for his service to our nation and for joining us on this important occasion.”

The retired commander grew up in Brazil, where his parents served as missionaries for the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1972, Sutton left his home in Rio de Janeiro to attend Oregon State University. After one quarter, Sutton transferred to è��ͷ�� to finish his degree. He met his wife, Rosie, at GWU, and they were married in 1976.

During the summer of 1975, Sutton applied for a commission in the U.S. Navy to work as a nuclear engineer. He enlisted in October 1975, attended Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island, and received his commission in November 1976. He retired from active duty in 2005 while stationed at the NATO headquarters at Brunssum, the Netherlands. He continued working as a government contractor until he fully retired and permanently moved to Elizabethton, Tenn., in 2009. The Suttons have four children and ten grandchildren.

After Sutton’s remarks, Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Lesley Villarose will conduct a Remembrance of the Fallen. Silence is observed as the bell tolls 21 times, the highest military honor to those who died defending freedom and democracy. Afterward, Associate Vice President of Marketing Wilson Brooks will play Taps.

Evans will have closing remarks, and Associate Minister for Community Engagement and Athletic Ministries Isaiah Crawford will say the benediction.

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Dr. Doris Banner, Founding Editor and Researcher for the First è��ͷ�� Faculty Emeriti Publication, Passed Away on March 19

Office of University Communications — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:58:54 +0000

A è��ͷ�� Alumna, Banner was an Educator for Over Four Decades

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Doris Banner, an educator for over four decades, including more than 30 years at è��ͷ�� University, passed away March 19, 2025 in Rising Star, Texas. Banner was the founding editor and research director for the inaugural GWU Faculty Emeriti publication. She was also named to the University’s Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in 2003.

Dr. Doris Banner

The second edition of the Faculty Emeriti book is dedicated to Banner, with a note: “è��ͷ�� University is deeply indebted to Dr. Doris Banner for originating the idea of a faculty emeriti book and for having its genesis in her Fall 1993 graduate class on educational leadership. Each student in that class submitted one biographical sketch for the first edition of 1994. Other sketches were written by faculty, staff and friends of the University.

A native of Webster, N.C. in Jackson County, Banner chose to attend è��ͷ�� in 1954, when it was a junior college. She completed her teaching degree at Appalachian State University and also earned her master’s degree and later her Educational Specialist Degree from there. She continued her studies through the UNC-Greensboro until she received her Doctorate of Education.

She began her professional academic career in 1954 teaching high school mathematics and physics in Charlotte, N.C., followed by stints of teaching biology and chemistry in North Carolina and Florida high schools. In between her high school teaching experiences, she taught mathematics and physics (1970-1976) at è��ͷ�� University as an assistant professor. She served for eight years as the evening coordinator of the learning laboratory for adult students at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville, N.C. Just prior to returning to è��ͷ�� in 1992, Banner served as instructional specialist for the Southwest Technical Assistance Center of the State Department of Public Instruction.

Banner completed extensive writing over the years in generating curriculum materials, especially for mathematics and teacher education. Even after she retired from è��ͷ��, her interests continued in research, methods and models of teaching and evaluation.

After retiring from è��ͷ��, Banner moved to the Wakefield Plantation of Wake County to be near her daughter and family, who then lived in Youngsville, N.C. When her daughter and son-in-law retired, they relocated to Cisco, Texas in 2021. In 2022, Banner joined them and became a Texan.

She is survived by her daughter, Terri-Lynne, and husband, Jason Poppe, of Cisco; two granddaughters; four great grandchildren; her sister, Sue Vance Wilson, and nieces and nephews.

She was a member of Greenway Baptist Church in Boone, N.C., where her services will be held on April 26 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Greenway Baptist Church, 880 Greenway Road, Boone, NC 28607 or to è��ͷ�� University, 110 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 997, Boiling Springs, N.C. 28017.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at .

View the Faculty Emeriti digital publication.

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Former è��ͷ�� Trustee, Known as Man of Deep Faith, Passed Away on Dec. 26

Office of University Communications — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:10:12 +0000

Dr. William M. Eubanks Jr. Served the University for Eight Years

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Former è��ͷ�� Trustee Dr. William Malcolm Eubanks Jr. passed away on Dec. 26, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. He served on the University’s Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2013.

A graduate of the University of Georgia in 1950 and the Medical College of Georgia in 1954, Eubanks completed his internship and residency at Georgia Baptist Hospital. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1955 to 1957.

Eubanks began his OB-GYN practice in 1960 in Charlotte, N.C., delivering over 7,000 babies during his 38-year career.

Dr. William Malcolm Eubanks Jr.

A man of deep faith, he served in many roles at Commonwealth Baptist Church in Charlotte, including chairman of the board of deacons and finance chairman. After moving to Troutman, N.C., he and his wife, Angadell “Angie” Adams Eubanks, became active members of First Baptist Church, Statesville, N.C., where they served as long as their health allowed.

In addition to è��ͷ��, Eubanks was a member of several prestigious organizations, including serving as treasurer of the Allison Woods Outdoor Learning Center Board, and various Masonic, medical, and community organizations. He enjoyed hobbies such as automobile repair and restoration, gardening, fishing and crabbing with his grandchildren, and vacationing with family at Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina.

Born on March 25, 1929, in Augusta, he was the son of William Malcolm Eubanks Sr. and Sarah Spires Eubanks (both deceased). He was preceded in death by his brother, Bobby Gene Eubanks. In 1952, he married, Angie, the love of his life, and they enjoyed 72 years of marriage.

In addition to his wife, Eubanks is survived by his five daughters: Elaine Rhyne (Jerry), Audrey Michal, Susan Riggan, Theresa Sapp (Greg), and Georgia Miles (Shawn); 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on Jan. 3. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to , or to (Hospice).

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è��ͷ�� Professor Emeritus of Music, Dr. George R. Cribb, Passes Away at Age 97

Office of University Communications — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:32:49 +0000

South Carolina Native Served University’s Music Department for Over Two Decades

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—A man who played an integral role in building è��ͷ�� University’s music program is being remembered by former colleagues and students for his extraordinary talent, leadership, and friendship. Dr. George R. Cribb, professor emeritus of music, passed away on Dec. 17 in Greenville, S.C.

Cribb began his tenured career at the University in 1969 as chair of the Department of Fine Arts and professor of music. The same year, GWU instituted a major in music with various concentrations as the two-year college transitioned to a four-year program. Cribb also worked with the music faculty in the fall of 1978 to have the college admitted as an associate member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The department has maintained its accreditation ever since. He taught piano and music theory, and served as the director of the choral ensemble, which was è��ͷ��’s official touring choir. He retired from the University in 1992.

In addition to teaching, Cribb’s career was highlighted by over four decades of service as a choir director for various churches. During that time, he spent 21 years leading the music at Shelby (N.C.) Presbyterian Church.

His students and choir members appreciated Cribb’s confident and composed demeanor. Dr. Kent Harrelson, a 1983 alumnus, was a piano student of Cribb’s and a member of the Choral Ensemble. “The main thing that stands out for me about Dr. Cribb is how caring and concerned he was for his students’ well-being,” expressed Harrelson, who is an English professor at Dalton State College in Georgia. “If someone in Choral Ensemble was sick or had a family emergency, his concern was for the student and not whether the student was going to be able to perform at the next concert.”

Harrelson also appreciated Cribb’s musical expertise. “He was an outstanding choral director as well, leading the Ensemble through some complex and difficult compositions. He had a tradition at the end of each performance of inviting former Ensemble members to come up and sing the ‘Irish Blessing’ that was the finale for each concert.”

è��ͷ�� Advancement Officer Tami Ruckman is also a 1983 alumna, and she was a music major. “He appeared to students as the soul of calm,” she reflected. “No matter how badly things were going, you could depend on him for stability.” è��ͷ�� Advancement Officer and 1983 alumna Tami Ruckman was a music major. “He appeared to students as the soul of calm,” she reflected. “No matter how badly things were going, you could depend on him for stability.”

She continued describing his talents and skills, “As I think back on being a student of Dr. Cribb’s, a couple of things stand out. First, he was brilliant, highly educated, and knew absolutely everything about music. Secondly, he was an incredible musician. The piano just took on a certain tone when he played, and he could play anything—from classical to jazz to ragtime.”

When Ruckman returned to è��ͷ�� to work as an employee, she learned more about Cribb’s character. “The faculty who served under him cared deeply for him,” she observed. “Even 30 years after he retired, they consider him a family member. That tells me what kind of person he was to those closest to him. He had an enormous impact on those who studied under him, on è��ͷ�� as a whole, and will be sorely missed.”

One of those professors is Dr. Carolyn Billings, who worked with Cribb for 13 years. “He took me under his wing from the very beginning,” Billings stated. “I admired him so much, but he was such an awesome chair, as well as conductor of the choral ensemble and piano teacher, that I was rather intimidated by him for some time. He was always so helpful to me, and soon he became a real friend as well as a colleague. After he retired, and especially after he moved from Hilton Head to Greenville, S.C., he began to feel like part of my family.”

George Cribb, center, is surrounded by his music emeriti colleagues, including Dr. Carolyn Billings on his right, in this photo taken in June 2016.

Billings, also a è��ͷ�� professor emerita of music, noted that Cribb worked long hours as the department chair and was his own secretary, but he could type at lightning speed. She praised his efforts as a recruiter who stayed in touch with promising students through several of their high school years.

One of her favorite memories is performing Mozart’s Concerto in D Major for Two Pianos with Cribb accompanied by the è��ͷ�� Orchestra. “I came to appreciate his piano skills more than ever as we rehearsed the work together,” she related. “His dedication to the Fine Arts Department and to è��ͷ�� as a whole never lessened.”

Cribb was born in coastal South Carolina, the son of Boyd and Frances Granger Cribb. The son of a farmer, Cribb’s early values were shaped as he developed a respect for the traditional ethic of hard work. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music, education, and Spanish from Wake Forest University, where he also minored in English and religion. In 1952, he received both a master’s degree in music education and his specialist degree in music education, along with minors in education and psychology from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, New York, N.Y. He obtained his Ed.D. degree in 1965 with a major in music education and minors in guidance and personnel administration from North Texas State University, in Denton, Texas.

Cribb also studied at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J.; Hartt College of Music of the University of Hartford, Conn.; the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky.; York University, York, England.; the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Miss.; and the School of Sacred Music, Union Theological Seminary, New York, N.Y.

He began his teaching career from 1948 to 1950 as a student assistant, teaching piano and fundamentals of music at Wake Forest University, where he was also an accompanist for college concerts and choirs. Before coming to è��ͷ��, he taught in two public elementary schools, at Wingate University in North Carolina, William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss., Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss., North Texas State University, and Campbellsville University in Kentucky.

Cribb held numerous offices in professional organizations, most notably state chairman, MENC (The National Association of Music Education—formerly known as the Music Educators National Conference) Student Chapter Program, and in Mississippi’s and North Carolina’s Music Educators Association. Also, he served with distinction on the Board of Directors for the Rutherfordton, N.C., Performing Arts Guild, for the Campbellsville Community Concert Association, and for the Cleveland County Community Concert Association.

Cribb was married to Barbara Jensen Cribb, who died in 2013 and was a è��ͷ�� associate professor emerita of education. The Cribbs raised two children, Robert and David.

A memorial service will be held on March 29 at 3 p.m. at Shelby Presbyterian Church.

The obituary is available

Read more about Cribb’s life in his emeritus profile, here.

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Ron Beane: A Life of Service, Leadership, and Devotion

Office of University Communications — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:56:26 +0000

From the Classroom to the Boardroom, Former GWU Trustee Dedicated His Life to Service, Faith, and Advocacy for Future Generations

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—è��ͷ�� University joins the community in mourning the loss of Ron Beane, a beloved former trustee, educator, and dedicated servant-leader, who passed away on Oct. 15. His connection to è��ͷ�� ran deep, beginning as a student in the 1950s and extending through decades of loyal service, leadership, and support. His life was defined by his unwavering commitment to education, Christian service, and environmental stewardship, values that mirror the University’s mission.

Beane’s connection to è��ͷ�� began as a student in the mid-1950s, when he attended what was then è��ͷ�� Junior College, graduating in 1957. His college years were defined by active leadership and involvement. He contributed to campus life in many ways including serving as the associate editor of “The Pilot,” the student newspaper, and he was a student-athlete playing for the Runnin’ Bulldogs basketball team.

These early experiences at è��ͷ�� laid the foundation for a life dedicated to shaping young minds and giving back to his community. As a devoted supporter of è��ͷ��, Beane showcased his commitment through active involvement with the Christian Service Organization (CSO). His passion for student-athletes was honored with a Lifetime Membership in the Bulldog Club, recognizing his significant contributions to Runnin’ Bulldogs athletics. In addition to these areas, Beane generously gave both his time and financial resources to support various other initiatives across campus life.

Dr. William M. Downs, president of è��ͷ�� University, reflected on Beane’s life and legacy: “I feel privileged to have known Ron Beane. He was a giant of a gentleman, and his kindness was always on full display. Ron’s dedication to è��ͷ��, to our students, and to the values we hold dear will continue to inspire generations here in Boiling Springs and beyond. Teacher, coach, administrator, and man of solid faith and high character…Ron Beane has gifted us an enduring and impressive legacy of leadership, compassion, and integrity.”

After completing his associate degree at è��ͷ��, Beane earned a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State Teacher’s College (now Appalachian State University) in 1959. Furthering his commitment to education, he began his career as a teacher and coach at Davenport Jr. High School in Lenoir, N.C., where his leadership on the basketball court led his teams to the state playoffs eight times in 10 years. His love for teaching and coaching was followed by a successful career in school administration, eventually becoming an associate superintendent for Caldwell County, N.C., Schools before retiring in 1994.

In addition to his educational pursuits, Beane was a committed public servant. Following his retirement from education, he served as a Caldwell County Commissioner for 12 years, a role in which he championed environmental conservation, public education, and community well-being. One of his most notable achievements as commissioner was securing the Wild and Scenic River designation for Wilson Creek, a treasured natural resource in Caldwell County. His work in conservation earned him appointments to the National Public Lands Steering Committee and the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund Committee.

Beane’s passion for the environment extended beyond public office. He was an avid outdoorsman, and he engaged in activities that connected him deeply with nature. His commitment to environmental conservation was more than just preserving the land for future generations, it was also about inspiring others to appreciate and protect the natural world. Through his leadership with organizations like the N.C. Foothills Conservancy, Beane made lasting contributions to environmental stewardship in his region.

Beane co-authored “Fly Fishermen of Caldwell County: North Carolina Life Stories,” a collection of personal narratives that captures the experiences of local fly fishermen in western North Carolina. Through this work, Beane sought to preserve the legacy of these remarkable individuals, documenting their fishing traditions, the natural landscapes they cherished, and the enduring bonds formed through their shared passion.

Throughout his life, Beane remained dedicated to Christian service and community leadership. He was a devoted member of Mountain Grove Baptist Church, Granite Falls, N.C., where he served as a Sunday School teacher and previously chaired the board of deacons. His faith was a cornerstone of his life and guided his service to others, whether through his work with è��ͷ��, his advocacy for student-athletes, or his involvement in numerous civic organizations.

One of the most significant recognitions of his Christian service came in 2019, when Beane received the prestigious N.C. Baptist Heritage Award. This award, sponsored by the North Carolina Baptist State Convention and the N.C. Baptist Foundation, is one of the highest honors given by the Convention and is presented to individuals who have made remarkable contributions to Baptist life and ministry.

Beane’s commitment to uplifting his community was evident through his involvement with numerous organizations, including Caldwell Opportunities, the Koinonia Board of Directors, and Blue Ridge Energy’s Community Leaders Council. His dedication and passion for sports were recognized with his induction into the Caldwell County Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. Over the years, Beane received additional honors, such as the Caldwell County L.A. Dysart Award in 2006, followed by his induction into the Caldwell County Schools Hall of Honor in 2007.

In 2012, his lifetime of service was honored when he was awarded the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine by North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue. This award, one of the highest civilian honors in the state, is given to individuals who have shown exemplary service to North Carolina and their communities.

Beane’s impact on è��ͷ�� and the greater community will be remembered for years to come.

The family will receive from 4-6pm on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home in Lenoir. Read the obituary, .

The service will be Sunday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m. at Mountain Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Sam Craven officiating. Interment will immediately follow in the church cemetery.

As è��ͷ�� reflects on the loss of one of its most devoted alumni and trustees, the University celebrates Ron Beane’s life as one well-lived, full of purpose, service, and a relentless desire to make the world a better place.

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Dr. Terry Fern, è��ͷ�� Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts, Passed Away on Sept. 14, 2024

Office of University Communications — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 13:29:21 +0000

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Terry Fern is remembered for the ways he served the Lord, cherished his wife and family, and joyfully shared his musical talent with others. Fern, professor emeritus of fine arts at è��ͷ�� University, passed away on Sept. 14, 2024. He retired from GWU in 2010 after a 30-year career in the fine arts department.

In addition to teaching voice, musical theatre and fine arts, Fern was also the director of the GWU Opera Theatre. Fern’s commitment to the opera pioneered an effort to introduce elementary, middle, and high school students to this style of musical theatre. He founded and conducted è��ͷ��’s annual “Student Day at the Opera,” for 25 years. By 2015, nearly 30,000 students had been given the opportunity to experience the art form.

Professor of Music and GWU director of Orchestral Activities Dr. Patricia Sparti said in a note to the family on Facebook, “The world has lost a great man, Dr. Terry Fern. Dr. Fern was a great mentor for me when I came (to è��ͷ��) as chair in 2002. He was so kind, and so funny, and full of information. He was also a great bass baritone … I really loved when he and Patricia Harrelson (professor emerita) sang with the orchestra. And, I loved all the operas he directed. Dr. Fern loved the Lord and loved his family, and that was so evident in everything he did.”

Dr. Terry Fern poses with school children at “Student Day at the Opera.”

Fern held many other positions at è��ͷ��, including chair of the Department of Fine Arts, professor of applied voice, stage director of GWU Opera Theatre, lighting/stage director of GWU Theatre Productions, set/stage designer of GWU Opera Theatre Productions, set/stage designer for GWU Theatre Productions, director of Carillon Activities, GWU Carilloneur of the GWU Hollifield Carillon, and was a professor of music for the degree completion program.

Professor Emerita of Music Carolyn Billings, of Boiling Springs, taught with Fern during his three decades at è��ͷ��. “For most of that time my studio was directly across from his, so I sometimes was able to hear his beautiful baritone voice,” she reflected. “Terry meant so much to his voice students as both teacher and mentor. He made a great contribution through his opera productions, not only to è��ͷ�� students but to students all over Cleveland County with his Student Day at the Opera. Terry’s commitment of his time and energy to the fine arts department through his teaching and his work as department chair was greatly appreciated by his fellow faculty members.”

And while serving è��ͷ��, Fern was also a worship leader for many churches, such as First Baptist Church of Gaffney, S.C., Elizabeth Baptist Church and Central United Methodist Church, both of Shelby, N.C. He was also an active member of Elizabeth Baptist for 38 years.

A 1966 graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, Fern served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam before earning his Master of Music at the University of Louisville, Ky., and Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of North Texas in Fort Worth.

Dr. Terry Fern poses with the opera cast.

He and his wife, Linda, were married 55 years. They have two children, Jennifer Stec and husband Tim of Lancaster, Ky., and Jeremy Fern and wife Ginger of Shelby. He will also be missed by his four grandchildren, Hannah Miller and husband Titus, Raigan, Bryant, and Colin, and great-granddaughter, Leisel Charlotte.

His son, Jeremy, wrote a tribute to his dad on Facebook, “He always said, ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained,’ and lived to experience new little and big adventures. He would talk of our IQ but he meant ‘imagination quotient’ to always challenge us how to use our imagination more in life. Fishing, playing golf, and landscaping were some of his absolute favorite pastimes. If you knew him, you knew his high-pitched laugh and smile. For me, I’ll just miss the way he called me ‘Tiger’ and the father/son dates for movies and steak dinners. I loved my dad.”

In his emeritus profile article, Fern stated he wanted to be remembered as a “diligent, caring, Christ-oriented professor known for sharing his heart, experiences, and personal motivations via the instruction of music, art, and theatre. May I inspire in others an excitement and love of God’s creations and revelations via the fine arts.”

A celebration of life will be held at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. The service will be followed by a reception in the Christian Life Center. The full obituary is available .

Dr. Terry Fern, right, and other faculty emeriti from the Department of Music gathered for an Emeriti Celebration in 2016. From left are Patricia Harrelson, Oland Summers, George Cribb and Carolyn Billings.

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è��ͷ�� Remembers Tom Watson

è��ͷ�� University — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:28:27 +0000

Alumnus, Former Trustee, and Lifelong University Friend Leaves Legacy

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — The è��ͷ�� University community mourns the loss of Tom Watson, a beloved alumnus, former trustee, and tireless advocate for education, who passed away peacefully on August 22, 2024, at the age of 81. Watson’s life was marked by a deep commitment to è��ͷ��, where he – competed as a student-athlete on a championship squad, served as a dedicated member of various boards, and was a constant presence in the university’s athletic and academic circles.

è��ͷ�� President William Downs shared that Watson’s love of the University was legendary. “Tom Watson was the absolute embodiment of dedication and loyalty to è��ͷ�� University. He frequently came to campus, always sought us out with a smile, and invariably shared a story that would end with an expression of affection for his alma mater.” Downs continued, “I’ll always be personally grateful for his support and wise counsel. As a trustee and as a lifelong advocate for his beloved school, Tom created and has now left a positive and lasting legacy for our community. We will be forever indebted to Tom for his service, for his collegiality, and for his commitment, which have enriched the lives of countless students, faculty, staff, and alumni. We shall miss him dearly, but we are comforted in knowing that Tom Watson will continue to inspire us all as we strive to uphold the values he so passionately championed.”

Born in Great Falls, S.C., Watson’s early life was steeped in the values of hard work and community. He excelled in sports at Maiden High School (N.C.), where his prowess in football, basketball, and baseball set the stage for his future endeavors. His athletic journey continued at Lenoir-Rhyne College (Hickory, N.C), where he was part of the 1960-61 regular season basketball championship team.

When Watson came to è��ͷ�� in 1962, even he did not know the influential foundation he would begin to build for the college in Boiling Springs, N.C. Watson played for the Runnin’ Bulldogs basketball squad, contributing to their first college championship in the 1962-63 season. He earned his Associate of Arts degree in 1963, and his connection to è��ͷ�� would endure long after his graduation. His experiences on the court, combined with the mentorship of faculty, staff and coaches, shaped his lasting allegiance to the University.

He was a lifetime member of the è��ͷ�� Bulldog Club, a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and served on the Board of Trustees, just wrapping his second term in 2023. His loyalty to the University was recognized through numerous accolades, including his induction into the è��ͷ�� Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in 2009, being named Alumnus of the Year in 2010, and receiving the Meritorious Service Award in 2012. These honors reflect the profound impact Watson had on the è��ͷ�� community, not only as a supporter but as a leader whose influence extended across generations of those who have called è��ͷ�� home.

Beyond his formal roles, Watson was known for his unwavering support of è��ͷ�� athletics and various university programs. His presence was a staple at university events, where his jovial spirit, kind demeanor, and ever-present smile endeared him to all who knew him. Whether cheering on the Runnin’ Bulldogs or working behind the scenes to advance university initiatives, Watson’s devotion was both personal and profound. His ability to see projects through to success was a hallmark of his character, earning him a reputation as a reliable and dedicated advocate for the causes he placed his commitment.

The Watson family also established a scholarship at è��ͷ�� that supports student-athletes and the Bulldog Club. Nate Evans, Vice President of Advancement for è��ͷ�� noted, “Tom’s legacy at è��ͷ�� is one of unwavering loyalty and friendship. He frequently visited campus to reminisce, catch a game, and create new, cherished memories. His passing leaves a void in the community, but he leaves a legacy of appreciation and support that will continue to resonate for years to come.”

Watson’s contributions to education extended far beyond è��ͷ��. After completing his studies, which included an additional degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College, a Master of Educational Administration from Appalachian State University (Boone, N.C.) in 1974, and an Educational Specialist degree in 1976 (also from ASU), he dedicated his career to shaping the lives of young people. Watson served in various roles, including teacher, coach, athletic director, and principal in the North Carolina school system. His tenure at institutions like Newton-Conover Junior High, West Lincoln High School, and Claremont Elementary showcased his commitment to fostering a love of learning and mentoring the next generation.

Even in retirement, Watson’s influence continued. He was inducted into the Catawba Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, a testament to his impact on the local sports community. His nearly 25 years as a league secretary and administrator for high school conferences underscored his dedication to athletics and education.

Watson is survived by his wife of 59 years, Brenda Kay Honeycutt Watson, and their two sons, Thomas Hiott Watson III and Lance Honeycutt Watson. A celebration of Watson’s life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 25 at First Methodist Church, Conover, N.C.

As è��ͷ�� reflects on the life and legacy of Tom Watson, his memory serves as a reminder of the profound impact one individual can have on a community through dedication, kindness, and an unyielding commitment to excellence. His contributions to è��ͷ�� University and the field of education will be remembered with deep gratitude and admiration.

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