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Through the Last 16 Years Under His Leadership, School of Divinity Has Gained Funding for Students; Maintained High Academic Standards

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擠r. Robert Canoy, dean of the 猫咪头条 University M. Christopher White School of Divinity for 16 years, will retire at the end of the 2025 Fall Semester. Canoy will serve as a part-time faculty member until Dec. 31, and also offer guidance to Professor Dr. Jim McConnell, who has been named interim dean of the School of Divinity.     

鈥淒r. Canoy鈥檚 leadership has shaped the School of Divinity and strengthened 猫咪头条鈥檚 mission for nearly three decades,鈥� shared Interim GWU President Nate Evans. 鈥淗is commitment to preparing ministers, scholars, and servants of the Church has left a lasting mark not only on this institution but also on congregations and communities across the globe. We are deeply grateful for his visionary leadership and steady presence, and we celebrate both the legacy he leaves and the foundation he has built for the future of theological education at 猫咪头条.鈥�

Canoy鈥檚 affiliation with 猫咪头条 began in 1997, shortly after he was called as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C. Invited by Dr. Wayne Stacy, then dean of the School of Divinity, Canoy served as an adjunct faculty member and as an ecclesiastical representative for the school鈥檚 first accreditation self-study. In 2000, Canoy joined the faculty full time as associate dean. When Stacy departed, Canoy stepped into interim leadership, guiding the school through its initial 10-year accreditation, granted in 2004 by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

In 2005, with the appointment of Dr. Chuck Bugg as dean, Canoy resumed his role as associate dean. After Bugg鈥檚 departure, Canoy once again provided transitional leadership until 2009, when he was named the divinity school鈥檚 fourth dean. Since then, he has led the School of Divinity through two additional accreditation reviews, in 2014 and 2024.

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Nicole Waters commended Canoy for his exemplary service to the University. 鈥淚 extend heartfelt gratitude to Dean Robert Canoy, whose faithful and visionary leadership has blessed the School of Divinity and 猫咪头条 for many years,鈥� she praised. 鈥淭hroughout his tenure as dean, Dr. Canoy has provided unwavering guidance, steadfast advocacy, and wise counsel. His dedication to faculty, staff, students, and alumni has strengthened and enriched our community.鈥�

Waters added, 鈥淚 am especially grateful for his continued presence and influence during the fall semester as he transitions from the role of dean to a part-time administrator and professor, and I appreciate Dr. Jim McConnell鈥檚 willingness to serve as the interim dean. During this transition, we celebrate a legacy of faithfulness and excellence and anticipate the ways it will continue to shape the future of the School of Divinity.鈥�

McConnell also praised Canoy鈥檚 skillful leadership of the School of Divinity. 鈥淲hile Dr. Canoy served as dean, the influence of the School of Divinity has spread throughout our region and beyond, including internationally,鈥� McConnell asserted. 鈥淒ean Canoy has maintained our school鈥檚 focus on its mission, 鈥榯he preparation of persons for Christian ministries,鈥� recognizing that God鈥檚 call to ministry in the local church extends to a diverse group of people. I am humbled to follow Dr. Canoy as interim dean of the school. At the same time, I am thankful for the strong foundation on which Dr. Canoy has established the school. Because of his leadership we are well positioned to continue to train men and women for Christian ministries of all types into the future.鈥�

Under Canoy鈥檚 guidance, the divinity school has received numerous gifts. An endowment of more than $1 million given in 2006 by Joyce Earnhardt was particularly meaningful, because it allowed divinity school students to study overseas. 鈥淚t allows for students to travel to the Bible lands,鈥� Canoy related. 鈥淚 have been leading those groups for 20-something years. That鈥檚 been a real highlight to watch students go to the Bible places and to connect the Bible with that part of the world for their own preaching and teaching.鈥�

In addition to trips to Israel, Greece and Turkey, divinity students also have the opportunity to participate in mission immersion trips and have served in Cuba, the Balkans, and Africa. The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund also helps students pay for their theological education, and other grants to the divinity school support hands-on programs and academic enrichment opportunities. With these funds and assistance provided by the Christian Service Organization, as well as churches from across the nation, divinity students are able to obtain their degree without taking on additional educational debt.

Canoy is thankful for the administrative assistants who have provided stability to the School of Divinity over the years, especially the current assistant, Lisa Hollifield. He also praises the highly-qualified faculty who prepare students from their various areas of expertise in historical theology (Dr. Steven Harmon), missions (Dr. Terry Casino, originally from the Philippines), counseling (Dr. Hebert Palomino from Colombia and Dr. Doug Dickens), New Testament interpretation (McConnell), and biblical studies (Dr. Cal Robertson).

Because of the faculty鈥檚 dedication, 90% of students who want to go into a church-related ministry obtain a position after graduating. In addition, many churches that employ a 猫咪头条 student will contact the divinity school when the student is called to serve elsewhere. 鈥淭hey say, 鈥楶lease send us another one like that,鈥欌�� Canoy shared. 鈥淭hat means we鈥檝e done something well.鈥�

猫咪头条 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., 猫咪头条 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 猫咪头条.edu.