A crowd of about 1,100 faculty, staff, students, dignitaries, and other guests witnessed the installation of Dr. A. Frank Bonner as the president of Gardner-Webb University on April 6 in a 1:30 pm ceremony. Representatives from nearly 100 colleges, universities and learned societies served as delegates for the inaugural activities. Bonner, who officially took office July 1, is the 12th president in the 101-year history of this Christian Liberal Arts University.

Franklin V. Beam, chairman of the Board of Trustees presided over the ceremony. Also on the program was Dr. Frank Campbell, 11th president of Gardner-Webb. Campbell, along with Beam and Vice Chair or the Board of Trustees, Dr. Gene Washburn officiated the investiture of office.

The ceremony included greetings from the student body, the faculty, staff and alumni. Also included were remarks from community leaders, representatives of the founding Baptist institutions and the State of North Carolina.

In his inaugural address, Bonner paid tribute to the rich traditions of Gardner-Webb while setting a challenging agenda and focused priorities to guide Gardner-Webb's future.

Bonner added that during his presidency, he will focus on bolstering Gardner-Webb's already strong academic programs, increasing the size of the University's endowment and striving to make improvements in campus facilities and programs. But most important, Bonner noted that Gardner-Webb must be committed to educating the whole student. "Our graduates must be people who are fulfilled as persons. People who exemplify genuine caring and citizenship, respect diversity, relate effectively to persons of all backgrounds, are at peace with themselves, at peace with their maker, and thus face successfully the challenges of life and succeed in family, in church, in community and in career. That is what we are about"

Bonner is no stranger to Gardner-Webb; he joined the administrative staff in 1987 as dean of the college and in 1992, he was promoted to provost and senior vice president.

Bonner grew up in Greenville, SC, and graduated from Furman University. He holds a M.A. degree from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to joining the Gardner-Webb administrative staff he was a faculty member and associate dean at Anderson College, Anderson, S.C.

Bonner has been active in community and civic life most of his career. He is a member of the Shelby Rotary Club, has served on the YMCA board, the United Way board, as past-chair the Cleveland County Chamber, has been active in school affairs, and is deacon and Sunday school teacher in First Baptist Church, Shelby, NC. He is also a retired colonel in the United States Army Reserve.

Bonner is married to Florence "Flossie" Black, a Furman graduate and native of Chester, S.C. She is a retired schoolteacher. They are parents of two adult daughters and three grandchildren.

The installation ceremony was preceded by a week of activities including a scholarly lecture, concert, worship service and several banquets.