Dr. Daniel E. Goodman, associate professor of New Testament Studies at Gardner-Webb University, was awarded the Bob D. Shepherd Chair in New Testament Interpretation at the divinity school convocation on Monday, August 28, 2006.  Dr. Frank Bonner, president of Gardner-Webb, recommended Goodman for the Chair, and the trustees unanimously agreed.  Dr. Charles Bugg, dean of The Divinity School at Gardner-Webb, said it is a great privilege to work with faculty, like Goodman.  “Awarding a Chair is a way to show gratitude to all our faculty for their service and contribution to the Kingdom,” Bugg said.


The Bob D. Shepherd Chair in New Testament Interpretation established April 27, 1998, is the oldest endowed Chair at Gardner-Webb.  Dr. Bob Shepherd wanted to ensure through the establishment of the Chair that Gardner-Webb students would have the same opportunities he had to study and to serve.  The Chair was endowed by Shepherd’s family, friends and by the churches he served.  Shepherd has served as pastor for more than a dozen churches since graduating from a Baptist seminary in North Carolina.  Each one of Shepherd’s pastorates responded alike when asked about him—“We love Bob Shepherd.”  Dr. Frank Campbell, past president of Gardner-Webb, said Shepherd is someone who shows in his life how to love the Lord, love your family, and how to love the people of the church.  “There has never been a better minister who lived the life he preached from the pulpit,” said Campbell.


Noel Shepherd, son of Bob and Dolores, said his parents represent moderation, acceptance, and understanding, all of which are qualities they have in common with the faculty at Gardner-Webb.  “We are excited to have Dan Goodman, a man who will honor God, himself, and my mother and father as he teaches Christian ministers, in the Chair,” said Shepherd.  Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr., Senior Pastor, First Baptist, Morganton, N. C., said he thanks God for calling Shepherd, Goodman, and the other divinity faculty to Christian service.


Goodman said he is deeply honored to be associated with Shepherd family, and his ministry.  “And I’m especially thankful to my colleagues on the faculty, and for the students who make Gardner-Webb such a wonderful place to live and to learn,” Goodman said.


Goodman was described by Rabbi Irving Greenberg, former chairman of the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC and a national leader in Jewish-Christian dialogue in America, as “an up-and-coming scholar…a leader in the new vision of interpretation and learning.”  “In using wisdom and talent, he [Goodman] has reached the profound level of reconciling scholarship with faith while deepening each one,” said Greenberg.


Goodman joined the faculty of The Divinity School at Gardner-Webb in the fall of 2003.  Prior to coming to North Carolina, Goodman served as Associate Professor of New Testament Studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University, where he was twice named Professor of the Year, and was awarded the Charles and Hazel Corts Award for Outstanding Teaching.  In 2004, Goodman was one of ten theological school professors nationwide to be awarded the Theological Scholars Grant by the Association of Theological Schools and the Lilly Foundation for his project on the history of Baptist-Jewish relations.  Goodman has presented academic papers at regional, national, and international meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature.  Goodman regularly contributes to book reviews and journals, including Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Biblical Theology Bulletin, Review & Expositor, and Review of Biblical Literature.  In 2006, Goodman was issue editor (and author of two articles) for Review & Expositor’s issue on Jewish-Christian Dialogue.  Goodman’s primary research interests include Christian origins, Jesus and the gospels, hermeneutics, and Jewish-Christian dialogue.  Although Goodman’s ministry takes place first in the classroom, he is equally devoted to serving the church.  He has served as an interim pastor in Baptist churches in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.  Goodman also preaches and teaches in churches across North Carolina.


Shepherd served as pastor to many Baptist churches in North Carolina before retiring from First Baptist, Morganton, N. C., in 1994.  Among many awards, Shepherd was once honored as Morganton’s Man of the Year, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Ministry degree from The School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb.  He continues to serve in interim pastorates and the community in which he lives.  Dr. Lorance Henderson, member of the Gardner-Webb Board of Trustees, said Shepherd is the embodiment of the fruits of the Spirit and a man after God’s own heart.