Gardner-Webb Advancement Office Welcomes New Bulldog Club Executive Director

GWU Alumnus Wes Cogdill will Lead Efforts to Support Over 600 Student-Athletes

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University’s Office of Advancement has announced a new executive director for the Bulldog Club. Alumnus Wes Cogdill, of Boiling Springs, brings experience as a student-athlete, educator, coach and marketing professional to the important role of supporting the University’s Athletics programs.

Cogdill, who begins on Sept. 6, is no stranger to Gardner-Webb. In addition to being a 2008 alumnus, four-year letterman and Academic All-Conference on the baseball diamond, he served as a fundraiser in the GWU Office of Advancement for three years. In his new position, Cogdill reports directly to the Vice President for Advancement Nate Evans. His responsibilities include implementing and managing fundraising and membership growth strategies with a focus on supporting over 600 student-athletes and the University’s 22 NCAA Division I teams.

“Wes’ experience as a student-athlete and his deep appreciation for the University will serve as a valuable foundation to his success,” Evans observed. “His approachability and hard work ethic will only strengthen our efforts, and Runnin’ Bulldog fans from all over will appreciate his appetite for success.”

Cogdill returns to his alma mater after serving as Market Development Manager at His Way At Work. His  duties there included partnering with organizations and their leaders to evaluate their workplace environment. Then, he helped them focus organizational leadership through the lens of Christian principles.

“I’m pleased to have Wes rejoin our team at Gardner-Webb,” shared GWU President William Downs. “He’s coming into the position with eyes wide open, well aware that for us to be successful we have to grow our Bulldog Club quickly. At the D-I level, our Bulldog Club must transform into a much larger, much stronger, and much better funded organization. If you look across the NCAA landscape, the universities that produce consistent winners are invariably those that are backed by vibrant booster clubs. Wes’ roots at GWU are deep. He cares about our success. I know he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and get busy building something special.”  

Cogdill graduated from Gardner-Webb with his Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a concentration in public relations and a minor in marketing. He completed his lateral entry teacher certification in 2013 and has five years of experience as a secondary school exceptional children’s teacher. During that time, he coached high school golf and middle school baseball. Additionally, Cogdill worked in the GWU Admissions office as a counselor, managing the Student Recruitment Ambassadors and serving as Alumni Partnerships Representative.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be back home with my Gardner-Webb family,” Cogdill affirmed. “I recognize that athletics influences Runnin’ Bulldogs to become part of the Gardner-Webb team that impacts the campus community. I am grateful for the chance to help the Runnin’ Bulldogs continue building winning traditions. I am looking forward to connecting and reconnecting with alums, staff, and students as we work together to write the next chapter in the Bulldog Club. Go Dawgs!”

Cogdill and his wife, Kristen, have two children and a dog, Bentley. He is an active member of Pleasant City Church and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Cleveland County Partnership for Children, board member and treasurer for Jim Rice Ministries, and board member of the Foothills Junior Golf Association.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb 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 Gardner-Webb.edu.