Gardner-Webb Remembers Trustee Emeritus Dr. C. Lorance ‘Rance’ Henderson

Henderson Remembered as Advocate, Educator and Visionary Servant 

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb 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.

Known for his brilliant mind, compassionate heart and tireless dedication to service, Henderson’s impact on Gardner-Webb 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 Gardner-Webb 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 Gardner-Webb. “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 Gardner-Webb 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 Gardner-Webb 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.

“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.

Gardner-Webb 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., 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.