Post Tom Jones Professor Emeritus of Natural Sciences From his first day at Gardner-Webb College in November 1979 to his last day at the University in May 2022, Dr. Tom Jones focused his passion and energy on his students. A native of Fayetteville, N.C., he was born in 1949 to Hubert H. and Margery Golson Jones. He loved […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Benjamin C. “Ben” Leslie Professor Emeritus of Christian Theology and Ethics Dr. Benjamin C. Leslie was born in 1957 in Anniston, Ala., raised in a Southern Baptist family, attending church where his grandfather served as his first pastor. His parents owned a furniture store, and he spent much of his childhood there dusting furniture and watching television as his […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Robert Earle Morgan Professor Emeritus of French and Mathematics Dr. Robert Earle “Bob” Morgan, professor emeritus of French and mathematics, was born March 2, 1935, in Rutherfordton, N.C., the middle of three sons of Roy Gilbert and Sue Hampton Morgan. He attended Green Hill Elementary School. He was an honor graduate of Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School, where he […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Zeno Wall Second President, 1930-1932 Dr. Zeno Wall (1882-1967) was born in Mooresboro, N.C., and was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Shelby (1925-1948). He became the interim president of Gardner-Webb College on May 20, 1930, and served for two years. He served without any salary. The relationship between the college and the churches in the […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post James Lineberry (J.L.) Jenkins Third President, 1932-1935 The Rev. James Lineberry Jenkins (1882-1973) was born in Stanly County, N.C., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Jenkins. After completing his elementary and high school years in the Stanly County Schools, he enrolled in Wake Forest College, from which he received the Bachelor of Arts degree. He then entered the Southern Baptist […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Arsola Crawford (A.C.) Lovelace Fourth President, 1935-1936 A.C. Lovelace (1898-1956) was born in Rutherford County, N.C. He was the son of Cicero Crawford and Mary Elizabeth Carolina Flack Lovelace. Lovelace attended school at Pleasant Hill and graduated from Round Hill Academy; he taught there briefly before going to Wake Forest College in 1912. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post George Jackson Burnett Fifth President, 1936-1939 George Jackson Burnett, born in December 1874 in Auburn, Ky., became the fifth president of the college, beginning with the 1936-1937 school year at a salary of $2,000. Burnett, based on previous experience, was one of the best-qualified persons to have been president of the college. He held the Bachelor of Arts […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post John R. Cantrell Sixth President, 1939-1943 John R. Cantrell (1888-1967), was the sixth president of Gardner-Webb College and served during its final years as it carried the name Boiling Springs Junior College. He was born in State Line, S.C., in Cherokee County. In his mid-20s, “J.R.,” as he was known, was called to the ministry, and having been […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post Philip Lovin Elliott Seventh President, 1943-1961 Philip Lovin Elliott (1891- 1961), English professor and college president, was born in Wayside, N.C., in a little hamlet nestled among the hills and valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains. Despite the poverty of the region, Elliott was possessed by a consummate desire for education, and at the age of 18 he enrolled […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
Post E. Eugene Poston Eighth President, 1961-1976 Before becoming the eighth president of Gardner-Webb, Dr. Eugene Poston had served as chairman of the religion department of the College. Dr. Phil Elliott had announced that he would retire on Aug. 1, 1961. A selection committee had recommended to the trustees that Poston become president upon Elliott’s retirement. The trustees unanimously […] Office of University Communications | August 25, 2022
