Gardner-Webb’s 14th President: Meet & Greet

One Webb: We are better together.

Good morning, everyone.

Thank you all for being here today. It is truly humbling to stand before a community that cares so deeply about Gardner-Webb University. Whether you are a neighbor, a supporter, a student, an alum, or a friend of this institution, your presence today reflects the strength of the Gardner-Webb family and the shared belief that what happens here matters—not just for our campus, but for our region and beyond.

If you will bear with me, there is some gratitude that needs to be shared before we go on with the rest of the event.

First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Every blessing in my life, every opportunity to serve, and every success this University has experienced is because of His grace and provision. Gardner-Webb’s story is one of faith, a story of people who have trusted God to lead, provide, and sustain through every season. My prayer is that we continue to walk boldly in that faith and to keep Christ at the center of all we do.

I would also like to offer my gratitude to the many people who have helped make this moment possible and who continue to shape the future of Gardner-Webb University.

To the Presidential Search Committee, thank you for your time, your diligence, and your discernment throughout this process. I am deeply grateful for the hours you invested in reviewing applicants, conducting interviews, and ensuring this University found the right leader for this moment in its history.

To our Board of Trustees, thank you for your confidence in me and for entrusting me with the privilege of guiding Gardner-Webb’s next chapter. I am especially thankful to our Board Chair and the Chair of the Search Committee, Rev. Dr. Lamont Littlejohn, for his steady leadership, his wisdom, and his unwavering dedication to this University. His faith and friendship mean the world to me.

To my wife, Dr. Brittany Evans, thank you. Time together is our most precious resource, and I thank you for allowing me to invest so much of that time in the calling that brought us here today. I desire to be a great president, but I also want to be a great husband. Please know I would not be standing here without your steadfast love, encouragement, and faith in me.

To the Gardner-Webb community, our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters, you are the heartbeat of this institution. Your work, your prayers, and your belief in our mission have carried Gardner-Webb through transition and into a new season of opportunity.

And a special word of thanks to all those behind the scenes who made today possible, including our event staff, communications team, and others. You brought this day together beautifully and with very little time, and I am so grateful for your commitment to excellence.

As I step into this role, I do so with deep humility and a clear sense of purpose. Gardner-Webb has always been more than a place to earn a degree. It is a place where students discover their calling, where faith and intellect meet, and where service is a way of life.

Scripture reminds us in James 2:17 that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” That truth speaks directly to who we are and where we are going. Faith brought Gardner-Webb this far, but it is our action, our courage, and our unity that will shape our future.

As we build that future together, my vision for Gardner-Webb centers on four guiding priorities:

Strengthening Our Foundation.

We will steward our resources wisely by aligning investments with mission and ensuring that every dollar advances our purpose. Stewardship is not just financial; it is spiritual. It is about caring well for what God has entrusted to us.

Taking Care of Our People.

Our faculty and staff are the soul of Gardner-Webb. We will prioritize their growth, their well-being, and their success because when our people thrive, our mission thrives. Whether it is through professional development, compensation, or fostering a culture of respect and support, we will take care of those who take care of our students.

Enhancing the Student Experience.

We will continue to raise the bar for academic quality, expand programs that meet the needs of a changing world, and provide experiences that prepare our students for both life and leadership. We will focus on learning that transforms hearts as well as minds.

Living Out Our Mission Boldly.

As a Christ-centered university, we will lead with faith and courage, strengthening our partnerships, serving our neighbors, and ensuring that Gardner-Webb remains a light for this region and beyond.

At the heart of it all is One Webb, the belief that we are better together. One Webb reminds us that every classroom, every field, every office, and every partnership contributes to something greater than ourselves. When Gardner-Webb thrives, our community thrives. When our students succeed, our region grows stronger. And when we unite as One Webb, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

So today, I simply want to say thank you for your faith, your prayers, your partnership, and your belief in this University.

Together, we will honor our past, serve faithfully in the present, and build a future defined by faith, excellence, and hope.

Thank you, may God bless each of you, and may God continue to bless Gardner-Webb… Let’s get to work!