Four Dedicated Employees Retire After Decades of Service to Gardner-Webb

Their Contributions to the Campus Community Have Shaped Generations of Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Four longtime employees are retiring from Gardner-Webb University after the Christmas holidays. Their dedicated service has impacted students through academics, Christian Life and Service, and ensuring a safe, attractive environment for learning and community.

Retiring on Dec. 31

Susan Manahan, Assistant Professor of Biology, 31 years

During her tenure at Gardner-Webb, Manahan has championed scientific exploration and community service. After graduating with degrees in microbiology and nutrition from Penn State University, Manahan’s first job was working as a quality control technician for Bachman Pretzel Company in Reading, Pa. She joined the GWU faculty shortly after obtaining her master’s degree in biology from UNC-Charlotte.

Manahan’s dedication to students extended beyond the classroom. A highlight of her career has been mentoring undergraduates in their independent research and helping them achieve their goals. Her students have pursued various professions in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, and wildlife biology. Manahan has been granted the rank of Faculty Emeritus status upon her retirement. Read more here.

Dr. Robert Canoy, Professor of Historical Theology, 25 years

Canoy joined the School of Divinity faculty in 2000 and has regularly led study tours to Israel, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. His primary area of research is New Testament theology. He is the author “Atonement in the Apocalypse: An Expose of the Defeat of Evil.” Before joining the faculty of the School of Divinity, Canoy was pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C. His academic career includes teaching at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo. He has also served as pastor, interim pastor, and guest teacher in churches across North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Iowa, and Missouri. He is married to Cynthia and they are the parents of two adult sons. His hobbies include bicycling, basketball, baseball, hunting, woodworking, and traveling. Read more here.

Teresa Davis, Administrative Assistant for Office of Christian Life and Service, 22 years

Davis began working at Gardner-Webb in 2003 in the Office of Christian Life and Service/Campus Ministries. She enjoyed working with and around college students and ministering to them during these formative years. She had the opportunity to lead mission trips for college students and has traveled in the states as well as over six countries. She has been involved in ministry with her husband, Eric, for 46 years, and is the founder of Fragrance Ministries, which exists to encourage and empower women to know Jesus Christ personally.

Retiring on Jan. 5

David Wacaster, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, 27 years

Wacaster has a Bachelor of Science degree from Gardner-Webb and joined the University in 1998 as a patrol officer. He was captain of University Police when he was tapped to be the director of Environmental and Occupational Safety at GWU. In 2020, he became the director of Operations for Facilities and Maintenance. Before coming to Gardner-Webb, Wacaster had served six years with the Shelby Police Department, where he held the positions of patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT Team member, and detective. He is married to Tonya, who received her bachelor’s and master’s in nursing from Gardner-Webb. His daughters also graduated from GWU. Kaylee earned a sports management degree and is a fifth-grade teacher at Township Three Elementary. Jenna graduated with an education degree and teaches second grade at Springmore Elementary. They both played softball at Gardner-Webb and were recognized as Big South All Conference players. Kaylee holds six career hitting records for the Bulldogs. Jenna is married to Caleb Webber and they have a son named Riggs. When he’s not at GWU, Wacaster likes to ride the trails in West Virginia while running his off-road touring business. He also enjoys spending time with family and spoiling Riggs.

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. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.