Gaston’s Sixth President: Wayne Scott
Wayne Scott’s journey from NASA physicist to Gaston College’s sixth president was somewhat of an unconventional path in higher education leadership. Scott, a Chattanooga native, earned degrees from the University of Chattanooga, William & Mary, and Ohio State before his tenure at NASA from 1962 to 1965. At Langley Field, he contributed to shield development…
Gaston’s Fifth President: Robert Howard
Dr. Robert Howard stepped into the role of Gaston College president in August 1979, following Dr. Joseph Mills’ resignation that May. Initially serving as “acting” president, Howard officially took the helm on August 27, 1979. A Charlotte native, Howard moved to Gastonia at age 5 in 1924. He pursued his education at Mars Hill Junior…
Remembering Marshall Rauch
Few people in state history have touched as many lives as Marshall Arthur Rauch before his death this week at 102. A native of Manhattan, N.Y., he moved to North Carolina in 1940 to play basketball at Duke University, where he met his wife when they were both 17 years old. He became a popular…
Trustee Spotlight: Dr. Bobbie Rowland
Women’s History Month is the perfect opportunity to honor one of the school’s female pioneers, former longtime Gaston College trustee Dr. Bobbie Haynes Rowland. A 1951 graduate of UNC Greensboro, Rowland was named Professor Emeritus of Child and Family Development at UNC Charlotte after her 37-year tenure at that school ended, Rowland was Gaston College’s…
Gaston’s Fourth President: Joseph Mills
When Joseph Mills became Gaston College’s fourth president in July 1975, he was promoted from his position as vice president. A University of Kentucky graduate, Mills became an educator after working for four radio stations and two television stations. Also a writer for the U.K. college newspaper, Mills taught high school English while earning his…
Gaston’s Third President: Woodrow Sugg
Gaston College’s third president was a familiar local name with loads of experience as an educator. Woodrow B. “Woody” Sugg was an Eastern N.C. native with deep roots in the county who was also directly involved in the opening of Gaston College. A 1935 graduate of old South Edgecombe High School in Pinetops, Sugg graduated…
Gaston’s Second President: William Cottingham
When Gaston College lost its first president in February 1967, it needed an interim president while the school’s Board of Trustees pursued a permanent replacement. Dr. William T. Cottingham, who had been Gaston College’s dean of instruction when Dr. Bob Benson resigned, was appointed as the school’s interim president. Cottingham remained dean of instruction while…
Gaston College Welcomes New Chief Development Officer
Gaston College is excited to announce Daniel Freeman as the new Chief Development Officer for the Gaston College Foundation. With a background in higher education and strong connections to the local community, Freeman brings a wealth of experience and passion to this role. Freeman’s journey to Gaston College is as diverse as it is impressive….
Gaston’s First President: Robert Benson
When Gaston College began in 1964, it wanted a dynamic president to raise the school’s profile and build a foundation for the future. The school found its man in Crayton Robert “Bob” Benson, Jr. Not only was Benson a former college football star, he was also a part of the U.S. Military’s D-Day invasion during…
Power for Life Grant Awarded to Student Food Pantry
Gaston College Foundation Awarded $10,500 Piedmont Lithium Power for Life Grant to Bolster Student Food Pantry Dallas, NC, December 13, 2023] – The Gaston College Foundation is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of the Piedmont Lithium Power for Life Grant, a generous donation of $10,500. This grant was awarded…