Board of Trustees

Management of the university is legally vested in the board of trustees, a self-perpetuating board elected by majority vote from nominees submitted by the trusteeship committee of the board. The board delegates authority to the president of the university for the operation of the total university program in keeping with established procedures and policies, and the president is the official liaison between the university and the board.

The board approves all major policy decisions, adopts the official budgets of the university, and passes on other major matters of university business. Much of the work is done through committees, but the full board has regularly scheduled meetings at least three times a year. Members of the Board of Trustees serve 4-year terms.

Current Officers

Chair: Paul Powell ’79, Greensboro, NC
Vice-Chair: Anna Renfro ’79, Gastonia, NC
Treasurer: Wayne Higgins ’75, Weaverville, NC
Secretary: Paula Kahn ’79, Bristol, VA

Terms Expire December 31, 2026

Mark Cabaniss ’82, Nolensville, TN
Brian Danforth ’06, Pickerington, OH
Will Davis, Burgaw, NC
Jameson Donnell ’12, Charlotte, NC
Doug Echols ’67, Waynesville, NC
Carolyn Ferguson, Candler, NC
Austin Lee ’03, Denver, CO
Karen Smith ’81, Winston-Salem, NC
McKelle Ulm ’03, Willow Spring, NC

Terms Expire December 31, 2027

Mike Cranford ’74, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Wayne Higgins ’75, Weaverville, NC
Gene Holdway ’74, Greer, SC
Don Icenhower ’80, Weaverville, NC
Paula Kahn ’79, Bristol, VA
Mike Kelly ’82, Mason, OH

Terms Expire December 31, 2028

Amanda Beatty ’02, Stanley, NC
Julian Cuthbertson ’08, Huntersville, NC
Carole Martin ’81, Asheville, NC
Ruth Parham ’65, Kingsport, TN
Cornell Sweeney Jr. ’78, Simpsonville, SC
Charles Trammell ’59, Memphis, TN
Marilyn “Que” Tucker ’74, Morrisville, NC
Jim Wilson ’67, Greensboro, NC

Terms Expire December 31, 2029

Bruce Boyles ’80, Kings Mountain, NC
Kyle Carver ’69, Leicester, NC
Susan Gurganus ’75, Raleigh, NC
A.C. Honeycutt Jr. ’75, Mars Hill, NC
Norman McRae ’84, Knoxville, TN
Jeff Miles ’01, Rabun Gap, GA
Paul Powell ’79, Greensboro, NC
Jeremy Pressley ’00, Canton, NC
Anna Renfro ’79, Gastonia, NC