Skip over navigation
  • Gaston College
  • WSGE 91.7fm
  • Search
Gaston College Foundation - Header Logo
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Foundation Leadership
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Guiding Documents
    • Contact Us
  • Giving Priorities
    • Annual Fund
    • Scholarships
    • Capital Projects
    • Athletics
    • WSGE 91.7 FM
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Speakers Series
    • Alumni Perks Membership
    • Resources
  • Scholarships
    • Active Funds
    • Apply Now
  • How to Give
  • Events
    • May 3, 2025 Bowl-A-Rama
    • June 13, 2025 A Night for Momentum Makers
    • June 23, 2025 Rhino Classic Golf
  • Donate Now
    • Donation Form
    • Rhino World Series Campaign
    • 91.7 FM WSGE
  • Home
  • About
    • Foundation Leadership
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Guiding Documents
    • Contact Us
  • Giving Priorities
    • Annual Fund
    • Scholarships
    • Capital Projects
    • Athletics
    • WSGE 91.7 FM
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Speakers Series
    • Alumni Perks Membership
    • Resources
  • Scholarships
    • Active Funds
    • Apply Now
  • How to Give
  • Events
    • May 3, 2025 Bowl-A-Rama
    • June 13, 2025 A Night for Momentum Makers
    • June 23, 2025 Rhino Classic Golf
  • Donate Now
    • Donation Form
    • Rhino World Series Campaign
    • 91.7 FM WSGE
  • Gaston College
  • WSGE 91.7fm
Trustee Spotlight: Dr. Bobbie Rowland

Trustee Spotlight: Dr. Bobbie Rowland

Trustee Dr. Bobbie RowlandWomen’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 first female trustee in August 1971.

At the time, Rowland said she had to get her fellow male trustees accustomed to her presence at early meetings. “They would start off their statements in the meetings with, ‘Now gentleman….'” Rowland said.

Rowland served until the 1978-79 school year and had nothing but praise for the time she served. “It was the most forward-looking board I ever served on,” said Rowland, who served during the presidential tenures of Woody Sugg and Joe Mills and for Gaston Board of Trustees chairman Ed Stowe.

In her final year on the board, Rowland was joined by Linda M. Roberts, giving Gaston College two female trustees that year. Roberts served until the 1986-87 school year, and Mary Lou Craig joined the board for two years before Gaston College went without a female trustee in the 1989-90 and 1990-91 school years.

That would be the last time the school had an all-male board as Rebecca Carter joined in 1991-92 and served for four years.

Sarah Knowles (12 years), Mariana Davis (three years), and Johnnie Moore (six years) were other early female pioneers who served on Gaston College’s board of trustees.f

julieostrowski

About the Author

Trustee Spotlight: Dr. Bobbie Rowland

Gaston’s Seventh President: Paul Berrier

When President Scott retired, Gaston College turned to a familiar face for interim leadership. Paul Berrier, a staff member since 1974, stepped into the role. He started at the college as Gaston’s director of campus development, later becoming vice president for human relations and vice president of administrative services. Berrier served as interim president from…

Read More aboutGaston’s Seventh President: Paul Berrier

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…

Read More aboutGaston’s Sixth President: Wayne Scott

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…

Read More aboutGaston’s Fifth President: Robert Howard

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…

Read More aboutRemembering Marshall Rauch
Gaston College Foundation - Footer Logo

Copyright 2025, Gaston College Foundation

  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Gaston College Foundation Is On instagram
  • Gaston College Foundation Is On facebook-f
  • Gaston College Foundation Is On twitter