The Foundation is guided by a volunteer board of directors appointed by the Gaston College board of trustees. Directors are invited to serve based upon their demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Gaston College.
Board of Directors
Mr. Tim Efird
Gaston College Foundation - President
Mr. Chris Elmore
Gaston College Foundation - Vice-President
Rev. Dr. Joan Martin
Dr. John Hauser
Gaston College President / Gaston College Foundation Secretary
Ms. Shelly Alman
Assistant Treasurer
Mr. John Azar
Mr. Nazrul Chowdhury
Sheriff Alan Cloninger
Mr. John Dancoff
Gaston College Board of Trustees, Chair
Dr. Marty Eaddy
Mr. Marty Hallman
Ms. Iris Hopper
Mr. David Lee
Mr. John Lowery
Mr. Rob Pearson
Mr. Carl Stewart
College / Foundation Legal Counsel
Ms. Rosalind Welder
Dr. Johnathan Williams
Staff
Luke Upchurch
Luke serves as the Executive Director of the Gaston College Foundation. He is responsible for leading, developing, and implementing a comprehensive and strategic development plan supporting Gaston College’s mission.
He has over fifteen years of volunteer and professional experience serving educational organizations in the United States and international non-governmental organizations. Before becoming the Executive Director in 2019, Luke served as the College’s Director of Grants & Special project for five years. Before coming to Gaston College and the Foundation, Luke worked with Gaston County Schools as a Grant Coordinator and was responsible for administering the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Grant and the L.E.A.P. Program. Before working at Gaston County Schools, Luke worked for the Pattanarak Foundation in Bangkok, Thailand, to support rural development and micro-financing programs for communities along the Thai-Burma and Thai- Laos borders. He earned an M.A. in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a B.A. in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Luke is a member of the Rotary Club of Gastonia and a Paul Harris Fellow. Luke serves as the chair of the Rotary District 7680 District Grants Subcommittee. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Cherryville High School Education Foundation and the Dream Center Academy. Luke is Chair of the Finance Committee for the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Rock Hill, SC. As an accomplished organist, he has served as a substitute for many churches in the area.
Luke lives in Rock Hill, SC, and enjoys traveling, brewing beer, and stand-up paddle boarding.
- Ph: 704.922.8405
- Email: [email protected]
Andrea Grenier
Andrea was born and raised in Gastonia. Before coming to Gaston College, Andrea was the Director of Events at the Gaston Business Association. She also worked as the Membership Director at the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce. Andrea is currently serving as the 86th President of the North Carolina Jaycees. She holds a B.S. Degree in Athletic Training from Catawba College. Andrea resides in Gastonia with her two children.
- Ph: 704-922-2225
- Email: [email protected]
Jerome Connor '15
Jerome is the current coordinator for Sponsorships and Special Projects. He began serving at Gaston College as the Administrative Assistant for the Foundation in March 2019.
He is an alumnus of Gaston College, having graduated in 2015 with an Associate of Arts degree in General Education. In 2017, Jerome graduated magna cum laude from Belmont Abbey College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Educational Studies.
Before coming back to the College to work with the Foundation, Jerome spent 8 years helping support patients going through various mental health crises in his work with Atrium Health in Davidson, NC and New Hope Treatment Center in Rock Hill, SC.
Jerome, his wife, and his daughter are residents of Gastonia, NC. When not working he likes to run, travel, and workout.
- Ph: 704.922.6513
- Email: [email protected]