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  • Home
  • About
    • Foundation Leadership
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Guiding Documents
  • Giving Priorities
    • Annual Fund
    • Scholarships
    • Capital Projects
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Speakers Series
    • Resources
    • Alumni Perks Membership
  • Scholarships
    • Active Funds
    • Apply Now
  • How to Give
  • Contact Us
    • Let Us Know You’re Interested . . .
  • Donate Now
    • Donation Form
    • $20.22 Challenge
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Foundation Leadership

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.

We are fortunate to have a diverse group of corporate, civic and
community leaders represented among our directors
and
we are grateful for their service.

Board of Directors

Mr. John Lowery Gaston College Foundation President
Mr. Tim Efird Gaston College Foundation Vice-President
Photo of Chad Melvin
Mr. Chad Melvin Gaston College Foundation Treasurer
Dr. John Hauser Gaston College President / Gaston College Foundation Secretary
Ms. Shelly Alman Assistant Treasurer
Mr. John Azar
Ms. M'Shel Beam Bowen
Mr. Nazrul Chowdhury
Mr. John Dancoff Gaston College Board of Trustees, Chair
Mr. Chris Elmore
Mr. Marty Hallman
Mr. David Lee
Rev. Dr. Joan Martin
Mr. Rob Pearson
Photo of Carl Stewart
Mr. Carl Stewart College / Foundation Legal Counsel
Ms. Rosalind Welder
Dr. Johnathan Williams

Staff

Luke Upchurch
Luke Upchurch Executive Director
More Info

Luke Upchurch

Luke Serves as the Executive Director of the Gaston College Foundation. He is also responsible for providing leadership, coordination, writing, and technical assistance for grant development and management throughout the College. 

He has over ten years of volunteer and professional experience serving educational organizations in the United States as well as international non-governmental organizations.  Before coming to Gaston College and the Foundation, Luke worked with Gaston County Schools as a Grant Coordinator and was responsible for the administration of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Grant as well as the L.E.A.P. Program.  He has a unique background in non-profits holding positions at the Pattanarak Foundation in Bangkok, Thailand where helped to support rural development and micro-financing programs for communities along the Thai-Burma and Thai- Laos border. 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 serves on the board of the Cherryville High School Education Foundation and has volunteered as a grant reviewer for the United Way of Gaston County.  He also volunteers with the Catawba Farm and Food Coalition.  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: upchurch.luke@gaston.edu
Andrea Grenier Scholarship and Donor Relations Specialist
More Info

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: grenier.andrea@gaston.edu
Holly Steuerwald
Holly Steuerwald Coordinator - Development Office Operations
Jerome Connor '15 Coordinator - Alumni, Events, and Programing
More Info

Jerome Connor '15

Jerome is the current coordinator for alumni, events, and programming. 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. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and two cats.

  • Ph: 704.922.6513
  • Email: connor.jerome@gaston.edu
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