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  • Home
    • Foundation Leadership
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Guiding Documents
    • Altrusa Award for Excellence
  • Giving Priorities
    • Annual Fund
    • Scholarships
    • Capital Projects
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Speakers Series
    • Resources
  • Scholarships
    • Active Funds
    • Apply Now
  • Contact Us
    • Let Us Know You’re Interested . . .
  • Donate Now
    • Where the Need is Greatest
    • Vet Tech Building
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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

Photo of Steve Campbell
Stephen D. Campbell President
Judith Maloney Vice President
Photo of Chad Melvin
Chad Melvin Treasurer
Dr. Patricia Skinner Gaston College President, Secretary of the Foundation
Photo of Cynthia McCrory
Cynthia McCrory Gaston College VP for Finance, Facilities & Operations, Assistant Treasurer of the Foundation
M'Shel Beam Bowen
Photo of Greg Botner
Greg Botner
Ross Bulla
Mr. Nazrul Chowdhury
Tim Efird
Marty Hallman
John Lowery
Johnathan Rhyne
Photo of Liz Sumner
Elizabeth N. Sumner
Photo of Carl Stewart
Carl Stewart College / Foundation legal counsel

Staff

Luke Upchurch
Luke Upchurch Interim Executive Director
More Info

Luke Upchurch

Luke has served Gaston College as the Director of Grants & Special Projects since 2014 and is 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
Brigitte McKee Manager of Development Operations
More Info

Brigitte McKee

Ms. Brigitte McKee, the Foundation’s Manager of Development Operations, has over 15 years of database administration experience, much of which was gained in institutions of higher education including Bethune Cookman University and UNC Charlotte.  While at Bethune Cookman University she received the institution’s most prestigious staff recognition, the Presidential Award for Outstanding Service.  She has also worked in the corporate sector as a project manager responsible for significant data tracking and analysis.

Ms. McKee holds primary responsibility for gift entry, donor management, and stewardship processes, and is helping the Foundation expand its fundraising efforts by bringing prospect research capabilities to our team. 

Ms. McKee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from UNC Charlotte.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling the world with her children.

  • Ph: 704.922.2372
  • Email: mckee.brigitte@gaston.edu
Jerome Connor '15 Administrative Assistant
More Info

Jerome Connor '15

Jerome began serving 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 and his wife are residents of Gastonia, NC.  When not working he likes to run, travel, and workout. He also enjoys spending time with his four-legged family members which includes a dog and two cats.

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