Dr. Pillar most recently served as Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at Gardner-Webb University, where he provides strategic leadership across a broad portfolio of academic units, including academic innovation, digital learning, faculty development, undergraduate research, and continuing education. With more than 15 years of academic leadership experience and over 20 years in higher education overall, he has demonstrated a strong ability to advance institutional effectiveness, enhance academic quality, and support student success.

At Gardner-Webb, Dr. Pillar has played a central role in advancing academic strategy, strengthening accreditation processes, and expanding workforce-aligned academic offerings. He serves as the institution鈥檚 liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), guiding accreditation efforts and institutional readiness for reaffirmation. His leadership has emphasized data-informed decision-making, cross-campus collaboration, and the development of innovative academic programs designed to meet the needs of a diverse and evolving student population.

Before joining Gardner-Webb University, Dr. Pillar held senior leadership roles at Queens University of Charlotte, including Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. In that role, he led major institutional initiatives focused on student engagement, retention, and academic outcomes, and successfully directed the university鈥檚 accreditation reaffirmation process with no recommendations for follow-up actions.

In addition to his administrative leadership, Dr. Pillar is an accomplished faculty member and scholar. He has taught extensively in environmental science and chemistry, mentored student research, and led international experiential learning programs in locations such as Italy, Vietnam, Costa Rica, and Micronesia, emphasizing global engagement and sustainability. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Agronomy (Environmental Chemistry) from the University of Georgia, along with degrees from Kansas State University and the University of Minnesota.

鈥淒r. Greg Pillar has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and an unwavering commitment to student success.听During his tenure at Gardner-Webb University, he has provided effective leadership across Academic Affairs, guiding faculty, staff, and administrators through opportunities and challenges with professionalism, integrity, and collaboration. I am confident that Dr. Pillar will bring the same level of excellence and innovation to Pfeiffer.听Although his presence and expertise will be missed at Gardner-Webb University, we are extremely proud of this promotion in his professional journey!听鈥� 鈥� Nicole Waters, DNP, RN, CNE, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Gardner-Webb University.

黑料专区 recognizes Gardner-Webb University as an outstanding institution with a strong commitment to academic excellence, student success, and leadership development. Dr. Pillar鈥檚 work within that dynamic environment reflects both the strength of the institution and his ability to contribute meaningfully to its mission.

鈥淒r. Pillar comes to us after dozens of applicants were narrowed to a small pool of outstanding finalists who visited our campus. By the end of the process, we knew that had discovered in him a person who could not only nurture our traditional, liberal arts-based programming in Misenheimer and nurture the wonderful faculty and staff helping us deliver that programming, he is also capable of innovating within and around that space. We knew that we had discovered an academic leader who understands and appreciates the outstanding work that has been accomplished in our online graduate programming and in the Center for Health Sciences in Albemarle, but also someone who will help add to that growth by asking 鈥� alongside area CEOs and other thought leaders 鈥� 鈥榳hat鈥檚 next?鈥欌�� I know that I speak for the members of the search committee and others who interacted with Dr. Pillar in the search process when I say that we are excited to collaborate with him.鈥� 鈥� Dr. Scott Bullard, President of 黑料专区

Dr. Pillar鈥檚 appointment reflects 黑料专区鈥檚 continued commitment to advancing academic excellence, innovation, and student-centered learning. His extensive experience in accreditation, faculty development, and program innovation will further strengthen the university鈥檚 mission and position it for continued growth and impact. Dr. Pillar will begin his role at 黑料专区 on August 1, 2026

鈥淲e all worked together, but Diane was our glue, our counselor (we were all young and fresh out of college), our mother in many instances, and our therapist. She even had a nickname鈥� In admissions from 8 to 5, she was sometimes known as Dottie, and to me, if you had a nickname, you knew you were loved,鈥� remembered former Vice President of Enrollment Management Steve Cumming 鈥�92.

鈥淭he stories about what Diane meant to our students are absolutely true,鈥� said David M. Smith 鈥�70, former Vice President for Enrollment Management and University Trustee. 鈥淪he acted as a mentor, a stabilizer, and a balancing force for our whole office,鈥� he said. 

Chris Parker, former Vice President for Enrollment Management said, 鈥淚 knew right away that I had someone special,鈥� recalling that Martin was the person everyone gravitated toward. 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 matter what the problem was, they were going to counsel with Miss Diane. They were going to get her wisdom, her experience, and her knowledge. When you talk about passion and an individual who cares, that is what she embodies,鈥� he said.

In making the gift in honor of Martin, her son and daughter-in-law, Blake and Jamie Livingston Martin, said they hoped to honor her incredible legacy of service, noting that she rarely goes anywhere that a Pfeiffer alumnus doesn鈥檛 thank 鈥淢iss Diane鈥� for the difference she made in their lives.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all made up of interactions, relationships, and moments in our lives, and Diane Martin has touched thousands of students over the years. We are extremely proud of her legacy, and Jamie and I find no greater pleasure than to honor her in this way,鈥� said Blake Martin.

Both Pfeiffer alumni themselves, Blake and Jamie Martin have continued their family鈥檚 Pfeiffer legacy. Blake Martin completed an undergraduate degree in History in 2008 and earned his Master of Health Administration from Pfeiffer in 2015. He worked as a member of the University Advancement Division after graduation and now serves as President of Monarch. Blake also currently serves as Vice Chair of 黑料专区鈥檚 Board of Trustees.

A standout student-athlete in women鈥檚 lacrosse, Jamie Martin earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2010 and her Master of Science in Leadership in 2020. She is a certified human resource professional and currently serves as a Talent Acquisition leader with Lucet. She is also a former member of the 黑料专区 Alumni Board.

鈥淚n so many ways, Diane Martin has made the people of the 黑料专区 community feel seen and welcomed, and she has become an underlying part of hundreds, if not thousands, of student success stories. In many quiet ways, she used her position and talent to lift others up, and we are honored that Blake and Jamie have recognized and celebrated that outstanding legacy by naming the Diane T. Martin Welcome Center. There is not a more fitting tribute,鈥� said President Scott Bullard. 

The counselor had told Poe that the country needed more engineers. Poe wouldn鈥檛 become one of them. After his sophomore year, he showed his father his poor grades and told him that he hated engineering. 鈥淚 think it hates you back,鈥� Poe鈥檚 father said, showing a sense of humor that Professor Poe not only inherited but would also make an attractive hallmark of his lectures at Pfeiffer.

Ava Lowder 鈥�28, a rising junior at Pfeiffer from Mt. Pleasant, N.C., is a psychology major who took several courses taught by Poe. She said that he communicated not only with humor in the classroom but also with 鈥減assion and authenticity.鈥�

鈥淗e captured people鈥檚 attention when he spoke,鈥� she added. 鈥淗e had many unique stories that people genuinely wanted to listen to, and he knew how to connect those stories to classroom material as well as meaningful life lessons. He also created an environment where students felt comfortable participating rather than being afraid of making mistakes.鈥�

Poe鈥檚 move away from engineering to psychology took hold during an excellent introductory course in psychology at Duke, from which he earned a B.A. degree in the subject, in 1968. The course included six hours of research and several experiments, for which Poe was the subject. 鈥淚 fell in love with it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 concluded that studying people was great because I love people.鈥�

Poe also holds two advanced degrees in , which he earned after a stint in the U.S. Navy: a master鈥檚 degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a doctorate from Cornell University, which he earned in 1980.

He tried very hard to make his introductory courses at Pfeiffer, where he began teaching in 2004, just as appealing as that very first Duke course. And in large part he has succeeded: psychology consistently ranks fifth or sixth at Pfeiffer, in terms of the numbers of students majoring in the subject. They鈥檙e drawn to it for several reasons: It can be really interesting, its required semester hours (40) enables students to make it part of a double major, and, as Poe became adept at communicating, it is , not just counseling and experimental psychology.

鈥淚鈥檓 just trying to show them again and again that all this stuff that we talked about isn’t just for the exam,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can use it.鈥�

The students contemplating careers involving research could find an excellent example in Poe, who has published numerous papers and given invited addresses on a range of subjects, from 鈥淐ustoms Officials and Their Search Decisions鈥� to 鈥淭he Salem Witch Trials.鈥� 

The piece on the search decisions of (1980), written with Robert Kraut, has been described as 鈥渁 landmark study鈥� examining how people evaluate truthfulness in real-world scenarios, specifically analyzing the behaviors that influence decisions to search people going through customs. Among other things, it found that search decisions were driven less by actual guilt than by perceived comportment (nervousness, demeanor).

Although Poe can point to numerous academic accomplishments at Pfeiffer, he says he鈥檚 most proud of the social relationships he has forged with his students and colleagues. He loves singing and playing the guitar, for example, having become a mainstay of a faculty bluegrass band called Brain Trust.

He recently spent an hour or so with Lowder talking about her interests and recommending books she might read to learn more. He鈥檚 an inveterate reader himself, mostly of nonfiction. One of the books he suggested was Poe鈥檚 own , which she described as 鈥渟imilar to a trivia book but it includes short stories, not just questions and answers.鈥� 

Poe has attended the weddings of five or six students. He has 398 Facebook friends and guarantees that at least 95 percent of them have a connection to Pfeiffer. 鈥淚鈥檓 accepting applications for a couple of more Facebook friends from the Pfeiffer family,鈥� he joked recently. 鈥淧feiffer grows on you,鈥� he added. 鈥淲e call ourselves a family, and after a short while, I came to believe it. Basically, all of my friends are at Pfeiffer. It鈥檚 just been the perfect fit for me.鈥�

When he toured Pfeiffer as a prospective first-generation college student from nearby , Palmer met an admissions officer intent on demystifying the application process for him. As the first in his family to pursue a college degree, he was largely unfamiliar with the usual tasks required for admission, as were members of his family.

鈥淭here were so many different small steps,鈥� Palmer said, referring to everything from filling out a to uncovering scholarships. 鈥淭he admissions officer walked me and my family through all of them.鈥�

Palmer had not encountered anything like the help he received from Pfeiffer admissions during his visits to several other North Carolina colleges. That Pfeiffer had gone the extra mile for him figured prominently in his decision to attend the University.

Palmer also gravitated to higher ed administration as a result of the influence of Dr. Russ Sharples 鈥�75, an alumnus of Pfeiffer College. Sharples鈥� tenure as an administrator at Pfeiffer, where he served as VP of Student Development and Dean of Students from 2009 to 2016, overlapped with Palmer鈥檚 two-year stint as a science teacher in the public schools of Rowan (N.C.) County (2010-2012).

During his deanship, Sharples occasionally called Palmer with the aim of bringing him back to campus as an employee, having recognized that he possessed the skills and background to work effectively behind the scenes for the betterment of the University鈥檚 students.

One of those calls resulted in Palmer running a summer program called Pfeiffer Readiness Education Program (PREP).  PREP — the latest iteration of which will take place in June over 10 days on Pfeiffer鈥檚 campus in Misenheimer, N.C. — equips mainly first-generation freshmen with study, writing, and time-management skills as they take and earn credit for a course called English 101. PREP also engages its students in team-building activities and acquaints them with Pfeiffer鈥檚 resources.

When Palmer ran PREP over two summers during his time as a science teacher, he related well to the first-generation students who participated, because he was one himself. Under Palmer鈥檚 guidance, PREP leveled the playing field for first-generation students, whose metrics (e.g., GPAs, graduation and retention rates, and the pace at which they earn degrees) came to match those of their multigenerational peers.

Sharples was impressed. He placed another call to Palmer after he had resumed teaching middle schoolers during the regular school year.

鈥淒r. Sharples was very blunt,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淗e said, 鈥業 need you to quit your job and I need you to come work at Pfeiffer.鈥欌��

Palmer鈥檚 response: 鈥淲hat day do I start?鈥�

Palmer closed out his stint in teaching and began working full-time at Pfeiffer the following summer as a Learning Assistance Coordinator, a post he鈥檇 hold until 2020, when he became Director of Learning and Academic Success (2020-2022). As Coordinator, he assumed two principal duties: running PREP and overseeing the peer tutoring program at Pfeiffer.

Peer tutoring remains a pillar in the offerings of Student Support and Success. Some 20 students, each certified by the , are paid to assist their peers for between five and seven hours a week. Peer tutors often pursue master鈥檚 degrees or attend professional schools after graduating from Pfeiffer, and tutoring is a way for them to retain material they will need for graduate-level studies.

鈥淲e normally tutor 100 to 125 students a semester,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淲e have a tutor for nearly every class on campus.鈥�

Palmer鈥檚 work with the Student Support and Success Center also helps ensure that a Pfeiffer education remains accessible to students with disabilities or injuries. He ensures the completion of updates to important paperwork needed for foreign students to enter and leave the country legally. And he helps American students arrange study abroad experiences. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the Pfeiffer way for professors to prioritize student needs by offering them extra help after class or mentoring them,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淪tudent Support and Success builds on that important part of our culture, and I am proud to be a part of that work.鈥�

The 黑料专区 community mourns the loss of Dr. James L. Pazun, a longtime and deeply respected member of the 黑料专区 faculty. Dr. Pazun passed away on January 13, 2026.

Dr. Pazun joined the University in 1994 as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Physics. Through his dedication to teaching, scholarship, and service, he advanced steadily through the academic ranks, ultimately earning promotion to Associate Professor and later Professor of Chemistry and Physics, the rank from which he retired.

During his years at Pfeiffer, Dr. Pazun held several key leadership roles, including service as Head of the School of Natural and Health Sciences, Chair of the Chemistry and Physics Department, and Director of Online Learning, where he helped guide academic programs, strengthen departmental initiatives, and shape the University鈥檚 early efforts in digital education.

鈥淚 had the fortune to begin my career at 黑料专区 in August of 1994 with Jim Pazun. He became a valued and trusted colleague who was willing to embrace innovative ideas and practices in his classes. His leadership of the Southern Piedmont Educational Consortium for more than a decade helped challenge and prepare students as well as expose them to new experiences in a college setting,鈥� reflected Dr. Mark McCallum, Professor of Biology and Director of Academic Initiatives.

In May 2013, Dr. Pazun took medical retirement. In a message to colleagues dated May 8, 2013, he expressed his hope to continue contributing by teaching an occasional online course, even though he could no longer serve full-time. His dedication to his students and to the University remained strong throughout this transition.

Dr. Pazun鈥檚 academic background reflected the same commitment to excellence that marked his time at Pfeiffer. He earned his B.S. from Gannon University in 1985 and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh in 1991.

Former students remember Dr. Pazun not only for his academic rigor, but also for his compassion and mentorship.

鈥淒r. Pazun was more than just a professor at 黑料专区, he was my mentor, confidant, counselor, and friend. Dr. Pazun鈥檚 door was always open for any student needing help in science classes or just needing prayer. He would pray with me often and he truly helped shape me as a student and leader on campus. His leadership, guidance, and friendship was one-of-a-kind and helped me during my college years and beyond,鈥� recalls Wynter Sexton 鈥�99.

Echoing Sexton鈥檚 sentiment, Dr. Cathy Benson Laws 鈥�02 said, 鈥淒r. Pazun was a rare and remarkable example of a brilliant professor and scientist whose intellectual rigor was matched by genuine kindness as a mentor. His unwavering faith in God shaped not only his scholarship, but also the way he cared for us as students.鈥�

The Pfeiffer community will remember Dr. Pazun as a thoughtful teacher, a steady leader, and a generous colleague whose work strengthened the University鈥檚 academic mission in countless ways. We are grateful for his nearly two decades of service and the lasting impact he made on students, faculty, and the broader campus community.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Pazun鈥檚 family, friends, former students, and all who knew him. At this time, arrangements have not been announced.

听A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, February 15 in the chapel at Hickory Grove Baptist Church (Charlotte, NC Harris Campus), with visitation at 3 p.m. and a service at 4 p.m.:听

Enter Dr. Ryan Girts, one of Barbato鈥檚 Health and Exercise Science professors at Pfeiffer. This past October, students in his biomechanics classes measured how Barbato鈥檚 players fared in typical exercises used for athletic testing. These included a vertical jump, a broad jump, and a ; the aim was to determine some 鈥渂aseline鈥� numbers that can be compared to those that emerge when Barbato鈥檚 players perform the same exercises during spring semester preparations for a season that will begin on Feb. 11 with . By then, the players will have pursued a regime of drills and strength training tailored to their objectives in lacrosse. 

The women鈥檚 lacrosse-biomechanics collaboration is one of several research projects that Girts, the faculty athletics rep for the University, has forged with his students and the players on Pfeiffer sports teams. In another project, which happened this past fall, students collected data from players on the men鈥檚 soccer team who wore GPS units. GPS units have been described as satellite devices that can collect 鈥渄ata on speed, distance, acceleration, and intensity to optimize training, manage workloads, prevent injuries, and analyze performance for sports like football, soccer, rugby, and hockey.鈥�  

Broadly speaking, the Girts-led research falls under an umbrella he has coined 鈥淔alcon CLAWS鈥� (an acronym that stands for Competition and Lifestyle Athlete Wellness Support). CLAWS programming includes Honors Program students and Milton Rose Research Fellows doing research in 鈥渟ervice鈥� to the University. 

鈥淚 make a concerted effort to make all of the research that we do also a service project,鈥� Girts said. 

The service project involving the women鈥檚 lacrosse team will give Barbato and her assistants another objective measurement, in addition to game stats, of how their players are developing in the field of play.  

鈥淲e can see, for example, that a player鈥檚 shot is getting better by observation,鈥� Barbato said. 鈥淏ut instead of relying solely on us watching, we鈥檙e able to actually use measurable data to monitor the athlete’s progress as time goes by.鈥� 

Girts echoed this assessment by explaining why the vertical leap is such an important measure: 鈥淭he ability to jump high vertically requires lower body power that then can also be articulated forward and horizontally,鈥� he said. 

Girts suggested that the research projects he leads are uncommon, at least among Pfeiffer鈥檚 peer schools: 鈥淎t the D3 level, there鈥檚 not much of this happening, particularly in our conference. I don鈥檛 know of anyone else that is doing this, off the top of my head.鈥� 

Barbato sees a win-win situation, in addition to the 鈥渇un鈥� the student researchers had with the players.  

鈥淒r. Girts鈥� students get hands-on experience doing the testing,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd my players come to understand the value of that testing and how they can track their own improvements, motivating themselves to do better in the future.鈥�

Rose, 86, joined the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) program faculty at 黑料专区 in 2023. At the time, he and his wife Dee Ann had recently moved to North Carolina from Florida, where Rose was working as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at . Even though he has now officially retired from his faculty position, having completed his last Pfeiffer class in December, he will continue to be a guest faculty member for MS-PAS program simulation events. 

Rose has taught medical physiology and the pathophysiology of disease series at Pfeiffer, along with enriching student learning by connecting theory to practice in the Bramlett-Starnes Center for Advanced Clinical Simulation Education at the University鈥檚 Center for Health Sciences. His teaching career began during his second year at the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, now called , from which he graduated in 1963. He became a lab assistant in the College鈥檚 pathology department, a role that , which he instantly came to enjoy.  

Rose would develop many interests over the course of his career. As wide-ranging as they come, his pursuits included pioneering work for , described as 鈥渁 whole-person approach to hands-on care鈥�; working in surgical practice; serving both as a Medical Director and as a PA Program Director/Founder (Miami Dade College); and training both osteopathic surgeons and physician assistants. 

All this and more amounted to a formidable resume 鈥� a fact not lost on Dr. Scott Fisher, an Associate Professor in Pfeiffer鈥檚 MS-PAS program who also serves as its Program Director. 鈥淚鈥檓 very glad Dr. Rose joined and served as a member of our team,鈥� he said. 

鈥淲e are deeply grateful that Dr. Rose chose the 黑料专区 PA Program as the place to conclude his distinguished career as a full鈥憈ime educator,鈥� Fisher said. 鈥淗e generously shared his lifelong knowledge and experience with faculty, staff, and students. His impact on our program and our students will be felt for many years to come.鈥� 

Fisher added that Rose teaches with 鈥渃larity, passion, and depth鈥� and that his work in the Bramlett-Starnes Center drew on his 鈥渋mmense clinical background.鈥�   

Two students of Rose鈥檚 at Pfeiffer echoed these sentiments. Mackenzie Webster 鈥�27 of Misenheimer, N.C. called Rose鈥檚 experience 鈥渙ne of his most valuable assets as a teacher.鈥� She added that Rose 鈥渟hared real-world experience through decades of evolution of medical standards in general surgery and medicine as he applied them to his own practice.鈥� 

Danielle 鈥淒ani鈥� Dease 鈥�27 of Rock Hill, S.C. said that Rose made class 鈥渇un and exciting.鈥� 

鈥淗e brought decades of real-world experience to each class,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e was a fair teacher who genuinely wanted his students to learn and understand. He always found a way to allow each student to learn each topic. Dr. Rose loved what he did, and it showed.鈥� 

The way that Rose acts outside the classroom at Pfeiffer would set an example that his students will always follow. Webster experienced that first-hand when she returned to class grieving her grandfather鈥檚 death.  

鈥淒r. Rose met me outside and gave me a hug and told me he was sorry and that difficult things happen, especially in medicine, but that I would be okay,鈥� Webster recalled. 鈥淣ot only will I take his example of compassion with me into clinical practice and apply that to patients and colleagues, but I鈥檒l remember that even when the job gets hard, I鈥檒l be okay.鈥� 

As Rose enters the next chapter of his life, he鈥檒l take fond memories of his time at Pfeiffer with him. He praised the supporters of the MS-PAS program, saying they 鈥渓ove the program and are 100 percent behind it.鈥� And he expressed admiration for the Pfeiffer instructors and students with whom he worked: 鈥淭hey have the nicest, most compassionate people. I can see God in them.鈥� 

鈥淚 have been blessed to have a wonderful career of teaching and service to my profession,鈥� Rose wrote on LinkedIn in his retirement announcement.  

黑料专区 has been deeply blessed to be among the institutions where he mentored students and strengthened the academic community.

Dr. Kellyn Luna 鈥� English Faculty

Dr. Kellyn Luna brings a passion for literature and creativity to Pfeiffer. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, knitting, and baking鈥攅specially cookies for her family. Her love for adventure has taken her to Japan, where she hiked scenic trails and encountered the country鈥檚 famous bowing deer.

Music is another of Dr. Luna鈥檚 passions, with tastes ranging from nostalgic favorites like the Backstreet Boys and Eminem to K-pop groups such as Huntrix and artists like Sabrina Carpenter. She also enjoys football and supports her family鈥檚 enthusiasm for soccer, gymnastics, and volleyball. At home, she shares life with two dogs鈥擱ussia, a German Shepherd, and Hazel, a French Bulldog鈥攁s well as a fish.

Fun fact: Dr. Luna is a devoted Harry Potter fan and loves all things spooky!

Dr. Kevin Misenheimer 鈥� Business Faculty

Dr. Kevin Misenheimer enjoys fishing, boating, and relaxing at Myrtle Beach, with lake trips being his favorite getaway. His travels have taken him to Jamaica and Ukraine, where he worked with missionaries and supported orphanages鈥攅xperiences that reflect his commitment to making a positive impact.

A fan of 80s rock and pop, Dr. Misenheimer values opportunities to inspire students. His advice to his younger self?
鈥淏e more serious鈥攈ave fun too, but take things a little more seriously. Take advantage of the opportunities people give you, make the most of everything, don鈥檛 overlook anything, and never take things for granted. Seize the chances you get.鈥�

Professor Donna Herron 鈥� Business & Marketing Faculty

Professor Donna specializes in business and marketing, with a keen interest in analytics鈥攁 field she finds both fascinating and practical. She loves to travel and has explored destinations such as South Africa and Iceland. Outside of work, she enjoys baking cookies during the holidays and sharing them with family, as well as cheering on her favorite sports teams.

A proud Wake Forest alum, she says:
鈥淚鈥檓 a diehard Deacon through and through鈥擨 even attended school with NBA star Chris Paul!鈥�

Her advice to her younger self?
鈥淒on鈥檛 take things too seriously鈥攊t鈥檚 just a test, not the end of the world. School can be intense, but sometimes you need to pause and remember it鈥檚 not life or death.鈥�

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Luna, Dr. Misenheimer, and Professor Donna to 黑料专区 and look forward to the knowledge, energy, and passion they bring to our academic community.

This decision underscores Pfeiffer鈥檚 enduring commitment to accessibility, affordability, and high-quality education, core values that continue to define the University鈥檚 mission in service to its students and the region.

鈥淎t a time when many colleges and universities are increasing costs, Pfeiffer is intentionally choosing a different path,鈥� said Dr. Scott Bullard, President of 黑料专区. 鈥淲e believe that a transformative, personalized education should remain within reach for every student. By holding undergraduate tuition, fees, and room rates steady for 2026鈥�27, we are investing in our students鈥� futures and reaffirming our promise to keep Pfeiffer affordable without compromising excellence.鈥�

The decision applies to all undergraduate students. Pfeiffer continues to provide significant institutional aid and scholarships to ensure access for students from a wide range of backgrounds. More than 95 percent of Pfeiffer students receive some form of financial assistance each year.

鈥淎ffordability and academic quality are not competing values at Pfeiffer,鈥� Dr. Bullard added. 鈥淲e will continue to make prudent financial decisions that allow us to invest in our students鈥� success while keeping costs stable. This approach honors both our Methodist heritage and our deep commitment to servant leadership.鈥�

Pfeiffer鈥檚 decision comes amid national conversations about the cost of higher education and the importance of sustainable models that support both students and institutions. By maintaining tuition and housing rates, Pfeiffer aims to provide families with financial predictability and peace of mind as they plan for the future.

In presenting the award, University President Dr. Scott Bullard described Lee as 鈥渁 respected and trusted advisor of the CFO and President,鈥� noting that she is a campus leader who 鈥渉as a theologically grounded understanding of stewardship.鈥� Bullard recognized Lee as an employee who exemplifies Pfeiffer鈥檚 mission through her work ethic and her care for colleagues and students. 

鈥淚 was shocked and am humbled to be honored in this way.  There are countless folks at Pfeiffer who work very hard and are dedicated to their work. I am really blessed to work alongside them and privileged to have so many people to learn from every day,鈥� Lee said. 

Lee received her MBA from 黑料专区 in 2024 after earning an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She worked previously as a financial reporting analyst at First Charter Bank in Charlotte, NC. The Starnes Award for Outstanding Achievement was established in 1995 by Ruth Peeler Starnes, a member of the Pfeiffer Junior College class of 1930. Her daughter, Pat Starnes Bramlett, and Dr. Chris Bramlett, a trustee emeritus of the University, attended the Convocation ceremony as representatives of the Starnes family. The endowed fund is intended to provide recognition to a faculty or staff member of 黑料专区 who has made a significant contribution in an academic, service, humanitarian, or athletic endeavor. The Starnes Award recipient receives a $1.000 cash gift and an engraved award. Recipients are also recognized on a plaque located at the entry of Jerry and Evon Jordan Hall.