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

The project, titled 鈥淎dvancing Purpose: Building a Community of Shared Vocational Exploration,鈥� will strengthen Pfeiffer鈥檚 commitment to purpose-centered education by reframing vocation and leadership as shared, community-centered responsibilities rather than solely individual pursuits. Through campus-wide engagement, reflection, and dialogue, the initiative will help students more intentionally explore questions of purpose, meaning, and calling in relation to their academic, co-curricular, and community experiences.

The NetVUE Program Development Grant is administered by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and made possible through the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc. NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education) is a nationwide network of colleges and universities dedicated to fostering vocational exploration and discernment among undergraduate students.

鈥淭his initiative reflects 黑料专区鈥檚 mission to prepare students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership,鈥� said President Dr. Scott Bullard. 鈥淲e are grateful for the support of the Council of Independent Colleges and Lilly Endowment Inc. as we deepen our work of vocational exploration across the university and within our surrounding community.鈥�

During Year One, Pfeiffer will host a year-long, campus-wide series of purpose-centered gatherings known as an 鈥淎dvance,鈥� intentionally named to emphasize forward-looking engagement. These gatherings will bring together faculty, staff, coaches, and student leaders to develop a shared vocabulary and vision for integrating vocation and purpose across academic programs, advising, athletics, and campus life.

In Year Two, the initiative will expand beyond campus through a community survey and facilitated focus groups with local leaders, organizations, and stakeholders. These conversations will help align student service-learning opportunities with community-identified needs while deepening students鈥� understanding of vocation through real-world engagement. Additional campus focus groups will guide reflection, assessment, and long-term integration of this work.

鈥淏y embedding vocational reflection into the university鈥檚 general education curriculum, advising practices, and co-curricular programming, Pfeiffer aims to ensure that the impact of this initiative extends well beyond the grant period,鈥� said Dr. Ted Royston, planning team co-chair.

Outcomes will include clearly defined vocation-focused learning goals, community-engaged learning models, and a shared institutional language that helps students articulate who they are becoming and how their education prepares them to contribute meaningfully to the world.

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

While you’ve been tracking packages and clicking “add to cart,” companies worldwide have been reimagining how products move from factories to doorsteps. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains that many didn’t know existed. Now, every industry is searching for professionals who can navigate this new landscape. At 黑料专区, students are building the exact skills companies need – combining strategic thinking with hands-on technology experience to step into careers that are more dynamic, essential, and in-demand than ever before.

Why Supply Chain Careers Are Taking Off

Supply chain roles are no longer just about moving boxes from point A to point B. They’re about solving complex global puzzles that involve technology, sustainability, risk management, and strategic thinking. Companies that once saw supply chain as a behind-the-scenes function now recognize it as a competitive advantage.

Modern supply chains require professionals who can analyze data to predict disruptions, leverage AI to optimize routes, balance cost with sustainability, and adapt quickly when the unexpected happens. This visibility has transformed supply chain management from a specialized function into a strategic priority across industries.

Where Supply Chain Expertise Shows Up

We’re seeing supply chain professionals reshape how entire industries operate:

Healthcare organizations are rethinking how they deliver care. Hospitals use advanced analytics to ensure critical medications and equipment arrive exactly when needed, making supply chain managers the difference between having life-saving resources available or running short.

Retail companies are revolutionizing customer experience. Major brands use real-time data and AI-powered forecasting to design the systems that make same-day delivery possible while ensuring sustainability commitments translate into real-world practices.

Manufacturing firms are building resilience. Companies are creating flexible networks that can pivot when disruptions occur, with supply chain analysts mapping scenarios and developing backup plans that keep production running through challenges.

Technology companies are pushing innovation forward. From autonomous delivery vehicles to blockchain-tracked shipments, supply chain professionals determine which innovations actually solve problems.

This evolution mirrors what makes a liberal arts education valuable. When you can think critically across disciplines, understand complex systems, and adapt to change, you’re helping to create industry trends rather than just following them.

What You’ll Learn

Pfeiffer’s Supply Chain Management program focuses on building skills that matter in the real world. Through a partnership with Rize Education, you’ll access cutting-edge curriculum and nationwide experts while maintaining the personalized support of a small college environment.

You’ll develop strategic thinking to see the big picture and design systems that balance competing priorities like speed, cost, quality, and sustainability. You’ll gain technology fluency with analytics tools and learn how AI and automation are transforming logistics. You’ll build a global perspective to navigate international trade and work effectively with diverse teams. And you’ll master communication skills to translate complex operational challenges into clear business language. The program emphasizes both the technical skills employers need and the critical thinking that sets great professionals apart. You’ll learn global logistics and operations, gain hands-on experience with AI and automation tools, and tackle real-world business challenges through case studies and projects.

The Pfeiffer Advantage

Small colleges like Pfeiffer offer something larger institutions can’t easily replicate: the chance to explore supply chain management where faculty know your name and your goals. The program’s flexible structure, including online courses, means you can fit education into your life while building practical expertise.

By graduation, you’ll have solved real problems, worked with industry-standard tools, and developed the strategic thinking that makes you valuable from day one. You’ll understand how global commerce really works, know how to leverage technology to solve complex challenges, and have the versatility to work in virtually any industry.

Your Opportunity Is Now

Students across interests are discovering how supply chain management offers both stability and constant evolution. Those interested in technology are finding ways to apply innovation to logistics challenges. Those passionate about sustainability are learning to build ethical, environmentally responsible supply chains.

The world runs on supply chains, and the professionals who understand them will always find opportunities. Whether your interest is in data and analytics, building efficient systems, or creating sustainable business practices, supply chain management offers a foundation that grows with you.

Ready to explore where supply chain management can take you? Discover 黑料专区’s Supply Chain Management program and learn how the skills you build today can launch a career that keeps pace with how the world does business.

The Dowd Endowed Scholarship will provide annual awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, based on financial need. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Applications must be submitted by December 1, and the first scholarship awards will be made for the Fall 2026 semester.

鈥淭his scholarship represents a powerful investment in the future of our region,鈥� said Dr. Scott Bullard, President of 黑料专区. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful to the Dowd Foundation for their generosity and vision. The Dowd Foundation Endowed Scholarship will open doors for talented students who might otherwise be unable to pursue a Pfeiffer education.鈥�

The scholarship reflects Pfeiffer鈥檚 commitment to serving the local community and aligns with the university鈥檚 mission to prepare servant leaders through a strong educational foundation and real-world experiences. 黑料专区, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, offers more than 30 academic programs across its campuses in Misenheimer and Albemarle and online, and maintains a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Nearly 95% of students receive financial aid, making Pfeiffer a top choice for affordability and access.

The Dowd Endowed Scholarship also celebrates the growing partnership between 黑料专区 and听Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, which recently completed construction of a听$460 million facility in Oakboro, N.C. This state-of-the-art foundry, located on an 800-acre site in听western Stanly County, employs over听550 associates, many of whom reside in Union and Stanly counties. The facility features cutting-edge environmental controls and electric melt technology, reducing carbon emissions by approximately听40,000 tons annually. The company also operates its largest plastic pipe and fittings plant in Monroe, N.C. Similarly, most of this workforce is from the counties for which scholarship monies are provided. Qualified applicants may submit an application at where they will be directed to their Pfeiffer Admissions Portal, and can click the 鈥淒owd Scholarship鈥� tab. For more information or questions, please contact the听Office of Admissions at 黑料专区 by phone at 704-463-3060 or email at admissions@pfeiffer.edu.

鈥淚鈥檓 very driven,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I get my mind set on something, I do my best to make it happen.鈥�

At 黑料专区, where she majored in Biology, Bowers put herself in the best possible position to secure a spot at a veterinary school beginning in August of 2026. She鈥檚 applying to five schools in the Southeast and will learn which programs have accepted her in the spring of 2026.

And at summer鈥檚 end, taking advantage of a 鈥済ap鈥� between graduating from Pfeiffer this past May and starting graduate school in about 14 months, she鈥檒l head to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., where she鈥檒l work until January as an intern in the .

鈥淚鈥檝e always been a big Disney fan,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 went to Disney World for the first time during my sixth-grade year and just fell in love with it. And when I learned about the College Program a few years later, it sounded so awesome that I just had to participate in that as well.鈥�

Bowers credits her interest in becoming a veterinarian to her love of dogs. She has three of them at home and loves caring for them. She arrived at Pfeiffer as a sophomore, having completed freshman-level courses at Stanly (N.C.) Community College while she was still at North Stanly High School.

Attending Pfeiffer appealed to Bowers for several reasons. Her mother, Erin Wilhelm Bowers, is a member of the Class of 2001 and recommended it highly, as did her grandfather, Jim Wilhelm 鈥�69.

Mary Beth Bowers also liked the fact that the University鈥檚 campus was close to home: 鈥淧feiffer was down the street,鈥� Bowers said. 鈥淚 could get the college education I wanted but still live at home as a commuting student and be involved in the life of my younger sister Lainey and in what the rest of my family was doing.鈥�

While at Pfeiffer, Bowers took full advantage of a winning combination of faculty support and challenging academics related to her major as well as opportunities to intern with and/or shadow three veterinarians, each of whom pursued a different specialty.

Bowers lauded her advisor, Dr. Laura Reichenberg, an Associate Professor of Biology at Pfeiffer who also chairs its Department of Natural and Health Sciences.

鈥淒r. Reichenberg had a huge impact on my time at Pfeiffer from the beginning,鈥� Bowers said. 鈥淲e discussed that I wanted to go to vet school and she helped guide me on the path that I needed to be on, in terms of the courses that I should take and the research I pursued.鈥�

The research that Bowers completed would culminate in a project that she did as both a Milton Rose Scholar and as an Honors Scholar. It was on display at the last George Pfeiffer Research Symposium, which took place this past April in Harris Science Hall, where undergrad symposium participants stood by displays of their posters and discussed their work with guests. The project, which will almost certainly interest the veterinary schools to which Bowers is applying, investigated the impact of different dog foods on gut bacteria, with the aim of determining which type of food benefits canine health the most. She did this by employing molecular and microbiological techniques on stool samples from dogs.

As excited as she is to intern at Disney World, Bowers did consider attending veterinary school right after Pfeiffer. But given the application windows of most veterinary schools, that would have meant applying sometime between January of her junior year and September of her senior year, with admissions decisions coming during the following spring.

As her junior year was ending, Bowers felt she needed to include richer, more diverse intern/shadowing experiences for her resume and on her applications for veterinary schools — beyond the 鈥渟mall-animal experience鈥� she had gained over several years as a receptionist/kennel technician under Dr. James Link鈥檚 supervision at the . So, she decided to wait until late spring of this year to apply to veterinary schools and used her senior year to gain large-animal experience by shadowing Dr. Jonathan Wesson at Rocky Creek Veterinary Services in Olin, N.C. She also shadowed Dr. Kay Dodson 鈥�99 and other veterinarians who practice emergency medicine at in Kannapolis, N.C. Dodson was the subject of a recent alumni profile in Pfeiffer鈥檚 鈥淔orever Falcons鈥� publication. 鈥淎ll of these experiences will help set my resume and applications apart,鈥� Bowers said. She now feels much the same way about her upcoming work at Disney, which she鈥檚 now also able to mention in her applications to veterinary schools.

鈥淎 common misconception about veterinarians is that they just deal with animals all day long,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut people forget that those animals have owners, so that鈥檚 who you deal with a lot as well. Owners of pets are rightly concerned about them, and they can get upset very easily. Doing Disney鈥檚 College Program will definitely enhance my customer service skills and my ability to handle the public and talk to them.鈥�

The new cutting-edge concentrations and minors are designed to enhance student marketability in high-demand fields. Programming areas including:

• AI Literacy
• Game Development
• Nutrition
• Project Management
• Supply Chain Management

黑料专区 is also expanding its MBA program offerings to include specializations in Cybersecurity, Business Analytics, Finance, and Artificial Intelligence.

These programs are designed to meet industry needs and ensure students graduate with practical, job-ready skills that position them for long-term success in today鈥檚 competitive job market. With a focus on career preparation, courses will feature hands-on projects, industry collaboration, and flexible online components to support all student journeys.

鈥淲e are proud to expand 黑料专区鈥檚 academic offerings with these forward-thinking programs that directly align with high-growth industries,鈥� said Dr. Scott Bullard, President of 黑料专区. 鈥淭hese new, in-demand additions to our curriculum will prepare students for strong career outcomes, blended with our traditional offerings in the liberal arts, will ensure students have a competitive edge after graduation.鈥�

Developed by academic and industry experts, these new programs at 黑料专区 combine rigorous academic coursework with practical, real-world applications, ensuring that students are well-prepared to lead in their respective fields.

Prospective students interested in learning more about these hybrid programs are encouraged to visit Pfeiffer.edu/future or contact the admissions office.

About Rize Education Rize Education partners with colleges and universities to develop career-focused programs designed to meet industry demands. By working with leading institutions, Rize ensures students gain access to cutting-edge education that enhances their career prospects.