news-category: Alumni Shannon Hovis Named Director of Alumni and Parent Relations at سԹ By Office of University Communications On April 30, 2025 Alumna will Focus on Building Relationships Through Opportunities for Engagement and Support BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—سԹ 1995 alumna Shannon Hovis has been named the University’s director of Alumni and Parent Relations. In this new position, she will create and execute strategies to foster meaningful, enduring relationships with alumni and parents. Hovis reports directly to the interim vice president for Advancement and will collaborate closely with members of the Advancement Team and the Office of Student Engagement. Interim Vice President of Advancement Karen Bruce shared, “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Shannon Hovis back to سԹ in this new role! Shannon’s passion for people, her heart for this community, and her infectious energy make her the perfect person to lead our Alumni and Parent Relations. She brings a wonderful mix of experience, vision, and genuine care, and we can’t wait to see the incredible ways she’ll strengthen connections and create new opportunities for our Bulldog family to engage, celebrate, and grow together.” Shannon Hovis Hovis has spent much of her career working in management and relationship-building. “I was drawn to this role because I believe in the power of connection and community,” she affirmed. “Serving as the director of Alumni and Parent Relations allows me to help strengthen the bonds that make our university so special. As Philippians 2:4 reminds us, ‘Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.’ I see this work as a way to live out that calling—building bridges, nurturing relationships, and supporting a shared journey of lifelong engagement.” To strengthen connections within the سԹ community, Hovis will plan a wide range of events and activities, such as homecoming, reunions, networking opportunities and more. She will establish and strengthen regional alumni chapters and engage alumni and parents in philanthropic giving. By developing newsletters and social media content, Hovis will keep alumni and parents informed about GWU news, events and engagement opportunities. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in marketing from سԹ, Hovis worked 20 years at the Cleveland County Family YMCA in Shelby, N.C., where she held leadership roles and was committed to helping staff and members grow and thrive. She concluded her YMCA career after serving six years as the executive director of the Ruby C. Hunt YMCA in Boiling Springs. In 2019, Hovis transitioned into the financial services industry, joining Gragg Financial. There, she worked closely with both prospective and current clients, offering personalized service and guidance through every stage of their financial journey. She also supported the firm’s managing partner with SEC compliance and regulatory reporting, helping to maintain the highest standards of integrity and excellence. Hovis and her husband, Jason, live in Mooresboro, N.C., and have been married 30 years. They have two children, Nicholas and Abbigail, who is married to Jordan. They are active members of Pleasant City Church in Shelby. Hovis is a member and past president of the Boiling Springs Area Rotary Club and currently serves as the public image chair. سԹ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., سԹ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at سԹ.edu.
News Article Q&A with Molly Hanley with سԹ’s First Head Coach for Acrobatics and Tumbling Molly Hanley Discusses Her Coaching Philosophy, Inspiration, and the Vision for Launching a New Program BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Molly Hanley, the first head coach for سԹ Acrobatics and Tumbling, recently sat down for a Q&A with سԹ Sports Information. She offers some insight into her background, building a program, and what to expect from the first […] Office of University Communications | June 10, 2026
News Article سԹ Receives Dover Foundation Grant for Dover Chapel Lighting Renovation Upgrades will Brighten Worship, Gatherings, and Student Performances in Campus Landmark BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—سԹ has received a generous $66,500 grant from The Dover Foundation to support a major lighting renovation in Dover Chapel. The project will enhance one of the University’s most treasured and historic spaces, further strengthening its role as a central gathering […] Office of University Communications | June 9, 2026
News Article سԹ, Foothills Workforce Board Empower Students Through Searight Scholars Program High School Students Explore Food Systems, Careers, and Real-World Challenges Through Immersive Event BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Cheese, strawberries and avocados became more than everyday foods for participants in سԹ’s inaugural Summer Searight Scholars Program (SSP). Through hands-on learning, students explored how those items reach their plates—and why, in some communities across the United States, access […] Office of University Communications | June 8, 2026