Meet President Scott Bullard
The board of trustees named Dr. Scott Bullard as Pfeiffer University’s 11th president in 2019.
“Pfeiffer is preparing leaders in health care, business, education, the arts, ministry, and many other disciplines,” Bullard said, “and because of the character of Pfeiffer employees, Pfeiffer graduates care most about serving others through their vocations. What an exciting place to serve. I am excited to be working alongside such capable and engaged colleagues in service of students and a region that I have loved for a long time.”
Bullard holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Campbell University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University and a Ph.D. in theology from Baylor University.
Bullard served as professor, co-campus chaplain, chair of the humanities division, head of the religion department, dean of the college, senior vice president, and interim president at Judson College in Marion, Alabama.

Jusdon’s graduating seniors voted to honor Bullard with the Lula and Alton Holley Excellence in Classroom Teaching Award in 2010. As interim president, Bullard successfully concluded a $20.4 million fundraising campaign. He secured more than $5.4 million in gifts and pledges, including many donations toward the renovation of Judson’s library and the funding of additional student scholarships.
Bullard is a published author, with works appearing in several academic journals and edited collections. His book, Re-membering the Body: The Eucharist and Ecclesial Unity, focuses on the understanding and practice of the Eucharist, or Communion, and was published in 2013. Bullard lives Pfeiffer’s Oakboro president’s residence with wife, Shannon, and their four children, Judson, Desmond, Campbell, and Walker.
Executive Leadership Team
- Danny Mynatt
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Robin Leslie
Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
- Ron Laffitte
Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
- Emily Carella
Vice President for Enrollment Management
- Jeff Childress
Vice President of Athletics and External Relations
- Edward Royston
Faculty Senate Chair
- JoEllen Newsome
Vice President for Advancement
- Casey Habich
Director of Marketing and Communications
- Teena Mauldin
Executive Assistant to the President
- Rev. Maegan Habich
University Chaplain and Director of Religious Life
Board of Trustees
Officers of Board
- Rev. Joy Thornburg Melton | Atlanta, GA
Chairwoman
- Mr. Marshall Rogers | Albemarle, NC
Past-Chairman
- Mrs. Anne Daniel | Winston Salem, NC
Secretary
- Mr. Benny Merrell | Waxhaw, NC
Treasurer
- Rev. Joy Thornburg Melton ’77 | Atlanta, GA
Attorney
- Mr. David B. Miller ‘04 | Charlotte, NC
Investment Executive
- Rev. Julianne Brittain ’77 | Mooresville, NC
Ministry - Mrs. Anne Rendleman Daniel ’67 | Greensboro, NC
Insurance Executive - Ms. Deborah L. Frech ’81 | Clarksville, MD
Accountant - Mr. Albert L. Rose ’63 | Matthews, NC
Business Consultant - Mr. Arch Y. Stokes | Pensacola, FL
Attorney - Mrs. Natasha A. Suber | Cornelius, NC
Marketing & Communications
- Mr. Roger L. Dick | Albemarle, NC
Banking/Investment Executive - Mr. Benny Merrell ’65 | Waxhaw, NC
Retired Business Executive - Mr. T. Rann Paynter ’92
Banking Executive - Mr. Marshall C. Rogers, Sr. | Albemarle, NC
Business Executive - Mrs. Bonnie N. Suther | Mooresville, NC
Wealth Management - Dr. Terry V. Swicegood ’66 | Litchfield Park, AZ
Ministry - Mr. Richard W. Thames ’75 | Charlotte, NC
Newspaper Executive
- Mrs. Jane Sidbury Crisco ’63 | Asheboro, NC
Business Executive - Mr. Matthew Moeller | Albemarle, NC
Retired Business Executive - Mr. Russell C. Ring ’85 | Alexandria, VA
Business/Government Affairs Executive
- Rev. Laura Hubbard Auten ’87 | Albemarle, NC
Uwharrie District Superintendent| The Western NC Conference of the UMC - Mr. David Bell | Greenwood, SC
President-Elect, Pfeiffer University Alumni Association - Bishop Kenneth Carter, Jr. | Charlotte, NC
The Western NC Conference of the UMC - Mr. Grady Gaston ’12 | Monroe, NC
President, Pfeiffer University Alumni Association - Ms. Nancy Reigel | Boone, NC
Treasurer, United Methodist Women | The Western NC Conference of the UMC - Dr. Ted Royston | Misenheimer, NC
Chair, Faculty Senate - Ms. Joanie Strohm | Marshall, NC
President, United Methodist Women | The Western NC Conference of the UMC
- Dr. Christopher L. Bramlett | Albermarle, NC
- Mr. Thomas M. Grady ‘63 | Concord, NC
- Dr. William H. Grigg ’93 (Hon.) | Charlotte, NC
- Mr. H. Robert Herold, II | Pasadena, CA
- Mr. Warren D. Knapp ’66 | Asheboro, NC
- Dr. Richard L. Petty ’92 (Hon.) | Randleman, NC
- Dr. George E. Thompson ’65, ’90 (Hon.) | Waynesville, NC
- Mr. George P. Waters ’65 | Mt. Pleasant, SC
A History of Leadership: Pfeiffer’s Past Presidents
Since 1933, strong leaders have led Pfeiffer University with strength, faithfulness, and prescience.
1933-1934
Dr. Wick Shafter Sharp
President of Pfeiffer Junior College
- Constructed the President’s Home. six halls (Cline, Good, Merner, Rowe, Freeman, and Washington), and Henry Pfeiffer Chapel
- Named Stanly County Man of the Year
1943–1953
Dr. Wick Shafter Sharp
President of Pfeiffer Junior College
- Constructed Mitchell Gym
- Grew the endowment significantly
- Improved curricula for several key programs
1953–1968
Dr. J. Lem Stokes II
President of Pfeiffer Junior College; President of Pfeiffer College
- Presided over the first commencement
- Constructed the Harris Science Building, Stokes Student Center, G.A. Pfeiffer Library, five halls (Kluftinger, Foote, Plyler, Vaughn and Ervin), and James Apartments
- Led Pfeiffer to become one the fastest-growing private colleges in the country and the second college to receive accreditation on its first application from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
1968–1971
Dr. Jack J. Early
President of Pfeiffer College
- Constructed the Merner Health and Physical Education Center
1971–1978
Dr. Douglass R. Sasser
President of Pfeiffer College
- Grew the endowment to $2.3 million
- Led the Circle of Faith campaign, which generated $7.5 million for scholarships, faculty development, and on-campus programs
- Established three endowed chairmanships
- Opened Charlotte campus
1978–1988
Dr. Cameron West
President of Pfeiffer College
- Worked as a professor of education and academic dean at Pfeiffer
- Served as president of North Carolina Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and helped found the National Association of Independent Colleges
- Awarded an honorary doctor of law degree from Pfeiffer
1988–1998
Dr. Zane Eargle
President of Pfeiffer University
- Led Pfeiffer from college to university status
- Constructed the Knapp Tennis Center, the first new building on campus in 25 years
- Co-created the Legacy of Tomorrow campaign
1998–2010
Dr. Charles Ambrose
President of Pfeiffer University
- Led the 21st Century Transformation Plan to improve the Misenheimer campus
- Renovated Mitchell Gym (now Knapp Center), Jane Freeman Hall, Henry Pfeiffer Chapel, Stokes Student Center, Administration Building, Cline and Washington Halls
- Constructed Harris Science Annex and New Hall
- Opened Francis Center for Servant Leadership and established Bonner Leaders program
2010–2014
Mr. Mike Miller
President of Pfeiffer University
- Led the university during its 10-year SACS accreditation
- Added undergraduate and graduate programs
- Promoted the establishment of the Pfeiffer Journey mentoring program
- Made over $5.3 million in improvements to all three campuses
2014–2015
Dr. Jerry Boone
Interim President of Pfeiffer University
- Served Pfeiffer College as dean of student affairs and associate professor of English from 1969-82
- Returned to serve as interim president for a year
2015–2019
Dr. Colleen Perry Keith
President of Pfeiffer University
- Served as Pfeiffer University’s first female president
- Began construction of a new health science campus in Albemarle, NC,
- Expanded undergraduate and graduate programming
- Grew student enrollment to record levels and increased retention