John Reid, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Pfeiffer University, has received this year’s Mary E. Foster Webb and Henry Thomas “Toby” Webb Jr. Award for Excellence in Teaching. 

Reid was nominated for the award by members of Pfeiffer’s student body. He’ll receive a $1000 acknowledgment and an additional $1000 professional development stipend.

“The award was totally unexpected, and it is truly an honor to receive it,” Reid said. “I am appreciative of the Webb family and their contributions to the field of education and Pfeiffer University.”

Reid, who’s also been Pfeiffer’s Program Coordinator of the Justice and Professional Studies curriculum since 2023, began teaching at the University in 2019.

“The most satisfying thing about teaching is to see my students develop as both individuals and young professionals,” Reid said. “We have an amazing opportunity to mentor young minds and help them reach both their personal and professional goals. My students make me a better person just by being around them.”

Reid’s impressive pre-Pfeiffer resume ensures that he can draw on lots of practical knowledge in the classroom. It includes stints as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (1991-2015) and as Lieutenant Colonel for the Randolph (N.C.) County Sheriff’s Office (2015-2018).

Reid’s love of teaching was sparked several years ago when he taught the homicide and the interview/interrogation blocks of instruction at the SBI Special Agents Academy. He has also held teaching positions at Randolph Community College and Greensboro College.

At Pfeiffer, he teaches subjects ranging from criminal law to criminal justice administration and management. In 2023, he created the Cold Case Initiative, which allows hand-selected students at Pfeiffer to gain practical experience reviewing cold homicide cases submitted by area law enforcement organizations.

Dr. Daniel Mynatt, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Pfeiffer, announced that Reid was the recipient of this year’s Webb Award on Aug. 29, during the University’s convocation program. Mynatt quoted one of Reid’s students as saying that Reid “doesn’t just give us the answers; he asks tough questions and makes us connect what we learn to the bigger picture. He brings in real examples from his SBI career, which makes everything feel more real and relevant. His teaching has developed a bigger passion for all things law related.”

Reid said he’s honored to be at Pfeiffer for several reasons. He grew up in Stanly (N.C.) County, and his late stepfather, Ralph McSwain, who was the Sheriff of Stanly County from 1962 to 1990, graduated from Pfeiffer College in 1976.

Reid saw McSwain walk during a commencement ceremony at Pfeiffer when Reid was 10 years old. McSwain “was a proud Pfeiffer graduate,” Reid said. “I have his diploma in my office.”

First awarded in 2019, The Mary E. Foster Webb and Henry Thomas “Toby” Webb, Jr. Award for Excellence in Teaching was created by the Webb children, Tom Webb and Mary Webb Lathan, in honor of their parents. Mary Lib Webb, who died in 2007, was a teacher for 30 years. The majority of her career was spent as an educator in the Albemarle City School System. A scholarship fund that supports education students at Pfeiffer is also awarded in her name each year.

Toby Webb began teaching and coaching at Albemarle High School in 1947 and went on to become superintendent of Albemarle City Schools in 1966, a post he maintained until his retirement. His success as a football coach at Albemarle High School led to his induction into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Coaching Hall of Fame. He received an honorary Doctor of Public Administration from Pfeiffer College in 1976.

Dr. and Mrs. Webb valued education, and they made an incredible impact on the lives of their students. In that spirit, the Webb Award is meant to recognize, publicly acknowledge and reward Pfeiffer faculty who are committed to outstanding teaching.