Raleigh, NC, March 12, 2019 – The Board of Trustees of Saint Augustine’s University announced today the appointment of Dr. Gaddis Faulcon as the interim president for the University.  This appointment is effective immediately. This decision coincides with the beginning of former President Everett Ward’s retirement.  

“At this time of significant positive momentum surrounding the next phase of the University’s evolution, the Board of Trustees has determined there is a need to launch the formal transition and search process for the new President,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Hilton Smith. “We are pleased that Dr. Gaddis Faulcon, our 1974 alumnus, has agreed to lead our transition team. He brings the passion and previous experience serving in this pivotal role.”  

Faulcon recently served as Vice President of Enrollment Management at Saint Augustine’s University. He also led Shaw University as its interim president from 2014 to 2015. Faulcon, who joined the faculty at Shaw in 1998, has 30 years of experience in higher education and has previously served in several administrative roles. In addition to his roles at Saint Augustine’s and Shaw University, he served as acting executive director for Northeastern North Carolina Tomorrow, Inc. at Elizabeth City State University.  

Faulcon earned a B.S. degree in health and physical education from Saint Augustine’s; an M.R.R/M.P.A. in recreation resources management and public administration; and an Ed.D. in higher education and public administration both from North Carolina State University. 

“I am truly honored to be asked to lead my alma mater at this crucial time in our 152-year history and look forward to working with all those who are committed to writing our next great chapter together,” Faulcon said. 

At the same meeting, new board members were elected.  Those members are Dr. Frankie Jones, Marley Bollinger, and Dr. John Larkins.  Chairman Smith announced, “I am pleased to welcome our three newest members to our Board of Trustees. They have unique and diverse experiences in both the private and public sectors that make them an asset to the Board and the University as a whole.” 

Dr. Jones is President and CEO of Phoenix One Enterprise and Phoenix One Farms, Inc. headquartered in Alamance County, North Carolina.  Dr. Jones is responsible for the firm’s operations in the areas of corporate social responsibility, strategic philanthropy, labor relations, crisis management, and marketing and community relations.  Dr. Jones serves on various boards including Duke Energy Corporate Advisory Board, High Point University Board of Visitors, and Wake Forest University School of Divinity Board. He has provided consulting services to corporations, institutions, and nonprofit organizations including Rooms To Go Inc., General Motors, FDIC, Michelin North America, Sara Lee, Sprint, Lowes Companies Inc, Freddie Mac, Food Lion Inc, The American Legion, Wake Forest Medical School, the National American Red Cross, and the CIA. Dr. Jones is a retired United States Air Force Colonel. He served as commander of 436th Headquarters Support Squadron, Dover AFB, commander of the 3400th Technical Training Group- Keesler AFB, the largest and most diversified technical training organization in the Department of Defense where he was responsible for the annual personnel training requirements of 11,000 men and women. Dr. Jones holds a B.S. degree, two M.S. degrees, and a Ph.D. from his studies and NC A&T State University, Tuskegee University, Wayne State University, Shaw University, Virginia University – Lynchburg, and Oxford Graduate School. He recently completed the Director’s Finance Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. 

 Marley Bollinger is the founder of Every Kindness Counts, a character-building curriculum service project for schools.  She is also the producer of the Real Tooth Fairies animated movie, music videos, and webisodes. She created patented product lines sold to Walmart and she also consulted and developed marketing for Procter & Gamble.  Mrs. Bollinger created award-winning products for Mattel. She also served on Apple’s National Preschool Advisory Board and was a consultant to Disney Publishing, Disney Channel, LeapFrog, Hasbro, Fisher-Price, and Tiger Electronics. Bollinger is the author of 24 Disney books and a series of interactive books.  In addition, she published early childhood learning programs, curriculum products, and an activity book series for Simon-Schuster, Macmillan, Ideal, Newbridge, and Western Publishing. Mrs. Bollinger earned a B.S.W. and a M.S.W degree from the University of Kansas. 

Dr. John Larkins had a distinguished career in the federal government where he worked for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). He was promoted through the ranks from a senior research program manager, to a Senior Executive Service (SES) branch chief.  He later became the first African American to hold the post of executive director of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, a congressionally mandated advisory committee. During his tenure at the NRC, he received many awards for his job performance, including the prestigious Meritorious Service Award.  Dr. Larkins retired from the SES in 2005 but was hired back to serve in the Office of Human Resources to help administer the agency’s university grants program.  He earned his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Saint Augustine’s University and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Howard University.  He also completed post-doctorate work in nuclear engineering at Catholic University and MIT.  Dr. Larkins has received several honors and awards for his lifetime commitment to Saint Augustine’s.