| Gardner-Webb University’s Dr. Tony Eastman Announces Retirement |
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GWU’s Longest-Tenured Professor Looks Toward “New Adventures”
After 45 years of teaching at Gardner-Webb University, Dr. Tony Eastman, professor of American history, recently announced his plans to retire in May. Eastman is the University’s longest-tenured professor, having joined the faculty of Gardner-Webb Junior College in 1966.
Born in Laurel, Miss., Eastman discovered his interest in history and culture while moving around to the various places where his father was stationed in the army. His time in Germany during high school was particularly influential, exposing him to the richness of German and European history and stirring a passion that would come to define his life. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and then his master’s degree in history at Memphis State University. Eastman then taught for two years at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga., before joining the Gardner-Webb faculty and then earning his doctorate in history from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Eastman helped transform the Junior College into a solid four-year institution, graduating the College’s first four-year class in his fourth year of teaching. Part of an eager group of young professors, Eastman helped initially define the values of faith, service, and leadership, and the standards of academic excellence, for which Gardner-Webb College would be known. “We had to answer some difficult questions about our standards and our goals during those early days,” Eastman remembers, “but we had great senior faculty leadership, and I think we finally found ourselves. “
From there, the college launched the Greater Opportunities for Adult Learners (GOAL) program, built new buildings and campuses, quadrupled enrollment, added new degrees and academic programs, and grew into the dynamic regional university it is today. But the one constant amidst all the change was Eastman—always there, behind his podium.
“Teaching has been the most important aspect of my life,” he insists. “Even when I’m no longer here, I hope my students will remember to keep their standards in line with Christianity and to keep their minds actively thoughtful. I hope they will remember persistence, to never say never, and to constantly expand their minds. That’s everything I hope for them.”
Eastman will officially retire after May’s commencement exercises, and will teach part-time at GWU during the summer. Beyond that, Eastman has his eyes on the western horizon. “There are new adventures out there,” he says. “I’d especially like to go out west, to identify with that part of my country. And you know there are some struggling colleges out West I have my eye on. I might just move out there to take a closer look.”
Photo by: Mark Houser • Story by: Matthew Walters
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