PEMBROKE – Laurinburg’s W. Stewart Thomas has been named vice chancellor for Finance and Administration at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, the school announced Thursday.
Thomas will serve as the chief financial officer and treasurer of the UNCP Foundation Board. He begins his new role on Aug. 21.
Thomas has spent the majority of his 17-year career at UNCP in the School of Business, working his way up from lecturer to associate professor, to associate dean. In recent years, Thomas has filled several top-level positions, including interim associate provost, interim associate vice chancellor for Enrollment and interim dean of the School of Business. This past year, Thomas also served as Faculty Athletic Representative.
“It is an extreme honor to be selected for this position,” Thomas said. “For the past 17 years, UNCP has been an integral part of my life. I have been very fortunate to be able to serve in several positions, work my way up and contribute at a higher level.”
The university’s board of trustees approved the recommendation from Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings on Monday. His new responsibilities will range from finance, management, and budgeting to facilities, strategic planning, purchasing, business services, human resources and the Division of Information Technology.
“Dr. Stewart Thomas has developed an invaluable combination of skills and experiences that uniquely prepares him for success as vice chancellor for Finance and Administration,” Cummings said. “As a faculty member, he has a deep understanding of the university’s life-changing mission. And having served in leadership roles at UNCP and in the corporate sector, he has demonstrated a keen ability to inspire others to achieve desired results.”
Cummings added that as a native of southeastern North Carolina, Thomas “is passionate about harnessing the power of the university to serve our region.”
Thomas, a Maxton nativer, does have strong ties to the area.
“I live in Laurinburg, but my birth place is Robeson County,” he said. “I have a strong passion for the well-being and economic growth of Robeson County, Scotland County, and the economic well-being of the entire region.”
His community service awards include, the Scotland County Chamber of Commerce Dunbar/McCoy Community Service Award, and two-time recipient of the North Carolina Governor’s Award for Volunteerism.
Thomas’ civic involvement includes serving the past 11 years on the Scotland Health Care System’s finance committee. He has also dedicated many years as a member of the Scotland Regional Hospice Board of Directors.
Thomas and his wife, Carol, have co-chaired the Scotland County Relay for Life, since its inception in 1997.
“It has been an honor to chair Relay along with my wife and an amazing team of volunteers for the past 21 years. I am passionate about service and giving back to the community and serving the less fortunate.
“I tell my students to find a place that is special to them and contribute their time and talents. It doesn’t have to always be monetarily.”
Before joining UNCP, Thomas worked 10 years for Eaton Corporation in Laurinburg. He served as controller for the Golf Grip Division, for the North American and UK operations. A certified public accountant, he previously served as chief financial officer for ZF Meritor.
“The first 18 years of my career was in accounting, manufacturing, and finance. Combined with the past 17 years in academia, I feel I have a unique synergistic opportunity in the new position,” he said. “I am extremely excited about combining both careers to hopefully add greater value at UNCP.
“Since I have been here, I have had a passion for helping students, now I have a chance to help the university at large in another capacity,” Thomas said.
Thomas earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his master’s at Campbell University, and his doctorate at Capella University in Minnesota.
