2025 Employee Award Winners

Three Gaston College employees received top honors at the 28th annual Gaston College Employee Appreciation & Recognition, held on April 16 at the Myers Center Auditorium.

Brian Bookout was honored with the Altrusa Award, Shelton Watson was given the Staff Excellence Award and Dr. Patricia Williams received the Instructor of the Year Award.

Bookout, Dean of Arts and Science, joined the faculty in 2001. He chairs the Gaston County Council on Aging, serving his third term through 2027. Bookout also serves on the Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee and volunteers for the Cherryville High School Ironmen Booster Club.

Watson, a Project Advisor for Upward Bound, regularly visits local high schools to assist students and parents with the college application process. His experience as a first-generation college graduate is particularly helpful when speaking with local high school students who don’t have family members who are familiar with the college process.

Dr. Williams, a Biology faculty member and Associate Dean for Arts and Sciences, specializes in Online Teaching and Instructional Design. She recently led efforts to create Gaston College’s first Honors Program. Outside of the classroom, Williams has been involved with the National Science Foundation, Women’s Impact Fund, and the Humane Society of Catawba County.

Dee Hudson, Rebecca Nance, and Dr. Leonard Martineau were the other finalists for this year’s staff and faculty awards.