Converse Board of Trustees

Converse University is governed by a Board of Trustees, an independent entity free from undue influence from political, religious, or other external bodies.

2025-2026

Board Officers

Linda Layman Redding ’88, Chair
Dwight Van Inwegen, Vice-Chair
Christy Davis Stoner ’87, Secretary

Trustees

B. Brant Bynum
Christopher L. Cannon
Rhonda T. Coker ’84
Paul J. Coté
Dawn Davis Deck ’99
Stinson Woodward Ferguson ’07
Katherine Colburn Fulmer ’96
Shannon Givens Jaynes ’93
Ann Mullins Johnson ’99
Stephen I. Johnson
Karla O. Jones ’85 (sabbatical)
Kimberly Varnadoe Kent ’97
Jay Lynch
Elisabeth Kinney McNiel ’89
Brelan Riddle Montgomery ’06
Lynn Pettus ’90
Wallace Davison Prestwood ’89
Linda Layman Redding ’88
Emily Jones Rushing ’73
David N. Smart
Louis J. Smith
Angelia “Angie” Kerhulas Stanland ’86
Michel Smoak Stone ’99
Christy Davis Stoner ’87
Dwight Van Inwegen
Sandra Beason Watson ’79

Ex-Officio Trustees

Valerie L. Dowling ’07, President, Alumni Association
Jayne Stewart Reuben ‘85, President, Board of Visitors

Advisors to the Board of Trustees

Boone J. Hopkins, President
D’Asia Thomas ‘26, SGA President
Jenn Hawk, Faculty Senate President
Taylor Onkst, Staff Council President

Life Trustees

William Barnet, III
Julia Jones Daniels ’53
Kenneth B. Howard
Susan Phifer Johnson ’65
Lucy Simpson Kuhne ’66
Walter S. Montgomery, Jr.
Kurt Zimmerli

Board of Trustees News

Converse Celebrates the Class of 2026 at 134th Commencement Ceremony

The Converse campus was bustling the week leading up to Commencement 2026. Beloved traditions, including the Senior BBQ, Senior Candlelight Dinner for the Converse College …

Converse Brings Alumni & Tradition Together at Founder’s Day & Reunion 2026

Written by Allison Reini On Friday, April 24, 2026, the Converse University community of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of Converse gathered in Twichell …

2025 Rock the Tower Raises More than $239,000 for Converse Fund

Alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends of Converse enthusiastically supported our 2025 Rock the Tower challenge. On November 6, 2025, Converse celebrated its 9th annual …