Meet Our Staff

Meg Dees
Phone: (704) 637-4394
E-mail: mkdees12@catawba.edu

• Vice President of Development

Meg joined Catawba in August 2017 as Interim Vice President of Development for a two-year period as an executive on loan from the Charlotte-based Foundation for The Carolinas. In 2019, Dees accepted the permanent position of Vice President of Development for Catawba. She served the Foundation for The Carolinas from 2008 to 2019 as its Vice President - Philanthropic Advancement, Affiliate Development.

Jeff Childress
Phone: (704) 637-4265
E-mail: jchildre@catawba.edu

• Associate Athletic Director
• Director of Athletic Development

Jeff joined the Office of Development in 2017, after serving years as Head Coach for the Men's and Women's Tennis teams. He also has previously served as Acting Athletic Director at Catawba.

Buddy Ferguson
Phone: (704) 637-4380
Email: wferguso21@catawba.edu 

• Director of Class and Parent Giving
• B.S., Erskine College

Buddy joined the Catawba Development Team as Director of Class and Parent Giving in June 2021. His previous experience includes twenty-six years as a teacher and coach in the Gaston County school system and 11 years at Erskine College in Due West, SC where he served as Vice-president of Alumni and Advancement.

Mike Huneycutt
Phone: (704) 637-4369
E-mail: mhuneycu18@catawba.edu

• Business Intelligence Analyst
• B.S., Appalachian State University

Michael joined the Development Office in July 2018.

Jen Longwell
Phone: (704) 637-4394
E-mail: jlongwel18@catawba.edu

• Coordinator of Development Services and Gift Processor
• M.S. in Education, Roberts Wesleyan College
• B.S. in English, SUNY College at Brockport
• A.A.B. in Paralegal Studies, Bryant & Stratton College

Jen joined Catawba College as Administrative Assistant for Development in February 2018. She assumed the role of Coordinator for Development Services in April 2018. 

Mindy Miller
Phone: (704) 637-4394
E-mail: mmmiller17@catawba.edu

• Senior Director of Development
• B.B.A., Georgia College
• M.Ed., Wright State University

Mindy joined Catawba College as Director of Annual Giving in October 2017.

Carolyn E. Peeler '68
Phone: (704) 637-4394
E-mail: cpeeler@catawba.edu

• Director of Development
• B.A., Catawba College

Carolyn has been a staff member at Catawba College since 1976.

Savannah Shaver '19 
Phone: (704) 637-4394
E-mail: smshaver15@catawba.edu

• Manager of Alumni Engagement
• B.F.A., Catawba College

J. Randy Southard '74
Phone: (704) 640-3737
E-mail: jsouthar@catawba.edu

• Senior Development Associate
• B.A., Catawba College

Randy joined the Office of Development in 2014.

LaSheka Walker
Phone: (704) 637-4394
E-mail: lfwalker18@catawba.edu 

• Development Associate
• B.S., Winston-Salem State University

LaSheka joined the Office of Development in May 2018.