Newberry College Recognized Two Employees With New “Alpha Wolf” Leadership Award

Newberry College President Dr. Maurice W. Scherrens this week announced the first-ever recipients of the Alpha Wolf Leader of the Pack Award created to recognize Newberry College employees for excellence in leadership.

Recipients of the inaugural award are Gretchen Haskett, chair of the Department of Sport Professions, and Todd Knight, Newberry Wolves Football head coach.

“We considered many worthy nominees, but Todd and Gretchen led the pack,” Scherrens said. “Both are stellar examples of what can be achieved through dedication, persistence and inspirational leadership.”

The Alpha Wolf Leader of the Pack Award was created by the College’s senior leadership team to recognize Newberry College employees (faculty, staff and coaches) who have demonstrated excellence in leadership through their individual roles within the College.

Criteria for the Alpha Wolf Leader of the Pack Award include:

Uncompromising commitment to the welfare of Newberry College students
Steadfast focus on achieving the goals and objectives of the College
Personal leadership that encourages and inspires others
Willingness to actively engage in resolving interdepartmental challenges
Willingness to take courageous action and accept responsibility

Haskett and Knight were recognized during the quarterly meeting of the Newberry College Board of Trustees on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017.

ABOUT THE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Gretchen Haskett earned her B.S. in Physical Education from Newberry College in 2003 and received her M.S. in Health and Physical Education from Tennessee Technological University. Haskett has served in various capacities at Newberry College beginning in 2005 as Assistant Director of Residence Life. In 2007, she was appointed as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Physical Education. She currently serves as assistant professor of Sport Professions and is chair of the Department of Sport Professions. Haskett has been recognized as Advisor of the Year and is a recipient of the Golden Machete Award for program assessment. She currently leads a task force focused on improving student engagement, one of the College’s strategic priorities. She and her husband, Nathan Haskett, live in Pomaria, S.C., with their daughter, Piper.

“I am truly honored and humbled by this recognition” said Haskett at the presentation of her award.  

Todd Knight is head coach of the Newberry Wolves Football team, which recently clinched the 2016 South Atlantic Conference championship. Knight joined Newberry College in 2001 as the Wolves Football defensive coordinator; he was named head coach in 2009. As a coach, Knight has made it his personal mission to ensure his players thrive on the field, in the classroom and after graduation. Despite the challenges of large rosters, limited resources and aging facilities, Knight has fashioned the Wolves Football program into one of the premier Division II programs in the region. He is a strong supporter of student activities and serves as a mentor and serves as a mentor for new coaches joining the ranks of Newberry College. He holds a B.S. and M.S. degree in Physical Education, both from Gardner-Webb University. He and his wife, Tina, live in Newberry, S.C., with their sons, Devin and Cash. His daughter, Anna, is a 2010 Newberry College graduate who lives in North Carolina.

“It is a privilege every day to be on campus and work with our kids,” Knight said during the conferral of his award.