Administrative Team

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Dr. Gary A. Dill, President

Dr. Gary A. Dill has served as president of University of the Southwest since 2002 and has a broad and varied professional background.  He served for six years as president of McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas; for five years as senior vice president at Schreiner College in Kerrville, Texas; for two years as planner for the Texas Education Agency; for three years as a faculty member at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota; and for 12 years as a pastor in two denominations.

 Dr. Dill’s academic preparation includes a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in higher education administration and ethics from the University of Texas at Austin [TX] and two years of post-doctoral study in philosophy and theology at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend [IN].  His theological studies include a doctor of ministry degree (D.Min.) from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville [KY], and a master of divinity (M.Div.) from Princeton Theological Seminary [NJ].  Philosophy and religion were his undergraduate majors at Houston Baptist University [TX], where he earned his bachelor’s degree (B.A.).  He is an ordained Presbyterian minister

Dr. Dill’s academic emphases are in biblical studies, ethics, and institutional policy.  He is married to Marilyn, who is the administrative assistant at First Presbyterian Church in Hobbs.  Together, they have five children: Grant, his wife Lori, and their children Sydney and Max; Phillip; Emily; Isaac; and Moses. 

Dr. Dill also enjoys playing racquetball and walking daily with his three Schnauzers, Jet, Jackson, and Jester.

Dr. Dennis Atherton, Provost

A former United States Army captain and three time recipient of the Bronze Star, Dr. Atherton previously served University of the Southwest as the Dean of the School of Education as well as an associate professor. Atherton began serving the university as a faculty member of the School of Education in 2003.

As provost, Dr. Atherton provides comprehensive oversight over all academic program and student life activities, including instructional services, intercollegiate and intramural athletics, academic support, campus ministry, and residence life.

His experience in educational administration is vast as he has served as the principal of Loving Municipal School and Superintendent of Schools for Eunice Public Schools, Pecos Independent Schools, and Lake Arthur Municipal Schools.

Dr. Atherton earned a bachelor of arts degree in Bible from Lubbock Christian University and a master of arts degree in elementary education from Eastern New Mexico University.  He received his educational doctorate in leadership and supervision from the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Atherton is also a minister who is active in community service.  He is Chairman of the Board for Atlas Data Services; a board member for the Lea County Commission for the Arts; and is a past president for Southeastern New Mexico Education Resource Center.

Dr. Atherton is married to Debra, a successful artist.  He enjoys reading and outdoor activities and says that according to his granddaughters, Brittin and Halley, “God made the moon and Grandpa hung it!”

Dee Mooney, Vice President for Administrative Services/CFO

Dee Mooney has over 20 years experience in financial management in Christian higher education. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has corporate and professional accounting experience.

Dee also brings over six years of college classroom experience as an Associate Professor in Accounting. 

Dee holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from Baylor University and a masters of accountancy from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  She is currently pursuing doctoral studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dee is an active member of several professional organizations including the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and the Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges (ABACC).  Dee has served on the Small Institutions Council and the Annual Meeting Planning Committee for NACUBO, the Chief Financial Officers Commission for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the Board of Directors of ABACC.

Together, Dee and her husband, Tim, have two children:  Nicolle and her husband, Dustin, and their children, Jackson and Jenna Grace; and TC.

In her free time, Dee enjoys watching movies with her family and reading.

Dr. Brad Moser, Vice President for Enrollment Services

Having come on board with University of the Southwest in 2009, Dr. Brad Moser is the newest member of the administrative team. In his position as vice president for enrollment services, Dr. Moser is responsible for overseeing recruitment efforts of undergraduate and graduate students.

 

Prior to his arrival at USW, he spent more than eight years working as a leader within Webster University’s Central Florida Region, one of the school’s most successful areas.  Campuses under Dr. Moser’s direction experienced unprecedented growth and expansion and routinely led the University in key performance areas.  He attributes this prosperity to the power of prayer and the power of teamwork.

 

Although his career in Florida was rapidly advancing, Dr. Moser felt called to Hobbs to become a part of the special transformation taking place at USW.  He believes that USW is positioned to experience historic levels of spiritual and numeric growth.

 

In addition to his administrative experience, Dr. Moser also served as an instructor for Webster University and Polk State College and enjoys teaching courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels.  Besides teaching in the classroom, he has also been a featured speaker for numerous continuing education seminars and professional development workshops for educators, counselors, and business organizations.

 

Dr. Moser completed his undergraduate studies at Liberty University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with concentrations in Business and Psychology.  He earned a Master of Arts in Counseling degree through Webster University and a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Capella University.  He is a member of the Society of Human Resource Managers and the American Counseling Association and maintains a license as a professional counselor.  

 

Dr. Moser, his wife, and their two children are proud to be new residents of Hobbs, NM and enjoy exploring the beautiful southwest region together. They are members of the Church of Christ.