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 works with the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County.  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 two Schnauzers, Jet and Jackson.

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 18 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. Steve Hill, Dean of Enrollment Services

 

Dr. Hill has 28 years experience in Texas public and private schools as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent.  He received his undergraduate degree from West Texas A & M, master’s from Texas Tech, and doctorate of education from Baylor University.  Along with his education experiences, Dr. Hill was vice president and general manager of a recreational land development company in Dallas, and a partner and real estate broker for a realty company in Plano.

 

 

One of the highlights of Dr. Hill’s educational career was being chosen by the University of Toledo to present a paper and be a keynote speaker at the 11^th International Conference of the USA-SINO Teacher Education Consortium in Shanghai, Xi’an, Yangtze River, and Beijing, China. The paper and lecture reflected the need for global curriculum reform. 

 

Dr. Hills’ son, Kelley, and his four grandchildren live in Albuquerque and sons, Sean and Ryan, live in Seminole with Steve and wife, Jana.  Jana is a CPA and has offices in Seminole, Allen, and Plano and son Sean is a May 2008 graduate of CSW.  Seminole has been Dr. Hill’s home off and on since 1949.  His step-father, Metz LaFollette, was coach and athletic director from 1949-1958 and had many exciting basketball games with Coach Tasker’s teams in Hobbs. The Hills enjoy sitting outside their rural home with their two Boxers, a Shiatsu, and a Weimaraner, and Dr. Hill enjoys teaching graduate courses at Southwest.  

Kevin Richardson, Associate Provost for Student Life / Campus Minister

Kevin Richardson provides direct leadership for the student government, campus activities, residence life, judicial affars and spiritual development of our campus community.  He is also actively involved in strengthening the University's church and community relationships through participation and leadership in numerous civic and professional organizations.  Additionally, Kevin supervises the campus security team.  Prior to serving as the University's Chief Student Affairs Officer, Kevin served the University as the Vice President for Advancement overseeing the fundraising and community relations activities.  Before joining the staff of University of the Southwest, Kevin served as Director of Alumni Relations at Central Bible College and was the Director of Campus Ministry for Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at Pennsylvania State University. 

Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Central Bible College and a master of arts in theological studies from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.  He is an ordained minister and plays an active role in the local ministerial alliance.  Kevin is also an active member of several professional organizations including the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the Natioanl Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).  Additionally, he has taken a leadership role in a number of local civic organizations having served as President of the Hobbs Jaycees,  a member of the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and as a Unit Commissioner for the Conquistador Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Kevin and his wife Jennifer have been married for 12 years and have three children: Emma, Eli, and Josiah. 

Kevin is also an amateur musician who plays piano and saxophone.