Josh Dobson, Nora Lynn Finch sworn in as members of the 51看片Board of Trustees
From left to right, Casey Cooper, 51看片Board of Trustees chair, Chancellor Kelli R. Brown, Josh Dobson and Nora Lynn Finch.
By Julia Duvall
Josh Dobson and Nora Lynn Finch were sworn in as members of 51看片鈥檚 Board of Trustees during the regular board meeting held on Friday, Sept. 5.
鈥淚 am thrilled to officially welcome the Honorable Josh Dobson and Ms. Nora Lynn Finch to WCU鈥檚 Board of Trustees,鈥� said 51看片Chancellor Kelli R. Brown. 鈥淛osh, with his background in the NC House, particularly as former Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the House Health Committee, as well as his time as North Carolina鈥檚 Commissioner of Labor will greatly benefit our Board with his knowledge and expertise on state government. And Nora Lynn, 51看片alumna, respected college coach, and former ACC senior associate commissioner, will bring an experienced perspective on intercollegiate athletics. I鈥檓 confident they will both add value and fresh ideas to the Board and to campus.鈥�
Dobson is a North Carolina native and received his bachelor鈥檚 degree from Gardner-Webb University and a master鈥檚 in public administration from Appalachian State University.
He is the president and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association, which brings together hospitals, health systems, and care providers to advocate for equitable, high-quality healthcare through sound policy and strategic partnerships.
With over 14 years in public service, Dobson has served as a county commissioner, state representative, and North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, also sitting on the Council of State. As a legislator, he represented the 85th district and chaired both the House Appropriations and Health Committees.
His legislative work includes advancing healthcare safety by making violence against hospital staff a felony, reforming mental health laws on involuntary commitment, and helping pass Medicaid expansion to cover 600,000 more North Carolinians.
At NCHA, Dobson also oversees its subsidiaries: NCHA Strategic Partners, which helps providers access cost-effective solutions, and the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation, the association鈥檚 nonprofit arm focused on innovation and community health.
Finch is a two-time alumnus of WCU, earning both a bachelor鈥檚 and a master鈥檚 in education, and a storied former student-athlete.
Finch lettered in four sports at WCU, basketball, field hockey, tennis. and volleyball. This paved the way for a successful coaching career at Wake Forest, Peace College and NC State. She later served as senior associate commissioner for the ACC and contributed to numerous NCAA committees, earning recognition as a trailblazer for women in sports.
Her accolades include inductions into the 51看片Athletic Hall of Fame, Women鈥檚 Basketball Hall of Fame, Peace College Sports Hall of Fame, and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2025. Widely regarded as one of North Carolina鈥檚 most prominent figures in women鈥檚 athletics, Finch remains a passionate advocate, frequently returning to 51看片to speak on women鈥檚 sports history and intercollegiate athletics.
Tate Apodaca, who was also recently appointed to the Board of Trustees, will be sworn in at a later date.
Other highlights from the meeting include the formation of a new committee, Advancement and Athletics, which is the first new 51看片Board of Trustees committee in more than 25 years. The board also heard from the subcommittee
