A Brief Biographical Sketch...

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History

I was born in Atlanta and grew up in Decatur, Georgia (a suburb of Atlanta) where I attended the public schools. My parents, Russell and Gertrude Gladding were both Virginians. My father was a businessman and my mother was a fourth grade teacher. I am the youngest of three and was named for my grandfather, Samuel Huntington Templeman who was a Baptist minister in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the 1930s. I have an older sister, Peggy, who lives in Atlanta and a brother, Russell, who lives in St. Simons, Georgia.

Education

I have both a bachelor's degree in history and a masters degree in counseling from Wake Forest University. I also have a masters degree in religion from Yale and my Ph.D. is from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Appointments 

My previous academic appointments have been at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Fairfield University (Connecticut), and Rockingham Community College (Wentworth, North Carolina).  I was also Director of Children's Services at the Rockingham County (North Carolina) Mental Health Center for five years before going into the academic world.  From 1990 until 1997, I was assistant to the president for special projects at Wake Forest University and was the associate provost from 1997 to 2007. In the latter position I was responsibile for various administrative departments in the University, including admissions, financial aid, institutional research, the public radio station -- WFDD, the registrar, research and sponsored programs, international studies, and the Secrest artists series. I also chaired the Department of Counseling. Whew! Now I am chair and a professor in the Department of Counseling where I teach a variety of courses including orientation to counseling, family counseling, the creative arts in counseling, and group counseling.

Family

I am married to the Claire Tillson (now Claire Tillson Gladding). Claire was a middle school librarian in Fairfield, Connecticut, before our marriage. Now she works full time in the home. She is an avid Wake Forest basketball fan. We have three children -- Ben, Nate, and Tim.  As hobbies I enjoy tennis, swimming, and humor.

Professional Activities

I also like to write and have authored over 100 publications including some recent books: Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession (5th ed.) (2004), Group Work: A Counseling Specialty (5th ed.) (2008), The Creative Arts in Counseling (3rd ed.) (2005), and  Family Therapy: History, Theory, & Process (4th ed.) (2007).  I am the former editor of the Journal for Specialists in Group Work and the ASGW newsletter, Together.

Since I been an academic most of my professional life, I have had an opportunity to assume leadership in my professional field of counseling. That service has included being president of:

the American Counseling Association (2004-2005),

the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (1996-1997),

the Association for Specialists in Group Work (1994-1995),

Chi Sigma Iota (international counseling academic and professional honor society) (1989-1990),  and

the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (1992-1993).

I was also vice president of the Counseling Association for Humanistic Education and Development (1990-1991).  I have been fortunate to be the recipient of several awards for my leadership and service including:

the Gilbert and Kathleen Wrenn Award for a Humanitarian and Caring Person,

the Chi Sigma Iota Thomas J. Sweeney Professional Leadership Award,

the Counseling Association for Humanistic Education and Development Joseph W. and Lucille U. Hollis Outstanding Publication Award,

the Association for Creativity in Counseling Lifetime Achievement Award,

the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling Humanitarian Award,

the Association for Specialists in Group Work Eminent Career Award,

the ACA Foundation Bridgebuilder Award, and

the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Outstanding Publication and the Outstanding Leadership Awards.

I am also a Fellow in the American Counseling Association and in the Association for Specialists in Group Work. In addition, I have received the Ella Stephens Barrett Leadership Award from the North Carolina Counseling Association, which is the highest honor this group bestows on one of its members.

I have been fortunate enough to travel a good deal. I have made presentations on every continent except Anartica (where I have heard the penguins are that interested in counseling). One of my most meaningful trip was with a group of 11 Wake Forest students when we went to Calcutta, India, for three weeks to work with Mother Teresa. (There's a link to that trip on this page). I also worked with the Red Cross in assisting families of those killed in the New York World Trade Center tragedy and at Virginia Tech after the shootings there. My most important priority is my family. Around Winston-Salem, I am active as a counselor for CareNet of the Triad and also active as a member of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church and Leadership Winston-Salem.

Visit these links....................

Family Pictures	Winston-Salem Journal Article
Wake Forest Magazine	Gladding Geneology Page

stg@wfu.edu