2012 Distinguished Alumni Award – Professional Achievement
Proudly Presenting Robert C. Stewart
Superintendent at Gladstone School District
1975 WPU Graduate
Bob Stewart is a visionary leader in Oregon’s public school system. Since 1999, he has worked as superintendent of the Gladstone School District. Bob is a leader among his peers who has served on a number of Governor-appointed committees to establish state policy for early childhood education.
Bob graduated from Warner Pacific in 1975 with a degree in Physical Education. It was at WPC that he met his spouse of 38 years, Diana (Friesen) Stewart, and developed lifetime friendships and received mentorship from faculty and staff, alike.
After graduating from WPC, Bob became the Director of Community Education for the Molalla Union High School District. In 1980, he embarked on what is currently a thirty-two-year career with the Gladstone School District. Bob was involved with facilities, curriculum and instruction, public information, community education, and human resources prior to his current role of superintendent.
One example of Bob’s legacy as superintendent is the Gladstone Center for Children and Families, which he helped establish in 2009. Bob envisioned the school district partnering with community health and social services agencies to address the educational, physical, and mental health needs of children and families, regardless of income level. The center serves more than 400 students and families daily, offering adult education classes, a community health clinic, a toy and book lending library, access to technology and a summer reading program. In 2011, the Gladstone Center received an honorable mention from the American School Board Journal’s 17th annual Magna Awards program.
Bob is also active in the community. He has served on the boards of Warner Pacific University, CareOregon, the Clackamas County Commission for Children and Families, the Gladstone Education Foundation, and the Canby Center, a faith based non-profit serving the needs of the underprivileged in Canby, Oregon. He is also active with the Canby Missionary Alliance Church.
Bob and Diana have five adult children, Jeremy, Janae, Brent, Tyler, and Shane. Bob represents a model for leadership that is born out of a fundamental desire to serve and Warner Pacific College is proud to include him in the circle of distinguished alumni.