Dr. Stanley Gordon: Once a Cougar, Always a Cougar

For Dr. Stanley Gordon, being a Cougar is more than just a chapter in his life, it is the foundation of everything that came after graduating in 1973.

A proud graduate of Asheville High School, Gordon looks back on his years in Asheville City Schools as transformative.

“Asheville gave me exposure to so much I’d never seen before,” he shared during a recent visit back home from Florida. “The field trips, the teachers, the experiences—they expanded my world.”

Growing up on Asheville’s Southside and attending Livingston Street Elementary, William Randolph Elementary, and David Millard Junior High, Gordon credits his educators and coaches for recognizing his potential, encouraging his talents, and instilling values that carried him through life. Teachers like MacArthur Jackson—who mentored him both on and off the football field—played pivotal roles in his development.

“Mr. Jackson pulled me aside when I needed it most and helped put me back on track,” Gordon said. “That guidance changed the trajectory of my life.”

After graduating from Asheville High, Gordon joined the military—a decision he made in part because his family couldn’t afford college at the time—but higher education remained his goal. When his service concluded, he returned to the classroom, attending UNC Asheville from 1977 to 1979 before transferring to Western Carolina University. While at Western from 1979 to 1981, Gordon continued his football career, a passion that began as a Cougar, as a Catamount.

From there he set his sights even higher, completing his Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville and attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from what was then the number-one-ranked dental school in the country. For over 30 years, Dr. Gordon practiced dentistry, helping his patients and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Despite his professional success and decades spent away from Asheville, Dr. Gordon remains closely tied to his hometown and to Asheville High. His daughter is a Cougar graduate, and many of his family members have walked the same halls he once did.

Last week, while visiting Asheville, Dr. Gordon made significant philanthropic gifts to both Cougar Athletics and the Asheville City Schools Foundation. His donations will help ensure that today’s students have access to the same life-changing opportunities he did.

“I give back because I know firsthand how much it matters,” Gordon said. “It takes a village to raise a child, and Asheville was my village. I’m proud to support the next generation of Cougars.”

When asked to sum up what being a Cougar means to him in just one word, Dr. Gordon answered without hesitation: “Fantastic. It’s pride. It’s tradition. It’s knowing that Asheville High helped me go from a boy to a man, and gave me the tools to succeed.”