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Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

This is the archive for Gardner-Webb's Newscenter, which is your source for updates and events happening on campus, as well as interesting stories about GWU students, faculty/staff and alumni. You'll also find stories about academic accomplishments and community service projects.

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Begin Earning Your Master’s or Doctoral Degree at Gardner-Webb This Summer

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University’s graduate programs o!er two upcoming start dates this summer. For those who are ready to begin pursuing their master’s in business administration, accounting, sports management or English, online programs start in June. However, these programs along with others in public administration, religion, nursing, counseling, divinity and education also have programs starting in August.
William Glover Named Director of the GardnerWebb Bulldog Club

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University Interim Vice President of Advancement Karen Bruce has named William Glover, a native of Shelby, N.C., as director of the Bulldog Club and Sponsorship Programs. Glover reports directly to the vice president for Advancement and is responsible for increasing Bulldog Club membership and securing philanthropic girls from the university’s alumni, friends and corporate partners.
Gardner-Webb Alumnus and Retired Navy Commander John E. Sutton Speaks at University’s Annual Memorial Day Observance

Office of University Communications

The Memorial Day Observance at Gardner-Webb University on May 23 featured retired Navy Commander John E. “JES” Sutton as the featured speaker. A 1976 alumnus, Sutton presented a brief history of Memorial Day. He noted, in particular, the stories of courage and sacrifice that impact his reflective approach to the day.
Gardner-Webb 2013 Alumna Shebra Hughes: ‘Waffle House is a Hidden Gem’

Office of University Communications

Shebra Hughes, a 2013 alumna of Gardner-Webb University, and her husband Tommy love visiting campus. They reminisce about when she was a student and they were dating, but also enjoy representing the company they work for: Waffle House. A senior vice president, Shebra manages 81 locations in North Carolina from Greensboro to Cherokee.
Gardner-Webb Assistant Provost Dr. Greg Pillar Selected to Participate in National Conference

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University Assistant Provost Dr. Greg Pillar has been selected to participate in the inaugural HigherEd PodCon set for July 12 at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Pillar is one of over 40 presenters and will be featured in a session on designing impactful campus podcasts. The all-day event includes 15 sessions with faculty, students, tech strategists, and communications professionals from more than 25 institutions and organizations from across North America.
Gardner-Webb Celebrates Achievements of Nearly 500 Graduates

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University hosted its Spring Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Families and guests celebrated the achievements of nearly 500 students in traditional undergraduate, online, and graduate programs of study.
Dr. Heather Wright Honored with Gardner-Webb President’s Early Career Award

Office of University Communications

Dr. Heather Wright has received the Gardner-Webb president’s Early Career Award in recognition of her exceptional performance as an assistant professor. The award is presented to faculty members who have completed at least two, but no more than six years in rank at the University.
Gardner-Webb Interim President Nate Evans Names Athletic Director Emeritus Chuck Burch as Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb Interim President Nate Evans has announced that Athletic Director Emeritus Chuck Burch will serve as the interim vice president of Athletics. He fills the role left vacant by Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich, who was recently named director of Athletics at the University of Akron in Ohio.
Gardner-Webb Disc Golf Club Competes in College Disc Golf National Championship

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb senior Mason Martin was a freshman in 2022 when a group of upperclassmen revived the Disc Golf Club on campus. Members worked to introduce others to the game and the club has grown in size. This year, Martin and Garrison Hobbs, Ryan Kepler and William Altman decided to compete in the College Disc Golf National Championship in Rock Hill, S.C.
Students in the Gardner-Webb University College of Arts and Sciences Recognized in Awards Ceremony

Office of University Communications

Faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences recently presented awards to students in recognition of their hard work, dedication and excellence.
Gardner-Webb Announces Formation of Presidential Search Committee

Office of University Communications

Officials at Gardner-Webb University have announced the formation of the committee that will guide the search for the institution’s 14th President.
Accelerate Your Education This Summer at Gardner-Webb University

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University’s summer sessions o!er a!ordable, accessible online and in-person courses designed to help students get ahead, stay on track, or explore new interests on their path to graduation. Choose from an array of subjects across all disciplines from business and management to creative and independent studies.
On Double Dawg Day, Gardner-Webb Donors Smash Record by Giving Over $2.8 Million

Office of University Communications

For the 10th consecutive year, enthusiastic supporters of Gardner-Webb University not only surpassed—but more than doubled—the previous year’s record. For 24 hours Bo dressed to impress for Double Dawg Day. For 24 hours on April 10, Double Dawg Day, 1,354 donors answered the call and raised over $2.8 million.
Webbstock ’25 on Saturday, April 12, Brings Community Together for Afternoon of Entertainment

Office of University Communications

On Saturday, April 12, Main Street will close to traffic from College Avenue to Branch Street and open at 11 a.m. for Webbstock ’25. Along with free performances by four bands, the festival features vendors offering a variety of food options and selling specialty and handmade items.
Gardner-Webb Executive Chef Thomas Tessneer Selected for Aramark Culinary Excellence Competition

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University Executive Chef Thomas Tessneer has been invited to participate in the 2025 Aramark Culinary Experience Competition. He will compete in the East Region cookout on April 22-23 against university chefs from North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Ten Students from Gardner-Webb Help with Rebuild Efforts in Waynesville and Fletcher, N.C.

Office of University Communications

Instead of traveling out-of-state this year, Neal Payne, Gardner-Webb associate minister to the University for Student Ministries, and 10 students from Gardner-Webb went to Black Mountain, N.C., to help rebuild homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
Gardner-Webb Accepted Students Coming to Campus on April 12 can Join Webbstock Fun

Office of University Communications

Accepted Students Day on April 12 at Gardner-Webb University will not only be a time for students to learn about campus, but will also give them a front row seat for the Fourth Annual Webbstock Music Festival. A!er spending the morning on campus, students and families can enjoy the a!ernoon and evening of free entertainment. The festival features four bands, food, artisans and vendors.
Gardner-Webb Senior Connor Settlemyre Performs with National Honor Band

Office of University Communications

As Gardner-Webb University senior Connor Settlemyre waited to perform with some of the best musicians from around the country, he looked up to see members of the audience seated directly above the stage, anticipating the music to begin. The performance was the culmination of three days of practice at the National Small Band Programs Intercollegiate Band, meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. In the previous 72 hours, the 106 people around him had become friends, and they were ready to present a stirring program of music.
Gardner-Webb Alumna Chelsea Sexton Shares How Rejection Led to Acceptance

Office of University Communications

As she neared graduation from Gardner-Webb University in May 2023, Chelsea Sexton received the news that nobody wants to hear: she was turned down by the dental school she aspired to attend. A chemistry major whose dream of becoming a dentist began as a child, Sexton was crushed.
Gardner-Webb Senior Connor Settlemyre Selected to Participate in National Band

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University senior Connor Settlemyre, of Rutherfordton, N.C., has been selected to perform for the National Small Band Programs Intercollegiate Band. He is the first student from GWU to be selected for this honor. The concert, which features 124 musicians, is held in conjunction with the 2025 National Conference of the College Band Directors National Association on March 26-29 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Contributions on Double Dawg Day Help Gardner- Webb Nursing and Exercise Science Programs Enhance Learning

Office of University Communications

Your donations on Double Dawg Day can help prepare students in the College of Health Sciences in the fields of nursing and exercise science. Because technology and research evolve rapidly, these programs strive to consistently update technology and improve equipment.
Dr. Doris Banner, Founding Editor and Researcher for the First Gardner-Webb Faculty Emeriti Publication, Passed Away on March 19

Office of University Communications

Dr. Doris Banner, an educator for over four decades, including more than 30 years at Gardner-Webb University, passed away March 19, 2025 in Rising Star, Texas. Banner was the founding editor and research director for the inaugural GWU Faculty Emeriti publication. She was also named to the University’s Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in 2003.
Gardner-Webb Awards Full-Tuition Ignite Scholarship to Eight Students

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University recently presented its full-tuition eightsemester Ignite Scholarship to eight students from North Carolina, South Carolina and California. They rose to the top among the 293 qualified applicants who interviewed for the scholarship. The finalists had an average unweighted GPA of 3.79, and were from 18 states, including California, Maine, Texas and Wisconsin. Everyone who interviewed is eligible to receive $2,000 per year at GWU.
Countdown: Less Than 30 Days Until WebbStock is Back with Music, Food and Fun

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University, in collaboration with the Town of Boiling Springs, will host the fourth annual Webbstock Music Festival on Saturday, April 12. The festival is free and open to the public, offering a full day of music, art, food, and community activities.
Gardner-Webb College of Education Hosts Open House, Registration Events for New Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Child Education

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb College of Education will host two opportunities for teacher candidates to learn more, apply, and register for its new fully-online bachelor’s program in Exceptional Children Education (ECE) that begins this summer. The open house, one-stop sessions will be o!ered on March 29 and April 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the GWU Charlotte Campus Center, 8030 Arrowridge Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. Registration is suggested.