Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

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  Films by Gardner-Webb Students Selected for Cleveland County Arts Council’s 25th Real to Reel International Film Festival

  Office of University Communications

  Two films by Gardner-Webb University students are the first ever to be selected for screening at the 25th Annual Real to Reel International Film Festival, sponsored by the Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby, N.C. “Wrong Number” and “Spiral” are among the 33 films that will be shown on July 24-27. Screenings begin each evening at 7 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 1 p.m. at Joy Performance Center, 202 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain, N.C. Following the screenings, filmmakers will answer questions from the audience.

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  Johnson City, Tenn., Selected as Host Site of 2025 and 2026 Big South Basketball Championships

  Office of University Communications

  The Big South Conference Council of Chief Executive O!icers has awarded the 2025 and 2026 Hercules Tires Big South Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships to Johnson City, Tenn., bringing the tournaments to the “Mountain South” and Freedom Hall Civic Center. The facility marks the league’s sixth overall neutral site for its marquee basketball events in the conference’s 40-year history. The agreement includes a mutual option for 2027.

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  Gardner-Webb University Baseball Team Plans Mission Trip to Dominican Republic

  Office of University Communications

  With its white-sand beaches and sparkling blue water, the Dominican Republic is a popular tourist attraction. However, beyond the resorts, more than 40 percent of the people live in poor conditions and are at risk of falling into poverty or human tra!icking. They struggle to have food, shelter and clothing, and may not have access to clean water or sanitation facilities.

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  Dr. Tracy Arnold Promoted to Associate Dean of the Gardner-Webb College of Health Sciences

  Office of University Communications

  Dr. Tracy Arnold, former director of the Gardner-Webb University Hunt School of Nursing (HSON), has been named the Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences (CoHS). In her new role, e!ective Aug. 1, 2024, Arnold will focus on enhancing instruction, grant writing, accreditation processes and faculty development programs.

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  Kaitlyn McNeilly Gives to Gardner-Webb to Celebrate the University’s Impact on Her Life

  Office of University Communications

  Kaitlyn McNeilly, 2015 alumna of Gardner-Webb, describes her four years at the University as “genuinely lifechanging.” An English major and native of Forest City, N.C., she expressed her deep appreciation for the faculty in her program. This year on Double Dawg Day, she made her first donation to the University, a gi! to honor and support the Department of English. She joined over 1,300 donors on that day to raise a record-breaking $1.4 million for the University’s academic and athletic programs, scholarships, and facilities.

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  Members of Gardner-Webb’s Concert Choir Share Experiences from Trip to France

  Office of University Communications

  A picture may be worth a thousand words, but an image can’t compare to the experience of being there. Before traveling to France to perform during the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the 16 members of the Gardner-Webb University Concert Choir could only imagine the price paid that day by American and other allied forces. A!er visiting Normandy and the American Cemetery, the cost of freedom became clearer.

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  2024 Gardner-Webb Football Kickoff Dinner Set for July 27

  Office of University Communications

  Gardner-Webb University Football is preparing to launch its 2024 season with a celebration linking the past, present and future. Along with the Bulldog Club, the football program will host the Second Annual Football Kicko! Dinner at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 27.

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  Gardner-Webb Swimmer Justin Bender Competes in 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials

  Office of University Communications

  While Gardner-Webb University swimmer Justin Bender waited to compete in the 2024 Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Ind., his focus was on the swim ahead. He tried not to think about the record-breaking 20,000-plus crowd in attendance or the transformation of a football stadium into a natatorium—or that he was one of nearly 70 swimmers competing in the 100-meter breaststroke event.

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  Gardner-Webb Hosts Science Academy with Grant from Stonecutter Foundation

  Office of University Communications

  The 11 high school students who recently attended the Science Academy at Gardner-Webb University experienced a variety of hands-on activities in five days. The camp introduced them to biotechnology, forensics, physician assistant studies, physiology, chemistry, and exercise science. They also toured Rutherford County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Forensics Department, Cohesion Phenomics, a DNA lab in Spindale, N.C., and Rutherford Regional Health System.

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  Mental Health Counseling Program offers supportive, hands-on experience

  Office of University Communications

  When Heather Banfield, of Forest City, N.C., enrolled as a graduate student at Gardner-Webb University, it had been 12 years since she received her bachelor’s degree. She was married with three young children, so there would be many adjustments. However, after meeting with the faculty in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, Banfield was assured that they would help her to achieve her goals.

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  Dr. Anna S. Hamrick Named Director of the Hunt School of Nursing

  Office of University Communications

  Dr. Anna S. Hamrick has been named director of the Hunt School of Nursing (HSON) at Gardner-Webb University. A GWU alumna, she has served as the school’s associate director since 2020. Hamrick will step into her new role on July 1, and current HSON Director, Dr. Tracy Arnold, will take on a new position, associate dean for the College of Health Sciences.

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  Three Gardner-Webb Students Receive Summer Scholar Fellowships

  Office of University Communications

  Through Summer Scholar Fellowships (formerly Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars), Gardner-Webb University students have an opportunity to conduct focused research outside the boundaries of the classroom. During the second summer session, three Fellows will be working with their faculty mentors on projects that involve extracting essential oils, examining books, and explaining nonverbal behavior.

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  Runnin’ Bulldogs Finish in the ITA Top 10 for First Time in Program History

  Office of University Communications

  After posting a program-best 20 victories during the 2024 spring season, the Gardner-Webb Men’s Tennis team earned the program’s first regional ranking from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), which was recently announced by the organization.

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  Gardner-Webb Hires New Faculty in Education, Arts and Sciences, and Health Sciences

  Office of University Communications

  Gardner-Webb University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Karen D’Ambrogi Aubrey has announced the hiring of new faculty for the Colleges of Education, Arts and Sciences and Health Sciences. These experienced educators and researchers bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the classroom and continue the ongoing aggressive recruitment of new faculty to the GWU campus.

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  Nearly 83% of Gardner-Webb Student-Athletes Achieve Big South Presidential Honor Roll

  Office of University Communications

  The Big South Conference has announced that a league-record 73.98 percent of eligible student-athletes earned Presidential Honor Roll status for their work in the classroom in 2023-24. Gardner-Webb placed 82.75% (307) of its 371 eligible student-athletes on the list. The University was one of three member institutions to have at least 80 percent of 3.0 students.

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  Big South-OVC Football Association Presidents and Chancellors Sign New Enhanced Agreement

  Office of University Communications

  A!er a successful first season of competition for the Big South Conference (BSC)-Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Football Association, the presidents and chancellors of the nine regionally-aligned member institutions have strengthened their commitment to each other by approving a new agreement that could extend to 2030 and beyond.

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  Gardner-Webb Department of PA Studies Attends PA Day at the N.C. Legislature

  Office of University Communications

  A record number of 150 physician assistants (PAs) and PA students, including a group from Gardner-Webb University, traveled to Raleigh, N.C., in May to participate in the 2024 PA Day at the Legislature. Sponsored by the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (NCAPA), the event focused on recognizing and sharing information about PA Licensure Interstate Compact (HB 1056/SB 879).

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  Gardner-Webb Hosts Carolina Crown’s First Performance of 2024 Season on Saturday, June 15

  Office of University Communications

  A!er nearly a month of rehearsals on the Gardner-Webb campus and keeping fans in suspense, Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps officially announced the title of this year’s production: Promethean. Born from Greek mythology, the story of Prometheus is one of heroism, sacrifice, hope, and progress. Crown will tell the hero’s story in four acts.

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  Gardner-Webb’s Searight PACE Approved by National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

  Office of University Communications

  Gardner-Webb University’s Searight Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) program has been accepted by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. Dr. Lorell Gordon, assistant professor for Clinical Mental Health Counseling, led the effort to obtain approval and also coordinated topics and instructors for the Mental Health Counseling courses offered through PACE.

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  Gardner-Webb Team Partners with Kudvumisa Foundation in Eswatini/Swaziland

  Office of University Communications

  Kudvumisa means “to praise” in the language of the people in Eswatini/Swaziland. It’s also the name chosen by Kudvumisa Foundation, an organization that provides medical clinics to people in this African county where medical care is lacking and HIV/Aids is prevalent.

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  Gardner-Webb Women’s Swimmer Alexandra Haasser Receives Big South Conference’s Prestigious George A. Christenberry Award

  Office of University Communications

  The Big South recognized Alexandra “Alex” Haasser as one of six studentathletes to receive the Conference’s prestigious Christenberry Award for Academic Excellence. The award is given to male and female student-athletes who attain the highest GPA during their undergraduate collegiate careers. It is the 12th consecutive year at least six student-athletes have been honored.

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  Gardner-Webb Team Shows ‘God’s Love From a Diaper Bag’ to Moms in Kentucky

  Office of University Communications

  In Jenkins, Ky., unemployment is high, homes are dilapidated, and people are still recovering from a flood in July 2022 that took many lives and destroyed property. A former coal-mining town, this area has been called “the poorest of the poor.”

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  Gardner-Webb Physician Assistant Studies Celebrates Two Milestones

  Office of University Communications

  The Gardner-Webb University Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies and its new Director, Associate Professor Ashley B. Kernicky, celebrated two milestones in May. The 29-member Class of 2024 graduated. After passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), they will serve in communities across the country. Then, the PA White Coat Ceremony recognized 32 members of the 2025 cohort, who are entering the clinical phase of the program.

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  Tickets on Sale Now for Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass Concert on June 8 at Gardner-Webb

  Office of University Communications

  Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass brings its signature sound to the Brinkley Amphitheater stage to begin Gardner-Webb University’s inaugural “Summer in the Springs” Concert Series on June 8. Marsalis has played all over the world, won numerous awards and competitions and received accolades for his evocative interpretation, impeccable virtuosity and beauty of sound.

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  Gardner-Webb Alumnus Mason Miller Records 10 Saves for Oakland A’s This Season

  Office of University Communications

  Dominant, flamethrower, electric — all adjectives describing Oakland A’s rookie closer and former Gardner-Webb baseball pitcher Mason Miller. Since the start of the 2024 MLB season, Miller has continued to wow spectators and commentators with his fastballs and strikeouts.