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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New & Improved Gardner-Webb University Website Launched June 9

Office of University Communications

On Thursday, June 9, the new and improved Gardner-Webb University website was launched. The redesign has been in the planning and implementation stages since January of this year and consists of over 4,000 pages. The Web Design Team and Creative Staff have put many long days, weekends and nights into the creation of the new web site.
The Gardner-Webb School of Nursing Hosts “Code Teen”

Office of University Communications

Open to rising 10th-12th graders from area high schools, the annual Code Teen program offers students a glimpse into a variety of occupations in the healthcare field. This summer, 71 students applied to participate by writing an essay, securing a teacher recommendation, and giving a personal interview. The 41 selected students were divided into two groups, and the first will participate in the weeklong Code Teen camp from June 20-24, while the second will participate from July 11-15.
A Sermon that Sings

Office of University Communications

Dr. J. Alfred Smith was born to be a preacher. But for Smith, who is Pastor Emeritus of Allan Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, Calif., and who served this spring as Gardner-Webb University’s first Scholar in Residence, a life in the pulpit was not his earliest aspiration. “I play the saxophone,” Smith says, “and I wanted to be a jazz musician.”
Crossing Paths with the True King

Office of University Communications

When Clayton King (’95) hosted his first summer camp at Gardner-Webb as a GWU senior in 1995, he had no idea he would become president and founder of a worldwide ministry. He had no clue that a decade and a half later, he would have shared the Gospel with more than 40,000 students through his Crossroads Worldwide summer camps. He only knew that his vision for an evangelistic camp ministry was a true calling, and he trusted God for the rest.
Runnin’ Bulldog Volleyball To Offer Free Clinic and Other Camp Opportunities for Student-Athletes

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb volleyball head coach Leo Sayles invites all volleyball players to attend a free four-hour clinic on Friday, July 22nd at Crest High School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Coach Sayles will serve as the primary clinician and will be assisted by GWU assistant coach Bethany Martin and numerous players from the Runnin’ Bulldog volleyball program. “This is a great opportunity for community athletes to attend a quality clinic and grow as players. The four-hour clinic will be packed with instruction and technical training,” commented Coach Sayles.
Gardner-Webb Wrestling joins Southern Conference

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb, Campbell and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville will join the league beginning with the 2011-12 season. The addition of the three programs, in conjunction with UNC Greensboro’s discontinuation of its program following this past season, will bring the Southern Conference’s wrestling membership to eight schools. The move will provide the Runnin’ Bulldogs with a chance to compete for a true conference crown for the first time in the program’s 22 years.
Freeman Fund Helps Dreams Come True for Local Students to Enter College

Office of University Communications

The dream of leaving high school and entering college came true for nine local students thanks to the Joseph B. Freeman Jr. Educational Fund. The Freeman Fund is a scholarship fund formed by area business leaders 20 years ago to provide financial assistance to high school students from Cleveland County schools. The fund is designed for students who qualify academically for college but whose unique situations might otherwise prevent them from attending.
Gardner-Webb University Announces Spring 2011 Dean’s List and Honor Roll

Office of University Communications

The Dean’s List honors those outstanding students who maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher for the semester, and the Honor Roll recognizes those who maintain a GPA between 3.2 and 3.7 for the semester. The Dean’s List and Honor Roll are the semester’s highest academic honors. Congratulations to each of these students for their hard work and commitment to excellence!
2011 Big South Champion GWU Lady ‘Dogs Host Youth Basketball Camp at Rutherford Elementary

Office of University Communications

It takes hard work to be a true winner, and the lessons we learn as youngsters play a vital role in establishing our character on and off the fields of competition. That’s why the Gardner-Webb Lady ‘Dogs and Rutherford Elementary School have teamed up to sponsor the 2011 Runnin’ Bulldog Basketball Camp, open to boys and girls ages 5-10 years old, from June 20 – June 22. The 2011 Big South Conference Champion Lady ‘Dogs are fresh off their most successful season ever, having earned the University’s first ever berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Conference Brings Experts on Bereavement to GWU

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb is excited to welcome members of the Class of 2015 to campus today, June 14, for New Student Orientation!
Gardner-Webb University Hosts Charlotte Mason Education Conference

Office of University Communications

From June 8 to June 11, the Gardner-Webb University School of Education will host the Charlotte Mason Education Conference, titled “A Charlotte Mason Education—A True Alternative.” The sessions will illuminate Mason’s educational philosophy, and provide strategies for implementing Mason’s methods to meet the challenges of today’s public, private, and homeschool classrooms. The conference will feature several keynote presentations and a variety of breakout immersion groups led by a host of Mason experts, including scholars in education, school administrators, and experienced teachers from every level and arena.
Big South Conference Spring Meetings Recap: New Executive Officers Elected, New League Initiatives Approved

Office of University Communications

The annual Big South Conference Council of Chief Executive Officers meeting was held on Thursday, June 2 at the Westin Hotel Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C., in conjunction with the League’s annual Spring Meetings and Hall of Fame Banquet. Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle has been elected President of the Conference, the first woman to hold the office. In addition, Gardner-Webb University President Dr. Frank Bonner has been elected Vice President, and UNC Asheville Chancellor Dr. Anne Ponder has been re-elected Secretary of the League.
Gardner-Webb Welcomes Back Carolina Crown

Office of University Communications

Comprised of two drum majors, brass players, a pit ensemble, drum line, and dozens of instructors and marching specialists, the band’s members hail from colleges and universities all over the country. This spring, they are diligently preparing their dynamic 2011 show, “Rach Star.” From stage diving to piano concertos and lighting truss to drum sets, “Rach Star” will take drum corps entertainment in a whole new direction.
Gardner-Webb University Hosts National Conference for Baptist Professors of Religion

Office of University Communications

According to its website, the NABPR is a community of teaching scholars who meet to sharpen teaching skills and encourage the continuation of meaningful scholarship in the fields of religious studies. While most members teach or study at Baptist-affiliated schools, colleges, and seminaries, many members come from a wide range of church-related and state-supported schools in the United States, Canada, and abroad. According to Dr. Ron Williams, president of NABPR and professor of religious studies at Gardner-Webb, the annual meeting offers networking and career development opportunities for current professors and graduate students entering the field.
A Memorial Day Memory

Office of University Communications

He was trapped. His B-24 bomber was hit, plummeting toward the German soil below, and Cecil “Cotton” Bolick was pinned to the side of the plane by the sheer force of the spin. When the blow occurred, he had pulled the cable beneath his seat, freeing him from the plane’s top turret where he was stationed as a gunner.
Gardner-Webb’s Dusty Quattlebaum Piles Up Academic Honors

Office of University Communications

The recognition comes just a day after Quattlebaum was named first-team Capital One Academic All-America®, becoming the first baseball player in school history to earn that distinction. The All-America®, team is selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
Gardner-Webb University Receives National Recognition for Community Service

Office of University Communications

For the fourth consecutive year, Gardner-Webb was admitted to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging its students, faculty and staff in meaningful service that achieves measurable results in the community. “As members of the class of 2011 cross the stage to pick up their diplomas, more and more will be going into the world with a commitment to public service and the knowledge that they can make a difference in their communities and their own lives through service to others, thanks to the leadership of institutions like Gardner-Webb,” said Patrick A. Corvington, Chief Executive Officer of CNCS. “Congratulations to Gardner-Webb University and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities.”
Apples and Accolades

Office of University Communications and Matt Leonard

Gardner-Webb University recently honored faculty and staff members for outstanding service to the University at its annual “Apples and Accolades” recognition program. This spring, a new award for excellence in adjunct teaching was added in addition to awards that recognize excellence in full-time teaching, outstanding community engagement, and staff dedication. The Gardner-Webb Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Dr. Janet Land, professor of English and director of Gardner-Webb’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Gardner-Webb Celebrates the Careers of Four Retirees

Office of University Communications

As the 2010-2011 academic year closed, so did the tenures of four of Gardner-Webb University’s cherished faculty and staff members. At a recent recognition program, the University presented retirement awards, celebrating long careers of service to the University, to Jimmy Martin, Dr. Roger Gaddis, Dr. C. Oland Summers, and Dr. Tony Eastman. Jimmy Martin began what he calls his “adventure” at Gardner-Webb as a contract construction worker in the late 1970s.
Gardner-Webb Inaugurates “Faith, Service and Leadership Hall of Fame”

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University President Dr. Frank Bonner recently inaugurated the “Faith, Service and Leadership Hall of Fame,” which recognizes faculty who have served the University for 40 years or more. The University also presented awards to faculty and staff members who have logged 30 years, 25 years, and 10 years of service to the University. The inaugural class of the “Hall of Fame” included four members
Gardner-Webb Awards more than 340 Degrees in Annual Fall Commencement

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University, along with thousands of family and friends, celebrated the achievement of more than 340 graduates during the University’s annual fall commencement exercises on Monday. In keeping with Gardner-Webb tradition, all of the graduates were recognized individually as they received their degrees. As Gardner-Webb President Dr. Frank Bonner said in his opening remarks, “We pause to recognize our graduates one by one because we value them highly as individuals, and we are so very proud of each of them.”
Green Thumbs, Full Hearts

Office of University Communications and Matt Leonard

Gardner-Webb University students have begun an ambitious journey toward environmental sustainability and stewardship, community involvement, and service for humanity. The vehicle by which those destinations will be reached is the brand new Community Garden project. The garden project is in full bloom this spring, but the seeds were planted last semester when Stephanie Richey, Gardner-Webb’s community outreach coordinator, led a student service trip to an organic farm outside Asheville, N.C.
Gardner-Webb Professor Addresses Biblical Perspectives on Natural Disasters

Office of University Communications and Matt Leonard

Devastating natural disasters like the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan or last year’s earthquake in Haiti raise important and sometimes troubling questions about faith and belief. In an upcoming lecture, Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity’s Dr. Cal Robertson will examine ancient Israel’s beliefs about the spiritual significance of such disasters. As part of Gardner-Webb’s Joyce Compton Brown Lecture Series, Robertson’s lecture is free and open to the public, and will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 in Ritch Banquet Hall.
Gardner-Webb University Hires Interim Dean of New School of Performing and Visual Arts

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University is pleased to announce that Professor James W. Thomas has been hired as Interim Dean of Gardner-Webb’s new School of Performing and Visual Arts. During his two-year term beginning on July 1, Thomas will help develop the structure and vision for the School, assist in the enrichment of the academic programs and facilities in the arts, and provide leadership in the national search for a permanent Dean of the School. Thomas is best known for his 38 years at Mars Hill College, where he Chaired both the Theatre Department and the Division of Fine Arts, developed the Theatre (B.A.) and Musical Theatre (B.F.A.) majors, and oversaw the accreditation of those programs by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.