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GWU Music Professor Contributes to Christmas CD by Southern Songwriters Association
Office of University Communications
Dr. Patricia Sparti, a professor in the Department of Music at Gardner-Webb University, has written and recorded her first song on a CD produced by the Southern Songwriters Association (SSA). Sparti, a founding member of SSA, is one of 15 members who contributed original music to the project, “Songs of Christmas.”
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Gardner-Webb Hosts Virtual Commencement on Dec. 12 for Fall Graduates
Office of University Communications
Gardner-Webb University will host a virtual commencement on Dec. 12 to honor fall 2020 graduates. The digital celebration will recognize the accomplishments of these students, who will not be able to participate in an in-person event due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ceremony will be shown at 10 a.m. on the Gardner-Webb website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.
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Gardner-Webb VP for Finance and Administration Retires After Nearly 30 years of Service
Office of University Communications
Mike Hardin, who has nearly 30 years of service to Gardner-Webb University, is retiring on Nov. 30, 2020, as vice president for Finance and Administration. A two-time graduate of GWU, Hardin earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1986 and then his Master of Business Administration in 2000.
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Gardner-Webb Faculty and Staff Plan Spring Events to Promote Diversity and Inclusion
Office of University Communications
As Gardner-Webb University students and the campus community continue to process national events related to racial injustice and inequality, GWU faculty and staff will offer more avenues next semester for communication and understanding. Assistant Professor of English Dr. Kemeshia Randle Swanson will be teaching an African American literature course in the spring entitled “Still I Rise.” JeNai Davis, director of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives, is planning several opportunities for students, faculty and staff to ask questions and discuss complex issues in a safe space.
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GWU’s Annual Festival of Lights will Premiere in Virtual Format on Dec. 3
Office of University Communications
Gardner-Webb University’s Festival of Lights, a beloved Christmas tradition since 1984, will continue this year in a virtual format. This annual start to the holiday season for the GWU community will premiere on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. on the GWU Facebook page and YouTube channel. After the first showing, the event may be viewed on those social media platforms as well as the Gardner-Webb website.
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GWU Faculty Approves Reduction in Undergraduate Hours Required for Graduation
Office of University Communications
The Gardner-Webb University faculty has taken another bold step to make a Gardner-Webb education more affordable and accessible to students. They recently approved a reduction in the number of undergraduate credit hours required for graduation from 128 to 120. This change encompasses the restructuring of the University’s general education requirements, which was announced earlier this year. The result benefits traditional undergraduate students and provides a more transfer-friendly pathway for students transitioning to Gardner- Webb from other universities. The revisions will go into effect in the 2021- 2022 academic year. Students already enrolled at Gardner-Webb may elect to apply the new requirements to their academic program.
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Gardner-Webb University and Gaston College formalize the Bulldog Way Grant
Office of University Communications
Officials at Gardner-Webb University recently announced a partnership that will benefit Gaston College (Dallas, N.C.) students. The Bulldog Way program will offer a $3,000 grant to any Gaston College student who gains admission to GWU’s traditional, residential programs.
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GWU Assistant Professor Offers Tips for Coping with Election Anxiety
Office of University Communications
"After several months of campaign rhetoric and many weeks of dueling commercials, the election season ca cause stress and anxiety. In a normal year—one witho a global pandemic—victors would be declared on election day after all returns are in. But, with COVID-1 concerns, and North Carolina and Pennsylvania allowing mail-in votes to be counted after Nov. 3, it’s probable that a presidential winner won’t be declared for weeks. The late ballots may also mean that winner can’t be determined in the states’ other races as well."
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Marine Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, Appreciates Supportive GWU Staff, Faculty
Office of University Communications
On a mission in Afghanistan in 2013, Marine Staff Sgt. Samantha Christopher, of Grover, N.C., and her platoon became the target of a large scale attack. “In a matter of seconds, there were 73 casualties, and I felt helpless in that situation,” recalled the Gardner-Webb University student. “I knew I wanted to help more but did not have the medical knowledge or background to provide advanced care. A few other Marines and I helped carry the casualties onto the helicopters landing and taking off every 1 to 5 minutes. It was in that moment that I felt called to serve as a nurse.”
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Gardner-Webb Campus Finds Ways to Serve Community While Observing COVID-19 Protocols
Office of University Communications
An integral part of life on the Gardner-Webb University campus is serving the community. Although projects look different with everyone wearing face coverings and staying 6 feet apart, faculty, staff, students and athletic teams have participated in several events this semester.
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GWU’s Elizabeth Amato will Participate on Election Night Panel for WSOC-TV
Office of University Communications
The outcome of the 2020 presidential election, according to many news analysts, might not be known on election night. After the polls close on Nov. 3, and Americans wait for results, Dr. Elizabeth Amato, Gardner-Webb University assistant professor of political science, will provide analysis for WSOC-TV in Charlotte, N.C. She is part of a panel of experts assembled by the station for coverage beginning at 7 p.m.
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Alumnus Uses Social Media Platform to Educate and Advocate for Deafblind Community
Office of University Communications
When Jon Urquhart, a 2016 alumnus of Gardner-Webb University, meets people for the first time, and he tells them about his Deafblind father, they are naturally intrigued. The question he’s usually asked is, “What was it like growing up with a father who is Deafblind?” His response stems from equal curiosity, “What is it like growing up with a dad who isn’t Deafblind?”
Urquhart shared, “Having a Deafblind father was my typical. Growing up, I never understood my dad had a dual sensory disability, that was just the way he was. One misconception is that all CODAs (Child of Deaf Adults) know that they are a CODA and have accepted their identity within the Deaf and hearing communities. However, I didn’t realize I was a CODA myself until I entered Gardner- Webb and met other CODAs.”
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GWU President Names Robin Hamrick Interim VP for Finance and Administration
Office of University Communications
Gardner-Webb University President Dr. William M. Downs has named Robin Hamrick as interim vice president for Finance and Administration, effective Dec. 1, 2020. Hamrick, a two-time GWU alumna, came to work at the University in 1998. Mike Hardin, who has nearly 30 years of service to Gardner-Webb, is retiring as vice president for Finance and Administration on Nov. 30, 2020.
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GWU Honors Students Clean Up Trails at Broad River Greenway
Office of University Communications
Unable to take their annual trip to clean up the New River in West Jefferson, N.C., Honors students from Gardner-Webb University worked on the trails at the Broad River Greenway near Boiling Springs. A group of 29 students and Dr. Tom Jones, associate dean of the Honors Program, removed kudzu, honeysuckle, and large poison ivy vines and cleared overhangs on trails. The students also spruced up the Greenway’s Phifer Cabin.
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Godbold College of Business Offers Master of Sport Management Degree BY OFFICE
Office of University Communications
The Gardner-Webb University Godbold College of Business has added a Master of Sport Management (MSM) degree program. Designed for students who want to advance their careers in this growing field, this fully-online program addresses a need identified in a survey of GWU business students.
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GWU Alumna Named Teacher of the Year at Charter School in Rutherford County, N.C.
Office of University Communications
Gardner-Webb University alumna Chasity McCraw, ’17, approaches math problems like giant puzzles. Her goals as a teacher at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (TJCA) in Rutherford County, N.C., are to share the excitement of finding a solution and to help her students overcome their fear of math. For her innovative classroom strategies, contagious spirit and other qualities, McCraw was recently honored as TJCA’s Upper Campus Teacher of the Year for 2020-’21.
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Fall 2020 Top Dawg Winners Surprised with Award Presentation
Office of University Communications
The first two winners of the Top Dawg Award were recognized on Oct. 22, 2020. They are Ashley Chapman, administrative assistant to the School of Psychology and Counseling, and Mavia Lee, assistant vice president for Digital Learning. Sponsored by the Gardner-Webb Staff Council, the Top Dawg Award promotes excellence and provides visible recognition of exceptionally consistent and superior performance of GWU staff.
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GWU Distinguished Artist Series Presents Chamber Ensemble
Office of University Communications
The Gardner-Webb University Distinguished Artist Series presents “Chamber Music 4 All” on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. in Dover Chapel. The ensemble features three GWU professors—violinists Calin Lupanu and Monica Boboc, and violist Alaina Rea—along with cellist Marlene Ballena. In addition, all are prominent members of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO).
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Artist and GWU Swimmer Combines Passions in Undergraduate Research Project
Office of University Communications
Jessi Snover, ’21, is an art major and a member of the Gardner-Webb University swim team. Her Undergraduate Research Project combined her two passions. “I wanted to study the unique physiology and development of a swimmer’s body and interpret that from a photographic reference onto canvas,” related Snover, of Greer, S.C.
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‘Foothills Commitment’ Expands to Provide Grants to Lincoln County Residents
Office of University Communications
Officials at Gardner-Webb University recently announced that the “Foothills Commitment” program is expanding to Lincoln County, N.C. For any new freshmen from Lincoln County, who will be living on campus, GWU pledges a minimum of 50 percent off tuition.
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Gardner-Webb Dover Library Displays Artwork, Poems by Children in Concentration Camp
Office of University Communications
An exhibit on display through Nov. 5 in Dover Memorial Library features the art and poetry of the children of Terezin, a World War II concentration camp located in the Czech Republic. There were 15,000 children under the age of 15 who passed through the camp from June 14, 1940, to May 9, 1945. Fewer than 100 survived.
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Gardner-Webb Junior Conducts Literature Review to Prepare for Hands-on Research in Lab
Office of University Communications
Microbiomes are tiny organisms that live on the skin, keeping it healthy and protected. Chloe Loth, Class of 2022 at Gardner-Webb University, chose to study these microbes for her Undergraduate Research Scholar Project. “Once you get past the idea that you have a bunch of living organisms on your body, you discover how much we need these little guys,” Loth asserted. “I mean these creatures help protect our skin from developing nasty harmful infections, alter our T-Cells (immune function cell), and help us adapt to our environment. Their capabilities are astounding for a single cell organism.”
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GWU Senior’s Research Examines How Fast Fashion Violates Human Rights Laws BY OFFICE
Office of University Communications
Gardner-Webb University senior Carlee Winstead, of Wilmington, N.C., plans a career in the field of social justice. “Ideally, I want to work for an organization that advocates for policy reform that would better the lives of those who are disproportionately at risk in their communities,” she affirmed. “All people are deserving of justice, and nothing should stand in the way of them not being equal to the person next to them, especially policies that exist in those communities.”
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Musicians and Actors Adjust to COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Office of University Communications
Adjusting to COVID-19 safety protocols has created several challenges for Gardner-Webb University’s music and theatre arts students. Masks hide facial expressions and limit sound. Social distancing makes it harder to hear, and performances are in a larger room or on an outdoor stage. Audiences have been scaled back to comply with crowd-size limits.
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Gardner-Webb Junior Develops Research Skills to Succeed in Medical School
Office of University Communications
Grace Burgin, ’22, enrolled in Gardner-Webb University as a nursing student, but after studying fetal development and receiving encouragement from her professors and friends, she changed her major. The junior from Iron Station, N.C., decided to pursue a degree in biology with a concentration in biomedical sciences. Her goal is to become an obstetrician/gynecologist.
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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