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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Town of Boiling Springs and Gardner-Webb University Postpone Webbstock 2020

Office of University Communications

Hosted by the Town of Boiling Springs and Gardner-Webb University, Webbstock 2020 has been rescheduled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Originally scheduled for March 28, the music festival has been postponed until the fall of the year.
GWU School of Divinity and The Center for Healthy Churches Host First Training

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity and The Center for Healthy Churches (CHC) recently held their first training event since announcing their partnership last fall. More than 60 clergy and lay leaders from North and South Carolina attended “Turnaround Leadership: Life in the 2020s” led by Dr. Bill Wilson, CHC director. Joining the guests for the workshop on the Gardner-Webb campus were about 20 members of the GWU faculty and staff.
Gardner-Webb University Announces Expanded Partnership with CaroMont Health

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University College of Health Sciences and CaroMont Health have announced an expanded educational partnership. Students in the Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program will benefit from the CaroMont Health Clinical Hub partnership for practice rotations. The GWU Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program will also see an expansion of a long-standing relationship with CaroMont.
Gardner-Webb University Announces Plans to Rebuild Marching Bulldogs

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb’s Department of Music has announced plans to rebuild the University’s marching band program. Dr. Mark R. Cole, director of bands, is recruiting musicians for the Marching Bulldogs, which will take the field in fall 2021.
More Than 50 Students Present Research in 23rd Annual Conference

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University students presented their undergraduate and graduate research recently at the 23rd annual Life of the Scholar-Multidisciplinary Conference (LOTS-MC). More than 50 undergraduate and graduate students participated in the event. Dr. David Yelton, GWU associate provost of the College of Arts and Sciences, gave opening remarks, and GWU President Dr. William M. Downs was the speaker for the joint session.
Board of Trustees Honors Service and Contributions of Dedicated Members

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University Board of Trustees recently recognized five board members for their outstanding service to GWU and contributions in their communities. They were presented the title of trustee emeriti by Board Chair Jennifer Marion Mills at the University’s annual scholarship luncheon, which gives scholarship donors a chance to meet the recipients of their funds. The following were recognized as trustee emeriti.
Max Gardner Foundation Inc. Moves Office Into Home Owned by Gardner-Webb

Office of University Communications

Two entities that have former North Carolina Governor, O. Max Gardner, as their namesake are pleased to announce a new partnership. The first week in March, the office of the O. Max Gardner Foundation Inc. is moving from Shelby, N.C., into a home in Boiling Springs owned by Gardner-Webb University. The new location at 1410 College Ave. was endowed to the University by Dr. and Mrs. Dan Moore.
Gardner-Webb Officials Closely Monitoring the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb is working to ensure the health and safety of the University community by closely monitoring the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and any impact it could have on our campuses. There are currently no reported cases in our region. Gardner-Webb, in collaboration with local and state health officials, is taking steps to prepare for potential cases, including keeping current with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations related to surveillance, evaluation and response.
Gardner-Webb Hosts Panel Discussion for Women’s History Month

Office of University Communications

Women gained the right to vote in 1920, the Equal Pay Act became law in 1963, and the Civil Rights Act passed in 1964. How did these historical moments affect local women? To celebrate Women’s History Month and explore these topics and others, the Gardner-Webb Office of Multicultural Affairs is hosting, “Generational Panel: Exploring Women’s History Through Local Lives.”
GWU Student Club Fights Human Trafficking Through Action Week, Feb. 24-28

Office of University Communications

According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, the state of North Carolina is among the top 10 in the country for human trafficking, and Charlotte is the No. 1 city in the state. To bring awareness to efforts to prevent and end this injustice, the Gardner-Webb University club, “Release the Captives,” is hosting Anti-Human Trafficking Action Week (aHTAW) Feb. 24-28. Release members have planned the following events for Anti-Human Trafficking Action Week.
First-Generation College Student Appreciates Professors Who Create a Supportive Learning Environment

Office of University Communications

When Karely Chavez-Callejas, of Hickory, N.C., graduates from Gardner-Webb University in 2021, she will fulfill a dream for herself and her parents, who arrived in America from Mexico 20 years ago. They were looking for a better life for themselves and their future children. Karely will be the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Alumnus Graduated from Gardner-Webb Ready to Succeed in Business World

Office of University Communications

Kevin Koenig, ’13, of Cincinnati, Ohio, likes the challenge of working in the business world. “It allows me to strive for bigger and better things each day,” Koenig asserted. “The opportunities in business are endless, so I know that I am able to position myself in a positive manner to accomplish big things.”
Gardner-Webb Alumna Seeks to Promote Music Education and Importance of the Arts

Office of University Communications

For as long as she can remember, music has been important to Julia DeSerio, of Shelby, N.C. A 2018 alumna of Gardner-Webb University, she is the reigning Miss Gastonia and a middle school teacher. DeSerio decided when she was a fourth-grader that she wanted to become a music teacher.
GWU 2020—Focus on Performing Arts

Office of University Communications

When Brittany Polburn, a Gardner-Webb University junior, says she’s been in theater all her life, she is not exaggerating. Her mom and dad, Justin and Rachel Polburn, performed in almost every show by NarroWay Productions in Fort Mill, S.C. “I was quite literally born into NarroWay, since my parents were doing it even before I was born,” she reflected.
GWU Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) Filling a Need for Business Community

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University recently celebrated the first graduates of its new Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) program. Under the leadership of GWU’s world-class faculty, PACE offers specific, non-credit courses to enhance the skill levels of professionals ranging from entry level to mid-management, executive, and beyond. The graduates received certification in the popular business software program, SAP S/4 HANA.
Experience as German Exchange Student Gives GWU Senior Confidence For Future Endeavors

Office of University Communications

The youngest of seven children, Avery Terry of Greensboro, N.C., always has family looking out for him. A senior criminal justice major at Gardner-Webb University, Terry decided to apply to study abroad and explore the world on his own. He was accepted into the Gardner-Webb International Exchange Student program and attended the University of Trier in Germany during the spring semester of his junior year.
Gardner-Webb Recruiting Class Reaches 20 On National Signing Day

Office of University Communications and Gardner-Webb Athletics Media Relations

Gardner-Webb football signed 20 student-athletes on National Signing Day, signaling a strong first class for new head coach Tre Lamb. The class features 16 high school recruits and four transfers. Ten of the signees are from the Carolinas (six from North Carolina, four from South Carolina).
Gardner-Webb University CrossFit Teams Compete in National Event

Office of University Communications

Two CrossFit teams from Gardner-Webb University recently competed in the Granite Games Winter Throwdown, a nationwide competition conducted on the same day at different gyms around the country. he GWU competitors traveled to CrossFit Unite in Concord, N.C., to participate. During the event, teams completed four workout sets, which are comprised of a variety of functional movements performed at high intensity.
Gardner-Webb Students Present One-Act Opera for Children

Office of University Communications

Actors, stage crew and musicians from the Gardner-Webb University Departments of Theatre Arts and Music will present two weekends of “Little Red Riding Hood—A Children’s Opera In One Act” by Seymour Barab. Hosted by the School of Performing and Visual Arts, the production is directed by Dr. Stafford Turner, associate professor of Music. Performances are open to the public and will be presented in the Millennium Playhouse, located behind the GWU Communications Studies Hall on Main Street in Boiling Springs.
Parade of Tables Raises Funds to Provide Food for Local Children

Office of University Communications and Michael Harvey

The Little Bulldog Backpack Program will be hosting the fourth annual Parade of Tables on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. in the Tucker Student Center at Gardner-Webb University. The Parade of Tables is organized by Lou Ann Scates, GWU Registrar, to provide funds for the Little Bulldog Backpack Program. In preparation for the event, donors purchase tables to decorate with the option to follow this year’s “Jesus Loves the Little Children” theme.
‘Everybody Knows Somebody 5K’ Raises Funds to help GWU Students

Office of University Communications

Each year, the Gardner-Webb University Counseling Center sponsors “Everybody Knows Somebody 5K” to raise awareness about eating disorders and collect donations for GWU students. This year’s walk/run will be held Feb. 22. Registration on race day will be between 7 and 8:45 a.m. in the Tucker Student Center parking lot.
GWU Army ROTC and Campus Recreation Sponsor Hybrid Challenge

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and Campus Recreation are looking for the fastest and strongest athletes to complete in the second annual Hybrid Challenge. Proceeds from the event on March 28 at 8:30 a.m. in Spangler Stadium will benefit the veterans at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Asheville, N.C. Participants will have 15 minutes to run their fastest mile and perform a max-effort deadlift.
During February, Gardner-Webb Joins Black History Month Celebration

Office of University Communications

In February, Gardner-Webb University joins the annual celebration of Black History Month, or National African American History Month. The Black History Month 2020 theme, “African Americans and the Vote,” is in honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment (1920) granting women’s suffrage and the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment (1870) giving black men the right to vote. During the month, Gardner-Webb offers the following programs to highlight the achievements and contributions of African Americans.
Gardner-Webb Hosts Carolina Brass and Salvation Army Youth Band

Office of University Communications

A free concert at Gardner-Webb University in February offers an opportunity to hear some of the best brass musicians in the country along with a talented group of young artists. Hosted by the GWU Distinguished Artists Series and School of Performing and Visual Arts, the event features Summit Recording Artists, Carolina Brass, with the Salvation Army Carolinas Divisional Youth Band and GWU Brass Choir. The program will be Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Dover Theatre, located in the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center.
Gardner-Webb Selects Inaugural Recipient of Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship

Office of University Communications

A high school senior described as a “ray of sunshine” is the first recipient of the Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship at Gardner-Webb University. Leah Carpenter, of Stanley, N.C., made history recently when she received the award, which is given to a student with exceptional academic achievement, who also exemplifies the commands of Jesus found in Mark 12:29-31—“Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.” Gardner-Webb President Dr. William M. Downs welcomed everyone and noted the significance of the occasion.