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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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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
‘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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
GWU Alumni- and Student-Produced Documentary, led by Christian Jessup, Captures Men’s Basketball Journey to the 2019 NCAA Tournament

Office of University Communications

A new documentary, directed by Christian Jessup, celebrates the Gardner-Webb University Men’s Basketball team’s magical 2018-’19 season, which ended with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, a first in men’s Division I basketball history. “The Dancin’ Bulldogs: A 16 Seed’s Journey to the NCAA Tournament” debuts Oct. 16, 2020, on YouTube. The film follows the team’s and coaching staff’s entire journey, from the early wins against NCAA powerhouses to heartbreaking losses, the tournament appearance and coming home after the loss to No. 1 seed Virginia. Also featured are several interviews with players, coaches and NCAA officials, and never-before-released footage of the team’s championship run.
GWU Scholar Investigates Bonhoeffer’s Reasons for Conspiring to Assassinate Hitler

Office of University Communications

While reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “The Cost of Discipleship,” Hannah O’Brien, ’20, became intrigued. How could theologian and pastor Bonhoeffer, who many considered a pacifist, participate in a plan to assassinate Hitler? She received an Undergraduate Research Scholars grant from Gardner-Webb University to conduct a theological investigation of the ethics of Bonhoeffer’s plot.
GWU Scholar’s Research Provides Opportunity to Use Latest Chemical Instrumentation

Office of University Communications

The chance to perform actual research and use advanced lab equipment motivated Anna Crowell’s decision to apply for an Undergraduate Research Grant from Gardner-Webb University. The December 2020 graduate from Indian Trail, N.C., chose to study how to extract curcumin from turmeric to synthesize vanillin.
Scholastic Achievement Medals Presented to Gardner-Webb Students

Office of University Communications

Winners of the Gardner-Webb University Scholastic Achievement Awards were recently invited to receive their medals at an informal gathering. President Dr. William M. Downs presented the medals to each student. Congratulating the students were Provost Executive Vice President Dr. Ben Leslie, Arts and Sciences Associate Provost Dr. David Yelton, College of Health Sciences Associate Provost Dr. Nicole Waters, Professional and Graduate Studies Associate Provost Dr. Bruce Boyles and Vice President for Christian Life and Service Tracy Jessup.
Five New Learning Modules Added to Improve Virtual Journal

Office of University Communications

Five new professional learning modules have just been published to the IMPROVE virtual journal. IMPROVE stands for Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE). Modules within the resource are collaboratively authored by candidates in their final semester of coursework in the EdD in Curriculum & Instruction at GWU and promote positive, data-informed, sustainable change in instructional practices or organizational structures to improve student learning at the K-12 level and beyond.
Through GWU, Student Connects to Community, Gains Experience in her Field

Office of University Communications

Through faculty and staff at Gardner-Webb University, Sarah Allison Rochester, ’20, developed partnerships that were integral to her studies. A senior, Rochester enriched her academic experience by participating in several activities.
Gardner-Webb Student Discovers His Calling in Anatomy and Physiology Class

Office of University Communications

When Ethan Garris took his first college course in anatomy and physiology, the study was fascinating, and he realized that he had finally found his calling. That class and its professor are the reasons why he is a student in the Gardner-Webb University Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program Class of 2022.
Gardner-Webb Student Assists Dentist with Various Procedures During Internship

Office of University Communications

As a child, Chelsea Sexton, ’23, went through a couple of oral surgeries and wore braces for five years. During that time, the Gardner-Webb University student was cared for by a compassionate dentist, oral surgeon and orthodontist. “They always provided great care and a great environment for me,” affirmed Sexton, a native of Goode, Va. “Since eighth grade, I have known that I wanted to become a dentist. I want to do the same thing for children like myself.”
Gardner-Webb University Will Host First Virtual Commencement on Oct. 24

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University will host its first virtual commencement in school history on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. The digital event will celebrate the May and August 2020 graduates who did not receive ceremonies due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ceremonies will be shown at 10 a.m. for May 2020 graduates and at 2 p.m. for August 2020 graduates on the Gardner- Webb website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Gardner-Webb Faculty and Staff Host Presidential Debate Watching Event

Office of University Communications

A group of Gardner-Webb University faculty and staff hosted a viewing party Tuesday night for the first presidential debate between President Donald J. Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. The event was moderated by GWU President Dr. William M. Downs, whose research and teaching expertise includes electoral behavior, political parties, and populist movements.
Gardner-Webb Hosts ‘Wednesdays at the Webb’ for Local High School Students

Office of University Communications

High school students from Cleveland, Rutherford, Gaston or Lincoln counties in North Carolina are invited to “Wednesdays at the Webb” at Gardner-Webb University. Offered every Wednesday at 3 p.m., this event introduces local students to the world-class education available in their own backyard.