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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Gardner-Webb Student’s Internship Leads to More Opportunities in Film Industry

Office of University Communications

As a partner in the community, Gardner-Webb University connects students to various hands-on work experiences. This year, COVID-19 restrictions altered experiential learning opportunities, but students adapted. When plans for his internship project changed, Gardner-Webb student Thomas Manning, of Boiling Springs, N.C., adjusted and grew in the process.
Gardner-Webb Theatre Presents Evening of One-Act Comedies

Office of University Communications

Although COVID-19 health guidelines changed the dynamics of rehearsals, the Gardner-Webb University Department of Theatre Arts accepted the unique challenges. A cast of 11 students will present “All in the Timing” at 8 p.m. on Oct. 7-11. Directed by Dr. Chris Nelson, assistant professor of theatre arts, the production will be performed on two stages set up outside of Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center, 116 Lutz-Yelton Drive. Folding chairs will be available or audience members may bring their own.
Running Back D.J. Hancock Awarded Full Athletics Scholarship Following Practice

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb head football coach Tre Lamb singled out D.J. Hancock at the conclusion of a rainy Thursday afternoon practice and by the end of the day the redshirt sophomore was all smiles. Lamb surprised Hancock, a walk-on from Summerville (S.C.) High, with a full athletics scholarship.
Gardner-Webb’s Online Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education Honored for Excellence

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University College of Education recently received national and state recognition for its online bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Learn.org, an independent higher education research firm, ranked GWU’s program 28 in the nation and third in North Carolina.
Alumnus Helps Deaf Students Develop Skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

Office of University Communications

After graduating from Gardner-Webb University in 2008, Brett Grayson took a job that changed his career goals. Grayson, a Deaf individual, majored in mathematics with a minor in American Sign Language (ASL). He was hired as a long-term substitute teacher for three Deaf students in English/language arts.
GWU Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) Sponsors Forum on Impacts of COVID- 19

Office of University Communications

What lasting impacts will the COVID-19 pandemic have on society? Join Gardner-Webb University Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) for a virtual forum with top executives to discuss overcoming the pandemic and looking to a bright future. “Post COVID-19: Back to the Future—Challenges, Opportunities & Growth,” will be held from 10:30 to noon on Sept. 24, 2020.
Gardner-Webb President Names Brian Arnold as Interim Vice President of Student Development

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University President Dr. William M. Downs has named Brian Arnold to serve as interim vice president of Student Development and dean of students. Now in his 13 year at GWU, Arnold also serves as director of Campus Recreation, Student Activities and New Student Orientation. Arnold’s appointment began Sept. 11, 2020, and will continue until the University completes its national search for a new vice president.
Gardner-Webb Political Science Assistant Professor Shares Insights on the 2020 Election

Office of University Communications

The 2020 election is less than 50 days away. How will the COVID-19 pandemic affect turnout and voting? “No one actually knows,” observed Gardner-Webb University Assistant Professor of Political Science, Dr. Elizabeth Amato. “COVID-19 has shifted the usual playing field for both political parties.”
Deaf Alumnus Advocates for and Inspires the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community

Office of University Communications

When he was 5 years old, Kyle Kiser, a 2006 alumnus of Gardner-Webb University, taught a few basic signs in American Sign Language (ASL) to friends and members of his church. He didn’t realize it then, but those early days were shaping his future as an educator.
Gardner-Webb Alumna Leads Higher Ed Teaching and Learning Center

Office of University Communications

As Dr. Patricia Fecher, of Fayetteville, N.C., faces the current challenges of teaching under COVID-19 regulations, she acknowledges feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. At the same time, however, observing innovative responses from co-workers and students gives her hope. “I think this is probably the most exciting time in my career to be a teacher,” explained the Gardner-Webb University alumna. “We are seeing what the next wave of education is going to be. We get to live it and we get to shape it. There aren’t defined rules. We don’t know what it should look like, sound like, feel like on a day-by-day, hourly basis—that can be a little challenging and stressful. But when you step back and look at it from the big picture, it is amazing to see what these teachers are doing.”
GWU School of Divinity Alumnus Comforts Families in COVID-19 Hotspot

Office of University Communications

Despite protective masks and gowns designed to keep him and his patients safe, Will Runyon, chaplain director for Phoebe Putney Health System in Albany, Ga., found a way to offer comfort in agonizing circumstances. The 2005 School of Divinity alumnus of Gardner-Webb University became a bridge between dying patients and their families in a COVID-19 hot spot.
GWU Presents Carolina Brass in Facebook Live Concert

Office of University Communications

Summit Recording Artists Carolina Brass will be featured in a Facebook live concert on Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Part of the Gardner-Webb University Distinguished Artist Series, the program is co-sponsored by the School of Performing and Visual Arts, the Department of Music and the Alfred and Shirley Wampler Caudill Fund.
Gardner-Webb School of Divinity Appoints Three Faculty Members to Endowed Positions

Office of University Communications

Three Gardner-Webb University faculty members in the M. Christopher White School of Divinity received honors recently. Dr. Danny West, Dr. Jim McConnell and Dr. Sophia Steibel have been appointed to endowed chair positions.
Summer Scholar’s Research Combined Her Majors in Political Science and American Sign Language

Office of University Communications

While Paige Butler, ’21, of Jacksonville, Fla., worked on her Undergraduate Research Project when many government offices were closed because of COVID-19 restrictions, she appreciated having Internet access.

At the same time, though, she realized the technology that helped her might not be easily accessible to people with certain disabilities. Butler chose to study how the emergency operation plans in North Carolina counties comply with standards in the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). She was one of 11 Gardner-Webb students who applied for and received a grant from the GWU Undergraduate Research Scholars Program to explore the topic over the summer. The students worked 40 hours a week for five weeks on their projects, which they hope to present in a professional forum. Each one had a faculty mentor or collaborator who guided them through the project. Butler’s mentor was Dr. Elizabeth Amato, assistant professor of political science.
Undergraduate Research Involves Using Fruit Peels to Remove Copper from Water

Office of University Communications

This past summer, Gardner-Webb University student Laura Herrera-Santin, of Gastonia, N.C., took another step toward realizing her goal of becoming an OB/GYN. She gained laboratory experience in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Summer Program, which helped to prepare her for graduate school.
Before Completing her MBA, GWU Alumna was Offered New Job in Financial Industry

Office of University Communications

Paola Escalona, of Concord, N.C., was a member of the first class to graduate from the 10-month Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Gardner-Webb University. Two months before receiving her degree in December 2019, Escalona advanced her career by accepting a new position as a senior financial analyst.
Gardner-Webb Announces New Vice President for University Advancement

Office of University Communications

Officials at Gardner-Webb University have announced the selection of a new member of senior staff to lead the Advancement team. Nathaniel “Nate” J. Evans, of Greenville, N.C., will begin his role as Vice President of Advancement on October 5, 2020, and will direct the offices of alumni relations, major gifts, the Bulldog Club, and the annual fund. Most recently, Evans served as senior advancement officer at East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville, N.C.
Gardner-Webb University Students Stand ‘Together as One’

Office of University Communications

Holding signs that read “Black Lives Matter,” “My life matters,” “Act justly, Love mercy, Walk humbly (Micah 6),” and “We stand with you,” a diverse group of students, faculty and staff marched peacefully down Main Street and through campus on Monday. Coordinated by Darien Reynolds, Donnie Thompson and other members of the football team, the group’s message was “Together as One.”
Marion Family Donates New Scoreboard for Gardner-Webb’s Spangler Stadium

Office of University Communications

A gift from Randy Marion, longtime trustee of Gardner-Webb University, and his daughter, Jennifer Marion Mills, current chair of the Board of Trustees, will provide a new video scoreboard and sound system for Earnest W. Spangler Stadium. The new technology will improve the gameday experience for Runnin’ Bulldog fans, as well as enhance other events held in the venue.
Tania Brown Gains Valuable Experience Through Undergraduate Research

Office of University Communications

For her Undergraduate Research Scholar Project, Gardner-Webb University student Tania Brown, of Gastonia, N.C., studied an idea with a practical application. A biology major with a concentration in biomedical sciences, Brown tested the efficiency of using watermelon and cantaloupe peels to remove Bromothymol Blue from water. Bromothymol Blue is a dye used as an indicator in determining pH. It is yellow in acidic solutions, blue in basic solutions and green in neutral solutions, but is harmful to the respiratory tract and digestive system if swallowed.
GWU 10-Month Master of Business Administration Program Has Record Growth

Office of University Communications

Launched in 2019, the 10- month Master of Business Administration (MBA) program has become Gardner-Webb University’s fastest-growing graduate major. In one year, the fullyonline, accredited program realized a 250 percent increase in enrollment. This growth helped push Gardner-Webb to seventh place on the Triangle Business Journal ranking of North Carolina MBA programs by enrollment. Gardner-Webb outpaced larger universities, such as UNC-Charlotte, Wake Forest, UNC-Wilmington and UNC-Greensboro.
Gardner-Webb Welcomes Fourth Largest Freshmen Class in School History

Office of University Communications

Earlier this week, Gardner-Webb University welcomed the fourth largest freshmen class in school history. The 469 members of the Class of 2024 began their first fall semester on Aug. 19. Gardner-Webb’s total fall enrollment—in undergraduate, Degree Completion and graduate programs—is approximately 3,500, with nearly 1,200 students living on campus.
Gardner-Webb Community Welcomes New Students to Campus

Office of University Communications

Because of Covid-19 health and safety guidelines, move-in day on Aug. 17, 2020, looked different as new resident students arrived at Gardner-Webb University for the fall semester. Despite face coverings and physical distancing, the students’ excitement shown through.

Alexi Card, Jordan Plummer, Michael Causey and Andrew Ritts stood on the corner at the stoplight holding signs of welcome and shouting greetings to those who passed by. “I am excited to be back on campus, because I miss all my friends,” Causey shared.
Contributions of Dr. Roger Gaddis Remembered by the Gardner-Webb Community

Office of University Communications

Dr. Roger Gaddis, professor emeritus of psychology, who served Gardner- Webb University from 1974 to 2011, passed away Aug. 14, 2020, in Snellville, Ga. Gaddis was chair of the Department of Psychology for 17 years and managed the development of graduate programs in psychology. He was also instrumental in the creation of GOAL (Greater Opportunities for Adult Learners—now known as the Degree Completion Program).
Gardner-Webb Alumna Faces Teaching Elementary School with Covid-19 Protocols

Office of University Communications

As veteran and beginning teachers prepare for a new school year with Covid-19 guidelines, some necessities can’t be bought. Educators, students and parents will need an abundance of “patience, grace, and flexibility,” noted Gardner-Webb University 2012 alumna Katherine “Katie” Harte Barnes. She begins her eighth year of teaching elementary school this year and her sixth one at Pinnacle Classical Academy in Shelby, N.C.