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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Summer Leadership Experience Introduces Incoming Freshmen to Campus

Office of University Communications

The 18 incoming freshmen who recently participated in the Summer Leadership Experience received a glimpse into what the fall semester will be like at Gardner-Webb. Exercising social distancing and wearing face coverings in adherence to coronavirus safety protocols, the students learned various aspects of leadership, and were also introduced to campus life and the surrounding community. The three-day event is coordinated by Micah T. Martin, director of the Center for Personal and Professional Development.
High Schoolers From Six States Attend Gardner-Webb Honors Experience

Office of University Communications

A group of 26 high school students, from 26 different schools in six states, recently spent a week on the campus of Gardner-Webb University previewing college life. As participants in The Honors Experience, the teenagers were introduced to dorm living and eating in the cafeteria, attended credit-bearing college courses, and completed service projects. This year’s group is the largest one to attend since the program began three years ago.
Gardner-Webb and Atrium Health Host Ribbon Cutting for New GWU Student Health Clinic

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University and its partner, Atrium Health, celebrated a historic day for the campus on Thursday, July 16, 2020, with a ribbon cutting for the new GWU Student Health Clinic at 148 Memorial Drive. Leaders of the two entities also praised the experience and leadership of the clinic’s new provider—a familiar face on campus and in the community—Dr. Jill Houser, previously an assistant professor in the Hunt School of Nursing. Dr. Sarah Currie, vice president of Student Development and dean of students, welcomed guests and led in prayer.
2020 Campus Upgrades

Office of University Communications

While you’ve been away from campus this spring and summer, the Gardner-Webb Operations team has been busy making upgrades to several areas on campus. David S. Wacaster, Director of Operations for Facilities & Maintenance, gives a brief description of the improvements you’ll see in August.
GWU Master of Divinity Student Recognized by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

Office of University Communications

While COVID-19 has prevented congregations from meeting in person, Lauren Evans Hamilton, a student in the Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity, recognizes the positive outcomes of streaming church services and Bible studies online. Not only does it provide regular attendees a chance to connect, but it also gives people who sometimes can’t attend in person another opportunity to engage.
Gardner-Webb, CCC&TI Announce Bulldog Bound Program, New Co-Admission Agreements

Office of University Communications

Leadership from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) and Gardner-Webb University have announced four new agreements that will create seamless pathways for students who want to start at CCC&TI and continue their education at Gardner-Webb. Providing a pathway for students who plan to earn a bachelor’s degree, the Bulldog Bound Co-Admission Program will provide students—who complete certain two-year associate degrees at CCC&TI with a 2.25 GPA or higher— with guaranteed admission to Gardner-Webb to finish their undergraduate degree. The Bulldog Bound program is designed to provide students with affordable access to higher education and additional support services during their time at CCC&TI for a successful transition to Gardner-Webb.
Summer Undergraduate Research Gives Hannah Smith, ’21, Direction for her Future

Office of University Communications

While exploring the works of artists like Käthe Kollwitz, Edgar Degas and Bo Bartlett, Gardner-Webb University art major Hannah Smith discovered her own artistic strengths. Smith was one of 11 GWU students who received a grant from the GWU Undergraduate Research Scholars Program for the summer term. Students worked 40 hours a week for five weeks on their projects, which they are required to present in a professional forum.
GWU President Names Interim Vice President for Advancement

Office of University Communications

On Wednesday, July 1, Gardner-Webb President Dr. William M. Downs named Aaron Hinton as interim vice president for Advancement. Hinton, a member of the Advancement team since 2011, will serve in that capacity during Gardner-Webb’s national search for a new vice president.
Earning MBA in 10 Months Helps Student Reach His Goals Faster

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University graduate student Vladimir W. Jankov, ’20, and his wife, Iveta, left Slovakia in 1995 for New York to pursue the American Dream. He was 27 years old and although he could speak Russian, Czeck/Slovakian, Polish and a little Spanish, he didn’t know English. He got a dictionary and began studying the language.
GWU School of Education Doctoral Candidates Publish Learning Module on Creating Conditions for Equity

Office of University Communications

At a time when many people in America and around the world are calling for justice and equality, three Gardner-Webb University graduate students have published a virtual professional learning module on a related subject. The students are doctoral candidates in the School of Education’s Curriculum and Instruction program. The module, “How Leaders Create the Conditions for Equity,” is available free from the GWU Digital Commons in the online journal, IMPROVE (Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators).
GWU Student Teacher Utilizes Online Tools During Covid-19 Pandemic

Office of University Communications

Sydney Christopher, a Gardner-Webb 2020 graduate with a degree in elementary education, was in the midst of completing her student teaching when public schools closed to students in March. Her mentor was Rhonda Greene, a fourth-grade teacher at Springmore Elementary School in Boiling Springs. Christopher didn’t panic, because she said her professors in the School of Education had prepared her by emphasizing the importance of flexibility.
Gardner-Webb Remembers Friend and Faithful Supporter, Rod Clouse

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University is remembering a friend and faithful supporter, Rod Clouse, who passed away Saturday, June 27. He was current chair of the Godbold School of Business Board of Advisors, and also a member of the GWU Board of Trustees. A native of Indiana, Clouse and his wife, a Boiling Springs native, retired to Cleveland County, N.C., in 2010.
Gardner-Webb University and Atrium Health Announce Plans for Student Health Clinic

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb and Atrium Health are announcing a new partnership that will enhance the University’s commitment to students. Beginning in July, Atrium will operate a Student Health Clinic on campus. Gardner-Webb President Dr. William Downs noted the campus is long overdue for this service.
GWU Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends Join Race to End Racism

Office of University Communications

One Gardner-Webb University women’s soccer player saw what happened to George Floyd and the protests in response, calling for an end to racism and racial inequalities, and she was moved to take action. Gabby Berkes gave her teammates an idea that ignited a fire. From the soccer team to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the momentum for a virtual 5K Race to End Racism grew quickly.
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 fully-online, 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.
Macie Latham, ‘21, Participates in Internship After Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions

Office of University Communications and Claire Coile

Like many college students, Macie Latham, a rising senior at Gardner-Webb University, has learned to be flexible this summer. At first, her summer internship was cancelled due to the coronavirus and its repercussions. Then, as stay-at-home restrictions began to be lifted across the state, she was invited to fulfill her internship.
Gardner-Webb Hires Director of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives

Office of University Communications

JeNai Davis, of Greensboro, N.C., has been hired as director of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives at Gardner-Webb University. This office was created in 2018 by GWU to serve the needs of the various ethnic groups within the student body through programs designed to promote intercultural understanding, awareness, and collaboration. Davis begins on July 13 to prepare for the fall semester.
GWU Student-Athlete Group Sponsors Virtual 5K Race to End Racism

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is sponsoring a virtual 5K to end racism and raise awareness of racial inequality. The GWU Race to End Racism will be held on June 19, which is the celebration of Juneteenth, the oldest national commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
Gardner-Webb Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program Adjusts Traditional Ceremony

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program wasn’t going to let the Coronavirus Pandemic prevent the Class of 2021 from observing an important milestone in their academic journey. The traditional White Coat Ceremony is held every year to recognize when PA students complete their classroom component and transition to the clinical environment. Usually held in Tucker Student Center with friends and family, this year’s recognition had to incorporate Covid-19 social-distancing guidelines.
GWU Hunt School of Nursing Receives National and State Top Rankings

Office of University Communications

The Hunt School of Nursing (HSON) at Gardner-Webb University has received both national and state honors from RegisteredNursing.org, a nursing advocacy organization. The HSON Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Administration program is ranked No. 3 in the nation and No. 1 in North Carolina.
Alumnus Accepts New Leadership Role in School District During Coronavirus Pandemic

Office of University Communications

While schools everywhere were transitioning to remote learning because of the coronavirus pandemic, Chad Holloman, an alumnus of Gardner-Webb University, accepted a new leadership role a few weeks into the conversion. An assistant principal in the Johnston County (N.C.) Public Schools, he was promoted to Director of Transportation Services and responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the 300+ bus fleet. With the system’s more than 37,000 students staying at home, Holloman needed to provide meaningful and relevant telework for the department’s employees.
Graduate Student Adjusts Her Role in Special Education During Coronavirus Crisis

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University graduate student Laura Shipman finished this unusual school year with creativity and collaboration. When schools around the country transitioned to remote learning because of the coronavirus pandemic, personnel at the charter school where she works quickly formulated a plan. Shipman completes her add-on licensure for executive leadership studies and school administration from GWU this summer.
Longtime GWU Administrator Announces Plans to Retire

Office of University Communications

A longtime administrator of Gardner-Webb University, H. Woodrow “Woody” Fish, has announced his plans to retire. Fish, also a two-time alumnus, has served GWU in various capacities. He will step down at the end of June from his role as vice president for University Advancement.
Gardner-Webb University Condemns All Forms of Racism

William M. Downs and Office of University Communications

Our nation is, sadly, broken and divided. Struggling to emerge from months of suffering at the hands of a global pandemic, Americans witnessed the tragic and inexcusable death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis on May 25. That event has since unleashed a fury of protests across the country, calling on all of us as a people to do more—and to do better—in pursuit of justice, fairness, and civility.
Gardner-Webb Community Remembers Contributions and Service of Dr. Jack Hunt

Office of University Communications

Dr. John Jackson “Jack” Hunt, who once reminded all elected officials that service is not about the “Love of Power” but the “Power of Love,” passed away May 27, 2020. The public servant, dedicated supporter of Gardner-Webb University and namesake for the Hunt School of Nursing is being remembered and celebrated by the GWU campus and community.