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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 Model United Nations Team Brings Home Record Number of Awards

Office of University Communications

A team from Gardner-Webb University recently competed in the Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) conference held in Atlanta, Ga. Participating schools are assigned a country to represent, and at the conference, team members pursue the interests of their country in various committee meetings, such as World Health Organization, International Criminal Police Organization, International Court of Justice and others. The students on GWU’s team represented the countries of Poland and Lithuania and took home three awards, a record for Gardner-Webb.
Gardner-Webb Students Join Alpha Chi Honor Society

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University inducted 33 members into Alpha Chi, a national collegiate honor society, in a ceremony held recently in Blanton Auditorium in Hamrick Hall. Dr. June Hobbs, Alpha Chi sponsor, presided over the induction service. Honorary member, Dr. Pam Dennis, performed the processional and recessional on the piano.
GWU Associate Professor Attends Meetings Between Baptist and Catholic Representatives

Office of University Communications

International ecumenical conversations between the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity took place recently in Warsaw, Poland. The meeting was hosted by the Baptist Union of Poland at the Warsaw Baptist Theological Seminary. The Baptist delegation was led by co-chair Rev. Dr. Frank Rees, associate professor and chair of the Academic Board at the University of Divinity in Australia.
Gardner-Webb University Plans Events in Recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb Department of Visual Arts, in conjunction with Student Life and Services, will open an exhibit on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 20 in the Pouryousefi Gallery in Tucker Student Center. The display is part of the University’s celebration of King’s legacy. The focus will be on King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and how the speech helped to change Gardner-Webb and the world.
GWU Announces Tuition Freeze for GOAL—The Degree Completion Program for Undergraduates

Office of University Communications

Continuing its renewed commitment to address nationwide concerns about college affordability, Gardner-Webb University is announcing a tuition freeze for GOAL—The Degree Completion Program (DCP) for undergraduates. The freeze is effective immediately for the 2020-’21 academic year. It applies to all programs, except for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree, which received a tuition freeze last year.
‘Return to Me’ Theme of Celebration Week Services at Gardner-Webb

Office of University Communications

“Return to Me” is the theme for Celebration Week, Jan. 21-23, at Gardner-Webb University. Hosted by GWU’s Campus Ministries, Celebration Week is a time for the campus community to come together to worship and glorify the Lord. The services, which are open to the public, begin Jan. 21 with the Dimensions program at 9:25 a.m. in Tucker Student Center.
Gardner-Webb Trumpet Summit Features Three Acclaimed Musicians

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University School of Performing and Visual Arts and Department of Music are hosting the GWU Trumpet Summit Jan. 19-20. The event, which is part of the GWU Distinguished Artist Series, is free and open to the public. The Trumpet Summit includes a concert on Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and masterclasses on Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Hamrick Hall’s Blanton Auditorium.
Gardner-Webb and Walmart Distribution Center Announce Partnership

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University recently formalized a partnership with Walmart Distribution Center in Shelby, N.C. The agreement provides management training to Walmart employees through the University’s Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) program.
Gardner-Webb Professor’s Political Science Course Includes Series on Life Skills

Office of University Communications

From gruyere to gorgonzola and office parties to dinner meetings, navigating through social situations begins with confidence. To prepare her students for situations like these, Dr. Elizabeth Amato, assistant professor of political science, held a cheese tasting recently in her Intro to Political Science class. Getting the job is no longer based on a polished resume.
Alumna’s Degrees in Criminal Justice and Human Services Help Inmates Overcome Past

Office of University Communications

Motivated by her desire to help people and set a good example for her family, Monique Richardson enrolled at Gardner-Webb University despite fears about her age. “I was scared coming back to school in my 40s,” Monique disclosed.
Austin Childress Among First Cohort in Accelerated Pastoral Ministries Program

Office of University Communications

The Accelerated Pastoral Ministries Program (APMP), launched in 2016 at Gardner-Webb University, provides students called to serve as pastors with both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in five years of study. The members of the first cohort received their Bachelor of Arts in discipleship studies in August 2019 and will earn their Master of Divinity degrees in 2021. Austin Childress, of Mocksville, N.C., joined the program for its obvious benefits: financial aid and community.
Gardner-Webb Names Steve Serck as University Counsel

Office of University Communications

“Steve Serck brings with him a wealth of legal experience to Gardner-Webb, and for thirty years he’s remained immersed in a wide range of higher education representation. We are fortunate to have Steve on board as University Counsel,” said GWU President, Dr. William Downs. Serck comes to Gardner-Webb from East Carolina University (Greenville, North Carolina) where he provided direction on state and federal laws and training in all aspects of faculty, staff and employment issues.
Gardner-Webb Senior’s Internship Leads to Stanley Cup Celebration

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University senior, Jordan Vitale, ’20, received a unique opportunity while completing the required 300-hour internship for her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Vitale, a native of Tampa, Florida, and a fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning National Hockey League (NHL) team, attended a Stanley Cup party. Her internship was to shadow and observe Dr. Ira Guttentag, an orthopedic surgeon at Florida Medical Clinic in Tampa, who serves as the orthopedic doctor for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
GWU Distinguished Artist Series Hosts Event for Aspiring Songwriters

Office of University Communications

Aspiring songwriters will have the opportunity to share their compositions with several award-winning composers in a workshop and concert at Gardner-Webb University on Jan. 11, 2020. Presented by the School of Performing and Visual Arts Distinguished Artists Series, the free event features members of the Southern Songwriters Association (SSA). The workshop is open to the public and will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Gardner Recital Hall in the O. Max Gardner building.
Marine Biology Internship Gave Gardner-Webb Senior Opportunity to Improve Lab Skills

Office of University Communications

Ivy Spratling, ’20, of Augusta, Ga., was introduced to Gardner-Webb University in high school. She attended a GWU soccer camp, and later earned a scholarship to play on the team. However, her decision to attend the University was based on more than athletics.
Gardner-Webb Awards Over 200 Degrees During Commencement Exercises Dec. 14

Office of University Communications

Gardner–Webb University hosted Fall Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. More than 200 graduates were honored during the ceremony. The ceremony featured graduates of Gardner-Webb’s traditional undergraduate program, GOAL—The Degree Completion Program (DCP), and graduate programs.
Gardner-Webb Recognizes University Benefactor with Honorary Doctorate

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University bestowed its highest recognition of merit, the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, to John J. Godbold Jr. during Fall Commencement Exercises on Saturday, Dec. 14. The GWU Godbold School of Business is named after Godbold and his wife Linda. A distinguished business entrepreneur from Rock Hill, S.C., Godbold and his wife gave a multi-million dollar gift to Gardner-Webb in 2008 to establish the school and a pledge of annual support.
GWU Chemistry Alumna Achieves Goal of Practicing Dentistry in Western N.C.

Office of University Communications

Kristin Allison ’15, a native of Old Fort, N.C., applied to Gardner-Webb University with very little knowledge about the school. She was invited to interview for a scholarship and was impressed with the campus and the people. “As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I fell in love,” she recalled.
Alumnus Discovered His Passion for Teaching as an Assistant In Biology Lab at GWU

Office of University Communications

Alex Suptela, ’16, chose to study biology and psychology at Gardner-Webb University, because both subjects fascinated him. He enjoyed research, but hadn’t thought about teaching. Then, he became a teaching assistant for Dr. Meredith Rowe and the Department of Natural Sciences.
Gardner-Webb Hosts Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students from Cleveland County (N.C.) Schools

Office of University Communications

A group of 14 deaf and hard of hearing students from Cleveland County (N.C.) Schools—ranging in age from 4 years to teens—visited Gardner-Webb University recently for a preview of college life. Hosted by the Noel Center for Disability Resources, the event was called “Christmas B.A.S.H.—Bringing Academic Scholarship Here.” Susan Randolph, GWU interpreter and captioning provider, was contacted about hosting the event by Josh Trivett, a teacher for the Deaf in the school system.
Gardner-Webb Announces ‘Foothills Commitment’ for Freshman

Office of University Communications

Among Gardner-Webb University’s assets are its location in the North Carolina foothills and its supporters from the surrounding counties. As a way to recognize community partners in Cleveland, Rutherford and Gaston counties, GWU is announcing the “Foothills Commitment.” “We are pledging to provide total aid from GWU of at least $15,610, which is a minimum of 50 percent off tuition for any new freshman living on campus who is a resident of Cleveland County, Rutherford County, or Gaston County,” stated Kristen Setzer, vice president for Enrollment Management.
Gardner-Webb Expands Church-Matching and Minister’s Dependent Scholarships for Traditional Undergraduate Students

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University values its partnerships with churches to prepare graduates for lives of service to God and humanity. To enhance this relationship, GWU has announced a substantial expansion of its Church-Matching and Minister’s Dependent scholarship programs. Matching scholarships will now be offered to traditional undergraduate students, who receive a scholarship from any Christian church.
Dr. Bob Blackburn Remembered for Gardner-Webb, State and National Contributions

Office of University Communications

A Gardner-Webb professor emeritus of health education is being remembered for his contributions to the University and to local, state and national organizations. Dr. Robert R. Blackburn, of Boiling Springs, passed away Nov. 28, 2019. He was a GWU professor for 24 years and chair of the Department of Health and Physical Education for 19 years.
Gardner-Webb Offers Grants to New GOAL—DCP Students in Criminal Justice and Human Services

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University has announced grants for two popular bachelor’s degree programs for GOAL—The Degree Completion Program undergraduates. New students, who are applying to the criminal justice program or the human services program for spring semester 2020, may be eligible for these grants. Qualifying students may reduce their tuition cost up to $3,000 per academic year.
Gardner-Webb Students in GOAL-The Degree Completion Program Honored for Achievements

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University recently inducted 13 new members into the Gamma Beta Upsilon Chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda honor society. The students joined the society as representatives of the University’s GOAL—The Degree Completion Program (DCP). Dr. Elizabeth Pack, dean of GOAL-DCP, presided over the ceremony.