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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GWU Students Present Research at Regional Conference

Office of University Communications and Chelsea Snydor

Twenty students represented Gardner-Webb University recently at the annual conference of the Southern Regional Honors Council (SRHC) held in Arlington, Va. The SRHC promotes and advances honors programs and honors colleges in the Southern United States. Students had the opportunity to hear or see over 400 presentations, including panel discussions, talks, art works and poster displays.
GWU Students Win Presentation Prizes at National Alpha Chi Conference

Office of University Communications and Chelsea Snydor

Gardner-Webb University sent 16 students to the recent Alpha Chi Conference in Portland, Ore. Alpha Chi is a national college honor society invested in fueling students’ original research and creativity. There are 300 society chapters at colleges and universities in the United States.
GWU Professor Emerita Publishes Second Poetry Book

Office of University Communications

A new poetry book by Joyce Compton Brown, professor emerita of English at Gardner-Webb University, describes the influence of music in her life. “Singing with Jarred Edges” captures Brown’s thoughts on all types of songs and musicians. “My own interest in ancient ballads and old-time banjo, as well as more modern singers and songwriters is at the core of this book,” Brown described. “I have been moved by those with high lonesome, gravelly, and exquisitely soaring voices. If the music speaks to my heart, I often write about it. I have for years. This collection reflects my own musical journey from the past to the present.”
GWU Alumna Becomes First Woman to Serve Mississippi Congregation as Senior Pastor

Office of University Communications

A Mississippi church is celebrating a milestone in 48 years of history by calling a woman to serve as senior pastor. Courtney Finocchiaro Stamey, a 2012 alumna of Gardner-Webb University, will be the eighth pastor to lead Northside Baptist Church in Clinton, Miss. She joins the church’s associate pastor of 23 years, the Rev. Susan Meadors, to become the church’s first all-female pastoral staff.
Gardner-Webb Alumna Leads Dropout Prevention and Youth Development Program

Office of University Communications

In North Carolina, several community organizations focus their efforts on helping high school students graduate. One such group serves 1,800 adolescents in Charlotte and is led by an alumna of Gardner-Webb University. Tayuanee Dewberry is the executive director of Right Moves for Youth (RMFY), a non-profit dropout prevention and youth development program.
‘Meet the Authors’ Event to Feature Work of GWU Employees

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University will host a ‘Meet the Authors’ event on Thursday, April 12, for two faculty members who have recently published books. The event, scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Dover Memorial Library, will feature the work of Dr. Elizabeth Amato and Dr. Robert Canoy.
GWU Department of Natural Sciences Hosts ATF Representatives

Office of University Communications

Students at Gardner-Webb University are learning about the important connection between science and criminal investigations after a special visit from ATF officers and “Camden the Wonder Dog” recently during the University’s chemistry classes. Senior Special Agent Darren Solomon with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) Charlotte Field Division joined forces with Union County Fire Marshal Kevin Rigoli, and ATF K-9 Officer Camden for the presentation. Camden is an Accelerant Detection Canine specially trained to sniff out scents of various liquids that arsonists use to start fires.
Charlotte-Area Teen Earns Comprehensive, Four-Year Scholarship at Gardner-Webb University

Office of University Communications

An Iredell County, N.C., homeschool student has been awarded the University’s top comprehensive scholarship to attend Gardner-Webb this fall, valued at nearly $170,000 over four years. Eighteen-year-old Emily Rhew is a homeschool student who is currently enrolled in classes at Mitchell Community College – Mooresville Campus and at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte through the North Carolina Career and College Promise program. She and more than 200 other students traveled to Gardner-Webb earlier this year to interview for a chance to receive a tuition, room and board scholarship or one of four full-tuition scholarships.

Youtube: 2018 Ignite Excellence Scholarship Recipient, Emily Rhew
GWU Distinguished Artist Series Hosts Kennedy Center Music Education Director

Office of University Communications

The next program in the Distinguished Artist Series at Gardner-Webb University features a lecture by a music industry professional. Jennifer M. Bowman, director of Music Education at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., will share insights from her experience in arts management. The presentation is free and open to the public and will be held on April 12 at 8 p.m. in Hamrick Hall’s Blanton Auditorium on GWU’s main campus.
GWU Department of Music Presents ‘Night of Staged Scenes’

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University Department of Music presents a “Night of Staged Scenes” April 5 at 8 p.m. Under the direction of Associate Professor of Music Dr. Stafford Turner, the performances will be in Blanton Auditorium, located in Hamrick Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Nicole Braddock Bromley to Speak at GWU Dimensions

Office of University Communications and Alice Byrd

Gardner-Webb University welcomes Nicole Braddock Bromley, founder of OneVOICE and executive director of OneVoice4freedom, to speak at the Dimensions program on Tuesday, April 3. This event will be held at 9:25 a.m. in Stewart Hall of Tucker Student Center on GWU’s main campus and is free and open to the public. Bromley breaks the silence about sexual abuse while sharing her personal story.
GWU Hosts 21st Annual Academic Conference

Office of University Communications and Chelsea Snydor

Gardner-Webb University students presented their undergraduate and graduate research recently at the 21st annual Life of the Scholar Multidisciplinary Conference (LOTS-MC). More than 50 students gave presentations, making this year’s conference the largest ever. Presentations featured a variety of topics, including: fiction writing, sustainability, nutrition, genetics, social media, politics, pedagogy, physical therapy, psychology and other subjects in science, music, political science, religion, entertainment and language.
Gardner-Webb’s Tucker Gallery Exhibits ‘Once Around The Block’

Office of University Communications and Alice Byrd

An exhibit in Tucker Student Center at Gardner-Webb University features pictures of everyday items that often go unnoticed. “Once Around The Block” by Richard Horsley is on display in Tucker Gallery through March 23 and is free and open to the public. The collection consists largely of graphite impressions of manhole covers and metal plates ordinarily found in streets and sidewalks.
GWU Theatre Department Presents an Adventure for All Ages

Office of University Communications and Alice Byrd

Gardner-Webb University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present its latest production next month. Rick Elice’s play, “Peter and the Starcatcher,” will be performed in Dover Theatre in the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center, located on the GWU main campus. Performances will be held April 12-15. A matinee performance will be scheduled for school groups who pre-register.
Gardner-Webb University’s Online Master of Arts in English Degree Earns National Honors

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University’s online Master of Arts in English degree has been named among the best in the nation by an education information website, a distinguished honor for GWU’s recently-revamped English master’s degree program. OnlineU, an online source for college and career information, honored Gardner-Webb as No. 4 in the U.S. on its “2018 Most Affordable Online Colleges for a Master’s in English” list, a resource produced to help current and future students make smart choices about advancing their education and careers. The ranking earned GWU a placement among schools like Texas Tech (Lubbock, Texas), Valdosta State University (Valdosta, Ga.), and Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.).
Gardner-Webb Adds Doctor of Business Administration Degree

Office of University Communications

The Godbold School of Business at Gardner-Webb University will offer a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree in fall 2018. The new program will meet at the GWU Charlotte Campus, located at 8030 Arrowridge Boulevard. Courses will be held online and offer required residencies of four to five days per semester.
Degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy Gave GWU Alumnus Foundation for Graduate School

Office of University Communications

Several years before he came to Gardner-Webb University, Brian G. Chilton experienced doubt about his Christian beliefs. Before he could continue serving as a pastor, he had to prove the Bible’s reliability. “I left the ministry for seven years during which time I became fascinated with Christian apologetics,” shared the 2011 GWU alumnus. “My faith was greatly strengthened by studying the works of Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Gary Habermas, Ravi Zacharias, and William Lane Craig. In 2007, God called me back into the ministry in a vivid fashion by saving me from a horrible lightning storm. I knew God wasn’t quite finished with me yet.”
GWU Distinguished Artist Series Features String Quartet

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University Distinguished Artist Series continues March 27 with a performance by the quartet, Chamber Music 4 All. The free concert will be held at 8 p.m. in Blanton Auditorium, located inside Hamrick Hall. The program honors the late Wolfgang Laufer, who was principal cellist with the Israel Chamber Orchestra, the Malmo (Sweden) Symphony Orchestra, the Hamburg Philharmonic and the State Opera of Germany.
GWU Professor to Lead Dimensions Holy Week Service

Office of University Communications and Alice Byrd

Gardner-Webb University will celebrate Holy Week during Dimensions on Tuesday, March 27. Dr. Paula Qualls, GWU professor of religion, will speak at the event, which begins at 9:25 a.m. in Stewart Hall of Tucker Student Center. The program is free and open to the public.
Partnership Creates Expanded Access to GWU ROTC Program

Office of University Communications

Isothermal students will now have access to the Army ROTC program at Gardner-Webb University. Officials gathered Tuesday at Isothermal Community College to sign the participation agreement and memorandum of understanding. The program will allow Isothermal students to take GWU courses in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) for two years before completing studies at Gardner-Webb and going on to the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant on active or reserve duty.
Gardner-Webb Alumna Serves African Children, Families Through Non-Profit Ministry Founded on Mercy

Office of University Communications and Chelsea Snydor

Gardner-Webb alumna Sarah Hales of Clemmons, N.C., has always felt curiosity and respect for cultural diversity. Since earning her degree at GWU in 1999, she has pursued mission work for African children that has helped her express her love for Christ and passion for justice. After traveling to Uganda in 2009 and seeing the disturbing conditions in a particular orphanage in Bweya Village, Hales founded Ekissa Mercy Ministries—Ekissa is an African word meaning “mercy.”

Vimeo: Ekissa
Gardner-Webb Students Experience “A Day in the Life” During Poverty Simulation

Office of University Communications

An event held at Gardner-Webb University was designed to shed light on the issues of poverty and social work, and organizers say they are already making plans to repeat the exercise later this year. March is National Social Work Month. Many issues being highlighted this month are directly connected to themes that emerged among students, faculty, and staff during the inaugural “Poverty Simulation” exercise, held last semester on the Gardner-Webb main campus.
School of Divinity Student Experiences Spiritual Renewal in Gardner-Webb Program

Office of University Communications

Chaplain Kevin S. Crowder of Fredericksburg, Va., chose to attend the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University because of his past experience with Dr. Doug Dickens, professor of pastoral studies. Crowder respected Dickens and knew he would be involved in an exceptional program. “More than 25 years ago, Dickens was my pastoral care professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, Texas),” Crowder explained. “As an Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) certified educator, I wanted a doctoral program that had experience with ACPE certified Educators. I got that with Dickens, as he is an ACPE certified educator.”
Ensemble Featuring GWU Faculty to Perform at Don Gibson Theatre

Office of University Communications and Chelsea Snydor

The Don Gibson Theatre will host the next show in Gardner-Webb University’s Distinguished Artist Series. Summit recording artists, Carolina Brass, will perform Thursday, March 22, at 8 p.m. at the theatre, located at 318 Washington St., Shelby, N.C. Trumpeter Tim Hudson, GWU Assistant Professor of Music, founded Carolina Brass in 1997.
Gardner-Webb Hosts Workshops by Award-Winning Violinist Mark O’Connor

Office of University Communications

An award-winning violinist will lead workshops at Gardner-Webb University for students and music educators. Mark O’Connor, four-time Grand Master National Champion and three-time Grammy winner, will teach students of all ages and skill levels on March 24 and conduct a teacher training on April 2-3 on the GWU campus. O’Connor teaches all American styles, from classical orchestral music to bluegrass, country and jazz, said Dr. Patricia Sparti, GWU Professor of Music.