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 Announces Strategic Realignment Plan

Office of University Communications

Current trends in American business are clear. Operational efficiency and cost containment are frequently in the headlines and discussed on social networks. The business of higher education is no different. Affordability is also a major issue, and every institution must address this.
Experiences at Gardner-Webb Gave Alumnus Confidence in Corporate World

Office of University Communications

In the last 10 years, Larry Durham Jr. ’99, ’01 and his family have moved three times. Besides packing and unpacking moving boxes, Durham has adapted to three jobs and his wife and four children to new towns and experiences. The Gardner-Webb University graduate accepted each challenge with confidence and enthusiasm.
Gardner-Webb Professors Helped Alumna Prepare for Life of Ministry

Office of University Communications

Courtney Finocchiaro Stamey ’12 of Greensboro, N.C., is a bi-vocational pastoral resident who ministers in traditional, as well as unique settings. She divides her time between serving members of her congregation and working on a farm alongside of people with special needs. “My position has me with my feet in two places,” offered Stamey, an alumna of Gardner-Webb University.
GWU Nurse Practitioner Students Join Mission Trip to Dominican Republic

Office of University Communications

Five representatives from the Hunt School of Nursing at Gardner-Webb University recently spent a week providing medical care to people in the Dominican Republic. The short-term experience touched their hearts in lasting ways. “I know my life was changed, and I plan to make this a regular part of my life,” shared Dr. Sharon Starr, nursing school dean.
Veteran Pastor Enriched his Ministry with Master of Divinity from Gardner-Webb

Office of University Communications

The Rev. James Louis Smith ’03 of Shelby, N.C., was a 20-year veteran of pastoral ministry when he decided to enroll at Gardner-Webb University. “The School of Divinity was a wonderful blessing in helping me to maximize my potential as a pastor,” Smith reflected. “While I was already gaining a lot from the practical side of ministry, I gained so much more in theory as a student. I really treasured my trips to the Holy Land, Greece, and Egypt.”
High School Senior Receives Gardner-Webb University’s Top Scholarship

Office of University Communications

A Clayton, N.C., high school student has been awarded a four-year, comprehensive scholarship to attend Gardner-Webb University, a Division I liberal arts Christian institution located in the foothills of the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. 18-year-old Michael “Mike” McCray, son of Michael and Marci McCray of Clayton, N.C., learned of the Ignite Excellence Comprehensive Scholarship award during a surprise ceremony at the school on March 2. Previously, he and more than 200 other students traveled to Gardner-Webb to interview for a chance to receive a tuition, room and board scholarship or one of four full-tuition scholarships.
Longtime GWU Staffer to Retire After Notching More Than 40 Years of Service

Office of University Communications

When she walks away from her desk after more than 40 years of service at Gardner-Webb University, there is one thing that Vickie Webb Morrison promises she will not miss. Not one little bit. “Technology!” Morrison resolutely declares, quickly adding that when she retires from GWU later this month, she will miss the staff she works with, the friendships she has made, and the work itself.
Research Opportunities Prepared GWU Alumna for Job in Microbiology

Office of University Communications

“Ever since I can remember, science has been my calling,” asserted Keely Ford ’14 of Morganton, N.C., who came to Gardner-Webb University to develop her skills in scientific research. “I primarily focused on wild life biology and ecology,” she added. “The ocean was my second home. From around 10 years old, I have been studying and learning more and more about marine life.”
Columbia University’s Teachers College Plans Training at Gardner-Webb

Office of University Communications

Columbia University (New York, N.Y.) has once again joined forces with Gardner-Webb University to present leadership training to K12 educators throughout the state of North Carolina at GWU on March 16. The Urban Education Leaders Collaborative (UELC) at Columbia University Teachers College has delivered its “Teacher Leadership Institute” training around the country in multiple urban settings, including Los Angeles, Calif. “Gardner-Webb was invited to partner with Columbia University to present a training in the Charlotte area last fall,” shared Dr. Doug Eury, dean of the GWU School of Education.
Gardner-Webb Gallery Features Work of Stacy Pearsall

Office of University Communications and Katie Furr

The works of two-time Military Photographer of the Year Stacy Pearsall are on display at Gardner-Webb University through March 24 in Tucker Gallery inside Tucker Student Center on the main campus. Pearsall is a decorated veteran who served in the Air Force as a combat photographer. She holds an honorary doctorate from The Citadel, where she has been on the advisory board of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences since 2009.
Gardner-Webb Students Compete in Annual Ethics Bowl

Office of University Communications and Katie Furr

Four students from Gardner-Webb University competed in the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities’ (NCICU) Ethics Bowl on Feb. 17 and 18. The event was held in the N.C. Legislative Complex in Raleigh and included teams from 22 private schools. The GWU team consisted of junior Harley Burgess of Forest City, N.C., freshman Cassie Craig and senior Will Haas of Lenoir, N.C., and freshman Austin Lunde of Cartersville, Ga.
GWU Professor Tim Hudson Performs with Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass

Office of University Communications

Tim Hudson, Assistant Professor of Music at Gardner-Webb University, plays an average of 250 performances each year. He shares the stage with artists like Tony Bennett and Josh Groban and tours with The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, appearing March 21 at 8 p.m. at Don Gibson Theatre in Shelby, N.C. The concert is part of the GWU Distinguished Artist Series.
Gardner-Webb University to Host Community Health Fair

Office of University Communications

Dozens of local healthcare providers and organizations will be on hand to promote healthy living at the annual Community Health Fair, scheduled for Thursday, March 9 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. in the Tucker Student Center at Gardner-Webb University. The event is free and open to the public. Every year, the fair enables students and members of the community to build relationships with local health agencies, promoting awareness about the latest health-related trends and offering the knowledge and resources necessary to pursue healthy lifestyles.
Business Management Principles Help Lance Olive (’13) Lead his Town

Office of University Communications

When Lance Olive (’13) decided to run for mayor of his hometown, Apex, N.C., he promised to be a leader that people could trust. Since his election in 2015, he has worked to provide vision and direction for the city council and represent the interests of residents. “I want to be an example of an elected official with strong ethics, deep knowledge and solid leadership,” he reflected.
GWU Alumna Appreciates Professors Who Helped her Succeed in Graduate School

Office of University Communications

Bonnie Baczewski ’13 suffered four injuries as a young athlete and spent a lot of time in rehab and physical therapy. “I was impressed with the physical therapists and their knowledge of the human body and rehabilitation and found the rehab process interesting,” Baczewski reflected. “I decided to do a short internship at the clinic and take a few anatomy classes before going to college, and this just further solidified my passion for physical therapy.”
Actor Will Portray C.S. Lewis as Part of Gardner-Webb Distinguished Artist Series

Office of University Communications and Katie Furr

An off-Broadway actor will give two faith-based performances at Gardner-Webb University on Monday, Feb. 27, and Tuesday, Feb. 28. Tom Key, artistic director of Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta, will speak at Dimensions and also give a performance as part of the University’s Distinguished Artist Series. Key will present his portrayal of author C.S. Lewis Monday at 8 p.m. in the Millennium Playhouse, located behind the Communications Studies Hall on Main Street in Boiling Springs. “We invited him because he is a Christian artist who can do a faith-themed live performance and also do masterclasses in performance with our students,” shared Dr. Christopher Nelson, assistant professor of theatre and department chair.
Gardner-Webb Student Publishes First Novel

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University senior Jen Guberman has released her debut novel, Eos. It is available for purchase online through Barnes & Noble or Amazon. Eos is a dystopian story set in a future where criminals are exiled to towns designated for different types of crime.
Gardner-Webb University Announces New Vice President for Enrollment Management

Office of University Communications

Officials at Gardner-Webb have announced the selection of a new member of senior staff to lead the University’s traditional undergraduate admissions operations. On Feb. 23, President Dr. Frank Bonner revealed that Kristen J. Setzer will serve the University as the new Vice President of Enrollment Management and will direct the offices of Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid, and Retention. Most recently, Setzer served as vice president for Higher Education Consulting at Clark Communications in Asheville, N.C.
Joyful Hands to Present Benefit Concert

Office of University Communications and Katie Furr

Joyful Hands, Gardner-Webb University’s sign language choir, will be performing at a benefit concert to support a deaf school in Haiti. This event will be March 4 at 7 p.m. at Blanton Auditorium in Hamrick Hall on Gardner-Webb’s main campus. The concert will also feature Heart of Fire, AcaFelons, and the Gospel Choir.
Fourth-Year Medical Student Values GWU Professors Who ‘Invested in His Life’

Office of University Communications

Tyler Beckler (’13), a native of Hickory, N.C., described himself as an idealistic 18-year-old when he arrived on campus at Gardner-Webb University. “I wanted to make people’s lives better—to change the world—but I had no idea how to do that,” he recalled. Before the end of the first semester, though, his future started to take shape.
Gardner-Webb Alumnus Works to Improve Care for Patients with Heart Rhythm Disorders

Office of University Communications

As a healthcare manager, Gardner-Webb University alumnus Greg Shelton ’95, ’00 constantly looks for efficient ways to train hospital staff on new technologies. “Working in cardiology is exciting and challenging because of the rapidly-evolving technology,” Shelton explained. “It’s exciting for the options we can offer patients, but it’s challenging to recruit and retain staff and keep current staff comfortable in their ongoing training. It’s important to hire the best, but equally important to give them the tools needed to succeed.”
GWU Chemistry Alumna Accepted to Master’s Program at University of Tokyo

Office of University Communications

Nikole Roland ’16 came to Gardner-Webb University with a specific goal in mind. In four years, she wanted to be accepted into Tokyo University’s Graduate Program of Sustainability. Students in the program conduct research on how societies interact with the environment.
Partnerships with Professors Helped GWU Grad Chart a Course for his Future

Office of University Communications

The research conducted by Gardner-Webb University alumnus Josh Johnson (’15) identifies the amount and type of chemicals present in a compound. The findings have a variety of applications, including the discovery of new drugs, breakthroughs in cancer research or forensics analysis. Johnson’s passion to explore the chemical makeup of various materials began in the GWU Laboratory Center in Withrow Mathematics and Science Hall.
Gardner-Webb University Professor Offers Insights on Issues of Climate Change

Office of University Communications

Following the third consecutive year in which average global temperatures set record highs, the issue of climate change may—to some—seem less debatable. Yet, it remains one of the most controversial and politically-charged topics in both the nation and world. Dr. Tom Jones, Gardner-Webb University Professor of Biology and Associate Dean of the Honors Program, understands why there might be confusion about the issues of climate change and global warming.

WGWG: Dr. Tom Jones: A discussion on climate change
Gardner-Webb University Announces Formalized Pre-Professional Pathways for Undergrads

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University officials are formalizing several pre-professional pathways to prepare undergraduate students for advanced education in a range of fields. Students who wish to major in chemistry, biology, exercise science, political science, and more will be able to choose from a range of professional concentrations which best align with their career goals. “Professional schools do not require specific majors to be considered for admission,” shares Dr. David Yelton, GWU Associate Provost for Arts and Sciences.