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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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Bachelor’s Degree Prepared GWU Alumnus for Career in Law Enforcement
Office of University Communications
On his 21st birthday in 1985, Graham Atkinson went to work for the Surry County Sheriff’s Department in Dobson, N.C. A four-year degree wasn’t a requirement, and Atkinson was eager to begin working. About a decade later, he enrolled in Gardner-Webb University through what is now called the Degree Completion Program (DCP).
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GWU School of Business Classes Provide Foundation for Alumna’s Human Resources Career
Office of University Communications
Tamala Devon Bullard, a 2003 alumna of Gardner-Webb University, began her business career in management but desired to apply her skills to human resources. “I have always had a passion for working with associates,” she reflected. “I knew all the policies and how things should run within the business, so the transition to human resources was smooth.”
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Support of GWU Faculty Prepared Alumna for Success in Dental School
Office of University Communications
Dr. Ashley Lowery, a dentist in Spindale, N.C., could have earned prerequisites for dental school most anywhere, but Gardner-Webb University offered her something other schools didn’t. “Gardner-Webb is like a family if you will allow it to be,” she reflected. “While the educational and religious side of GWU is extremely important, it is really more than that to me. It’s a place of happy memories and a time in life where I felt completely supported. The staff and professors will be there for you from your freshman days until graduation.”
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Gardner-Webb Team Finishes in Top Four at Annual Ethics Bowl
Office of University Communications and Chelsea Snydor
A team of students from Gardner-Webb University advanced to the semi-finals during this year’s North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) Ethics Bowl. Held recently at the State Legislative Complex in Raleigh, N.C., GWU finished among the top four teams from the 24 private colleges and universities that participated. Senior Harley Burgess of Forest City, N.C., as well as freshmen Destiny Neesmith of Kings Mountain, N.C., Carlee Winstead of North Topsail Beach, N.C., and Darby Yates of Hickory, N.C. made up this year’s team.
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GWU Classes, Online Student Publication and Internships Prepared Alumna for Journalism Career
Office of University Communications and Chelsea Snydor
A Gardner-Webb University alumna has found a way to combine her lifelong love of reading and writing into a career in journalism. Jennifer Ortiz ’15 had the opportunity to prepare for the field by writing and editing for GWU-Today, Gardner-Webb’s student-run online news publication. According to Ortiz, this experience was beneficial to her because many aspects of journalism and other media careers must be learned by doing.
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Erskin Anavitarte to Perform at GWU Dimensions
Office of University Communications and Alice Byrd
Gardner-Webb University will host musician Erskin Anavitarte during the Dimensions hour on Tuesday, March 20. Anavitarte is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tenn., where he lives with his wife and two children. The program will be at 9:25 a.m. in Tucker Student Center and is free and open to the public.
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GWU Classes Developed Alumna’s Skills as a Mathematician and Educator
Office of University Communications
Working algebraic equations intimidates some students, but Chasity McCraw, a 2017 alumna of Gardner-Webb University, teaches that math is nothing to fear. McCraw was a teenager when she learned how to solve for x and y. “As soon as I saw the challenges and the giant puzzle that is mathematics, I knew I wanted to share my excitement for the subject,” reflected McCraw, who lives in Shelby, N.C. “Seeing some people dislike and dismiss math as being ‘too hard’ or requiring a ‘math brain’ only fueled my passion. My goal became to show that mathematics is approachable to everyone.”
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Skills Developed in GWU Criminal Justice Program Benefit Alumnus Throughout Career
Office of University Communications
Since earning his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Gardner-Webb University in 2000, Terry Sult, police chief of Hampton, Va., has served in four towns, each with different needs. His GWU studies helped him developed the skills needed to adapt to new situations, analyze problems and propose solutions. “The bachelor’s degree provides you with a broader view of the world and lets you look at things from a different plateau,” Sult observed.
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Student’s Experiences in GWU School of Divinity Equip Her To Serve
Office of University Communications
After surviving a diagnosis of melanoma in 2011, Christi Hollifield, a student in the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University, began to earnestly seek God’s plan for her life. She asked herself, “What does God want me to do?” And, “Why did he chose me to continue on?” She found the answer while homeschooling her children and helping at church.
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Gardner-Webb Signs Nursing Agreement Between Community Colleges and Independent Universities
Office of University Communications
Representatives from Gardner-Webb University recently participated in signing a nursing articulation agreement between the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) and N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU). The arrangement will streamline the process for registered nurses with associate degrees to obtain bachelor’s degrees at Gardner-Webb or another NCICU school. Dr. Ben Leslie, GWU Provost and Executive Vice President, and Dr. Catherine Burr, GWU Associate Provost for Adult and Distance Education, signed the agreement along with NCCCS Acting President Jennifer Haygood and NCICU President Hope Williams.
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Gardner-Webb Alumnus Recognized for Exceptional Military Service
Office of University Communications
As North Korea tests missiles and increases threats against the United States, an alumnus of Gardner-Webb University is working to keep America safe. Capt. Jason Brewer, ’95, is the operations officer in charge of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade in Colorado Springs, Colo. For his critical role in protecting the country, Brewer was recently named the 2017 United States National Guard Missile Defender of the Year.
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GWU School of Divinity Classes Challenge Pastor to Live her Faith Beyond the Pulpit
Office of University Communications
During all but one of her 18 years in ministry, Pastor Paulleatha “Paula” Bruce has also worked as an educator. In 2008, she became the lead pastor of Freedom Baptist Church in Greenville, S.C., but continued to work as a school administrator for nine years. Despite her practical experience, she wanted to further her theological education and enrolled in the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University.
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Gardner-Webb Helped Alumnus Earn Degrees in Music Education and Composition
Office of University Communications
Peter Strickland, a 1997 alumnus of Gardner-Webb University, is an educator because of an intuitive professor at a state college. He was a music business major, but the professor said he was “too giving” when role-playing contract negotiations. “I was more concerned about the people in the room than I was about getting the best deal,” Strickland recalled. “My professor pulled me to the side and asked me if I had ever thought about being a teacher.”
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Successful Internship Leads to Full-Time Job for Gardner-Webb Alumnus
Office of University Communications
When Mason Womack received his diploma from Gardner-Webb University in 2017, he had two reasons to celebrate. He had completed his bachelor’s degree in business administration, and he was going to work in the Shoe Show corporate office in Concord, N.C. He was offered the job after working as an intern there.
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Gardner-Webb Professors Equip Alumna with Skills to be a Lifelong Learner
Office of University Communications and Chelsea Snydor
Hailey Spearman ’09 knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher, even from playing school with her younger cousins as a child. Gardner-Webb University’s Department of English Language and Literature and the School of Education helped Spearman prepare for her career. “Dr. Shana Hartman, Dr. Jennifer Buckner, Dr. June Hobbs, Dr. Janet Land and the entire faculty led by example and provided opportunities for learning and reflection,” Spearman assessed.
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Gardner-Webb Student Club Fights Human Trafficking Through Annual Awareness Week
Office of University Communications
An estimated 5.5 million children have been abducted, sold, or forced into slavery, and around 21 million people worldwide are considered victims of modern-day slavery. In an effort to bring awareness to the global tragedy of human trafficking and empower members of the community to stand against it, the Gardner-Webb University club “Release the Captives” will host its annual anti-Human Trafficking Action Week (aHTAW) from Feb. 26-March 2, featuring a range of events highlighting the issue. Planned by students, several activities are scheduled to take place throughout the week.
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Group Prepares to Represent GWU at Statewide Event
Office of University Communications and Chelsea Snydor
Four Gardner-Webb University students will compete at the Ethics Bowl hosted by North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU). Teams from 24 private colleges and universities will participate in the event, which will be held Feb. 16 and 17 at the Legislative Complex in Raleigh, N.C. The GWU team includes senior Harley Burgess of Forest City, N.C., as well as freshmen Destiny Neesmith of Kings Mountain, N.C., Carlee Winstead of Jacksonville, N.C., and Darby Yates of Hickory, N.C.
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GWU Department of Theatre Arts to Present ‘Eleemosynary’
Office of University Communications and Alice Byrd
Gardner-Webb University’s Department of Theatre Arts presents its first production of the spring semester, “Eleemosynary,” Feb. 22-24 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 25 at 2:30 p.m. Written by Lee Blessing and directed by Dr. Chris Nelson, GWU assistant professor of theatre arts, the play follows the relationship between the women in one family. Performances will be in the Millennium Playhouse, located behind the GWU Communications Studies Hall on Main Street in Boiling Springs.
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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