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 School of Divinity Helped Alumnus Discover His Ministry as an Educator

Office of University Communications

Twice in eight years, Kris Pratt has been awarded the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Excellence in Teaching Award. A 1999 graduate of the Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity, Pratt is professor of religion and chair of the Humanities Division at Spartanburg (S.C.) Methodist College. He believes the education he received at GWU is the foundation for his ministry as an educator.
Founder of Inheritance of Hope to Speak at Gardner-Webb

Office of University Communications and Katie Furr

Deric Milligan, a man who has dealt with serious hardship, will be speaking at Gardner-Webb University’s Dimensions program on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The 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. Milligan’s life was changed drastically when his wife, Kristen, was diagnosed with Stage IV liver cancer.
GWU Distinguished Artists Series Continues with Renowned Soprano

Office of University Communications and Katie Furr

Jeryl Cunningham-Fleming, soprano, will present “Stand the Storm: Anthems, Hymns and Spirituals of Faith and Hope” for Gardner-Webb University’s Distinguished Artists Series on Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. Dr. Cindy Swicegood will provide accompaniment on the piano. The free concert is open to the public and will be in Hamrick Hall’s Blanton Auditorium on the main campus.
Joyful Hands to Perform on WBTV

Office of University Communications and Mallory Moore

Gardner-Webb University’s sign language choir, Joyful Hands, will appear on WBTV’s Morning Break on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 9:30 a.m. While Joyful Hands performs at a variety of events each semester, this opportunity to reach a larger audience comes as Gardner-Webb’s deaf program celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. With the Christmas season just around the corner, the group will present Sara Evans’ “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”
Gardner-Webb Announces Establishment of “Fay Webb Gardner Master Mentorship Program”

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University is pleased to announce a leadership gift by the Gardner Foundation to establish a new student-focused program at Gardner-Webb University. On behalf of the Gardner Foundation, O. Max Gardner III, grandson of institutional namesakes O. Max Gardner and Fay Webb Gardner, has committed a generous, three-year gift to the University to launch the “Fay Webb Gardner Master Mentorship Program.” The program includes the creation of a new endowed chair to center exclusively on mentorship as a means of enriching the undergraduate experience of students who demonstrate superior academic potential.
Gift Announcement Planned at Gardner-Webb University on Nov. 2

Office of University Communications

GWU Announces Gift by Gardner Foundation to Establish New Student-Centered Program. A full release outlining details of the new program will be provided following the event.
GWU Alumna Researches Renewable Energy Sources as Part of Doctoral Program

Office of University Communications

Shelby Hooe, a 2016 graduate of Gardner-Webb University, is conducting research to improve the design of fuel cells, a source of renewable energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, fuel cells use hydrogen or another fuel to cleanly and efficiently produce electricity with water and heat as the only products. Hooe is pursuing her doctorate in chemistry at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
GWU Chemistry Classes Prepared Alumna for Rigors of Dental School

Office of University Communications

Kristin Allison ’15, a native of Old Fort, N.C., applied to Gardner-Webb University on a whim. 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. “It truly felt like home, and the staff, students, and interviewers were incredibly kind and welcoming. A few weeks later, I received word that I had been offered a full scholarship to attend Gardner-Webb.”
GWU Digital Learning Studio Offers Technology Assistance

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University recently opened a learning center designed to help students, faculty and staff develop their digital knowledge and skills. The Digital Learning Studio (DLS) provides assistance and access to digital and multimedia software and hardware. “This is a place to brainstorm, collaborate with colleagues, and try out new ideas,” shared Emily Robertson, GWU Director of Digital Learning. “I want this studio to represent a community of learners who bring different expertise, perspectives, and experiences to work with—and learn from—one another.”
GWU Student Receives Grant from N.C. Academy of Physician Assistants

Office of University Communications

A senior in the Gardner-Webb University Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program recently received a grant from the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (NCAPA). Elizabeth “Liz” Hawes of Valdese, N.C., was awarded the NCAPA Endowment Student Grant by H. Truett Smith, NCAPA President. The grants are given to one student from each PA program in North Carolina.
GWU Music Major Spends Semester in Washington, D.C.

Office of University Communications and Mallory Moore

Many Gardner-Webb University students choose to spend a semester strengthening their professional skills with an off-campus internship. Chris Coffey, a senior from Morganton, N.C., is spending his last semester working with one of the top music businesses in the country. As an intern at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Coffey works directly with professional musicians, making vital connections for his future career.
Professors in GWU School of Divinity Prepare Alumna for Calling into Ministry

Office of University Communications

Martha Dixon Kearse has felt God’s presence on every step of her journey—as a high school English teacher, stay-at-home mom, and an associate minister at St. John’s Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C. When she accepted God’s call into pastoral ministry, Kearse chose to attend the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University. She earned her Master of Divinity in Pastoral Studies in 2007 and her Doctor of Ministry in Christian Ministries in 2017.
Cleveland County, N.C., Recognized Nationwide for Efforts to Support Entrepreneurs

Office of University Communications

Officials in Cleveland County, N.C., recently received national recognition for achieving Certified Entrepreneurial Community (CEC) status. The CEC Core Leadership Team, which includes business owners, government leaders and educators, was asked by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) to create a webinar about the strategic planning activities and methods used to achieve certification. Serving on the CEC Core Leadership Team are two business professors from Gardner-Webb University— Dr. Anthony Negbenebor, professor of economics and international business, and Dr. Christine Sutton, assistant professor of business administration.
Gardner-Webb Offered Alumna Sherika Montgomery a Place to Grow in her Faith and Determine Career Goals

Office of University Communications

As a student-athlete at Gardner-Webb University, Sherika Montgomery appreciated everything the University administration, faculty, staff and coaches did to help her succeed in the classroom and on the basketball court. After GWU, she worked seven years in the Big South Conference Office, where she was most recently Assistant Commissioner and Senior Woman Administrator. In those roles, she helped set policies, but she’s been waiting for a chance to work directly with student-athletes on a college campus.
Gardner-Webb Professor to Speak on Dr. Martin Luther at Oct. 31 Dimensions

Office of University Communications and Katie Furr

Dr. Danny West, professor of preaching and pastoral studies in the School of Divinity, will be speaking about Dr. Martin Luther at Gardner-Webb University’s Dimensions program on Tuesday, Oct. 31. 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. “I am honored to speak on the legacy of Dr. Luther,” shared Dr. West.
Prestigious Fellowship Helps Gardner-Webb Alumna with her Doctoral Studies

Office of University Communications

Elisabeth Moore, a 2016 graduate of Gardner-Webb University, has been awarded the Robbins Fellowship at West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown. The honor provides a deserving graduate assistant with a year off from teaching. “This is a huge benefit, and I am incredibly grateful to the WVU history department,” stated Moore, a native of Brevard, N.C.
Gardner-Webb Graduate Takes Research Interests to Exciting Places

Office of University Communications and Mallory Moore

Christopher Lile, who graduated in 2017 with a biology degree, is taking the research skills he developed at Gardner-Webb University to new and exciting places. Since leaving Gardner-Webb, Lile completed an internship at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Ind., where he trained grey wolves and worked in husbandry and public education. His love for animals, research, and conservation have now led him to the island of Madagascar, where he is spending three months studying lemurs as a volunteer for the Omaha Zoo’s Department of Conservation Genetics.
Gardner-Webb University Honors Distinguished Alumni

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb honored outstanding members of the University family with induction into the GWU Gallery of Distinguished Alumni during 2017 Homecoming activities Oct. 6-7. Eight alumni were recognized as new members of the prestigious gallery, including Paul Christopher Gash of Kingstown, N.C., Julian “Doc” Crocker Davis of Spartanburg, S.C., the late Justin Scot Alston, the Rev. Dr. Melissa Browning of Atlanta, Ga., Tayuanee L. Dewberry of Charlotte, N.C., Todd Anthony Picou of Inman, S.C., Ali Pouryousefi of Atlanta; and the late Daniel Calhoun Johnson Jr.
Children’s Concerts Bring Music to Fifth-graders in Cleveland County, N.C.

Office of University Communications and Mallory Moore

Every fall semester, the Gardner-Webb University Orchestra travels to local schools to perform a special concert for fifth-grade students in Cleveland County, N.C. An annual service project for the music department, the program began several years ago with just a few of the GWU music faculty, who performed for students at local elementary schools to get them excited about joining band and orchestra. In the fall of 2014, the GWU Music Department partnered with the Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby, N.C., to expand these concerts and include the entire orchestra.
Gardner-Webb Distinguished Artist/Faculty Series Presents Trumpet Summit

Office of University Communications and Mallory Moore

The Gardner-Webb University School of Performing and Visual Arts invites the community to the GWU Trumpet Summit on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. As part of the Distinguished Artist/ Faculty Series, this concert will feature three revered trumpet players: Charles Schlueter, Tim Hudson, and James Ackley, with piano accompaniment by GWU Collaborative Pianist/Distinguished Artist Dr. Cynthia Clyburn Swicegood. The concert will take place in Blanton Auditorium, located in Hamrick Hall on the main campus. It is free and open to the public.
Gardner-Webb Student Pursues Passion for Justice

Office of University Communications and Mallory Moore

It started with a passion for justice. Gardner-Webb senior Lauren Mahoney from Rosman, N.C., always knew that she wanted to help people. “If someone has been victimized, I want to be able to do something about it,” she shared. Recently, Mahoney had the opportunity to pursue her interests through an internship with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) at its Western District Office.
Former NBA Professional to Speak at GWU Dimensions Program

Office of University Communications and Katie Furr

A former collegiate All-American, Olympian, and NBA professional, Al Wood, will be speaking at Gardner-Webb University’s Dimensions program on Tuesday, Oct. 17. 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. Wood entered into ministry after he retired from professional sports and served for 10 years as a youth leader, men’s ministry leader, evangelist, and public speaker.
GWU Presents Faculty From West Virginia in Collaborative Recital

Office of University Communications

Faculty from West Virginia University in Morgantown will present a collaborative recital at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 in Blanton Auditorium, located in Hamrick Hall on the main campus. Presented by the Gardner-Webb School of Performing and Visual Arts Department of Music, the concert is part of the Distinguished Artists Series and is free and open to the public. The featured performers are Hope Koehler, soprano, Rob Chafin, tenor, James Douglass, piano, and Cynthia Babin Anderson, oboe.
Gardner-Webb Invites Families to Join Octoberfest Celebration

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University invites families to campus Oct. 26 for its annual Octoberfest event that will offer children a variety of candy, games and other fun activities. The free evening of entertainment is set for 6-8 p.m. at Paul Porter Arena, inside the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center on campus. Children and their parents can wear costumes to the festival, which will include candy, pizza, popcorn and a variety of games and crafts.
Gardner-Webb University Online Business Degree Program Earns National Ranking

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University’s Godbold School of Business recently earned national recognition for having one of the “25 Best Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Online” degrees in the country. The list is compiled each year by TheBestColleges.org, a Seattle-based company that provides information on quality educational programs around the nation. Gardner-Webb ranked No. 16 out of 25 programs across the U.S.