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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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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.
Gardner-Webb to Host Fourth Annual Relay for Life

Office of University Communications and Katie Furr

Gardner-Webb University will be hosting its fourth annual Relay for Life Event on Feb. 17. The student-led fundraiser will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. in the Lutz Yelton Convocation Center on GWU’s main campus. It is open to the public, and anyone is welcome to participate. Relay for Life raises funds for the American Cancer Society, and past Relays at GWU have raised up to $19,000.
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 Human Trafficking Awareness Week Feb. 20-25, featuring a range of events highlighting the issue. Planned by students under the guidance of club advisor Dr. Joseph Moore, GWU Assistant Professor of History and Special Assistant to the President for Academic Enhancement, several activities are scheduled to take place throughout the week.
GWU Human Trafficking Awareness Week: Feb. 20-25 Schedule of Events

Office of University Communications

Human Trafficking Awareness Week Schedule of Events
Gardner-Webb Alumnus Dedicated to Keeping Skiers Safe on the Slopes

Office of University Communications

Thousands of skiers travel to the majestic snow-covered mountains in Steamboat Springs, Colo., to experience a memorable day on the slopes. Beginners are focused on staying upright, but the experienced want to feel the rush of gliding down the trail. Charlie Reynolds, a Gardner-Webb University alumnus, is a member of a ski patrol team that keeps them all safe.
Gardner-Webb School of Performing and Visual Arts to Present Musical

Office of University Communications and Katie Furr

The Gardner-Webb School of Performing and Visual Arts will present the musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” on Feb. 23-26 in Dover Theatre inside the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center on the main campus. The musical is a comedy by writer Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken. It follows a florist shop employee who raises a plant in hopes of winning the girl of his dreams, but his plan backfires when the plant becomes a carnivorous monster.
Gardner-Webb University’s Graduate Nursing Program Ranks Among Best in U.S.

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree has been named a top-20 program nationwide by an education information website, yet another distinguished honor for GWU’s lauded nursing program. RNtoBSN.org, an online source for college and career information, honored Gardner-Webb as No. 20 in its “50 Best Online MSN Programs of 2017” list, a resource produced to help current and future nurses make smart choices about advancing their education and careers. The ranking earned GWU a place among schools like Penn State (University Park, Penn.), Gonzaga University (Spokane, Wash.), and The George Washington University (Washington D.C.).
GWU Classes Give Student Confidence to Teach English in Slovakia

Office of University Communications

On a mission trip to the European country of Slovakia, Angela Meade ’18 worked with students who were learning to speak English. At times her questions were met with silence, but Meade was prepared to wait, something she learned as an English as a Second Language (ESL) major at Gardner-Webb University. “I might have even been a little uneasy or uncomfortable if I hadn’t discussed previously in my classes that providing ample wait time for the students to stop and think about my question or how they might complete the task was natural,” Meade asserted.
Gardner-Webb Professor Shares Stage with Top Names in Music Industry

Office of University Communications

An Elvis Presley concert in 1976 introduced the trumpet to Tim Hudson, Gardner-Webb University Assistant Professor of Music. “The King” appeared on stage to a majestic trumpet fanfare. “That was the coolest thing I had ever heard,” Hudson recalled.

WGWG: Interview with Tim Hudson, Performing Artist, Recording Artist and Teacher of Trumpet at GWU