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 Students Practice Job Interview Skills During Networking Event

Office of University Communications

Nervous chatter filled the room while students at Gardner-Webb University waited to present their speeches to business leaders from the community. The networking opportunity, arranged by GWU Assistant Professor of Business Sheldon Gathers, gives students in his Principles of Management classes practice for a job interview. Gathers collaborated with Lisa Yerrick, director of the GWU Office of Career Development, to offer the event and include assignments in his class that help students with their job search.
Gardner-Webb University’s Online Offerings Earn Top Ranking in U.S.

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University is being recognized for exceptional web-based learning opportunities and was recently honored as a 2016-2017 Best Online College by AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org for offering the best combinations of online program volume, breadth, and affordability available in today’s marketplace. Gardner-Webb ranked 35th out of the top 50 institutions of higher education in the nation, ahead of notable programs such as Auburn University, Villanova University, and New York University, among others. “We are delighted to see this ranking for GWU’s online programs by AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org,” said Dr. Ben Leslie, GWU Provost and Executive Vice President.
GWU Chorale Sponsors Concert to Benefit Community Food Ministry

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University Chorale, under the director of GWU Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Morgan Soja, is hosting a concert Dec. 4 to benefit the food ministry of the Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association in Shelby, N.C. The event will be at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 120 N. Lafayette St., Shelby. Donations of canned goods, toiletries, non-perishable food items and clothing will be accepted.
GWU Students Serve Big, Hectic City Through Small, Simple Acts

Office of University Communications and Bryton Mitchell

While handing out lemonade and preparing meals, students from Gardner-Webb University learned about serving others during a recent visit to the city of Boston. Not just a mission trip, the students’ time was divided between serving, sightseeing, and studying how big cities operate. Students participating were Kelsey Carithers of Gastonia, N.C., David Cole of Clover, S.C., Jeff Day of Lancaster, Pa., Hailey Dollard of Lebanon, Tenn., Brooke Hill of Flat Rock, N.C., Miranda Morris of Hudson, N.C., Luke Powell of Boiling Springs, Aubrey Winum of Stanley, Va., and Jared McMurry of Darlington, Ind.
GWU Alumna’s Quest for Olympics Began with Class Project

Office of University Communications

As an undergraduate and graduate student at Gardner-Webb University, Kristen Hurley (’14) — a new member of the U.S. National Bobsled Team — thrived on accepting academic and athletic challenges. Her determination paid off on the track and field team, where she was a seven-time all-conference performer, and in a class taught by Dr. Ken Baker, chair of the GWU Department of Health, Sport and Physical Education. She convinced Baker to let her do a research project on the selection process for the U.S. National Bobsled Team.
Gardner-Webb Begins New Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University will offer a new undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice Administration, beginning in fall 2017. The Bachelor of Science program will incorporate the University’s liberal arts interdisciplinary education with knowledge in social, political, domestic and global criminal justice issues. Dr. Bobbie Cox, associate professor of criminal justice, devised the curriculum from her 30 years of experience in the criminal justice field and 25 years of teaching experience.
Gardner-Webb University Students Join Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University inducted more than 25 new members into the Gamma Beta Upsilon Chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda honor society on Nov. 13. In a ceremony in GWU’s Tucker Student Center, 29 students and three honorary inductees joined the society as representatives of the University’s Degree Completion Program (DCP). oining Alpha Sigma Lambda as honorary members were Dr. Jeff Rogers, Associate Provost for Digital Learning; Dr. Candice Rome, DCP Director of RN to BSN Program and Assistant Professor of Nursing; and Dr. Dianne Sykes, DCP Program Coordinator for Social Sciences and Associate Professor of Sociology.
GWU’s Annual Festival of Lights Returns Dec. 1

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University’s annual Festival of Lights marks the beginning of the Christmas season for many families, shares Dr. Paul Etter, professor and chair of the music department. “It has become one of our most well-attended concerts,” Etter adds. “We enjoy doing this event, and people enjoy coming.”
Gardner-Webb Students Join Alpha Chi Honor Society

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University inducted 33 members into Alpha Chi, a national collegiate honor society, in a ceremony held Nov. 13 in Blanton Auditorium on the GWU campus. Alpha Chi promotes academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and honors those who achieve such distinction. Membership is open to students with junior and senior classification who demonstrate strong character and whose GPA ranks them in the top 10 percent of their academic classes.
Gardner-Webb University Joined by Crest High School for Orchestra Concert

Office of University Communications and Bryton Mitchell

The Gardner-Webb University and Shelby (N.C.) Community orchestra will be joined by the Crest High School Chamber Orchestra for a concert on Monday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. in Dover Theatre, located adjacent to the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center (LYCC) on GWU’s Main campus. The concert is free and open to the public. Conducted by Dr. Patricia Sparti, professor of music and director of orchestral activities, the concert will feature classical works by Shostakovich, Elgar and Rimsky-Korsakov, followed by “Assault on the Death Star” from “Star Wars,” written by Christian Jessup, a music composition and communication studies double major at GWU.
Gardner-Webb University Symphonic Band Set For Unique Concert

Office of University Communications and Bryton Mitchell

The Gardner-Webb Symphonic Band, an ensemble featuring music and non-music majors, will present a concert Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. The free event is open to the public and will be held in Dover Theatre, located inside the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center on the GWU campus. Dr. Mark Cole, assistant professor of music education and director of marching band, directs the symphonic band.
Art Sale set for Beginning of December

Office of University Communications and Bryton Mitchell

Unique works by art students and GWU professors will be available at the annual Gardner-Webb Christmas Art Sale. Common items consist of mainly pottery, such as cups and bowls, but crafts, prints, and paintings are also available. The sale will be Dec. 1–3 in Faith Hall inside Tucker Student Center, located on Gardner-Webb’s main campus.
GWU Team Joins Mission to ‘Reach, Rescue and Restore’

Office of University Communications and Bryton Mitchell

Instead of taking time off to relax and rest, a team of 17 eager students and faculty from Gardner-Webb University spent their fall break in Atlanta, Ga., to pursue mission work. They partnered with various ministries of the Atlanta Dream Center, an organization whose mission is to “reach, rescue and restore men, women, and children so that the glory of God may be known.” Emily Hamilton (’18) of Everson, Wash., a psychology and Spanish major who participated in the trip, enjoyed her time in Atlanta and learned a lot from this experience.
Gardner-Webb University Community Delivers Food to Hungry Children

Office of University Communications and Bryton Mitchell

For Lou Ann Scates, taking care of hungry children in the surrounding area is extremely important and always has been. “When my son was growing up and going to school, I saw kids in his class that I knew were going to bed hungry,” recalled Scates, Gardner-Webb registrar. “I could not imagine a little kid not having enough to eat.”
GWU Hunt School of Nursing Celebrates Contributions of Nurse Practitioners

Office of University Communications

In recognition of the 51st anniversary of the inaugural Nurse Practitioner (NP) program, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is honoring these health care providers during National Nurse Practitioners Week, Nov. 13-19. The first nurse practitioner program was established at the University of Colorado (Boulder, Colo.), and now there are over 222,000 NPs licensed to practice in the U.S., with an additional 20,000 graduating each year. In 2013, Gardner-Webb University established the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program track as part of the Hunt School of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing.

WGWG: National Nurse Practitioners Week, Nov. 13-19
Gardner-Webb Speaker will Focus on Cultivating Healthy Relationships

Office of University Communications and Bryton Mitchell

An expert on recognizing detrimental relationships and nurturing healthy ones will be speaking to students at Gardner-Webb University on Nov. 29 for the Dimensions program. 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. Kristin Rollins has spent the last few years traveling the southeastern United States speaking to teenagers and young adults.
Alum Offered Job Before Graduating from Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Office of University Communications

Anna Burgess (’16) of Ellenboro, N.C., went into the nursing field because of her interest in studying science, anatomy and the disease process. As she started her college search, the Hunt School of Nursing at Gardner-Webb University appealed to her for a couple of reasons. “I knew I wanted a bachelor’s degree,” she shared.
Debbie Brendley (’18) Proud to Carry on Family’s Legacy of Naval Service

Office of University Communications

Debbie Brendley (’18) of Greensboro, N.C., comes from a family of proud and patriotic naval veterans. “Learning the words to the Star-Spangled Banner was required,” she asserted. “My father, grandfather and great-grandfather served in the U.S. Navy.”
Gardner-Webb University Named 2017 Military Friendly School

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University’s strong support of military members has been evidenced in the past few years by multiple honors that recognize the institution’s exceptional educational services for troops and their families. Yet another accolade further affirms GWU’s commitment to providing post-military education while also spotlighting the University’s role in connecting veterans with career opportunities. Gardner-Webb has been designated a 2017 Military Friendly School by Victory Media, an organization owned by military veterans that provides service members and their families with information about the educational and professional programs that best meet their needs.
GWU School of Divinity Welcomes Chinese Christian Leaders for Intensive Training

Office of University Communications

Two leaders from government-registered Christian churches in China visited Gardner-Webb University recently through a collaboration with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in Charlotte, N.C. Paul Yu, a licensed pastor, and Christina Zheng, a preacher and curator of the Ruth Bell Graham Museum in Huai’an city in the central Jiangsu province of Eastern China, participated in the Global Leadership Seminar. Dr. Terry Casiño, Professor of Missiology and Intercultural Studies at the GWU School of Divinity, developed the curriculum for the intensive five-day seminar after being contacted by the project manager of BGEA Chinese Ministries.
GWU Student Relates Crafting Pottery to Discipleship Truths

Office of University Communications and Bryton Mitchell

Alex Stewart (’17) of Gastonia, N.C., decided to attend Gardner-Webb University to pursue an education in discipleship. Then, his sophomore year he met a student who introduced him to the art of pottery. “I made a friend named Devan Vandenbark. He made some of the most beautiful mugs—perfectly poised and unique in character,” he explained
Gardner-Webb University Business, Law Expert to Discuss Fair Labor Standards on Nov. 17

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University’s Charlotte Center will host a discussion of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) during a Business Horizons Workshop Series session, presented by the GWU Center for Ethics and Entrepreneurship and Godbold School of Business, on Thursday, Nov. 17. The 7:30-9 a.m. program will feature Dr. Van Graham, associate dean of GWU’s Godbold School of Business and an expert in business and employment law. Graham will offer an overview of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s application to businesses, with particular emphasis on new rules taking effect Dec. 1, 2016.
GWU Nursing Student Will Continue Studies While Deployed With National Guard

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University graduate nursing student Hollis Guenther (’19) remembers listening to war stories told by his father and his neighbors in the small Michigan farming community where he grew up. On Veteran’s Day as he prepares for deployment to the Persian Gulf, he thinks about their service in World War II and the Korean War and is filled with appreciation for these men. Joining the Army Reserves helped him pay for college, but it also allowed him to honor their sacrifices.
Alumna Discovered Passion to Study and Teach as GWU Undergrad

Office of University Communications

When April Hoelke Simpson (’14) studied Greek and Hebrew, she was fascinated with how the languages enhanced her understanding of the biblical text. Her professors at Gardner-Webb University recognized her scholarly potential even before she did. “I originally planned to become a career missionary and chose mission studies as my concentration,” Simpson shared.
FBI Special Agent Tracks Down Criminals Using Analytical Accounting Skills

Office of University Communications

In training to be an accountant, Jacqueline D. Lyon (’93) of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., learned how to keep track of every penny. Those same analytical skills help her uncover clues and track down criminals as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “My brain is wired differently. I question things,” Lyon explained. “If you can’t find it here, you have to go look somewhere else.”