Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

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  Church-Related Scholarships for Gardner-Webb Students Soar to New High

  Office of University Communications

  In 2019, Gardner-Webb officials pledged to strengthen ties to Christian churches and announced a significant expansion to two scholarship programs: The Church-Matching Scholarship and the Minister’s Dependent Scholarship. That year, zero students received the Church-Matching and only 14 received $13,500 from the Minister’s Dependent. Since then, 155 students have received a total of $577,058 from both forms of aid.

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  Gardner-Webb is Only N.C. School Recognized as a Christian College of Distinction

  Office of University Communications

  Colleges of Distinction, a unique guide for college-bound students, has recognized Gardner-Webb for its commitment to encourage and challenge undergraduate students in their Christian growth. The University is the only North Carolina school to receive designation as a 2022-2023 Christian College of Distinction.

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  Gardner-Webb Pre-Med Student Participates in Elite Research Opportunity

  Office of University Communications

  While gaining lab experience for medical school, Jared Reeder, of Asheboro, N.C., is participating in pre-eminent research. The Gardner-Webb University senior biology major is working with a synthetic chemistry project, studying how bacterial surface sugars are structure.

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  Baptist Women in Ministry Honors GWU Professor Sophia Steibel

  Office of University Communications

  Dr. Sophia Steibel, Gardner-Webb University professor and the first School of Divinity faculty member to serve as the Bonnie Price Chair for Christian Formation and Leadership, has been recognized by Baptist Women in Ministry. She is the recipient of the 2022 Frankie Huff Granger Distinguished Mentor Award.

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  GWU Hunt School of Nursing Receives Recognition for Academics and Student Success

  Office of University Communications

  The research team at Nursing Schools Almanac, an educational resource that ranks nursing programs, has recognized Gardner-Webb University Hunt School of Nursing for its academics and student success. After collecting and reviewing data from numerous N.C. schools, the team awarded the nursing school No. 8 for all of its programs. Further, GWU ranked No. 3 in North Carolina for its prelicensure BSN program.

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  Generous Donors Make Gardner-Webb Masters-Melton Indoor Baseball Facility a Reality

  Office of University Communications

  Gardner-Webb continues to celebrate fundraising successes and those who choose to support and advance the University. A GWU benefactor, whose legacy of giving energized the men’s baseball program, made another significant gift to the sport he loved so much. Bill Masters, who passed away on June 25, 2022, gave the lead gift for the Masters-Melton Indoor Baseball Facility, also named in honor of his longtime special friend, Patsy Melton Willis.

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  Gardner-Webb University Celebrates Title IX 50th Anniversary

  Office of University Communications

  To our readers: In 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. In a year-long celebration of the law’s 50th anniversary, Gardner-Webb will recognize its individual pioneers and trailblazers, women influencers and administrators, and honor several teams and alumni groups at games and events on campus. Profiles on these women will be published in the Newscenter twice a month.

  BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—In Gardner-Webb University’s 117-year academic history, many outstanding women made their mark on the school. Two of those influential and caring leaders were Etta Curtis and Dee “Doc Hunt.”

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  Gardner-Webb Phi Beta Lambda Member Wins Third Place at National Conference

  Office of University Communications

  Johanna Quezada Salazar, of Dallas, N.C., a senior international business major at Gardner-Webb University, won third place in the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) national conference held recently in Chicago, Ill. Gardner-Webb was one of 26 schools that participated in the event.

  Salazar qualified for the national competition by placing first at the North Carolina PBL State Leadership Conference held in April in Charlotte, N.C. She prepared a seven-minute speech to compete in the Business Ethics category. The assigned topic was whether or not it would be ethical for an employer to fire an employee over something on their social media account, and if social media should be considered free speech. “I practiced my speech over and over just to make it sure it was at seven minutes, as well as to build confidence in myself,” Salazar noted.

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  Gardner-Webb Recognized by Colleges of Distinction for Academics and Student Engagement

  Office of University Communications

  Colleges of Distinction, a unique guide for college-bound students, has recognized Gardner-Webb University for its commitment to encourage and challenge undergraduate students to learn, develop their talents, and succeed. Gardner-Webb has been named a 2022-2023 College of Distinction and a North Carolina College of Distinction.

  “What an honor to be recognized for our successful work with students,” expressed Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Karen Aubrey. “I am proud of our faculty and staff who work to keep students in the forefront of all that they do. It makes a difference in transforming students’ lives and in invigorating the campus community. We celebrate our ranking as a state leader in higher education and will continue to provide supportive and life-changing opportunities in our academic programs and through impactful campus engagement.”

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  Tracy Jessup Retires as GWU Senior Minister and Vice President of Christian Life and Service

  Office of University Communications

  In 1985, Tracy Jessup arrived at Gardner-Webb University as a freshman music education major. Except for a brief time away to earn his Master of Divinity, Jessup has served the GWU campus and community for 30 years. He retires on July 31 as vice president for Christian Life and Service and senior minister to the University.

  “Not only is my professional career and ministry tied to this place, but so much of the fabric of my personal life is interwoven with Gardner-Webb,” Jessup reflected. “I met my wife, Teresa, on Aug. 19, 1985—my freshman year. Four years later, we were married and celebrated 33 years of marriage on June 24. We have loved raising our children in the town of Boiling Springs and in the shadow of our alma mater. Our son and daughter-in-law are proud graduates of GWU, and it was such a joy to witness many special moments in their educational journey.”

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  New North Carolina Budget Allocates $500K for Gardner-Webb, Boiling Springs Partnership

  Office of University Communications

  North Carolina’s General Assembly drafted the state’s FY23 budget (signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper on July 11), and it includes a $500,000 allocation that will accelerate Gardner-Webb University’s collaboration with the Town of Boiling Springs. Initiated by a proposal from Cleveland County Manager Brian Epley and endorsed by the County Board of Commissioners, the funding will help support construction and operations at the University’s planned outdoor performance complex. State legislators and the Governor also approved additional requests from Cleveland County Commissioners to provide funding for the Cleveland County Fair and the Foothills Public Shooting Complex. All told, the State awarded $2.5 million to Cleveland County for these three projects.

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  Gardner-Webb was College of First Choice for Chemistry Major, Whitney Upton, ’24

  Office of University Communications

  Whitney Upton, ’24, a chemistry major at Gardner-Webb University, attends three classes at GWU this summer and works at Rutherford Sales & Recovery Co. in Forest City, N.C. She looks forward to the fall semester, being back on campus full time and reconnecting with her roommates and suitemates.

  As she prepares for another year at Gardner-Webb, Whitney offers this advice to incoming freshmen, “Just be yourself, try new things, study hard and have fun.”

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  GWU Alumnus Gets Boost in his Career from NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.

  Office of University Communications

  “Every role no matter how small is important to the common goal”—this is the mantra that Blake McCandless lives by. While building his talents as a broadcaster, the two-time alumnus of Gardner-Webb University has taken every opportunity to learn. He strives to be a team player, develop connections and serve others.

  His persistence and talent even gained the attention of NASCAR hall-of-famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. Twice, Earnhardt has mentioned McCandless as someone who has a future in motorsports broadcasting.

  Blake McCandless on Youtube

  Episode of "Driven"

  Lrandon Huffman racing

  Watch Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Podcast that mentions McCandless at 16:20.

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  Gardner-Webb University Celebrates Fundraising Milestones

  Office of University Communications

  With profound gratitude for its loyal alumni and friends, Gardner-Webb University celebrates a historic milestone. At a time when most universities are reporting fewer donors, GWU has experienced a significant increase.

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  Stonecutter Science Academy at Gardner-Webb Introduces Students to Careers in Science

  Office of University Communications

  Students from 16 schools recently participated in the 2022 Science Academy hosted by Gardner-Webb University and sponsored by the Stonecutter Foundation in Spindale, N.C. They learned about the Department of Natural Sciences at GWU and studied various aspects of science and applications, such as crime scene investigation and forensic anthropology.

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  Gardner-Webb University Partners with Collegiate Sports Associates for National Athletic Director Search

  Office of University Communications

  Gardner-Webb officials have enlisted Collegiate Sports Associates (CSA), executive search and consulting, to lead the national search for the University’s next athletic director. Chuck Burch, who just completed his 25th season at the helm of the Athletics Department, announced his retirement next summer from Gardner-Webb. Burch will continue to serve in the role of vice president for Athletics until his successor is hired.

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  There’s Still Time to Apply for 2022 Fall Semester at Gardner-Webb

  Office of University Communications

  The Gardner-Webb Enrollment Team continues to accept applications for the 2022 Fall Semester. University officials are committed to keeping GWU’s quality education affordable by offering a tuition freeze for the fourth year in a row and with financial aid offerings in institutional scholarships and grants. Included in these awards are the Foothills Commitment and Piedmont Promise, which support students from the local area and surrounding counties.

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  Esther Porter Named Interim Associate Vice President for Human Resources

  Office of University Communications

  Tim Shuey, Gardner-Webb University vice president of Finance and Administration, has named Esther Porter as interim associate vice president of Human Resources, effective immediately. Most recently, Porter served the University as a human resources generalist.

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  Gardner-Webb Community Mourns Loss of Longtime Friend and Supporter, Bill Masters

  Office of University Communications

  The Gardner-Webb University community is remembering Bill Masters, of Shelby, N.C., a longtime friend and supporter of the baseball program, who passed away at age 94 on June 25, 2022. Masters grew up in Easley, S.C., with a deep love for baseball and once said that he would rather play baseball than eat.

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  Gardner-Webb Launches Year-Long Celebration of Title IX 50th Anniversary

  Office of University Communications

  On June 23, 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was signed into law by President Richard Nixon.

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  Gardner-Webb’s Chuck Burch Announces Retirement as Vice President for Athletics

  Office of University Communications

  Gardner-Webb University Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch announced today (June 23) that he will retire following more than two decades in charge.

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  GWU President Names Interim VP for Christian Life and Service

  Office of University Communications

  Gardner-Webb University President William Downs has appointed Neal Payne as interim vice president for Christian Life and Service, effective Aug. 1. Payne presently serves as associate minister for Student Ministries. He succeeds Tracy Jessup, who will retire at the end of July, after 30 years of service to the University.

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  Ray Curtis Named Gardner-Webb’s Associate VP for Technology, Chief Information Officer

  Office of University Communications

  Officials at Gardner-Webb have announced that Ray Curtis, a Boiling Springs native, will be the University’s new Associate Vice President for Technology Services and Chief Information Officer (CIO). Curtis will provide vision and leadership for technology services across all GWU divisions.

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  GWU Faculty and Staff Host Group from Iredell-Statesville Schools

  Office of University Communications

  Tristan Zinkhan peered into a stereoscope, amazed at what he was seeing. A rising 10th-grader from West Iredell High School in Statesville, N.C., Zinkhan was one of 60 students from Iredell-Statesville Schools (I-SS) who spent the day on Gardner-Webb University’s campus recently.

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  Gardner-Webb School of Divinity Offers New Master’s in Bible and Theology

  Office of University Communications

  The Gardner-Webb School of Divinity is offering a new program in the 2022 Fall Semester. The Master of Arts in Bible and Theology (MABT) is a 36-credit hour concentrated curriculum, providing biblical and theological knowledge to guide others into a deeper understanding of scripture and Christian theology. Up to 17 hours of the 36-hour degree may be taken online.