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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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Gardner-Webb Student-Athletes Reese Jones and Theo Drescher Receive Christenberry Award

Office of University Communications

The Big South Conference announced that a league record-tying 12 student-athletes have been awarded the Conference’s prestigious George A. Christenberry Award for Academic Excellence. The award is given to a graduating male and female student-athlete who attain the highest GPA during their undergraduate collegiate careers.
Local and Regional Pastors and Non-Profit Leaders Complete Gardner-Webb’s Searight PACE Grant Writing Course

Office of University Communications

A group of ministers and non-profit leaders from local and regional ministries recently completed the Searight PACE course, “Grant Writing for Churches and Non- Profits.” Taught by Dr. Bobbie Cox, professor and chair of the Department of Public Service, the five-part series helped participants to develop the skills and resources needed to write successful grants.
Begin Earning Your Master’s or Doctoral Degree at Gardner-Webb This Summer

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University’s graduate programs o!er two upcoming start dates this summer. For those who are ready to begin pursuing their master’s in business administration, accounting, sports management or English, online programs start in June. However, these programs along with others in public administration, religion, nursing, counseling, divinity and education also have programs starting in August.
William Glover Named Director of the GardnerWebb Bulldog Club

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University Interim Vice President of Advancement Karen Bruce has named William Glover, a native of Shelby, N.C., as director of the Bulldog Club and Sponsorship Programs. Glover reports directly to the vice president for Advancement and is responsible for increasing Bulldog Club membership and securing philanthropic girls from the university’s alumni, friends and corporate partners.
Gardner-Webb Alumnus and Retired Navy Commander John E. Sutton Speaks at University’s Annual Memorial Day Observance

Office of University Communications

The Memorial Day Observance at Gardner-Webb University on May 23 featured retired Navy Commander John E. “JES” Sutton as the featured speaker. A 1976 alumnus, Sutton presented a brief history of Memorial Day. He noted, in particular, the stories of courage and sacrifice that impact his reflective approach to the day.
Gardner-Webb 2013 Alumna Shebra Hughes: ‘Waffle House is a Hidden Gem’

Office of University Communications

Shebra Hughes, a 2013 alumna of Gardner-Webb University, and her husband Tommy love visiting campus. They reminisce about when she was a student and they were dating, but also enjoy representing the company they work for: Waffle House. A senior vice president, Shebra manages 81 locations in North Carolina from Greensboro to Cherokee.
Gardner-Webb Community Remembers Professor Emeritus Dr. Phil Perrin: Musician, Mountain Climber and Missionary

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb Professor Emeritus of Music Dr. Phil Perrin, who shared his love for God and music with many students during his 34 years at the University, passed away on May 14, 2025. He also found ways to combine his ministry with his hobbies of hiking and mountain climbing. In his retirement, Perrin continued to use his talents to lead worship in area churches and teach music on the mission field.
Gardner-Webb Assistant Provost Dr. Greg Pillar Selected to Participate in National Conference

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University Assistant Provost Dr. Greg Pillar has been selected to participate in the inaugural HigherEd PodCon set for July 12 at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Pillar is one of over 40 presenters and will be featured in a session on designing impactful campus podcasts. The all-day event includes 15 sessions with faculty, students, tech strategists, and communications professionals from more than 25 institutions and organizations from across North America.
Gardner-Webb Alumnus and Retired Navy Commander John E. Sutton is Speaker for University’s Memorial Day Observance

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb will host its Memorial Day Observance on Friday, May 23, at 11 a.m. in Dover Chapel, and the public is welcome to attend. Each year, the University sets aside this time to remember the lives of those who have died in military service to their country. The national Memorial Day observance dates back to 1868 when Americans started gathering in their communities to decorate soldiers’ graves and pay tribute to their fallen heroes. The day was established as a federal holiday in 1971.
Gardner-Webb Celebrates Achievements of Nearly 500 Graduates

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University hosted its Spring Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Families and guests celebrated the achievements of nearly 500 students in traditional undergraduate, online, and graduate programs of study.
Gardner-Webb to Award its 25,000th Bachelor’s Degree During Spring Commencement on May 8

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University will host its Spring Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Spangler Stadium. Families and guests will celebrate the achievements of nearly 500 students in traditional undergraduate, online, and graduate programs of study.
Dr. Heather Wright Honored with Gardner-Webb President’s Early Career Award

Office of University Communications

Dr. Heather Wright has received the Gardner-Webb president’s Early Career Award in recognition of her exceptional performance as an assistant professor. The award is presented to faculty members who have completed at least two, but no more than six years in rank at the University.
Gardner-Webb Interim President Nate Evans Names Athletic Director Emeritus Chuck Burch as Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb Interim President Nate Evans has announced that Athletic Director Emeritus Chuck Burch will serve as the interim vice president of Athletics. He fills the role left vacant by Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich, who was recently named director of Athletics at the University of Akron in Ohio.
Gardner-Webb Disc Golf Club Competes in College Disc Golf National Championship

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb senior Mason Martin was a freshman in 2022 when a group of upperclassmen revived the Disc Golf Club on campus. Members worked to introduce others to the game and the club has grown in size. This year, Martin and Garrison Hobbs, Ryan Kepler and William Altman decided to compete in the College Disc Golf National Championship in Rock Hill, S.C.
Gardner-Webb Officials Offer Assistance to Limestone and St. Andrews Universities

Office of University Communications

Over the past few days, officials from Gardner-Webb University have been in touch with leadership and administrative staff at both Limestone University in Gaffney, S.C., and St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, N.C. Gardner-Webb has offered sympathy and prayers, of course. But the University has also offered help.
Dr. Olga Poliakova Earns First ‘Student Advocate of the Year’ Award from Division of Student Success

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University Division of Student Success has created a new award, “Student Advocate of the Year.” Given annually, this award will recognize the contributions of faculty and staff toward helping to support students. The recipient personifies the mission of Student Success, which is to provide resources and support to educate, equip, and empower all students to succeed academically and personally in their unique college journeys.
Shannon Hovis Named Director of Alumni and Parent Relations at Gardner-Webb University

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb 1995 alumna Shannon Hovis has been named the University’s director of Alumni and Parent Relations. In this new position, she will create and execute strategies to foster meaningful, enduring relationships with alumni and parents.
Students in the Gardner-Webb University College of Arts and Sciences Recognized in Awards Ceremony

Office of University Communications

Faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences recently presented awards to students in recognition of their hard work, dedication and excellence.
Karen Bruce Serving as Gardner-Webb Interim Vice President for Advancement

Office of University Communications

Karen Bruce has been named interim vice president of Advancement at Gardner-Webb. She will remain in this role while Nate Evans, former vice president of Advancement, is serving as the University’s interim president. Bruce came to GWU in 2024, after serving eight years at Faulkner University, a private school in Montgomery, Ala.
Gardner-Webb Online Programs in Nursing, Business, Education and College of Arts and Sciences Start on May 27

Office of University Communications

Through Gardner-Webb University Online Undergraduate programs, earning a bachelor’s degree is affordable and flexible. With several start dates during the year, students can choose when to begin and determine how many hours to take.
Runnin’ Bulldogs Men’s Tennis Claims Program’s First Big South Tournament Championship

Office of University Communications

Big South All-Conference standout and freshman newcomer Boyd Schreiber (https://gwusports.com/sports/mens-tennis/roster/boyd-schreiber/10758) took down Trevor Gray 6-5, 6-1 at No. 6 singles to clinch the 2025 Big South Men’s Tennis Tournament Championship for Gardner-Webb over UNC Asheville on April 18 at the Lexington County Tennis Complex, the team’s first tournament championship in program history.
The Rev. Dr. M. Lamont Littlejohn Jr. Elected First African American Chair of Gardner-Webb Board of Trustees

Office of University Communications

The Rev. Dr. M. Lamont Littlejohn Jr., pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., is a trailblazer “Pro Deo et Humanitate” (for God and humanity). A three-time graduate of Gardner-Webb and the first African American chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, he approaches each situation with the same mindset.
Gardner-Webb Announces Formation of Presidential Search Committee

Office of University Communications

Officials at Gardner-Webb University have announced the formation of the committee that will guide the search for the institution’s 14th President.
Gardner-Webb’s Dr. Robert Prickett Featured on National Podcast, The EdUp Experience

Office of University Communications

Professor and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Robert Prickett is featured on a national podcast, The EdUp Experience, as part of its Academic Integrity Series. Sponsored by Pangram Labs, the episode is hosted by Elvin Freytes and Bradley Emi, the cofounder and CTO of Pangram Labs, a company that develops AI detection tools.
Lily Streeton Wins $2,000 Prize in Gardner-Webb Godbold College of Business’ Dawg Pitch Competition

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University Godbold College of Business recently hosted Entrepreneurship Week. The event was highlighted by business pitch competitions for high school and community college students as well as Gardner-Webb students. Community partners— Uptown Shelby Association, Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership, Cleveland County Chamber and the Town of Boiling Springs—helped to sponsor the event.