Gardner-Webb University’s Life of the Scholar program presents Rob Christensen in the first Spring session of the Joyce Compton Brown Lecture Series to be held on February 24, 2010 at 7:00p.m.in Hamrick Hall’s Blanton Auditorium. Christensen, a veteran political reporter with the Raleigh News and Observer is the author The Paradox of Tar Heel Politics: The Personalities, Elections, and Events that Shaped Modern North Carolina wherein he describes North Carolina’s preeminence in research, education and banking during the 20th century that resulted from a political climate of competition and challenge. During the lecture, Christensen will highlight “The Shelby Dynasty” and share rare facts about O. Max Gardner, our school’s namesake and Democratic governor of North Carolina from 1929 to 1933. This event is free of charge and opened to the community. A reception will immediately follow the program.

Dr. Shirley Toney has brought a labor of love, regarding the history of the Gardner-Webb University’s School of Nursing, to the pages of a book entitled Gardner-Webb University School of Nursing - History & Heritage. Toney is Dean Emerita and Professor Emerita for the Gardner-Webb School of Nursing. She concluded 45 years in formal nursing education, primarily at GWU in June 2008. Toney helped bring to life the nursing program in 1965 and served as a nursing education administrator and was the chairman of the program from 1978-1995. She later became the first Dean of the School of Nursing (1995-2006) when the program earned Deanship status in 1995. "Because I helped start the program and worked in it for so many years, I have lived the whole thing. It was my life," said Toney. As Toney started recapping what she refers to as "a remarkable story" and started getting material ready for the book something crossed her mind. "This is not just history, this is heritage," said Toney. Thus came the perfect title for the book.

National Signing Day was fruitful for Gardner-Webb University’s football program, as 20 student-athletes signed to play for the Runnin’ Bulldogs. Head coach Steve Patton and his staff targeted the Southeast heavily, with 19 of the 20 signees hailing from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. The Runnin’ Bulldogs inked 12 players who played high school football within a two-hour drive of campus. One signee, cornerback Terrance Thomas (5-11, 170) is already enrolled at Gardner-Webb and started classes in January. The speedy Thomas, from Pageland, S.C., led the state of South Carolina with 11 interceptions as a senior during the 2008 season – helping Central High to the Class 2A state finals. The class was balanced, with 10 signees slated for offense and 10 for defense – although several in the class could wind up on either side of the football. (more)

The Gardner-Webb Department of Fine Arts is pleased to present an afternoon with baritone vocalist, Shane Bryant, in his Senior Recital to be held on Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 3:00p.m.in Blanton Auditorium. Shane Bryant is no stranger to the stage at Gardner-Webb having starred in a myriad of performances with the Department of Fine Arts’ music and theater divisions. He is due much acclaim for his leading roles in theatrical productions like The Crucible, Lear Reloaded, and Work in Progress as well as opera performances including The Three Little Pigs, The Birthday of the Infanta, and The Tender Land. There is no cost for the event and the public is encouraged to attend. For additional information on this performance and other upcoming fine art events, please contact Kim Murray by phone at 704.406.4448.

Rev. Dr. Bobby Blanton, a 1976 alumnus of Gardner-Webb in Religious Studies, now stands at the helm of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina’s Board of Directors following a recent election. He ran unopposed and was unanimously elected to the presidential seat to kick off his second term on the Board of Directors. As member of the Board in 2009, Rev. Dr. Blanton served on the Executive and the Articles and Bylaws Committees. He has also served on the Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute Board of Directors, the Presidential Search Committee for Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute and on the BSCNC’s Executive Director Search Committee from 2005 to 2006. Dr. Blanton holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew Theological Seminary. Of his 30 years in the ministry, he has served as pastor to Lake Norman Baptist Church in Huntersville for the last 12 years. Rev. Dr. Blanton will serve as the President of the 2011 North Carolina Baptist Pastor's Conference. For more on Rev. Dr. Blanton and the election, please click here.

The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation of Rutherford County is pleased to announce it is extending the benefits of the ROPE (Reaching for One's Potential for Excellence) Award to students at Chase High School of Forest City North Carolina. Gardner-Webb University, already a participant in the scholarship, has also agreed to expand its efforts by matching the dollar amount of the ROPES Award to Chase recipients who choose to attend the University. The McNair Foundation began in 1989 as a way to improve education in Rutherford County and encourage students to attend college. Gardner-Webb has partnered with the McNair Foundation since the mid 1990's and in 2003 started matching the $1,400 per year that ROPE recipients receive over a four-year period. It is estimated that Gardner-Webb has had 10 to 15 ROPE recipients per year.

In the aftermath of the massive earthquake in the Caribbean country of Haiti, people across the globe have been contributing what they can to assist in the recovery of the impoverished country. Gardner-Webb University’s faculty, staff, students, and clubs are trying to do their part in helping to support the cause. While some are contributing monetarily, others are collecting shoes, medical supplies, and other basic necessities to give to Haitians. You, too, can be a part of these efforts for such a noble cause. Click here to view some of the events and collection points around the Gardner-Webb University campus that are available to take donations.

In the January 25th edition of the ESPN/USA Today Poll, the Gardner-Webb women’s basketball team received nine votes and 31st spot in the weekly poll ranking the nation’s top women’s college basketball programs. The Lady Bulldogs, now with 17 wins and three losses on the season, are tied with High Point for the top spot in the Big South Conference standings with a 6-1 conference record. The 2009-2010 season has been a breakout season for head coach Rick Reeves’ squad. Coming off a near Big South Conference Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 2008-2009, the Lady Bulldogs returned nine players including preseason all-conference selections Dominique Hudson and Margaret Roundtree.

Gardner-Webb University’s Campus Ministries presents Celebration Week 2010 to be held January 26, 2010-January 29, 2010. This is a time of student-led revival services that takes place annually during the Spring semester. There will be two morning programs, one on Tuesday and one on Thursday at 9:25a.m in the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center in conjunction with the University’s weekly Dimensions program. Additional activities will be held in the Dover Theatre on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening at 8:00p.m. A time of prayer will precede the service on Tuesday at 7:15p.m. in the Bulldog Room. Each service will feature scripture readings, concerts, and personal testimonies by students, Dawn Rollison and Stephanie Richie as well as Vice President for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, Jeff Tubbs. Arthur Mace, Pastor to New River Community Church, will lead the celebration as featured speaker.

Help to keep the doctor away and learn ideas for wellnesss at Gardner-Webb University’s 15th Annual Health Fair to be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 from 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. in Bost Gymnasium located in the University Physical Development Complex. Several regional healthcare agencies and organizations will be present to offer free screenings, prizes, samples, and general information. Chiropractic, cholesterol, blood pressure, and depression screenings will be available along with glucose and body fat testing. Massages will also be offered. This event is open to the community. There is a $10.00 charge for Cholesterol screening; otherwise there is no additional cost for attendance. Click here for a complete list of participating healthcare agencies and organizations.