M. Christopher White School of Divinity Archives - ��ӴӴ

��ӴӴ Commencement Programs Celebrate Achievements of Over 500 Students

Office of University Communications — Fri, 08 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Alumnus and National Security Expert Patrick Woody Challenges Graduates to Stay ‘FIRED’ for Lifelong Growth and Service

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ӴӴ celebrated the achievements of over 500 graduates on May 8 in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Traditional undergraduate students were honored at 9 a.m., with graduates from master’s and doctoral programs recognized at 2 p.m.

Each ceremony began with the ringing of a replica of the Liberty Bell. As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year, it is interesting to note the significance of this bell, which is used to begin all ��ӴӴ Commencement services, convocations and special assemblies. The bell was first rung in the fall of 1970 to inaugurate ��ӴӴ’s first year as a senior college. The replica weighs 44 pounds and stands 15 inches high. It is one of a limited edition of 2,400 bells produced to mark the bicentenary of American Independence (1776-1976)—one for each month of the 200 years.

��ӴӴ President Nate Evans welcomed graduates and their guests to begin both ceremonies. He recognized the accomplishments of the students and thanked parents, spouses, friends, and loved ones who supported them along the way. He also expressed gratitude for the ��ӴӴ faculty and staff for teaching, guiding, and mentoring students to achieve their goals.

Each commencement program also included remarks and greetings from GWU Chair of the Board of Trustees the Rev. Dr. M. Lamont Littlejohn Jr. He congratulated their success and challenged them to carry the values that define ��ӴӴ with them—to live “Pro Deo et Humanitate,” for God and Humanity.

During the undergraduate ceremony, Student Body President Andrea Stampone addressed her classmates, reflecting on the defining role of kindness and community in the Gardner‑Webb experience.

“My charge to you today is to carry this kindness into all walks of life that you may enter,” Stampone stated. “Treat people with kindness. Be a person who needs people. Be someone that runs to others when they need people, because these things make you a lucky person. Care deeply. Listen carefully. Love loudly. So go out into the world, and make that community special. Because it’s not that being a part of something special makes you special, but instead that something is special because you are a part of it.”

The featured speaker for both commencement ceremonies was Patrick Woody, a Gardner‑Webb 2003 alumnus and former student body president. He is founder and CEO of Point of Warning, a consulting firm that provides risk, intelligence, public policy, and organizational improvement services to government, private sector, and nonprofit organizations.

A cybersecurity professional with experience across the U.S. Intelligence Community—including the CIA, Department of Homeland Security, and National Counterterrorism Center—Woody directly advised multiple U.S. Presidents, White House leadership, Cabinet officials, and Congress on critical national security issues.

Woody received a Bachelor of Arts in history at ��ӴӴ. He has a Master of Arts degree in international relations and comparative politics from George Mason University and doctoral work in international relations at the University of Maryland.

He shared that his speech included advice that he wished someone had given him when he graduated 23 years ago. “I’m going to talk to you about getting fired,” Woody explained. “Not from a job or a career, but from a mindset. It’s getting fired from the comfort of thinking that because you’ve achieved this milestone, you’ve arrived and there’s no more work to be done. I want to talk about a different way of looking at the future and your post-graduate life—one built around five principles that spell out the word ‘F-I-R-E-D.’ If you leave today with these principles, I promise you that the next chapters of your life will be the best ones.”

Woody described each guiding idea and closed with a short summary. “Fail—and let it teach you,” he reiterated. “Invest—in yourself, your future, and others. Reflect—so that you are steering and not just speeding. Educate yourself—always, relentlessly, joyfully. Dialogue—across every divide you encounter. Being ‘FIRED’ is not a setback. It is a posture. It is how you walk into every meeting, every relationship, every new chapter of your life—with humility, with purpose, and with the courage to keep growing.”

Beyond the commencement addresses, the ceremonies also featured special presentations and awards recognizing excellence, service, and remembrance within the Gardner‑Webb community.

Commencement Honors and Recognitions

Posthumous Degree Presentation

Before undergraduate students walked across the stage to receive individual recognition for their accomplishments, Evans took a moment to remember Isaiah Hughes, a valued member of the campus community whose academic journey was tragically cut short. Hughes was an accomplished student in the Godbold College of Business and destined for great success. Evans invited the Hughes family to join him on stage, and he conferred the Bachelor of Science degree in management information systems posthumously upon Isaiah Hughes.

Undergraduate Awards and Distinctions

During the morning ceremony, several awards were presented to recognize graduates for their exceptional achievements. Senior Scholastic Awards, were presented to the members of the graduating class who earned the highest grade point average during their terms of university study. The winners were:

Corrie Danielle Cloninger, Bachelor of Science in nursing.
Sara-Michael Jann, Bachelor of Science in biology.
Kaylee Faith Maynor, Bachelor of Science in nursing.
Madison Elizabeth Peek, Bachelor of Science in nursing.
Ava Vaughn Stratman, Bachelor of Science in exercise science.

The Most Outstanding Male and Female Graduate Awards were given to the members of the graduating class, who, judged by the faculty, best exemplify the qualities of leadership, citizenship and academic excellence.

The recipient of the Most Outstanding Female Graduate Award is Kylee A. Morris, who received a Bachelor of Science in biology. Morris began her studies at GWU in 2022 as the University’s third Tucker Scholar, an honor that includes full tuition, room and board for eight semesters. She was also crowned Miss GWU in 2025, and is a section leader in the marching band.

The recipient of the Most Outstanding Male Graduate Award is Paul M. McElearney, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and international affairs. McElearney, former GWU student body president, served on the search committee for GWU’s 14th president. He is also a cadet captain in ��ӴӴ Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) detachment assigned under the Southern Guards Battalion.

The ��ӴӴ Online Scholastic Award is given at each commencement to the online student with the highest cumulative grade point average. The winners were:

Kayla Warren Griffin, Bachelor of Science in accounting.
Jennifer Abernathy Ruckman, Bachelor of Science in accounting.

Graduate Scholarship and Research Recognition

The afternoon ceremony featured the presentation of the Darlene J. Gravett Citizen Scholar Award, which recognizes graduate research with the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the improvement of society.

Dr. Sydney Brown, assistant provost of Academic Systems and Graduate Studies, presented the award to this year’s recipient, Dr. Brittany Hudgins-Graham. Brown noted that Hudgins-Graham exemplifies the purpose of the award in a powerful and timely way. Her work, “Forest Therapy for Mental Balance: A Christian Community Approach,” brings together mental health, community, and faith to address a growing need in our world today.

“What makes this project especially compelling is its focus on practice—creating accessible, community-based approaches that support well-being in real and tangible ways,” Brown observed. “Her work reminds us that research is not only about understanding problems, but about responding to them with care, creativity, and purpose. Dr. Hudgins-Graham’s work reflects the very spirit of this award—scholarship that serves others and strengthens communities.”

Videos of Friday’s commencement ceremonies are available on the and

��ӴӴ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., ��ӴӴ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at ��ӴӴ.edu.

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��ӴӴ to Recognize Graduates from 2026 Academic Year

Office of University Communications — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:50:04 +0000

Commencement Ceremonies on May 8 will Celebrate Achievements of Over 500 Graduates

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ӴӴ will celebrate the achievements of over 500 graduates on May 8 in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Traditional undergraduate students will be honored at 9 a.m., with graduates from master’s and doctoral programs recognized at 2 p.m.

“Commencement is one of the most meaningful days in the life of our University, as we celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and achievement of our graduates,” noted GWU President Nate Evans. “Each of these students leaves ��ӴӴ prepared not only for professional success, but to lead lives of purpose, service, and impact. We are proud of what they have accomplished and excited to see the difference they will make in their communities and beyond.”

Each ceremony will begin with the ringing of a replica of the Liberty Bell. As America marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year, the bell’s symbolism carries special meaning. It has long been used to open Gardner‑Webb commencement ceremonies, convocations, and special assemblies. The bell was first rung in the fall of 1970 to inaugurate Gardner‑Webb’s first year as a senior college.

The replica weighs 44 pounds and stands 15 inches high. It is one of a limited edition of 2,400 bells produced to mark the bicentenary of American Independence (1776-1976)—one for each month of the 200 years. The certificate of ownership states: “This is to certify that Bell No. 0395 was cast by order of ��ӴӴ College, Boiling Springs, N.C., at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London. This bell is to the scale of one-fifth the original Liberty Bell ordered from the same foundry by the Province of Pennsylvania in 1752, and was cast on the same site.”

Senior Scholastic awards will be presented to traditional undergraduate and online students, and doctoral candidates will receive their hoods. Evans will confer undergraduate and graduate degrees on all graduates.

Patrick Woody

The featured speaker, Patrick Woody, a Gardner‑Webb 2003 alumnus and former student body president, will bring the commencement address. He is founder and CEO of Point of Warning, a consulting firm that provides risk, intelligence, public policy, and organizational improvement services to government, private sector, and nonprofit organizations.

He later served in leadership roles at Twitter, Twitch, and Epic Games, where he became a recognized authority on combating online harms such as extremism, information integrity, child safety, and strategic partnerships. Before his time in government, Woody worked for the One Economy Corporation, using technology to improve the lives of individuals and communities facing poverty in the United States and abroad.

Woody has had the privilege of serving on the boards of directors for multiple organizations.

The ceremonies will also be available for live streaming on The University’s and channel.

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��ӴӴ Recognizes Nearly 300 Graduates in 2025 Fall Commencement

Office of University Communications — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:13:36 +0000

Ceremony on Dec. 12 Awards Degrees and Honors Scholastic Achievements

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ӴӴ celebrated the achievements of nearly 300 graduates in Commencement Ceremonies on Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Students who completed the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees during the 2025 Fall Semester were recognized.

��ӴӴ President Nate Evans

��ӴӴ President Nate Evans noted the significance of the event as he welcomed the graduates, their families and friends. “Commencement is always one of the most joyful days of the year because it reflects the very heart of our mission: Students pursuing their calling, growing in knowledge and character, and preparing to make a difference in the world,” he asserted. “And so, we gather today to celebrate you…and, perhaps most importantly…to honor the promise you carry forward from this moment and this place: the promise of a bright and rewarding future.”

Senior Scholastic awards were presented to traditional undergraduates:

Carley Brooke Lawter
Kalem Darius Griffin
Caitlin Mackenzie Hines
Jacob P. Jensen

The online senior scholastic awards were present to Tona Deann Marlow, who completed her degree in the fall semester, and Donna Denise Woody for the summer semester.

Doctoral candidates and those receiving their master’s degrees received their hoods. Evans conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees on all graduates.

Dr. Robert Canoy

The featured speaker was Dr. Robert Canoy, who served as dean of the ��ӴӴ M. Christopher White School of Divinity for 16 years. This semester, he taught part time and will retire on Dec. 31.

Canoy joined the School of Divinity faculty in 2000. Through the years, he led classes in Christian theology, Greek, eschatology, the Revelation of John, and The Ministry of Worship, a Doctor of Ministry seminar. In addition, Canoy regularly led study tours to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, and Rome.

Canoy’s primary area of research is New Testament theology, having written articles and books on eschatology, and Eucharistic theology. He is the author of “Atonement in the Apocalypse: An Exposé of the Defeat of Evil.”

He served as pastor in Shelby, N.C., Maryland (in the Washington D.C. area), Iowa, Missouri, and Kentucky before returning to an academic career. His teaching experience began at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as a doctoral student and then Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo.

Canoy spoke about recognizing and celebrating new beginnings, and he offered examples—from biblical characters to historic figures and recent celebrities. “The Bible is an honest book filled with ‘begin-again’ stories, if I can use that phrase,” Canoy related. “That’s because life has always been about beginning again, over and over again, since each step that we take leads to the next step. And some steps that we take require some serious recalibration. Truth is, in this life there are no last steps.”

He discussed Simon Peter, who had boasted that he would never betray Jesus. “But he denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times, which Jesus had predicted,” Canoy observed. “But Peter ‘began again.’ He made a new start on the banks of the Sea of Galilee…Jesus gave him a new beginning, a fresh start, after his past failure.”

His list of famous “do-overs” included Thomas Edison, who failed more than 100 times before finding a filament that would sustain a light bulb, and Michael Jordan, who was famously cut from his high school basketball team before becoming one of the sport’s greatest players. Canoy ended with the most remarkable “begin-againer,” Jesus Christ. “He died at 33 before making the first of its kind—the greatest historical comeback ever—called resurrection,” Canoy stated.

Concluding his remarks, Canoy observed, “Graduation from ��ӴӴ means being prepared for life’s ups and downs, highs and lows. Today’s commencement from GWU means that nothing is more important than knowing that God is all about getting us back up when we throw ourselves down or when life knocks us down. So, let us commence today to do even better tomorrow what we may have done well, or not so well yesterday, Pro Deo et Humanitate!”

Video of the commencement ceremony is available on The University’s and channel.

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Four Dedicated Employees Retire After Decades of Service to ��ӴӴ

Office of University Communications — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:15:40 +0000

Their Contributions to the Campus Community Have Shaped Generations of Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Four longtime employees are retiring from ��ӴӴ after the Christmas holidays. Their dedicated service has impacted students through academics, Christian Life and Service, and ensuring a safe, attractive environment for learning and community.

Retiring on Dec. 31

Susan Manahan, Assistant Professor of Biology, 31 years

During her tenure at ��ӴӴ, Manahan has championed scientific exploration and community service. After graduating with degrees in microbiology and nutrition from Penn State University, Manahan’s first job was working as a quality control technician for Bachman Pretzel Company in Reading, Pa. She joined the GWU faculty shortly after obtaining her master’s degree in biology from UNC-Charlotte.

Manahan’s dedication to students extended beyond the classroom. A highlight of her career has been mentoring undergraduates in their independent research and helping them achieve their goals. Her students have pursued various professions in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, and wildlife biology. Manahan has been granted the rank of Faculty Emeritus status upon her retirement. Read more here.

Dr. Robert Canoy, Professor of Historical Theology, 25 years

Canoy joined the School of Divinity faculty in 2000 and has regularly led study tours to Israel, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. His primary area of research is New Testament theology. He is the author “Atonement in the Apocalypse: An Expose of the Defeat of Evil.” Before joining the faculty of the School of Divinity, Canoy was pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C. His academic career includes teaching at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo. He has also served as pastor, interim pastor, and guest teacher in churches across North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Iowa, and Missouri. He is married to Cynthia and they are the parents of two adult sons. His hobbies include bicycling, basketball, baseball, hunting, woodworking, and traveling. Read more here.

Teresa Davis, Administrative Assistant for Office of Christian Life and Service, 22 years

Davis began working at ��ӴӴ in 2003 in the Office of Christian Life and Service/Campus Ministries. She enjoyed working with and around college students and ministering to them during these formative years. She had the opportunity to lead mission trips for college students and has traveled in the states as well as over six countries. She has been involved in ministry with her husband, Eric, for 46 years, and is the founder of Fragrance Ministries, which exists to encourage and empower women to know Jesus Christ personally.

Retiring on Jan. 5

David Wacaster, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, 27 years

Wacaster has a Bachelor of Science degree from ��ӴӴ and joined the University in 1998 as a patrol officer. He was captain of University Police when he was tapped to be the director of Environmental and Occupational Safety at GWU. In 2020, he became the director of Operations for Facilities and Maintenance. Before coming to ��ӴӴ, Wacaster had served six years with the Shelby Police Department, where he held the positions of patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT Team member, and detective. He is married to Tonya, who received her bachelor’s and master’s in nursing from ��ӴӴ. His daughters also graduated from GWU. Kaylee earned a sports management degree and is a fifth-grade teacher at Township Three Elementary. Jenna graduated with an education degree and teaches second grade at Springmore Elementary. They both played softball at ��ӴӴ and were recognized as Big South All Conference players. Kaylee holds six career hitting records for the Bulldogs. Jenna is married to Caleb Webber and they have a son named Riggs. When he’s not at GWU, Wacaster likes to ride the trails in West Virginia while running his off-road touring business. He also enjoys spending time with family and spoiling Riggs.

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Theologian Peter Enns to Speak at ��ӴӴ on Oct. 28 for Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series

Office of University Communications — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:23:32 +0000

Open to the Public, Free Sessions Examine the Topic: ‘Reading the Bible Prayerfully with Eyes Open’

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The School of Divinity at ��ӴӴ presents theologian and author, Peter Enns, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Faith Hall, Tucker Student Center. The program, “Reading the Bible Prayerfully and with Eyes Open,” is part of the Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series. There is no cost to attend, and lunch is included.

“We look forward to hosting Dr. Peter Enns for the Mary Washburn Wilson lectures,” asserted Interim School of Divinity Dean Dr. Jim McConnell. “Dr. Enns is a biblical scholar known for his insightful reading of scripture, both the Old and New Testaments. Dr. Enns will encourage us to read the Bible with our eyes open to the challenges that these texts present, but also open to the promises of hope found within them.”

Enns earned his Ph.D. at Harvard University and is Abram S. Clemens professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pa. He has written several books including “The Bible Tells Me So,” “The Sin of Certainty,” “How the Bible Actually Works,” and his latest “Curveball: When Your Faith Takes Turns You Never Saw Coming.”

He is also cohost of the popular podcast “The Bible for Normal People.” The focus of his work centers on understanding the Bible as an ancient text and thinking through what it means to read that ancient text well today.

The Mary Washburn Wilson lectures are supported by the Mary Washburn Wilson Visiting Scholar Endowment, which was established in honor of Mary Leigh Washburn Wilson (1922-2003) through a generous gift by her daughter, the Rev. Tillie Duncan, a member of the GWU Gallery of Distinguished Alumni, along with her husband, Shannon Duncan. The lectureship is designed to expose students to new ideas and to make them aware of ideas not previously thought about in an intentional way.

The schedule follows:

Session One: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., The Challenge of Reading The Bible In The Modern World
Lunch: 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Session Two: 1 to 2 p.m., Reading The Bible With Open Eyes And Humble Hearts.

For more information, please contact Lisa Hollifield at lhollifield@gardner-webb.edu.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event. Please call 704-406-4270 or email disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu with your request.

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��ӴӴ Divinity School Dean Dr. Robert Canoy Announces Retirement

Office of University Communications — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:17:08 +0000

Through the Last 16 Years Under His Leadership, School of Divinity Has Gained Funding for Students; Maintained High Academic Standards

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Robert Canoy, dean of the ��ӴӴ M. Christopher White School of Divinity for 16 years, will retire at the end of the 2025 Fall Semester. Canoy will serve as a part-time faculty member until Dec. 31, and also offer guidance to Professor Dr. Jim McConnell, who has been named interim dean of the School of Divinity.

“Dr. Canoy’s leadership has shaped the School of Divinity and strengthened ��ӴӴ’s mission for nearly three decades,” shared Interim GWU President Nate Evans. “His commitment to preparing ministers, scholars, and servants of the Church has left a lasting mark not only on this institution but also on congregations and communities across the globe. We are deeply grateful for his visionary leadership and steady presence, and we celebrate both the legacy he leaves and the foundation he has built for the future of theological education at ��ӴӴ.”

Dr. Robert Canoy in 2010

Canoy’s affiliation with ��ӴӴ began in 1997, shortly after he was called as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C. Invited by Dr. Wayne Stacy, then dean of the School of Divinity, Canoy served as an adjunct faculty member and as an ecclesiastical representative for the school’s first accreditation self-study. In 2000, Canoy joined the faculty full time as associate dean. When Stacy departed, Canoy stepped into interim leadership, guiding the school through its initial 10-year accreditation, granted in 2004 by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

In 2005, with the appointment of Dr. Chuck Bugg as dean, Canoy resumed his role as associate dean. After Bugg’s departure, Canoy once again provided transitional leadership until 2009, when he was named the divinity school’s fourth dean. Since then, he has led the School of Divinity through two additional accreditation reviews, in 2014 and 2024.

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Nicole Waters commended Canoy for his exemplary service to the University. “I extend heartfelt gratitude to Dean Robert Canoy, whose faithful and visionary leadership has blessed the School of Divinity and ��ӴӴ for many years,” she praised. “Throughout his tenure as dean, Dr. Canoy has provided unwavering guidance, steadfast advocacy, and wise counsel. His dedication to faculty, staff, students, and alumni has strengthened and enriched our community.”

Dean of the School of Divinity Dr. Robert Canoy speaks during the school’s 20th anniversary.

Waters added, “I am especially grateful for his continued presence and influence during the fall semester as he transitions from the role of dean to a part-time administrator and professor, and I appreciate Dr. Jim McConnell’s willingness to serve as the interim dean. During this transition, we celebrate a legacy of faithfulness and excellence and anticipate the ways it will continue to shape the future of the School of Divinity.”

McConnell also praised Canoy’s skillful leadership of the School of Divinity. “While Dr. Canoy served as dean, the influence of the School of Divinity has spread throughout our region and beyond, including internationally,” McConnell asserted. “Dean Canoy has maintained our school’s focus on its mission, ‘the preparation of persons for Christian ministries,’ recognizing that God’s call to ministry in the local church extends to a diverse group of people. I am humbled to follow Dr. Canoy as interim dean of the school. At the same time, I am thankful for the strong foundation on which Dr. Canoy has established the school. Because of his leadership we are well positioned to continue to train men and women for Christian ministries of all types into the future.”

Under Canoy’s guidance, the divinity school has received numerous gifts. An endowment of more than $1 million given in 2006 by Joyce Earnhardt was particularly meaningful, because it allowed divinity school students to study overseas. “It allows for students to travel to the Bible lands,” Canoy related. “I have been leading those groups for 20-something years. That’s been a real highlight to watch students go to the Bible places and to connect the Bible with that part of the world for their own preaching and teaching.”

Dean Dr. Robert Canoy poses with a graduate at the
Divinity School Recognition Ceremony in 2023.

In addition to trips to Israel, Greece and Turkey, divinity students also have the opportunity to participate in mission immersion trips and have served in Cuba, the Balkans, and Africa. The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund also helps students pay for their theological education, and other grants to the divinity school support hands-on programs and academic enrichment opportunities. With these funds and assistance provided by the Christian Service Organization, as well as churches from across the nation, divinity students are able to obtain their degree without taking on additional educational debt.

Canoy is thankful for the administrative assistants who have provided stability to the School of Divinity over the years, especially the current assistant, Lisa Hollifield. He also praises the highly-qualified faculty who prepare students from their various areas of expertise in historical theology (Dr. Steven Harmon), missions (Dr. Terry Casino, originally from the Philippines), counseling (Dr. Hebert Palomino from Colombia and Dr. Doug Dickens), New Testament interpretation (McConnell), and biblical studies (Dr. Cal Robertson).

Because of the faculty’s dedication, 90% of students who want to go into a church-related ministry obtain a position after graduating. In addition, many churches that employ a ��ӴӴ student will contact the divinity school when the student is called to serve elsewhere. “They say, ‘Please send us another one like that,’” Canoy shared. “That means we’ve done something well.”

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Guided by Faith: Annagrace Earwood’s Dedication to Serving Others

Office of University Communications — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:11:34 +0000

2024 Dean’s Scholar Embarks on a Dual-Degree Journey

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—As an undergraduate student at ��ӴӴ, Annagrace Earwood’s favorite memory involves an act of service. She was vice president of the Religious Studies Association and volunteered with members at the Washington Outreach Ministry, a food pantry in Cherryville, N.C.

“We went one Friday and spent the morning packing and handing out food to those in need,” Earwood stated. “This is a very important memory to me, because I was able to serve the local community with my peers. This was truly a blessing.”

Earwood sensed God’s calling on her life when she was a teenager. “I know I am called to minister to people in whatever capacity the Lord opens up doors for,” she acknowledged. “I especially have a heart for children and believe that I am supposed to minister to them in some way.”

Annagrace Earwood preaches at a conference for DreamGirls
Ministry, which is based in Greenville, S.C.

She followed her instinct to help children by volunteering two years with the mission team from the Office of Christian Life and Service that served critically ill children at Give Kids The World Village in Orlando, Fla. In a ��ӴӴ Newscenter story about the trip, Earwood said the children taught her a very important lesson. “I learned that there are 5-year-olds out there who are emotionally stronger than I am at 18 years old, simply because they don’t let their circumstances define them, and even in the unknowns of life, they can find great joy,” she noted.

Earwood is a dual enrollment student in the School of Divinity at ��ӴӴ pursuing a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Religion. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Christian studies with a concentration in Discipleship in May 2024. She was recognized at the Student Volunteerism, Service and Leadership Awards Ceremony for her work with the Religious Studies Association.

Annagrace Earwood, second from right, helps pack food bags with other members of the Religious Studies Association.

Earwood is also the recipient of the 2024 Dean’s Fellowship Scholar Award, given annually by the GWU School of Divinity. Each year, the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy selects a graduate of the program to receive the full-tuition scholarship for the complete course of study in the Master of Divinity degree at ��ӴӴ. The recipients, known as “Dean’s Fellows,” are chosen for exceptional academic performance and call to ministry.

Although Earwood grew up in Shelby, N.C., and was familiar with ��ӴӴ, she didn’t experience the University for herself until she came for a visit. “I felt God’s peace as soon as I came to campus the first time I toured,” she reflected. “I have enjoyed everything about my ��ӴӴ experience. I loved my department, my professors, my peers, and my classes. I think what really makes ��ӴӴ home for me is the sense of community that is here, as well as the support by the community to follow the calling God has on my life.”

With the support of friends, family and her professors, Earwood has felt confident and prepared for her graduate studies and ministry, especially in the area of discipleship. “All of the professors in the religious studies department are especially meaningful to me,” she affirmed. “They all had a tremendous impact on how I approach theology, ministry, and biblical study. I appreciate them all deeply and do not think they will ever know the extent of their impact on my life.”

Learn more about the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy.

Learn more about the School of Divinity.

Annagrace Earwood worked at the Vacation Bible School at Double Shoals Baptist Church.

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University’s tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University’s official Admissions page.

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��ӴӴ Officials Announce Speaker for 2024 December Commencement

Office of University Communications — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:16:51 +0000

N.C. Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson is a 2005 Alumnus

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ӴӴ Alumnus and N.C. Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson is the featured speaker for the December 2024 Commencement program at ��ӴӴ. The University’s graduation ceremony will take place on Friday, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m. in the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center.

N.C. Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson

“I am honored and excited to be speaking at commencement,” said Dobson, who was sworn in as North Carolina’s 18th labor commissioner on Jan. 2, 2021, after serving eight years in the state House of Representatives. Dobson represented the 85th district covering Avery, McDowell and Mitchell counties located in the western part of the state.

��ӴӴ President Dr. William M. Downs noted, “It is appropriate that as we send hundreds of new GWU graduates out into the workforce that we hear from our state’s Commissioner of Labor. Josh Dobson is a ��ӴӴ product, and he is especially well positioned to speak to the Class of ’24 about what lies ahead for them in the world of work. We look forward to having one of our own—an alumnus who rose to serve in the Council of State—return home and provide remarks at Commencement.”

Dobson served as a McDowell County Commissioner from 2010 to 2012 before being appointed in 2013 to the 85th House district seat. Dobson subsequently ran and won re-election to the 85th district seat in 2014, 2016 and 2018. During his time in the Legislature, Dobson served as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the House Health Committee. In 2020, Dobson won a closely contested election for Commissioner of Labor. Dobson is not seeking reelection in 2024, and he will wrap up 14 consecutive years of service in elected office following this November’s general election.

Dobson earned a Bachelor of Science in social science from Gardner Webb and a Master of Public Administration from Appalachian State University.

The N.C. Department of Labor is charged by statute with promoting the “health, safety, and general well-being” of more than 5 million workers across the state. Employee safety is Commissioner Dobson’s top priority.

Recognition Events

11 a.m., College of Health Sciences, Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center (LYCC)
11 a.m., Godbold College of Business, Tucker Student Center
11a.m., School of Divinity, Dover Chapel
1 p.m., College of Education, LYCC
1 p.m., College of Arts & Sciences, Tucker Student Center

More information on ��ӴӴ’s December 2024 Commencement is available here.

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��ӴӴ Hosts National Advocate for Faith Freedom on Oct. 22

Office of University Communications — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:06:25 +0000

Executive Director for the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty Amanda Tyler Featured Speaker for Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Amanda Tyler, the executive director for the Baptist Joint Committee (BJC) for Religious Liberty will be the featured speaker for the ��ӴӴ School of Divinity’s Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series. The free event will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 1 p.m. in Dover Chapel. Tyler’s topic will be “How to End Christian Nationalism.”

Dean of the School of Divinity Dr. Robert Canoy praised the work of Tyler and her predecessors. “The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC) has been blessed with great leadership for many decades,” Canoy noted. “James M. Dunn and J. Brent Walker, leaders since 1981 and 1999 respectively, have been joined by current Executive Director Amanda Tyler since 2017. As an alumna of the University of Texas School of Law, Tyler’s leadership of the BJC continues its founding focus on religious liberty for all people without which Baptists could easily be silenced in America.”

Tyler is also lead organizer of the campaign and co-host of the podcast. As executive director of BJC, Tyler upholds the historic Baptist principle of faith freedom for all. Her constitutional law analysis and advocacy for religious freedom have been featured by major news outlets, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, CBS News, ABC News, CNN, and MSNBC.

In these roles, Canoy further recognized Tyler’s “exceptional capacities for looking past short-sighted rhetoric that seems to favor Baptists, but that unfortunately could lead to a loss of Baptist freedoms should others from other backgrounds and beliefs become the majority or more powerful religious voices in America.”

He continued, “Amanda Tyler understands that religious freedom for one means religious freedom for everyone. She promotes that message and principle wherever she goes and in everything that she writes.”

Religion News Service named Tyler one of “2022’s rising stars in religion,” and she regularly preaches in Baptist churches, speaks at denominational gatherings, and leads sessions on college campuses and with community groups of all sizes. She testified before Congress in 2022 about the ways in which Christian nationalism proves cover for white supremacy, and in 2018 she spoke about threats to religious liberty around the world.

A member of the Texas and U.S. Supreme Court Bar, she has experience working in Congress, in a private legal practice and serving as a law clerk for a federal judge. Tyler is a graduate of Georgetown University and The University of Texas School of Law.

Follow Tyler on Twitter: @AmandaTylerBJC

About the Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series

The lectures are supported by the Mary Washburn Wilson Visiting Scholar Endowment, which was established in honor of Mary Leigh Washburn Wilson (1922-2003) through a generous gift by her daughter, Rev. Tillie Duncan, a member of the GWU Gallery of Distinguished Alumni, along with Rev. Duncan’s husband Shannon Duncan. The lectureship is designed to expose students to new ideas and to make them aware of ideas not previously thought about in an intentional way.

About ��ӴӴ

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��ӴӴ Online Graduate and Undergraduate Programs to Start Soon

Office of University Communications — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 17:27:11 +0000

Nursing, Business, Public Service and Cybersecurity Open to Eligible Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—For more than two decades, ��ӴӴ has offered online education. Through the years programs have expanded to 30 online undergraduate and graduate degrees.

When you choose ��ӴӴ’s online program, you are more than a number, noted Director of Academic Innovation and Digital Learning, Dr. Wendy Athens.

“If you’re seeking a faith-based education where professors know you personally, consider ��ӴӴ,” she asserted. “If you’re working/raising kids/etc., our online programs provide the flexibility of completing your education from wherever you are. You will graduate with a ��ӴӴ degree—we are here to support you! Our eight-week semesters provide multiple start times throughout the year.”

��ӴӴ’s faculty and staff are invested in helping you complete your degree, no matter how unique your situation. In addition to small class sizes and a faith-based education, other advantages of GWU Online:

Instructors have subject matter expertise.
Personalized advising.
Affordable.
Streamlined programs with career focus.
Accredited.
Accelerated master’s option in many programs.

For those interested in graduate studies, ��ӴӴ offers master’s degrees, doctorate programs and graduate certificates that are fully online and taught by the same accomplished faculty who teach on campus.

Online Programs with October Start Dates

Undergrad

Accounting: Oct 18.
Birth to Kindergarten Education: Oct 18.
Criminal Justice: Oct 18.
Cyber Security: Oct 18.
Elementary Education: Oct 18.
Healthcare Management: Oct 18.
Homeland Security: Oct 18.
Human Services: Oct 18.
Management/Business Administration: Oct 18.
Management Information Systems: Oct 18
Marketing: Oct 18.
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Oct 18.

Graduate

Master of Business Administration: Oct 14.
Master of Science in Nursing: Oct 18.

Contact admissions@gardner-webb.edu, 704-406-4000, to get started on your degree.

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M. Christopher White School of Divinity Archives - ����ӴӴ

����ӴӴ Commencement Programs Celebrate Achievements of Over 500 Students