[edit]University Police
Gardner–Webb University has a police force on campus at all times. University Police makes hourly rounds of the campus. Parking is mandated by the University Police in addition to an array of other services provided to Gardner–Webb University. Services include assisting with common car problems such as flat tires, dead batteries, and car-entry.[16]
The Bulldog Escort program is also provided by University Police. The service is available from dusk to dawn.[17] Should a student feel uncomfortable walking across campus, for any reason, the student can utilize this program to have a police officer from University Police escort them back to their dorm or car.
[edit]Renovations and expansion
Every summer Gardner-Webb strives to make the campus and its facilities better for its students. Recent renovations include carpet and furniture in Lutz-Yelton and Mauney halls, suite style bathrooms in H.A.P.Y., and improvements to apartment complexes.
One major renovation occurred over the 2006-2007 Christmas break in which Gardner-Webb completely renovated the cafeteria, called "The Caf", by students. The room is now home to a food court type serving area, numerous plasma screen televisions around the lower level seating area, and private TVs for each table in the upper level seating area. During the summer of 2007 Gardner-Webb renovated the snack bar area in the downstairs of the Dover Campus Center. The new area looks like a sports bar and coffee shop restaurant. It is a place where students can use their meal plan or cash to purchase prepared foods and snack foods. The new area was given the name "The Kennel" in reference to the Bulldog mascot. The Kennel has television sets like the ones that are found in the "Caf." In the summer of 2010 the "Kennel" was closed and renovations began to turn it into a Chick-fila express. Finally in the fall of 2010 the restaurant opened and now serves some Chick-fila items such as the classic chicken sandwich.
The fall of 2007 will boast the revealing of Gardner-Webb’s biggest capital campaign and expansion plan in history. The new plan is three phases and includes the building of a new Student Center (that will include a movie theater, food court, recreation area, prayer room, ballroom, and offices for major student clubs and organizations), a new science and math facility, and a new fine and performing arts building. The capital campaign will need to raise an initial $16 million for the first phase that will include the building of the new Student Center.
In the spring of 2010, Gardner–Webb University was honored with its largest financial gift to date. The University was awarded $5 million by the Tucker Family to assist in funding the construction of the Tucker Student Center. The new student center is slated to be built on Garnder-Webb's main campus, on the Lake Hollifield complex. In the fall of 2010, the University will officially break ground for this new facility.
[edit]Rankings and ratings
Ranked, U.S. News America's best colleges, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 (Top Tier, Southern Region, Master's Level); Princeton review selectivity rating, 86 in 2006, 85 in 2007 (scores range from 60-99); Character-building college, Templeton foundation; Top 5, graduates with lightest debtload, 2006, 2007, U.S. News America's best colleges. Recently Gardner-Webb was recognized as one of the top three Christian colleges in North Carolina by the Annual National College Survey.
[edit]Historical timeline
1905-Chartered as Boiling Spring High School, a private boarding school established by the Kings Mountain and Sandy Run Baptist Associations.
1928-The institution was transformed into Boiling Spring Junior College.
1942-Renamed Gardner-Webb College, in honor of former governor of North Carolina O. Max Gardner (1929–33) and wife Fay Webb Gardner.
1947-O. Max Gardner, appointed by Truman to be Ambassador to the United Kingdom, dies on the eve of his departure for England.
1971-Gardner-Webb receives full accreditation as a four-year school.
1970s-With talent-rich teams that included Artis Gilmore and John Drew, the Bulldogs ascend the junior-college rankings. Their reputation for athletic ability and aggressive play earns them an adjective, as they become known as the Runnin' Bulldogs, a nickname that has stuck. (An apocryphal account.)
1980-Gardner-Webb offers its first Master of Arts Degree in education.
1992-The Gardner-Webb board of trustees votes to establish the Gardner-Webb School of Divinity.
1992-Gardner-Webb loses in the closing seconds of the NAIA Football National Championship Game to Central State Ohio. The GW team, led by Coach Woody Fish, features All-Americans and future professional players, including Gabe Wilkins.
1993-Gardner-Webb College becomes Gardner–Webb University.
1998-The Divinity school is renamed the Christopher White School of Divinity, in honor of the school's sitting president.
2000-Gardner-Webb Baseball Team advances to the NCAA College World Series.
2000-Gardner-Webb athletics moves to NCAA Division I status.
2002-President Christopher White is embroiled in a grade-changing scandal involving one of the school's basketball players. The story makes national news and in the months that follow, White resigns as students, faculty, and alumni call for his removal. By 2004, the NCAA has placed Gardner-Webb on probation for "lack of institutional control." The probation expires in March 2007.
2004-Dr. Frank Campbell is named interim president of Gardner–Webb University.
2005-Gardner-Webb celebrates its 100-year anniversary as an educational institution.
2005-Dr. Frank Bonner (Ph.D., English, UNC Chapel Hill) is installed as Gardner-Webb's twelfth president.[18]
2006-The men's soccer team, led by long-time coach Tony Setzer, defeats Stetson in overtime to claim their first conference title in soccer as a Division I school. Gardner-Webb then defeats heavily-favored University of Alabama at Birmingham in the 1st round of the NCAA tournament. The season is brought to an end the following week as Gardner-Webb falls to the Clemson Tigers, 3-1.
2007-Gardner-Webb President Dr. Frank Bonner announces that as on August 6 the university will become North Carolina's first tobacco-free campus.
2007-Gardner-Webb athletics makes national news when the basketball team routs the University of Kentucky, 84-68, at Rupp Arena.
2010-Gardner-Webb opens the new John Henry Moss baseball stadium and Bill Masters field.
[edit]Notable alumni
Kenny Rabin - Homemaker
- Brook Collins: CEO Bizzy Bee Exterminators (President NPA 2007; National Pest Association), Atlanta Business Journal Man of the Year 2006. U.S News and World Report young business professional of the year 2006. Forbes 2007 list.
- W.J. Cash: Author of Mind of the South (1917-18 while Boiling Springs High School; Cash's sister Bertie attended 1928-30 as Junior College student)
- Ron Rash: Award-winning novelist and poet.
- Martha Mason, writer
- Joe DePriest: Journalist for the Charlotte Observer.
- Artis Gilmore: ABA player, NBA All-Star.
- Gilmer Blackburn: Provost and Vice-chancellor, University of Virginia's College at Wise.
- Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D., President of Anderson University
- Gerry Vaillancourt: Broadcaster, New Orleans Hornets
- John Drew: NBA player
- Woody Fish: College football coach
- Eddie Lee Wilkins: NBA player
- Jim Washburn: Defensive Line Coach of the Tennessee Titans [6]
- Blake Lalli: Catcher Tennessee Smokies (Class AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs)
- Zach Ward: Pitcher New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins)
- Jim Maxwell: Linebacker in the NFL and CFL
- Gabe Wilkins: Former Defensive End Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers
- Cara Saunders: Bahamas Olympic Track and Field Team member
- Dr. Linda Combs: Controller of the Office of Management and Budget
- Brian Johnston: Former Defensive End Kansas City Chiefs, Currently picked up by the Miami Dolphins for the 2010-2011 Season.
- Orlando Early: Head men's basketball coach at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
- Kelvin Wylie: Known as "Hometown Kid" on AND1 Mixtape Tour
- Dobson Collins: Wide Receiver with Philadelphia Eagles
- Tyler Kettering, MLS player, Chicago Fire
- Dennis Puckerin, Former member of the Trinidad & Tobago National Men’s Soccer Team.
- Samantha Staton- Opera singer [Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Master of Music] [19]