Alumni Archives - ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University

Memories, Friendships and a Spirit of Service Draw Alumni Back to ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb for Special Reunion

Office of University Communications — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:44:08 +0000

Class of 1981 Marks 45th Reunion by Welcoming Alumni from Six ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Classes

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—When members of ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University’s Class of 1981 return to campus for a homecoming reunion in November, they will reconnect with longtime friends to celebrate the 45th anniversary of their graduation. The event began as a conversation between 1981 classmates Carla Hill Potter and Lynne Colley but soon evolved into something bigger.

Read more about Homecoming Events.

Rather than celebrate alone, the Class of 1981 chose to invite alumni from the Classes of 1979 through 1984 to join the occasion. With guidance from Shannon Hovis, director of Alumni Relations, the gathering has grown into an opportunity for these classmates and friends to share life updates and reflect on the experiences that shaped their years at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb.

In addition to enjoying the regular Homecoming festivities, the Classes of 1979-1984 and their guests will share a meal following the Homecoming football game on Saturday, Nov. 7. The gathering will begin with registration at 5:30 p.m. “We hope that everyone feels invited and comes to reminisce and catch up and share updates on their lives,” Colley said.

The enthusiasm has spread largely through personal connections, a fitting development for a reunion centered on relationships that have lasted long after graduation.

Many alumni from that era never lost touch. Colley points to her friendship with Fred Glennon, Class of 1979, as one example. For more than 30 years, the two exchanged letters twice each year, once on each other’s birthdays. Over time, those letters helped build friendships that extended beyond the two classmates. Fred and his wife, Lindy Glennon, also a member of the Class of 1979, eventually visited Colley and her husband while the couple was living in England. The visit led to lasting friendships among all four.

Carla and Phil Potter on their graduation day in 1981

Colley also remains connected with Marti Christensen and June Buchanan Snelson, both members of the Class of 1979 and affectionately known around campus as “the girls from Washington State.” Earlier this year, Colley and her husband traveled to Washington to visit June and her husband, Greg, while Christensen now lives in Boiling Springs.

The friendships formed on campus are only part of what makes the era memorable. In the spring of 1980, Colley made ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb history when she was elected the first woman president of the Student Government Association. For Colley, the accomplishment was about earning the trust of her classmates, not making history. “I wanted people to vote for me not because I was a woman, but because they trusted me to know or to learn the things I would need to know,” she said.

Phil and Carla Potter at Homecoming in 2025.

Colley also credits ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb faculty with helping her discover capabilities she did not realize she possessed. An English major, she arrived on campus as a first-generation college student uncertain of what to expect. Her academic advisor, the late Dr. Jim Taylor, was one of the first people to recognize and nurture her potential. During their first meeting, Taylor determined she needed more rigorous coursework than the standard freshman schedule. “It was the first time anybody had believed I was smart,” Colley observed. “His manner offered me a confidence I was sure I did not have but wanted to find.”

Looking back, Colley views Taylor’s encouragement as part of a larger culture during the late 1970s and early 1980s that shaped students both inside and outside the classroom. “The spirit that pervaded the campus focused on servant leadership. It was a principle you could see in every facet of college life,” she explained. “As we selected our areas of study, determined our on-campus activities and set goals for ourselves beyond college, how we could serve others was always a factor.”

While alumni have taken many different paths since graduating, they share similar reasons for returning to campus this fall.

Potter, who spent her career in education, and her husband, Phil Potter, an English major who worked in aviation, are looking forward to reconnecting with former classmates and hearing the stories of where life has taken them. Phil’s father, Jerry, helped ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University establish a program for the Deaf in the fall of 1977. The couple, who now live in Supply, N.C., have returned to campus several times for past Homecomings but have never attended a class reunion. Their most recent visit was in July 2026.

Reflecting on their ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb experience, the Potters remember a campus community that felt like family. “I think it was the family atmosphere and the way we all felt connected with both our fellow students and the faculty,” Carla offered. “It was the feeling of being on our own for the first time, but still protected.”

The couple also sees the reunion as an opportunity to strengthen bonds that have endured for decades. “We are mostly looking forward to catching up with friends and meeting new friends at the reunion,” the Potters said. “It will be so much fun hearing the stories of our classmates and finding out where life has taken them. The most rewarding part of reconnecting with classmates is realizing that most of us are now retired and free to travel, and that somehow makes the roads seem shorter and gives us hope that we will be able to spend more time together.”

Ralph Smith, left, poses with the GWU team bus at a game in Columbia, S.C. Right, Ralph and his wife, Lenna

For Ralph Smith of Greer, S.C., the reunion will provide an opportunity to revisit a campus he has not seen in several years and reconnect with classmates he seldom encounters. Smith, who majored in religious education, worked in ministry and higher education before retiring from the automotive industry. He also served as student government vice president during Colley’s term as student body president.

Although his family lived less than an hour away from ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb when he was a student, Smith rarely went home on the weekends. He would rather spend time on campus with his friends and support the athletic teams at home. He also traveled to several away games. “I think for the most part the student body was fairly a closeknit group who enjoyed their time at GWU,” he reflected. “I have seen very few people over the years that I went to GWU with, so I guess I’m looking forward to rekindling some old friendships and possibly making some new ones.”

Smith hopes fellow classmates will take advantage of the opportunity to return. “Many folks may be like me and may not have been on campus in a long time,” Smith noted. “I would just like to encourage everyone who was a part of the classes from 1979-84 to come on out and enjoy seeing faces that you may not have seen in many, many years and reminisce about our years at GWU.”

Alumni returning to campus will have the opportunity to enjoy a full weekend of Homecoming festivities, including Bo’s Battle Que BBQ Competition, Hall of Fame Gala, the Homecoming Parade, alumni tailgate, and the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ football matchup against Lindenwood. Find more information on Homecoming events .

��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University 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., ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb 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. Become More at .

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��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Welcomes Alumni Home for Homecoming 2026

Office of University Communications — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:31:02 +0000

Annual Celebration Features Class Reunions, Traditions, Athletics, and Opportunities to Reconnect

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—“There’s just something special about coming home to ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb,” said Shannon Hovis, director of alumni and parent relations. “So many memories, so many friendships, and always a place to call home.”

That sense of connection is at the heart of ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University’s Homecoming 2026, set for Nov. 6-8. The annual celebration will bring alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends together for a weekend filled with traditions, fellowship, and Runnin’ Bulldog pride.

“I think what keeps drawing our alumni home is the connection they still feel to ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb and to one another,” Hovis said. “When they come back for Homecoming, they’re not simply returning to campus, they’re returning to a place that helped shape who they are.”

Alumni and friends can also show their Bulldog pride with the official Homecoming 2026 T-shirt, available for preorder through Oct. 20. Designed especially for this year’s celebration, the limited-edition shirt is $19.05 and can be picked up during the Alumni & Friends Tailgate on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Place orders .

The Homecoming celebration begins Friday with Bo’s Battle ‘Que, a growing Homecoming tradition that brings the Bulldog community together around good food, friendly competition, and fellowship. Teams will spend the evening preparing their best barbecue and signature dishes before competing for top honors, with winners announced during Saturday’s football game. Registration and complete competition rules may be found here. Register before Oct. 30.

Friday evening will also feature the ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame Gala at 6:30 p.m. The event honors and celebrates outstanding Bulldog athletes. The University will announce this year’s Hall of Fame inductees soon. The gala is open to the public, and registration is available through Nov. 1.

Saturday’s Homecoming festivities begin at 11 a.m. with the Alumni & Friends Tailgate, where everyone gathers for food, fellowship, and Bulldog spirit before heading to the day’s activities. Tailgate guests will also have an opportunity to take part in the People’s Choice competition for Bo’s Battle ‘Que. Participating teams will prepare pork barbecue for sampling, and attendees can purchase People’s Choice tasting tickets in advance to sample entries and vote for their favorite. The deadline to register for the tailgate meal and to purchase tickets for the People’s Choice tasting is Nov. 3. Registration and tickets are available .

After the meal, spectators line the streets for the annual Homecoming Parade. This year’s parade will welcome former Homecoming queens and alumni who wish to participate with vintage cars and golf carts. The Marching Bulldog Band, along with student clubs and organizations, will add to the excitement of the festivities.

Homecoming football remains one of the weekend’s signature events as the Runnin’ Bulldogs host the Lindenwood Lions at 1:30 p.m. Purchase tickets . During the game, ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb will recognize the 2026 Homecoming Court and announce the winners of Bo’s Battle ’Que.

Throughout the day, the celebration will include activities for current students as well. The University’s Student Engagement Team is partnering with Hope Community Church to offer music, games, activities, and other entertainment. Alumni can also visit the Academic Tent, where representatives from the University’s colleges and schools will be available to share updates and provide ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb giveaways.

��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb is also excited to welcome back the Class of 1981 and the Class of 2016 for special Homecoming reunions. Members of the Class of 1981 will celebrate their 45th reunion and have invited the Classes of 1979 through 1984 to join them to reflect on the memories and experiences they shared at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb more than four decades ago. The Class of 2016 will mark its 10th reunion, gathering with fellow alumni to revisit campus, renew friendships, and celebrate the accomplishments of the past decade. Both classes will take part in special reunion gatherings on Saturday evening as part of the Homecoming festivities.

The weekend concludes on Sunday with Worship at the Webb, when members of the ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb family come together for a time of worship, reflection, and fellowship. The gathering provides a fitting close to a Homecoming weekend that celebrates the friendships, traditions, and sense of belonging that continue to bring Bulldogs back to campus year after year.

Hovis hopes the weekend will be meaningful for returning alumni as well as current students.

“I hope Homecoming gives our current students a glimpse of what it truly means to be a Bulldog for life,” she said. “When they see alumni coming back five, ten, twenty, or even fifty years later to reconnect with friends and with ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb, they get to see that the relationships they are building right now can last far beyond graduation.”

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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��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Alumnus Logan Simpson Named Director of the Bulldog Club

Office of University Communications — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 05:29:00 +0000

Experienced Coach and Fundraiser to Lead Athletic Fundraising Efforts

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Vice President for Advancement Jeff Cogburn has named Logan Simpson director of the Bulldog Club. A GWU alumnus and accomplished coach, Simpson returns to his alma mater with fundraising experience and a passion for enhancing the student-athlete experience.

Simpson joins the ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Advancement Team on Sept. 1. He comes to the role after serving as the head men’s and women’s swim coach at Converse University in Spartanburg, S.C., where he oversaw significant growth and success for both programs. During his tenure, Simpson led Converse’s inaugural men’s swimming program, earned Conference Carolinas Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year honors in 2025, expanded team rosters, and helped raise more than $30,000 to support program operations.

“Returning to ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb is such a blessing and an exciting opportunity,” Simpson shared. “Not only is it my alma mater, but it’s where I spent much of my childhood after my dad started the swim program. It’s a homecoming in so many ways.”

In addition to his coaching experience, Simpson previously served as assistant director of the Bulldog Club from 2014-15. In that role, he helped manage the University’s athletics booster club, developed fundraising initiatives, organized member events, and coordinated donor communications.

Now, as Bulldog Club director, Simpson will work to increase membership and strengthen relationships with alumni and supporters. He will also expand sponsorship opportunities and enhance philanthropic support for ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb’s 22 NCAA Division I athletic programs.

Simpson said his coaching career not only helped him develop skills in recruiting, budget management, and strategic planning, but also gave him a firsthand understanding of the impact donor support can have on student-athletes and athletic programs. “I know from personal experience the tremendous asset that the Bulldog Club can be as our programs pursue championships and work to provide a second-to-none experience for our Runnin’ Bulldogs,” he added. “To think that I get to do that day in and day out at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb is incredibly exciting.”

Cogburn noted that Simpson’s background aligns well with the mission of the Bulldog Club. “We’re excited to welcome Logan back to ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb,” Cogburn said. “His experience as a head coach, fundraiser, and ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb alumnus gives him a unique perspective for this role. He understands both what our coaches and student-athletes need to be successful and how meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, and corporate partners can help make that possible.”

Simpson holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

The Bulldog Club serves as the primary fundraising organization for ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Athletics, providing essential support that enhances the student-athlete experience and helps Runnin’ Bulldog programs compete at the highest level.

To learn more about joining the Bulldog Club contact Simpson at lsimpson3@gardner-webb.edu or 704-406-4630.

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From ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Student to Social Media Strategist: Stetson Patton Returns to Teach Next Generation

Office of University Communications — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:53:44 +0000

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—With over 20 years of experience in the digital marketing sphere, ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University 2006 alumna Stetson Patton specializes in helping small businesses and personal brands elevate their online presence. In September, she’s returning to her alma mater to share her strategies in a new Searight PACE Freelance Social Media Marketing Program.

Patton said this class is for everyone from beginners to those who already know how to post on social media. It’s for the person who wants a career change or someone who has a full-time job but needs extra income. One client could bring $2,500 a month or more.

“This is going to be a 101 class,” she noted. “If you are just like interested in learning about social media, how to make some extra income, we’re going to the basics here. I’m going to teach you the different platforms. Even if you’re already posting, this class is for you

because we’re going to teach you what makes a video go viral, how to script that, how to use AI to find that, how to find clients.”

An unexpected turn of events led Patton to ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb, where she found opportunities that would influence both her personal and professional life. Just months before her freshman year, she suffered a vocal cord injury and lost a music scholarship to another university. Encouraged by her father, then ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Head Football Coach Steve Patton, she enrolled at GWU with plans to stay for only a year. Instead, she immersed herself in campus life, became a cheerleader, forged lasting connections and discovered a passion for marketing that would launch a decades-long career.

“My freshman year, I met my best friend on campus, Dr. Charles Tichenor, marketing professor,” she shared. “It was a fluke that I got put in a marketing (upper level) class as a freshman, and he was such a good mentor. I fell in love with marketing through that.”

Tichenor offered practical advice and taught the class from his years of experience as the former CEO of Kraft and later as chairman, president and CEO of Champale Inc. Sparkling Beverages.

After graduating in 2006, Patton put her newfound passion to work as marketing coordinator for The Tapestry Group, a nonprofit ministry for women founded by ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb alumna Sharon Decker. Facebook was still new, and Patton quickly recognized its potential. Because Decker also worked in economic development in Rutherfordton, N.C., Patton visited churches, car dealerships and restaurants throughout the area, offering to create Facebook pages for local businesses for a fee.

The experience not only sharpened her business instincts but also offered an early glimpse of social media’s growing power to connect organizations with their audiences. Next, she took her skills to work as membership connection director at Dover YMCA in Shelby, N.C. She was also the dance team coach at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb and later took the same position at Lenoir-Rhyne University. During that time, she opened a clothing boutique, which would teach her an important lesson about the growing influence of social media.

“I saw the girls at a basketball game. I was like, ‘What’s this?’ And they’re like, ‘Instagram,’” Patton recalled. “And I was like, ‘What is Instagram?’ So, I think being around the college kids you learn a lot more, faster. Fast fashion really did become a thing because of social media. We lost the business due to social media because we could not keep up with the Joneses. And I remember vowing to learn as much about it as possible because we were already behind.”

Even after graduation, Patton remained connected to the professors who had helped shape her career path. Tichenor and Dr. Tom Meaders, professor of management information systems and operations, were among the first to support her entrepreneurial venture. While Patton never sat in one of Meaders’ classes, his encouragement and willingness to invest in her success reflected the close-knit relationships she found at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb.

“I thought it was so cool to have two professors come visit me at the store,” Patton reflected. “Dr. Meaders even found a supplier for our store. To have those friendships with the professors, you just wouldn’t find that anywhere else.”

After the loss of her boutique, she took another marketing job. As she attempted to learn about social media, she realized the drawbacks of watching online tutorials. “I would realize if that video was posted six months ago, it’s outdated now,” Patton said. “So, some of these buttons and features aren’t the same or there’s a different social media platform. Plus, I would ask a question in the comments and never get a response.”

Through her own experience, Patton started making social media tutorials and teaching people about social media while also working full time in a marketing role. Eventually, she realized that she could open her own social media agency—Socially Stetson—and manage social media accounts for other businesses. She will bring all these insights to the PACE Freelance Social Media Marketing Program, and her goal is for every person who takes the class to have one paid retainer client by the end and making $500 or more.

The 12-week certificate program begins on Sept. 19 and will meet on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon on Microsoft Teams. The course is designed to help learners build practical skills in content creation, client management, AI tools, business development, and digital marketing. Students will be paired with a non-profit organization to manage its social media, gaining real-world experience and creating a portfolio.

For Patton, the program is about showing people that a new career path may be closer than they think. By combining practical training, real-world experience and mentorship, she hopes participants gain the confidence to take that first step. “I think that’s what I really want people to know is this is a business you can start with zero dollars. It’s just getting started,” she said.

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One Question at a Time: ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb 2026 Alumna Turns Internship into Career

Office of University Communications — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:45:38 +0000

Curiosity and Initiative Helped Mollie Fuller Secure a Full-Time Position with Metrolina Greenhouses

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Mollie Fuller has a piece of advice for ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University students completing an internship. She shares two simple words that can make a lasting difference: “Ask questions.”

Fuller explained, “Employers truly want to see effort and initiative from interns to see if they will be a good full-time employee. A go-getter attitude is important to show that you are willing and able to learn.”

The 2026 GWU alumna speaks from experience. During her 2025 internship at Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville, N.C., she immersed herself in an unfamiliar industry, sought out opportunities to contribute, and made an impression on her supervisors. By the end of the internship, those efforts led to a full-time job offer.

“My manager started mentioning full-time opportunities towards the end of my internship,” Fuller noted. “Thankfully, I was able to stay on part time throughout my final year at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb and then transition to full time a few weeks after graduation.”

Fuller applied for the internship knowing very little about the horticulture industry but willing to expand her knowledge. As a retail marketing intern, she worked with a major retail account, updating product listings to ensure accuracy. “I even helped out in the greenhouse some,” she noted. “Overall, my internship was not the same thing every day, and I really enjoyed that.”

One of her most challenging projects was an analysis of Metrolina’s online items. Completing the tedious task helped shape future marketing strategy.

Now employed as Metrolina’s retail marketing coordinator, she is responsible for digital product content and search engine optimization, support and execution of marketing campaigns, and cross-functional collaboration. She knew about a week into her internship that she would enjoy working there full time. “The people are extremely kind and helpful,” she described. “I have never been afraid to ask questions. It is a very welcoming environment that is truly special when looking for a great workplace.”

While working in horticulture is new to Fuller, she was prepared for the marketing aspects of her job by her professors in the Godbold College of Business. “��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb gave me a great foundation in Microsoft Office and really helped with soft skills like communication and problem-solving skills that are useful in any career field,” she reflected. “��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb staff and faculty truly want every student to succeed. I loved my professors and appreciated how much they genuinely care about all students’ success.”

Beyond the classroom, Fuller built confidence through opportunities such as ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb’s Career Fair, where she practiced introducing herself to employers and discussing her future goals. “I have always been introverted, but the Career Fair helped me to become more comfortable with talking to employers and be confident in myself when looking for internships,” she shared.

Curiosity also brought Fuller to ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University. A native of Indian Trail, N.C., she received mail from GWU when she was in high school and came to check it out. “I instantly felt welcomed and a sense of peace when I first toured the campus,” she described. “I really liked the idea of a small campus and small class sizes.”

Arriving at GWU, Fuller explored several options before settling on a major in marketing with a minor in economics and finance. “I decided on marketing, because I really enjoyed my general education business classes and the professors in the College of Business,” she said.

Fuller said her business professors gave her a solid foundation to build her career, and the mentorship of Micah Martin, director of the Center for Personal and Professional Development, helped her obtain her first job. “I worked for him in the Career Center during my senior year,” she noted. “During that time, I learned a lot about communication, hirable skills, and of course resumes.”

Beyond helping her prepare professionally, Fuller said ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb influenced how she approaches her work. “��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb’s focus on faith helped me learn how to put faith into practice in the workplace,” she reflected. “Most people think that work and faith have to be separated, but that is not true. ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb taught me to lead with my faith and let success follow.”

She is excited about her future with Metrolina Greenhouses. “They have given me many opportunities to learn about the horticulture industry and see everything from production to sales to photography to shipping and so much more,” Fuller shared. “I love learning new parts of the industry and hope to continue to learn more. There is so much more to plants than one would think.”

For students preparing for internships of their own, her message remains simple: ask questions, seek opportunities to learn, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.

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��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University Earns National Recognition for Preparing Future Elementary Teachers in The Science of Reading

Office of University Communications — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:47:48 +0000

Elementary Education Program Achieves Top Marks in New Report from The National Council on Teacher Quality

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University has earned an A+ from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). The council’s report, “,” spotlights GWU’s College of Education for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for the most effective methods of reading instruction.

Scientifically based reading instruction emphasizes five core components identified through decades of research: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. To earn an A+, ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb’s programs had to exceed those standards and avoid teaching any instructional practices not supported by research.

Dr. Prince Bull

“Excellence is the minimum standard in the College of Education,” stated Professor and Dean of the College of Education Dr. Prince Hycy Bull. “Because literacy is the foundation of every content area, we are committed to preparing educators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to teach, inspire, and empower the next generation of citizens.”

A child’s ability to read proficiently in the early grades shapes everything that comes next in school and in life, yet according to data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), four in 10 fourth graders in North Carolina cannot read at a basic level. Teacher preparation is one of the most powerful drivers of change, but only when it is aligned with research-based instructional methods that have been proven to help most students become successful readers.

��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University is part of a growing group of teacher preparation programs nationwide helping transform how future educators are trained to teach reading. The skills that Allie Rains, a 2024 GWU alumna, learned in the program continue to serve her as both a private reading tutor and a first-grade teacher at Evergreen Christian Academy in Greenville, N.C.

Allie Rains

“The literacy instruction at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University was excellent,” Rains reflected. “The detailed courses were extremely practical for the classroom. They included realistic student patterns and behaviors for me to learn from. The information obtained during my time at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb was crucial for my licensing as well as growing my passion for literacy. I gained an urgency for children and their reading journeys.”

Working alongside her school’s curriculum team, Rains used her knowledge of the Science of Reading to help identify a curriculum that aligns with the school’s educational model. Among the students she has tutored, Rains has seen significant progress using evidence-based reading instruction.

“The Science of Reading research is too important and accurate to keep to myself,” she noted. “I begin every tutoring session with an assessment tool I learned about while taking these courses at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb. I then use targeted resources that are Science of Reading-based to grow the students’ literacy skills. I have loved seeing firsthand the growth from child to child.”

NCTQ’s methodology is informed by a panel of reading experts, teacher preparation faculty, reading advocates, and measurement experts. To evaluate the quality of preparation being provided, a team of experts at NCTQ analyzed syllabi, including lecture schedules and topics, background reading materials, class assessments, assignments, and opportunities to practice instruction in required literacy courses for elementary teacher candidates at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University.

About NCTQ

The National Council on Teacher Quality is a nonpartisan research and policy organization on a mission to ensure every child has access to an effective teacher, and every teacher has the opportunity to be effective. For more information about NCTQ, visit .

About ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University 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., ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb 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. Become More at

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��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Alumna Shelby Putnam Combines History, Community and Storytelling at Carolina Theatre

Office of University Communications — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:59:55 +0000

The 2020 Graduate Credits GWU’s Liberal Arts Education, Faculty Mentorship and Leadership Experiences for Helping Shape Her Career

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—On those rare occasions when ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University 2020 alumna Shelby Putnam catches a show at the historic Carolina Theatre in Greensboro, N.C., she takes in the beautifully-preserved auditorium and knows she is in the right place. She is reminded why she left her own business to become the theatre’s director of marketing and public relations.

“The first time I walked into the auditorium, my jaw dropped, and I couldn’t believe that there was a building like this still here,” she reflected. “I felt like there’s only one time I could say yes, to being here … and if I don’t say yes to it now, then I’ll never get this opportunity again, to just be a part of this, and be a part of this place.”

Opened on Halloween night in 1927 as a silent-film palace, the Carolina Theatre has evolved alongside a century of entertainment, from screenings accompanied by the Robert Morton pipe organ to today’s concerts, films and live productions. Since joining the staff, Putnam has helped promote an eclectic mix of events, including opera, ballet, comedians, concerts and community programs.

Putnam’s journey to the Carolina Theatre began years earlier with a providential discovery. A native of Rock Hill, S.C., she was looking through family records and discovered a report card showing her grandfather had attended ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Junior College in 1942 and 1943.

“I immediately asked my dad, ‘Where is this? What is this? I thought granddad went to N.C. State,'” Putnam recalled. “And he was like, ‘Well, he also went to this school in the town that you named after,’ and never told me that until that moment.”

The discovery prompted her to apply, and she was accepted. When she visited the GWU campus, the connections continued to emerge. “I ran into one of the history professors who was also in seminary with my dad, and had probably two or three other small- town moments,” Putnam said. “I realized that there’s only so much that’s serendipitous, and sometimes it just is divine timing.”

While pursuing her degree in political science, Putnam immersed herself in leadership opportunities, internships and service projects. As student body president, she encountered a challenge that would steer her in a new professional direction. “When I was in student government, one of the things that we were struggling with was promotion of student events,” she explained.

Looking for solutions, she turned to ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb’s marketing team. “The social media manager and I sat down and had coffee probably five plus times at least, just me asking her a thousand questions and picking her brain,” Putnam shared.

Taking what she learned from those conversations, Putnam began taking photos and creating content to promote student events and engage her fellow students. “I found out that I was pretty good at it, and I really enjoyed figuring out how to connect with people,” she said. “If I can use my skills to get people to connect with this student event or with this fundraising event or this free community event where they can meet new people, then I feel like I’ve done something.”

Shelby Putnam speaks during a ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb new student
orientation in 2019.

After graduation, she put her photography and marketing skills to work with the Boys & Girls Club in Shelby. “It was really gratifying to know that I could use technical skills to help propel an organization into this next generation and get people to connect with them in a way that maybe they hadn’t before,” she shared.

Her work went beyond marketing. “If I’m going to spend my limited amount of time on this earth doing something, then what do I want it to be for?” she reflected. “I don’t really care to get a bunch of jewels or gain a bunch of fame or money, but I do want whatever I do here and whatever I spend my time doing to have an impact.”

She credits her adaptability and problem-solving skills to her ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb liberal arts education. Exposed to disciplines ranging from history and acting to business, psychology and rhetoric, she developed the ability to think broadly and communicate across fields. “If you’re looking at what type of degree will get you the most amount of skills, I would argue, it’s a liberal arts education,” she offered.

Putnam’s experience was also shaped by ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb’s small-campus environment. She appreciated being part of a community where people knew one another beyond the classroom. She built meaningful relationships with faculty, including former Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Dr. Elizabeth Amato, whom she credits with broadening her perspective on learning and career possibilities.

“She’s just an incredible mentor and person,” Putnam said. “As a professor, she inspired me to think about learning in more than one way.” Rather than limiting political science to government or politics, Amato encouraged students to examine issues through historical, sociological and economic lenses and emphasized that there was more than one career path for graduates.

As she pursued her degree and various interests, Putnam discovered that her greatest satisfaction came from connecting people with places, experiences and causes that mattered. Her passion for history and service began long before her professional career. A longtime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she grew up volunteering and gaining an appreciation for the individuals and institutions that strengthen ties between generations.

Those passions ultimately drew her to the Carolina Theatre in January 2026. Putnam believes theaters have long served as gathering places that bring together people of different generations and backgrounds. “There’s very few places physically that you can see an older couple enjoying something at the same time as a younger couple in the same building, same space,” she observed. The theater, she added, has traditionally been “a place where everyone was welcome.” She sees that every day at the Carolina Theatre as audiences arrive with different stories, backgrounds and reasons for attending, yet share the same experience once the lights go down.

“There’s this moment of awe,” Putnam described. “There’s a realization in that moment that, wow, people have performances and stories and weddings right here. And there’s years and years of history that you can feel, I think, the moment that you walk into the auditorium.”

As the Carolina Theatre approaches its 100th anniversary, Putnam embraces the opportunity to combine the passions that have shaped her journey—history, community engagement and storytelling. “My role here is to be a steward of this building,” she said. “The goal, too, in my eyes, is making sure that this building is here past me.”

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Family Establishes Robert and Evelyn Cabaniss Music Scholarship at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University

Office of University Communications — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:44:06 +0000

Endowment Honors Cleveland County Couple’s Longtime Love of Music, Education, and Service

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Music was woven into everyday life in the home of Robert and Evelyn Cabaniss of Cleveland County, N.C. The family listened to a wide variety and sometimes sang along. To honor their parents’ love for music, support for education and service to the community, the couple’s children—Mark Cabaniss, Garry Cabaniss, and Michele Cabaniss Peraldo—recently endowed the Robert and Evelyn Cabaniss Music Scholarship at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University.

Reflecting on the family’s decision, Michele said, “Our family is deeply honored to support the music department at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb through this endowment in memory of our parents. Music was a meaningful part of their lives, and we hope this gift will encourage and inspire students for generations to come while honoring the values they cherished.”

While considering the various ways they could memorialize their parents, “a scholarship seemed like the perfect choice,” noted Mark, an award-winning music composer and publisher. “Since our parents spent the better part of their lives in Cleveland County and were supporters of ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University—and my brother is a ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb graduate—establishing the scholarship at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb was a natural and fitting way to celebrate their legacy.”

Robert and Evelyn Cabaniss

During a recent visit to campus, Mark was impressed by what he saw in the Department of Music. “��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb understands that music education is about much more than teaching notes and rhythms,” he stated. “��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb combines academic excellence with a strong sense of purpose and faith. It is a place where students are encouraged to develop their talents while also growing as people of character. Music educators have an extraordinary opportunity to shape young lives through the transforming power of music, and ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb is preparing students to do exactly that. Investing in future music educators creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond any single classroom.”

Mark’s passion for music was inspired and nurtured by his parents. “My father sang in the Shelby (N.C.) First Baptist Church choir for about 50 years; he grew up at Zion Baptist Church in greater Shelby and at the age of 5, sang his first solo in that church standing on a pew,” he shared. “My mother sang around the house and had a beautiful voice and did a stint of taking piano lessons as an adult.”

Mark said his mother often recalled telling a friend, respected Shelby piano teacher Jean Mauney, that she hoped her child would one day study music. When he was 8 years old, his mother asked if he would like to take piano lessons.

“That simple conversation changed the course of my life,” Mark said. “I fell in love with the process of making music and naturally gravitated toward chorus, band, and drama classes and ensembles throughout junior high and high school. Eventually, that passion led me to earn a degree in music education with a concentration in trumpet.”

The encouragement provided by his parents and Cleveland County teachers helped launch him into a career that has influenced musicians and music educators around the world. Mark serves as president and CEO of Jubilate Music Group and has enjoyed success as an ASCAP composer and arranger. He is also an accomplished author, broadcaster, and educator. His published works have been performed nationally and abroad, and his concert musical “Triumph of Faith” (co-written with Mark Blankenship) received its world premiere at Carnegie Hall. A multiple recipient of ASCAP’s Popular Music Award, Mark is also a Dove Award- and Angel Award-winning producer.

“My parents believed deeply in the value of education, as does the larger Cabaniss (and Evelyn Woodall) family,” Mark said. “Our parents encouraged us to pursue higher education and supported us every step of the way, financially and otherwise. Looking back, I realize how much of my professional journey—from teaching to publishing to writing books—rests on the foundation they helped create. They encouraged discipline, curiosity, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence.”

Whether through professional leadership, church involvement, volunteer service, or caring for their family, Robert and Evelyn invested in friends, neighbors, church members, and countless others throughout the community. Their legacy was not defined by a single accomplishment, but by decades of faithful service.

“My father, Robert G. Cabaniss, was a respected business executive and civic leader who was deeply involved in the Lions Club, earning the Melvin Jones Fellowship, the organization’s highest honor,” Mark noted. “My mother, Evelyn Cabaniss, devoted more than forty years to caring for children in the First Baptist Shelby nursery in addition to being involved in other volunteer service activities. She quietly touched countless lives through her kindness, patience, and faithful service.”

The scholarship will support aspiring music educators who will, in turn, influence future generations through their own classrooms and communities. For the Cabaniss children, the opportunity to extend their parents’ influence far into the future is the greatest value of the gift.

“That may be the most meaningful aspect of all,” he said. “A scholarship like this becomes a living memorial. Long after my siblings and I are gone, students will continue benefiting from the values my parents embodied. The scholarship doesn’t merely remember Robert and Evelyn Cabaniss; it extends their influence into the future. That thought brings me tremendous joy and peace.”

View the Robert and Evelyn Cabaniss Music Scholarship on

Learn more information about the scholarship and the GWU Department of Music.

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Former Runnin’ Bulldog Mason Miller Earns Second MLB All-Star Selection

Office of University Communications — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:51:20 +0000

San Diego Padres Closer Continues Remarkable Rise from ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb to Baseball’s Brightest Stage

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Former ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb standout and 2021 alumnus Mason Miller has been selected to the 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, earning the second All-Star selection of his outstanding professional career. The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on FOX.

Now playing for the San Diego Padres, Miller has been one of Major League Baseball’s most dominant relief pitchers during the first half of the 2026 season. Entering the All-Star break, the hard-throwing right-hander owns a 2-1 record with 22 saves, a 0.98 ERA, 67 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched, and a 0.82 WHIP, cementing himself as one of the premier closers in baseball.

Miller’s selection comes after another remarkable season highlighted by his overpowering fastball, elite strikeout ability and consistency in high-leverage situations. His performance has helped anchor the Padres’ bullpen while earning recognition among the National League’s best pitchers.

Since beginning his professional career, Miller has emerged as one of the game’s elite relievers. His second All-Star selection is a testament to the work ethic, perseverance and determination that have defined his journey from ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb to Major League Baseball.

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game annually showcases the sport’s top players and serves as one of baseball’s premier events. Miller’s selection adds another chapter to one of the greatest professional success stories in ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb baseball history and continues the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ tradition of producing talent capable of competing on baseball’s biggest stage.

Katelyn Williams: A Story of Faith, Purpose and God’s Intentionality

Office of University Communications — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:56:09 +0000

2015 ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb Alumna Shares Journey of Grief and Trust in God’s Plan

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—In the face of deep loss, Katelyn Shepherd Williams, a 2015 alumna of ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb University, has learned to trust God with her story. Her faith was tested in 2025 when her 24-year-old brother died from injuries sustained in a car accident.

“I was deeply grieved, but also just so angry,” reflected Williams, of Winston-Salem, N.C. “My parents were deeply grieved. It was just me and my brother; there’s no other siblings.”

Sharing her testimony during a GWU Dimensions program, Williams explained to the students how she wrestled with questions of faith and fairness. “I was like, ‘God, we’ve been faithful to you,’” she began. “‘You know, we’ve loved you. We’ve been devoted. We’ve served in the church all our lives. We’ve never had a moment where we ran from you and had a rebellious period that we had to come back that you’re teaching us this lesson. How could this happen?’”

As Williams kept searching, God began to reveal his goodness. “About a week after the accident, we got a message from a woman on Facebook,” she shared. “She said, ‘I live right outside of the crash site. I sat with him and stayed with him so that he wasn’t alone.’ She was a gift to our family, and God was intentional to let us know that piece of the story.”

Working through her grief, Williams realized God was moving in other ways. “My husband and I set intentions at the beginning of every year, goals for ourselves,” she explained. “One of those was to draw more people to the Lord. We didn’t know what that looked like specifically.”

Her brother pursued many different interests and had made friends through collecting Pokemon cards and sharing his enthusiasm for muscle cars. More than 400 people attended the funeral. “We met so many different people from so many walks of life that he was able to touch,” she observed. “I just have to believe that some of those people heard Jesus proclaimed for the first time and walked away with a deeper knowledge of him. I said, ‘God, I didn’t intend to make disciples like this. This was not my goal, but I can tell that you’re intentional.’”

The experience deepened and affirmed how Williams understands Scripture. She believes that the Bible is not a collection of isolated stories, but a single, intentional narrative revealing God’s faithfulness across every season. She described how God continually showed up for people in the Old Testament and then throughout the New Testament. He never left them. “God wastes nothing, no situation, no words,” she explained. “The more you read scripture, every word is so intentional. He didn’t put that there by accident. We waste words as humans, but God does not.”

Her faith journey began early, shaped by a strong Christian upbringing. That foundation deepened at a church summer camp, where journaling led her to seek a more personal understanding of God’s voice. After returning home, she continued growing through church and youth group involvement. She chose to attend ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb, drawn by its welcoming community and Christ-centered mission.

Williams immersed herself fully in academics, spiritual life, and the GWU campus community. A religion class centered on spiritual disciplines proved transformative. A book assigned in the course, “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard J. Foster, stays on her nightstand. “It just radically changed how I looked at all the things I had been taught my entire life,” she noted. “What does it look like to fast? To meditate on God’s word?”

Her search for answers led to late nights spent in the Dover Chapel prayer room. “I remember praying really big prayers, asking some hard questions of God, and crying there knowing it was a safe place to do that,” Williams related.

Beyond spiritual and academic growth, she also met her husband, Rodney, at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb. The relationship began during their first week on campus. “We were both from Winston-Salem and came two hours away to meet at ��ɫ��Ƶ-Webb,” she observed.

After earning her master’s degree in counseling from UNC-Greensboro, Williams embraced what she describes as a “multi-passionate” calling that blended her many interests.

“I knew I loved words. I knew I loved kids. I knew I loved teaching,” she stated. “As a kid, I loved being that listening ear, the friend who gives you advice. I took the pieces of what I wanted, and all those things came together in being a school counselor, which was really beautiful and special to me.”

She helps students navigate anxiety, self-doubt, and identity. “I tell kids that sometimes we have to trick our brain because whatever we think the most, our brain believes,” Williams explained. “Words are powerful. Say those things that are positive, and at some point, your brain will believe them, and you’ll act accordingly.”

That same emphasis on words extends beyond counseling into her personal passions. Williams discovered a love for writing as a child, often creating stories as gifts for family members, though it took years to fully embrace her talent. Her children’s book, “What Can Brown Girls Do?”, was written in 2017 but remained tucked away until she rediscovered it years later and published in 2026.

The inspiration for the story came from a deeply personal place: seeing a Disney princess who reflected her identity. “I was so excited about it, because I had never seen a Disney princess that looked like me,” she said. “It made me kind of reflect on the other times in life that I wanted to do something, but I didn’t see someone that looked like me or that had my skill set or was my age that did it, and so maybe I wrote it off as it wasn’t for me.”

Today, the book is impacting children in unexpected ways. At one reading, a young girl with a disability shared how the story helped reshape her view of her own limitations. “It just makes me think that there is absolutely nothing that I can’t do,” the child said, affirming for Williams that the message extends far beyond its original intent.

Moments like that reinforce what she shared at Dimensions: God’s story is intentional, and every person has a place within it. Reflecting on her journey, Williams said, “Seeing the different pieces of my life over time—the jobs I’ve had, the interests I’ve had, the passions I’ve had—God is saying, ‘The way that I made you was intentional.’”

“What Can Brown Girls Do?” is available online on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever your favorite books are sold.

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Alumni Archives - ��ɫ����Ƶ-Webb University

Memories, Friendships and a Spirit of Service Draw Alumni Back to ��ɫ����Ƶ-Webb for Special Reunion

Class of 1981 Marks 45th Reunion by Welcoming Alumni from Six ��ɫ����Ƶ-Webb Classes

��ɫ����Ƶ-Webb Welcomes Alumni Home for Homecoming 2026

Annual Celebration Features Class Reunions, Traditions, Athletics, and Opportunities to Reconnect

��ɫ����Ƶ-Webb Alumnus Logan Simpson Named Director of the Bulldog Club