Contents About the Cover First unveiled at the May 2006 graduation to signify Dr. A. Frank Bonner’s first spring commencement as the president of GardnerWebb University, this medallion is worn by all candidates for graduation and by all faculty and staff. The medallion, sporting the Gardner-Webb seal and motto, along with the institution’s founding date of 1905, was cast specifically for the May 2006 event and continues to be worn by all the participants in commencement exercises. The medallion was designed and produced by Image Marketing Group of Shelby, N.C.
TRUSTEES 2009
2007 - 2011
C. Neal Alexander, Jr. ’84, Chair H. Gene Washburn, M.D., ’52, Vice Chair Max J. Hamrick, Secretary Thomas E. Philson, Treasurer Fred A. Flowers, J.D., Attorney
Robert H. Blalock, Jr. Max J. Hamrick, Nancy L. Kistler, Maurice B. Morrow, III Frank Nanney Mailon D. Nichols Thomas L. Warren, M.D. H. Gene Washburn, M.D. ’52 Marilyn W. Withrow, ’69, ’71
2005 - 2009 C. Neal Alexander, Jr., ’84 Ralph L. Bentley, M.D. Clifford E. Hamrick, Jr., H. S. Keeter, Jr. John W. Perkins, Jr., ’52 Carl M. Spangler, Jr., ’52 Ralph R. Spangler B. Dale Watts, D.Min.,
2006 - 2010 Hoyt Q. Bailey, L.H.D., Jack C. Bishop, Jr., D.Min. R. Alton Cadenhead, Jr., D.Min., Grady S. Duncan Mary Elizabeth Heltzer Bettye A. Moore James H. Phillips, Ed.D. Lisa C. Tucker, ’89
2008 - 2012 W. Thomas Bell, ‘71 William K. Gary John J. Godbold Ronald W. Hawkins ‘55 Ryan D. Hendley, ‘71 Michael W. Kasey, ‘77 William W. Leathers, III, STD Anthony N. Strange, ‘83, J. Linton Suttle, III
EX-OFFICIO W. David Ellis
ALUMNUS TRUSTEE James R. Huggins, ‘58
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Maintaining Mission & Momentum A letter from GWU President Dr. Bonner
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News & Notes GWU Theatre Earns National Recognition Rare Dual Degree Program Begins AIDS Orphans Benefit from GWU
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2009 Spring Commencement Exercises Over 500 Graduates Honored
10 Q&A with Ron Rash Honorary Doctorate Awarded to awardwinning Author and GWU Alumnus
12 Student Profiles Study Abroad Takes on Different Meaning
Habitat for Humanity Project First Hand Accounts of Obama Inauguration Undergraduate Research Pays Off
Gardner-Webb–The Magazine Credits Volume 43 Number 2
Photo Editor Mark Houser
President Dr. A. Frank Bonner
Editorial Assistance Rhea Lamb, Ann Wesson, Mary Katherine Leslie
Sr. Vice President for University Relations and Marketing Ralph “Scoot” Dixon The Gardner-Webb Magazine is the official magazine for alumni and friends of Gardner-Webb University. The Office of University and Media Relations and the Division of University Relations and Marketing publish this magazine.
Managing Editor Noel T. Manning, II Art Director and Production Manager Wilson Brooks, Image Marketing Group, Inc. Design Ryan Gunter, Image Marketing Group, Inc.
Contributing Writers Paul Foster, Jamie Newton, Meredith White, Lauren Quesenberry, Katie Fowler, Mark Rabb, Brent Hager Contributing Photographers Chris Breedlove, Bob Carey, Haley Black, Randy McNeilly, Ashley Carter, Kate Gazaway, Jessica Jones, Tyler Kucifer, Cat McDonald, Jordan Tubbs, Jeff Melton, Mark Haskett (Western Carolina University) Submissions and Feedback By mail: The Gardner-Webb Magazine Office of University and Media Relations PO Box 997 Boiling Springs, NC 28017 Phone: 704-406-4631 Email: ntmanning@gardner-webb.edu Online: supportgwu.com
17 Red & Black Major Campaign for GWU Baseball
Athletes Honored for Academic Success
20 Alumni Accents Former CBF Moderator Shares Inspiration
’59 Alumna has Founding Roots with GWU Fox Sports Anchor Living Her Dream ’72 Graduate Explores the Stresses of Life
24 Scenic Impressions Landscapes of Campus 26 Class Acts Your Connections to GWU Classmates 34 Supplemental Donor List 36 Faculty & Staff Annual Honors