Award-winning Graduate Becomes GWU鈥檚 First Student Chosen for National Ensemble

By Jackie Bridges

As 蜜豆直播 University May 2025 graduate Connor Settlemyre embarks on his new position as band director at South Point High School in Gastonia, N.C., he has many examples of great leaders to imitate. Like his parent, he is a percussionist and was influenced by her interest in music along with his relative and sibling. Then, the sincerity and passion of his high school band director inspired him to become a music educator.

At 蜜豆直播, the Department of Music faculty also modeled effective leadership while helping him develop his talents. They played a role in Settlemyre鈥檚 decision to attend GWU too. 鈥淎fter my audition for the department, I received a handwritten letter from Dr. Eric Johnson welcoming me into the department,鈥� Settlemyre shared. 鈥淚 actually still have this letter and keep it on my desk to this day. The student-faculty relationships that I knew would develop strongly pulled me towards 蜜豆直播.鈥�

Settlemyre earned a Bachelor of Arts in music education with a minor in youth discipleship studies. At the May 2025 graduation ceremony, he won the Most Outstanding Graduate Medal, an honor voted on by the faculty to recognize leadership, citizenship and academic excellence.

鈥淎 good leader is the product of many good leaders pouring into them,鈥� Settlemyre reflected. 鈥淟eaders are selfless and desire group success rather than personal gain. A good leader listens, communicates clearly, makes thoughtful decisions, and brings out the strengths of a team. Leadership is not just about giving orders, rather it鈥檚 about setting an example, building trust, and empowering people to do their best.鈥�

The sum of everything he learned from his mentors created a one-of-a-kind opportunity for him during his senior year. Settlemyre was selected to perform for the National Small Band Programs Intercollegiate Band. He became the first student from GWU to achieve this honor. Along with other college musicians from around the country, he performed at the 2025 National Conference of the College Band Directors National Association in Fort Worth, Texas.

鈥淏eing selected for this National Intercollegiate Honor Band truly feels like a capstone achievement for my collegiate career,鈥� Settlemyre asserted. 鈥淐oming into 蜜豆直播 as a 17-year-old freshman, I never really thought it would be a possibility to perform in a national ensemble. The music department faculty, especially Dr. (Sarah) Fabian, has poured countless hours into me, pushing me to improve every day.鈥�

Fabian, 蜜豆直播 director of Bands, traveled with Settlemyre to the conference. 鈥淚 am incredibly proud of Connor for his dedication, hard work, and leadership over the past three years I have known him,鈥� Fabian praised. 鈥淔rom day one, he has gone above and beyond to refine his skills, constantly seeking opportunities to grow both as a musician and as a leader within our music department. His selection to perform in the National Honor Band is a testament to his passion, perseverance and exceptional talent.鈥�

Once he was chosen, Settlemyre received music excerpts to practice and recorded videos of himself performing. Before the event he was told he would sit as fourth chair percussionist in the national ensemble. On the day of the concert, after practicing 72 hours and getting to know the other musicians from around the country, Settlemyre was ready for the audience to hear the music.

The experience taught him techniques to improve as a performer, and an educator. 鈥淚 learned so much from our conductor about how to captivate a group,鈥� Settlemyre affirmed. 鈥淗e did a fantastic job at keeping us engaged despite the long hours of rehearsal. This experience was life changing, and I will never forget it. I also want to thank Dr. Fabian for believing in me enough to even bring this possibility to me. Dr. Fabian has been with me every step of my collegiate career since she arrived at 蜜豆直播, and I am forever grateful for the impact she has left on my life. I also want to thank the music department for supporting me on this crazy journey. None of this would have been possible without the support of the faculty.鈥�

The post Connor Settlemyre鈥檚 Journey in Music and Mentorship appeared first on 蜜豆直播 University.

Alumna Sherika Montgomery Chosen to Lead Conference

For 蜜豆直播 University alumna and former-student athlete Sherika Montgomery, the Big South Conference has been intrinsically connected to her personal and professional path. Now, as Montgomery takes on the role of commissioner of the Big South, she looks forward to giving back to a community that invested in her during her time as a student-athlete.

鈥淗aving the opportunity to serve as commissioner and to continue to work alongside our constituencies and lead that forward progress is tremendous,鈥� Montgomery said.

Stepping into the position formerly held by Kyle Kallander as he retired after 27 years, Montgomery is the fourth commissioner of the league, which was founded in 1983. She previously worked for the Big South from 2010-17 in various positions, including assistant commissioner for compliance and senior woman administrator. During that time, Montgomery was a two-time chair of the NCAA Committee on Women鈥檚 Athletics, as well as an inaugural member of the NCAA Board of Governors Ad Hoc Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity. Additionally, she was honored on the Top 25 Women in Higher Education and Beyond list by Diverse Education in 2016. Montgomery also spent time with the Summit League as associate commissioner for governance and compliance in 2018-19. In 2021, she began a stint with the Missouri Valley Conference as associate commissioner and senior woman administrator, ultimately being appointed deputy commissioner last year.

Kallander voiced his support for Montgomery as she stepped into the post of commissioner. 鈥淪herika Montgomery is an amazing talent and will be outstanding in leading the Conference into the future,鈥� Kallander said. 鈥淪he has tremendous people skills, wonderful insight and integrity, and has the intangibles that are often overlooked in great leaders. She just gets it. Plus, to have an alum of the Big South return to take the reins is truly special.鈥�

蜜豆直播 President Dr. William Downs also expressed his faith in Montgomery. 鈥淗aving served on the search committee and as a member of the group of Big South Conference CEOs that selected our new commissioner, I can confirm that Sherika Montgomery rose to the top of an outstanding pool of candidates,鈥� Downs said. 鈥淪he brings energy, vision, and significant experience to this leadership position at a critical time for college athletics. I am confident that she is the right person at the right time for our conference, and I am eager to see our competitiveness and our brand strengthen in the years ahead.鈥�

Montgomery played basketball at 蜜豆直播, and was a member of the 2010 Big South Conference regular season championship team that finished with a record of 28-5. She graduated from 蜜豆直播 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in sport management and a minor in recreation in 2009, and returned to earn her master鈥檚 in sport science/pedagogy in 2011.

Montgomery noted the significant lessons of resilience and discipline she learned as a student-athlete and the perseverance she harvested on and off the court are traits she continues to apply to every effort. 鈥淵ou will ultimately attain that goal or come really, really close based on some of those key characteristics that started during my time at 蜜豆直播 University as a student-athlete,鈥� Montgomery said.

In the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, Montgomery mentions the importance of taking the time to listen and gain an understanding of the needs of community leaders and stakeholders on campuses. She says that it is through the understanding of others that her decision-making as a leader of the conference and advocate for each school is enhanced.

Advocating for a holistic focus on the student-athletes of the Big South and keeping a pulse on all facets of their health (in the classroom and on the fields of play), Montgomery aims to display an intentionality in her approach to leadership. She wants student-athletes to gain the most out of their experiences, which she understands firsthand to be moments that will impact the rest of their lives and careers. 鈥淚 bring what I call that level of relatability, and being able to resonate with so many different constituencies because of those experiences 鈥� I think that鈥檚 going to serve me tremendously,鈥� Montgomery said. 鈥淲hen it comes to being Big South made, I鈥檓 a testament to that.鈥�

*The Big South Conference has 10 full-time member institutions, and six associate members located in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Written by Thomas Manning 鈥�22

The post Big Steps for the Big South appeared first on 蜜豆直播 University.

100-year-old Alumna Offers Wit, Wisdom, and Humor Worldwide

When one first meets Miss Gladys, laughter is not far behind. Armed with a dry sense of humor, she finds a way to catch everyone off guard and break the ice. Miss Gladys has a brilliant mind; she鈥檚 fueled with energy, and she can carry on a dialogue with anyone. 

Gladys Brooks Boroughs, who turned 100 on Dec. 28, 2022, has dedicated her life to living out the 蜜豆直播 University mission. She is a former GWU trustee, and she and her husband established a scholarship through the Christian Service Organization. In 2003, she was honored as a 蜜豆直播 Distinguished Alumna.

Her daughter, Elaine Boroughs McRae, emphasizes that her mother is a lifelong learner, living every day to the fullest. As an example, Boroughs and her friend, Maida Green Scruggs, are planning a Zoom call so they can catch up and reminisce. Incidentally, Scruggs is the wife of the late Horace Scruggs, brother of bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs, who are Boroughs鈥� first cousins. Horace, who died in 2007, worked in GWU plant operations for 29 years. Boroughs received some of the musical talent and plays piano by ear.

鈥淎 finer role model I couldn’t have!鈥� McRae praised. 鈥淗er wit and wisdom continue, and I’m so blessed to call this saint, 鈥楳om.鈥� She鈥檚 had a remarkable life and made an impact on numerous people both in the church and the (Baptist) association.”

Born in 1922 in Cleveland County, N.C., Boroughs was the middle child with six older and six younger siblings. A child of the depression, her family lost two farms, yet somehow managed to provide a college education to many of their children. Boroughs described one way the family made ends meet, 鈥淚 remember there was a company in Shelby that sold flour in 100-pound sacks. Mommy would make our dresses out of that.鈥�

Boroughs graduated as valedictorian of her high school class and was also first in her class when she graduated from 蜜豆直播 in 1942. While at 蜜豆直播, she lived with her cousins, because their house was closer to the college.

When her grandfather died, Boroughs stayed at home and ran two miles back to 蜜豆直播 the next morning to take a test. 鈥淭he teacher was so understanding,鈥� Boroughs shared. 鈥淪he said, 鈥榊ou don鈥檛 have to take the test,鈥� but I insisted on taking it.鈥�

She majored in English, and after graduating, decided to move to Washington, D.C., because her older sister, Reba, lived there. Boroughs took a job at the Five and Dime until she was hired by the FBI to edit documents during World War II, serving under the FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Even after all these years, Boroughs won鈥檛 risk sharing the classified information in the files, but described her work as 鈥渄efense reviewing.鈥� She saw Hoover a couple of times, but never talked to him. She told a story about a co-worker who was on the elevator when Hoover was about to get on. Without thinking, the co-worker reached in his coat for his handkerchief. Hoover鈥檚 bodyguards immediately pulled their guns on him.  

While in Washington, D.C., she met the love of her life, Lewis Boroughs, also a North Carolinian, from Seagrove. He was a professor at George Washington University. After Lewis took the bar exam, he joined Burlington Industries as a lawyer and the couple relocated to Greensboro, N.C., where Boroughs still lives. She managed the household while her husband was away on business in New York city.

The couple had three children, Elaine, Miriam and Kenneth. When the girls were teenagers, Kenneth was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and passed away. 鈥淭hat is when you really saw the strength of family and faith,鈥� McRae observed. 鈥淭heir faith never wavered.鈥�

Boroughs is known for her involvement at First Baptist Church of Greensboro. Through the decades, she held about every position: Deacon chair, Women’s Missionary Union, Sunday school teacher, and chair of many other committees. When her husband retired, the couple traveled the world, often in the capacity of serving a Baptist mission. In Temuco, Chile, they helped teams from First Baptist Church construct an orphanage. On several occasions, Boroughs preached at the Sunday morning worship service and led Bible studies for the women.

She and her husband were also instrumental in forming the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) in North Carolina. Groups from across the state often met at the Boroughs鈥� house to discuss the impact CBF could have on outreach and ministry.

Boroughs was also a devoted member of The General Federation of Women鈥檚 Clubs (GFWC) and founding member of Sedgefield Woman鈥檚 Club. In 1987, she became North Carolina State President of GFWC.

鈥淭o this day, her devotionals are still being printed and sold at GFWC conventions,鈥� McRae shared. 鈥淲hat a legacy this little Brooks’ (Boroughs) girl, the truly middle child of 13, is leaving for posterity.鈥�

When asked to expound of a secret to long living, Boroughs noted that 鈥渓aughter and appreciating humor鈥� provide a prescription that you can get 鈥渨ithout a doctor鈥檚 note.鈥�

The post ‘A Remarkable Life鈥� appeared first on 蜜豆直播 University.

Chandler Redmond Hits His Way to History

蜜豆直播 University alumnus Chandler Redmond, 鈥�19, made baseball history as only the second documented player to ever complete the home run cycle.

Currently playing with the Springfield (Mo.) Cardinals, a Double-A affiliate of the Saint Louis Cardinals, Redmond鈥檚 record-breaking night came in an August 10, 2022 matchup against the Amarillo Sod Poodles. In the Cardinals鈥� 21-4 victory, Redmond hit home runs in four consecutive innings: a two-run shot in the fifth inning, a grand slam in the sixth, a solo homer in the seventh, and finally a three-run blast in the eighth. This was the first time that a minor league player hit for the home run cycle since Tyrone Horne鈥攁lso of the Saint Louis Cardinals鈥� affiliate鈥攄id it in 1998. Redmond finished the night 5-6, with a total of 11 RBIs.

鈥淭he grand slam is the hardest one to get out of the way,鈥� Redmond acknowledged. 鈥淪o once I hit that I was like, you know, 鈥楳aybe I can do it.鈥� But, you know, it was only my second time of having a multiple home run game in my pro career. So I was like, 鈥楴o, I can鈥檛 get that thought in my head or else it鈥檚 never going to happen.鈥欌��

After hitting his third home run in the following inning, Redmond added that the possibility of hitting for the cycle really began to set in. Initially, his teammates in the dugout did not even realize the trajectory of his stat line. 鈥淧eople, after my third homer, they started, 鈥楧ude, you have three homers, that鈥檚 crazy,鈥欌�� he related. 鈥淎nd I was like, 鈥榊eah dude, it鈥檚 crazy, but get this鈥擨 don鈥檛 know if you guys have been paying attention to what I鈥檝e been doing, but I could hit for the home run cycle, I’ve just got to hit a 3-run shot.鈥欌�� Redmond said that his teammates were still not convinced it was actually going to happen. 鈥淵ou know they鈥檙e laughing, hyping me up, like, 鈥榊eah, you can do it!鈥� Knowing, odds are, it鈥檚 probably not going to happen.鈥�

When he approached the plate for his at bat in the eighth inning, Redmond noted he had an internal conversation with himself. 鈥淚 was like, 鈥楢lright Chandler, you can鈥檛 blow this.鈥� I was just telling myself, 鈥楧on鈥檛 get too big, don鈥檛 try and force the issue. But man, if you get your pitch, you can鈥檛 miss it.鈥欌�� Redmond reflected. 鈥淪o fortunately, I didn鈥檛 miss it. You know, I don鈥檛 even know if I did it, I think it was all God. He put the pieces in place.鈥�

As for his teammates鈥� reaction, Redmond said, 鈥淚 hit the ball, and just kind of stood there and watched it, and then I pointed right into the dugout at the guys that I was talking to, and they鈥檙e just going nuts.鈥�

A native of Middletown, Md., Redmond hit for a school record 50 home runs during his career at 蜜豆直播. He was drafted in the 32nd round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Cardinals, but the road to get there was wrought with obstacles. During his time playing high school baseball at Georgetown Prep in Maryland, Redmond dealt with a case of the 鈥測ips*.鈥� Talking about this mental block, Redmond said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 not physical, it鈥檚 just all in your head. And so I couldn鈥檛 really throw a baseball. If you were 15 feet away from me, I wouldn鈥檛 be able to hit your chest more than once in a row. It was crazy, it was almost like Space Jam, where the monsters take your superpowers鈥� And it just [happened] overnight, I couldn鈥檛 throw a baseball. And I couldn鈥檛 understand it.鈥�

Redmond鈥檚 high school coach, Chris Rodriguez, had a connection with former 蜜豆直播 Head Baseball Coach Rusty Stroupe. Rodriguez reached out to Stroupe about Redmond鈥檚 potential.

鈥淐oach Stroupe sent out his recruiting coordinator to come watch me play one game,鈥� Redmond said. 鈥淚 was hitting the ball really well鈥� And he ended up offering me a scholarship of about $1,000鈥� So of course I took it right away, it was the only offer that I had. And it was to play Division I college baseball down South鈥擨 don鈥檛 know what more you could ask for.鈥�

Discussing his pride in having a strong work ethic, Redmond championed his former hitting coach at 蜜豆直播, Ross Steedley. 鈥淲e connected really well, right from the get-go,鈥� Redmond said. 鈥淚 woke up every day ready to get to work and I was just so excited to be able to get that opportunity, because I had the yips (in high school), and I didn鈥檛 think that I was going to play college baseball. So that was just all God鈥檚 work, God鈥檚 plan. And He鈥檚 just put so many great people in my life.鈥�

Speaking more of his time at 蜜豆直播 with Stroupe and Steedley, Redmond talked about their steadfast examples of reflecting Christ in their daily lives, representing the University鈥檚 motto of 鈥淔or God and Humanity.鈥� Redmond鈥檚 wedding ceremony was even officiated by Steedley.

For young people looking to pursue a dream in their life, Redmond talked about the importance of working diligently and maintaining strong roots of faith. 鈥淚 would just say, don鈥檛 let anybody tell you that you can鈥檛,鈥� he shared. 鈥淭he only person that鈥檚 going to decide that is you. Whatever you want to do, whether it鈥檚 something in academics, something in sports, if you can go at it with everything that you have, keeping [God] first, He鈥檚 going to open so many doors.鈥�

*Yips is a term coined by sports writers to describe when an athlete鈥檚 skills are affected by stress.

Written by Thomas Manning 鈥�22

Photos courtesy of Springfield Cardinals

The post The Cycle of Life appeared first on 蜜豆直播 University.

Growing up in Boiling Springs, N.C., Distinguished Alumna, Kitty Hamrick Hoyle鈥檚 backyard was 蜜豆直播 University. The youngest daughter of Wellington 鈥淲ellie鈥� and Margie McCluney Hamrick, Hoyle remembers swimming in the GWU pool and attending church at Boiling Springs Baptist, which once stood where Dover Chapel is now.

“I care about 蜜豆直播. It is very much like home to me.”

Kitty Hamrick Hoyle, 鈥�15, BS in Business Administration

Her father started his precast concrete business in 1963 less than a mile from campus, and some of the land owned by her great-grandfather Noah Hamrick now belongs to the University. The Hamricks also supported GWU athletics; her father鈥檚 cousin, 鈥淩ed鈥� Jack Jolley, played football and is in the 蜜豆直播 Athletics Hall of Fame. Her mother was a nurse at Royster Memorial Hospital (now a residence hall). Her sisters (Nancy Wages and Lou Ann Slater) and cousin (Ann Lancaster) graduated from 蜜豆直播 when it was a junior college. And, Lou Ann helped with fundraising to build the not-for-profit Crawley Memorial Hospital (now the College of Health Sciences).

Hoyle also received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration from 蜜豆直播, but not until 2015. When she started on the path to earn her bachelor鈥檚, she had been president of her father鈥檚 business, Wellington Hamrick Inc., for two decades. In an industry dominated by men, she had proven herself and gained the respect of customers and leaders in the field.

Hoyle is thankful for her parents and others in her life who guided her and gave her a chance to develop her skills and strengths.

After high school, she went to college to pursue her interest in art, but at the end of her second year felt she wasn鈥檛 on the right path. She withdrew from college in the 1970s and came back home. Her cousin, Gerald Lipscomb of Lipscomb Signs in Forest City, N.C., offered her a job, but more importantly, he was a mentor who shared common sense advice about networking and making an impression. She remembered what Lipscomb said after seeing her at an auction with her dad. 鈥淗e told me, 鈥榊our dad was talking to these men and you just turned around and walked off,鈥� and he said, 鈥楧on鈥檛 do that. You need to get in that conversation and stay in that conversation,鈥欌�� she related. 鈥淪o he really turned a lightbulb on for me.鈥�

Eventually, she came to work for her father. 鈥淚 enjoyed being outside, and my mind and my dad鈥檚 mind worked in a similar fashion,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淲hat was a good strength for him also turned out to be good for me. Dad was a welder and built everything from scratch. He had friends who were very resourceful鈥攅lectricians and plumbers and all of these guys who were part of that greatest generation.鈥�

She continued, 鈥淚 was the parts runner, so when they built something they would say, 鈥楪o get a cylinder block bearing or this shaft.鈥� I would go to Dixie Industrial and wait for roller bearings and solenoids. I had so much fun doing that.鈥�

Her father purchased two ready-mix concrete trucks in 1985, and she learned to make concrete. 鈥淔or decades, the community and customers who were well versed in the trade, taught me about concrete, and what they needed to have good job performance; they put us on the map,鈥� she asserted. 鈥淥ne of those good customers was Raleigh Humphries, who had worked all over several states. I am so grateful for those people, so I鈥檓 a product of this very immediate area.鈥�

When she took over the company in 1989, her office was near the road and easily accessible to people in the community. 鈥淭hose friends of mom and dad were very generous to me,鈥� she acknowledged. 鈥淭hey used to just stop and come in and ask questions and talk to me.鈥�

In 1993, she married Marvin Hoyle of Lawndale, owner of Marvin Hoyle Construction. Their talents and strengths complement each other. 鈥淢arvin respects my opinion, and we collaborate well together,鈥� she praised. 鈥淗is partnership has been instrumental in the success of the company. And he gave me the license to focus on work.鈥�

Marvin helped design and construct a new building in Boiling Springs, and managed the project in 2004, when the company expanded to open a ready-mix plant in Shelby, N.C.

Kitty was recognized in 2005 with The ATHENA Leadership Award庐, which is presented to a woman or man for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. She was honored and humbled to be included in this group of Cleveland County leaders.

Because of Hoyle鈥檚 confident demeanor, many people were surprised to discover she had not finished her degree at that time. 鈥淒uring a conversation with Shannon Kennedy, GWU alumna, and then vice president at Cleveland Community College (CCC), Hoyle learned that her old college credits were still valid. Kennedy guided her through the enrollment process, and Hoyle earned her associate鈥檚 degree in 2011. Standing in line at the CCC graduation ceremony, the woman next to her explained that she was already taking classes at Gardner- Webb and highly recommended the Degree Completion Program.

Hoyle thought about what the woman said and decided the timing was right to pursue her bachelor鈥檚 degree at 蜜豆直播. 鈥淚t was really helpful to have an advisor who knew me and my objective,鈥� she stated. 鈥淓verything I learned was so useful at work. As I sat through those classes, whatever the topic was, I always applied it in my mind to my work.鈥�

While the concepts were immediately helpful in running the business, she was also grateful for her education when she sold the ready-mix business in 2018 and the rest of the business in July 2022, retiring after 33 years at the helm. 鈥淭o put together everything they wanted me to do and talk to them in an intelligent manner鈥攖hat would have been harder to do without some of the formal education I received at 蜜豆直播,鈥� Hoyle asserted.

Now, she is honored to serve on the GWU Board of Trustees, and through the years, she has served on several boards in the community: Cleveland County Arts Council, Broad River Greenway, Life Enrichment Center, Cleveland Community College (Gov. Beverly Purdue鈥檚 appointee), Isothermal 鈥淚 care about 蜜豆直播. It is very much like home to me.鈥� Kitty Hamrick Hoyle, 鈥�15, BS in Business Administration VOLUME 57, 2022 | 47 Community Block Grant Board, and Carolinas Ready Mix Concrete Association Board.

Her parents instilled in her the importance of giving back to the community. She has established three scholarships for 蜜豆直播 students in memory of her parents and cousin, Elizabeth Ann Lancaster. The Elizabeth Ann Lancaster Scholarship is presented to a Cleveland County student who intends to pursue a career as a teacher in the public school system. 鈥淎nn, our older cousin, was a nearby fixture in our extended family,鈥� Hoyle shared.

鈥淪he always wanted the best for girls and gave her love without the need for anything in return. She was a dedicated teacher for 41 years in Cleveland County and gave many hours of service to Boiling Springs Baptist Church in music and education positions.鈥�

The Margie McCluney Hamrick Nursing Scholarship salutes Hoyle鈥檚 mother; she was the only child in her family to take professional training, graduating from the Shelby Hospital School of Nursing in the Cadet Corps in 1948. Margie spent most of her career as an R.N. on the staff at Royster Memorial Hospital in Boiling Springs and escorted the first patient into the new community-funded Crawley Hospital in the 1970s. When she was in her 60s, Margie traveled as a medical professional to Togo, Africa.

The Wellington Hamrick Scholarship is awarded to first-year female students in Cleveland County who plan to study math and science, engineering, architecture, construction related or construction trades, or technical programs related to construction materials.

鈥淒ad was involved in many businesses over his lifetime usually more than one at a time,鈥� Hoyle reflected. 鈥淗e had a wonderful sense of and love for the beauty of nature. He cared for his community and church and served both in a quiet way. He was my mentor when my life wasn鈥檛 going so well. He allowed me to have a place to work and to grow. He restored some of my self-esteem and taught me to be forgiving and appreciative of others. Looking back on it now, I realize how keenly he perceived what I needed and how expertly he filled my needs and directed me toward the light.鈥�

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Distinguished alumnus Patrick Woody, 鈥�03, has always had a distinct fascination with history and politics. Election season was like the Super Bowl for him. His mother took him with her to the voting booth every year on Election Day, instilling in him a sense of civic responsibility. Early in high school, Woody decided that he wanted to pursue an education in law studies.

However, the decision to begin his education at 蜜豆直播 University did not come about in a traditional fashion. 鈥淚 like to say 蜜豆直播 came into the picture by divine accident,鈥� Woody said.

During a Christian college fair exhibit at his high school, Woody met a Gardner- Webb admissions counselor. Initially reluctant to apply for a spot at GWU, Woody was eventually convinced to give it a shot, and to submit his application for the University Fellows scholarship as well. Unbeknownst to Woody, the admissions counselor was in regular contact with his mother over the next several weeks to discuss how her son would be a great fit at 蜜豆直播 University.

Woody won a scholarship, but still not entirely convinced, he decided to go for one more tour of GWU, at his mother鈥檚 encouragement. Sitting in on a Constitutional Law class with the former long-time professor and chair of the Social Sciences Department, Dr. Barry Hambright, Woody was the only person who could answer a particular question about a Supreme Court case. Woody remembers that Hambright said something along the lines of, 鈥淎 senior in high school just answered this question. None of you did. Maybe you need to be taking notes from him.鈥� This moment left an indelible mark on Woody, and later in the day, he realized that 蜜豆直播 was the place for him.

鈥淟ooking back on that now, 20 years removed from 蜜豆直播, I鈥檓 like, 鈥榊eah, I would鈥檝e hated going anywhere else,鈥欌�� Woody said. 鈥淚 had incredible friendships that came out of my time at 蜜豆直播. I learned the importance of service. I knew it coming into Gardner- Webb, but it deepened in me, that I was going to work toward something that contributed more to others than just myself.鈥�

He worked as a student tour guide and admissions associate, and was elected SGA President. As a student in the social sciences department, Woody was exposed to a diverse array of political opinions. The instructors allowed and even encouraged debate and the exchange of opposing ideas. 鈥淚t is easier for us to meet each other in the gray, than stand so solidly in the black and white and never ever try to learn what the other person is thinking, and what drives them and what leads them and motivates them,鈥� Woody said.

Additionally, Woody co-hosted a political TV show which was recorded on campus and aired on local cable that allowed for a free space of expressing opinions. Called 鈥淧olitics in Black and White,鈥� students and faculty members with viewpoints from all sides of the political spectrum made appearances on the show, which sparked engaging conversations and dialogue.

A primary life lesson that Woody takes from his time at 蜜豆直播 is to, 鈥淪erve the greater good.鈥� Also citing the importance of maintaining a sense of humility, Woody said, 鈥淟et your work speak for itself鈥� and that鈥檚 what happened with my career. People recognized the work I did. And it gave me opportunities and opened doors that I never would have believed I would have been able to walk through.鈥�

After graduating from GWU with a BA in History and Political Science, Woody spent some time working with a tech nonprofit and civic education nonprofit. He was recommended through a mutual connection to apply for a position with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and soon accepted an analyst role. After some time with DHS, he transferred to the National Counterterrorism Center as part of a team that covered online and internet-based terrorism. One particular assessment he wrote caught the attention of The White House, which resulted in a six-month project working under the Obama Administration.

An opportunity for Woody within the CIA soon arose, in which he continued to focus on internet-based terrorism. The Director of National Intelligence requested a brief from Woody on the dark web, and concluded that President Barack Obama needed to hear this information directly from the source. Woody was tasked with editing an hour-long brief into an eight-minute piece to be delivered to Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and the National Security Council in the Oval Office. This experience opened up a wide range of other duties for Woody to carry out. In the ensuing months and years, he was frequently traveling across the country and overseas to brief government officials on numerous issues. 鈥淏ecause I was briefing so much, it became like second-nature to me,鈥� Woody said.

Through these networks, Woody became the interim briefer for the Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly with the Trump Administration. When this temporary engagement was fulfilled, Kelly told Woody to circle back around to apply to become his permanent briefer if the position was available in the future. Kelly was soon named White House Chief of Staff, and Woody became his full-time briefer in November 2017. This role was usually on a one-year rotation, but Woody was continually asked to return. He essentially became President Donald Trump鈥檚 backup briefer during this time period as well. Woody remained the full-time briefer for several White House Chiefs of Staff until January 2021.

鈥淏e willing to speak truth to power. I remember there were times that I said things to President Trump, President Obama, and Vice President Biden that they may not have wanted to hear, but they were the things that were the truth.鈥�

Patrick Woody, 鈥�03, BA in History and Political Science

鈥淭he impact and the ability to do good makes me motivated to wake up each day,鈥� Woody said. He also remarked that it was crucial to be candid and realistic, no matter the audience. 鈥淏e willing to speak truth to power. I remember there were times that I said things to President Trump, President Obama, and Vice President Biden that they may not have wanted to hear, but they were the things that were the truth.鈥�

Woody was very aware of his position as an advocate for the average U.S. citizen. Describing this outlook, he said, 鈥淥ne of the things I always told my chief of staff and their deputies: 鈥業鈥檓 going to tell you everything you need to know, everything you think you need to know, everything you don鈥檛 need to know. And then some things I鈥檓 going to tell you that are outside of intelligence, but are critically important for you to know, because you live in a bubble, and you need to know what the average person is thinking.鈥欌��

That frame of mind also lends a great deal to his attitude on retaining a sense of respect and empathy for all people. Professional roles are temporary, but, 鈥淚t鈥檚 who you are as a person that never changes,鈥� Woody said. 鈥淵ou have to acknowledge that deep intrinsic value of each person鈥� as you move throughout your career and throughout your life, value everyone regardless of what they can offer you, because what they offer you shouldn鈥檛 matter. You should treat them with the same degree of respect that you would want to be treated.鈥�

And, above all, Woody emphasizes the significance of human relationships and spending time with your loved ones. 鈥淓ven as you move throughout the world and things get really good professionally for you, take time for your family, because those are the things that people will remember after you die,鈥� he asserted. 鈥淵our career could be gone tomorrow, so value those things that you really don鈥檛 have a chance to get back.鈥�

Written by Thomas Manning 鈥�22

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Paralympic Swimmer and Author, Mallory Weggemann Reflects on Her Journey

Contributing writer Shelley Stockton

Sitting atop the podium on Aug. 27, 2021, three-time Paralympic swimmer and former 蜜豆直播 student-athlete, Mallory Weggemann won her first gold medal of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. After nearly nine years of working towards this moment, it was finally here.

Like so many things, COVID-19 postponed the Paralympic Games, leaving athletes wondering if and when they would get to compete. 鈥淗earing our training facilities were closing, it really forced us to get more creative with our training,鈥� Weggemann remembers. 鈥淎t the same time, every single one of us worldwide faced it. This wasn鈥檛 just something I felt in Minnesota, or Team USA felt, every single athlete and every single person went through this experience together.鈥�

After she completed the 200-meter individual medley (with Paralympic Gold), she said the emotion hit as she got out of the pool to do her interview with NBC. 鈥淭hey had my family live-streamed into the interview, and I got to see them moments after realizing this dream that we鈥檝e all fought so hard for鈥攊t was that understanding that love has the ability to persevere.鈥�

Her husband, Jay Snyder, stayed connected via FaceTime. 鈥淏eing unable to be in Tokyo cheering on Mallory in the stands was incredibly difficult; however, we were so grateful that the Games were able to take place and the world was able to witness the transformative power of the Paralympic Movement,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淲e certainly made sure Mallory could hear us all the way from Minnesota as we cheered her at 3 a.m.!鈥�

Weggemann鈥檚 swimming coach Steve Van Dyne, who also coached her and her sisters in high school, shared his thoughts about her wins in Tokyo. 鈥淭o come away with three medals says a lot about who she is and the hurdles she鈥檚 overcome,鈥� Van Dyne said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the icing on the cake to the journey we鈥檝e been on the past seven years.鈥�

She would go on to win a second gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke and earned a Paralympic record along the way. Weggemann also brought home a silver medal in the 50-meter butterfly at the Tokyo Games.

It was a special moment to see her win gold and to see the smile on her face and the tears in her eyes.

Steve Van Dyne, coach

Weggemann鈥檚 journey back to the pool has not been an easy one. She started swimming competitively at seven years old, following in the footsteps of her two older sisters, but she hadn鈥檛 planned to continue beyond high school. However, at 18 years old, her life changed forever when an epidural to treat nerve pain brought on by shingles left her paralyzed from the waist down.

She was determined that paralysis wouldn鈥檛 defined her and describes her journey in her new book, 鈥淟imitless: The Power of Hope and Resilience to Overcome Circumstance.鈥� Weggemann changed her story with the help of her family鈥檚 motto, 鈥済ood overcomes,鈥� and by accepting help.

鈥淚 was asking a number of people within the swimming community if they knew of any collegiate programs that were open to having an adaptive swimmer a part of their program; because, back in 2008, there weren鈥檛 a lot of opportunities for athletes with disabilities,鈥� Weggemann said. 鈥�(GWU) was really receptive to having me a part of the team, and the disabilities program was phenomenal about figuring out how to make it all work and it seemed like the right fit.鈥�

The University renovated one of the dorms to meet Weggemann鈥檚 needs and make her feel welcome. 鈥淭hey basically went into problem-solving mode over Christmas break and built a new entrance into one of the dorms for the lower floor, renovated one of the bathrooms on the main floors and made it wheelchair accessible, they did everything they could to make sure campus was ready for me when I arrived.鈥�

Weggemann competed on the GW Division I swim team, and transferred to the University of Minnesota when she made the U.S. national team to be closer to home and to train with her former coach.

鈥淢y teammates there (at GW) met me and knew me as I was, they weren鈥檛 grieving the fact that I was newly paralyzed and that was really refreshing because I just got to find my stride,鈥� Weggemann remembers. 鈥淚t was a really, really powerful experience that, while short, was pivotal in my journey as I found a way to move forward after my injury.鈥�

In 2012, she competed in her first Paralympics Games in London, winning a gold and bronze medal. 鈥淲hen I sat atop of that Paralympic podium for me it was that journey coming full circle,鈥� Weggemann reflects. 鈥淭hat gold medal is going to forever hold a place in my heart because that truly was the moment where my world came together, and I got to feel light on the other side of what was otherwise an extremely challenging time in my life.鈥�

A couple years after the London Games, Weggemann fell and permanently injured her left arm when an ADA shower bench at her hotel collapsed. She persevered through surgeries, rehab, and training to compete in the 2014 Rio Paralympic Games.

In between training for the next Games, Weggeman married Jay Snyder, her manager and business partner. For their wedding, she walked down the aisle, with the use of leg braces and crutches, with her dad just like she always dreamed.

The couple co-founded TFA Group, an agency and production studio striving to change the perception of disability in society through the power of storytelling. Language has an impact on messaging. She provides an example, 鈥淒oes somebody incur or suffer from a spinal cord injury. Those two things mean very different things. One gives power to the individual and one takes it away.鈥�

For more information on TFA Group and where to stream their content visit

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Tayuanee Dewberry Brings Positive Attitude, Business Acumen to Reintroduce Girl Scouting

Spend just five minutes talking with Tayuanne Dewberry, and she will inspire you to tackle any problem. Her smile, her energy and her positive attitude are contagious.

In April 2021, she became the chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts Hornets鈥� Nest Council in Charlotte, N.C. 鈥淭his is an amazing opportunity to work with the oldest girl-serving organization in the world,鈥� stated Dewberry. 鈥淚 absolutely took this position because of the challenge lying ahead of the organization as a whole but particularly here in the Hornets鈥� Nest Council, as well.鈥�

Dewberry brings 16 years of experience, 15 of them as executive director, working with the non-profit, Right Moves for Youth in Charlotte a support program helping students develop skills to succeed in school and life. 鈥淚 really enjoy being in these types of positions, growing people and being able to invest and coach them along,鈥� she related. 鈥淚 had the opportunity to work with some amazing people and to mentor some young talent.鈥�

After leaving Right Moves, she was executive director at Temple Israel in Charlotte, helping them navigate the COVID-19 pandemic by installing a state-of-the-art camera system, and a cloud-based phone system. 鈥淚f you know anything about Conservative Judaism, they don鈥檛 use technology during their Sabbath/Shabbat,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t was a practice of what鈥檚 more important, preserving the ritual or connecting with the people. That was an absolute joy, an opportunity to use my business experience and acumen to impact positively a community that was reeling from the effects of the pandemic.鈥�

Embarking on the journey with Girl Scouts, Dewberry has ideas on how to breathe new life into the organization. Through the contacts she made in the community at Right Moves, Dewberry hopes to diversify Girl Scouts鈥� base of volunteers. Instead of relying only on the girls鈥� moms to be involved, she wants to engage other community organizations and corporate partners as troop leaders and assistants.

The Girl Scout experience is the premier leadership opportunity for young girls, and we want to re-establish ourselves in the community as the organization that you want your young girl to be a part of.

Tayuanne Dewberry, 鈥�97, 鈥�09

鈥淲e have the opportunity to reintroduce Girl Scouting to a market that may not have understood exactly what it is,鈥� she asserted. 鈥淲hen people think about Girl Scouts, they think about cookies, but the cookie program isn鈥檛 about cookies. It鈥檚 about instilling a sense of entrepreneurship in young girls, and who does business better than we (women) do. We are the ultimate business professionals. We run homes, we run companies. The Girl Scout experience is the premier leadership opportunity for young girls, and we want to re-establish ourselves in the community as the organization that you want your young girl to be a part of.鈥�

Additionally, Girl Scouts is sharpening its focus on activities in science, technology, engineering and math. 鈥淲e have diversified the offerings of Girl Scouts to meet the needs of the 21st century girl,鈥� Dewberry expressed. 鈥淚 want people to understand that we are trying to break down walls and kick in doors, and create opportunities for young girls. I鈥檓 excited about being a part of that, just being a catalyst for change and equitable practices for young girls. There are some gems out there, some leaders who are in the making, and Girl Scouts is in the forefront of creating that.鈥�

The combination of her GWU degrees鈥攁 bachelor鈥檚 in business administration management information systems (1997) and a master鈥檚 in counseling with an education specialist certification (2009)鈥攈as prepared her for leadership. Further, as a member of the GWU women鈥檚 basketball team, she learned the value of working as a team and doing your best in all situations.

鈥淚 was trained in the business school and many of the principles that I use to this day are things that I sat and listened to in Dr. (Glenn) Bottoms鈥� class or Dr. (Anthony) Negbenebor鈥檚,鈥� she advised. 鈥淟ater, I went back and got my master鈥檚, and I can鈥檛 tell you how impactful that was to embed those theories in my business practice. People might say those things don鈥檛 go together. Those things have absolutely been the magic blend for me.鈥�

Continuing to reflect on her education, she concluded, 鈥淚 would not be the success I am and would not have been able to achieve many of the milestones that I have without the impact of my experience at 蜜豆直播, and the support that I have gotten even after leaving there.鈥�

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Women Have Shared Joys and Sorrows for Nearly Six Decades

In 1962, seven young women came to 蜜豆直播, then a junior college, from six towns scattered across the Mountains, Piedmont and Coastal Plains of North Carolina.

They were strangers who ended up next door to each other on the third floor of Stroup Dormitory. Four of them became roommates. When they graduated two years later, these seven friends had forged a bond that has lasted nearly six decades. They鈥檝e celebrated marriages, the births of children and grandchildren, and carried each other through sickness and times of sorrow.

鈥淭he first thing you do when you get some bad news, is you let them know,鈥� said Lynora Greene Essic, who grew up on a farm in Alleghany County, N.C., and now lives in Winston-Salem. 鈥淟etting them know is just like contacting the rest of the family.鈥�

In May 2021, Essic met Linda Query Ramseur of Concord, N.C., Carolyn Bentley Lindsley of Raleigh, N.C., Bette Howell Edwards, of Nashville, Tenn., and Betsy Thompson Robinson, of Stanley, N.C., at 蜜豆直播 to have lunch, reminisce and tour the campus.

It was the first time the five of them had visited the campus as a group in 57 years. The women attended 蜜豆直播 for different reasons. Lindsley was from Asheville, N.C., and her family expected her to go to Mars Hill, but she wanted to go to a Christian school closer to Davidson, where her boyfriend was in college. 鈥淪o I found 蜜豆直播,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been married 56 years, have two sons, two grandsons and one granddaughter.鈥�

Essic grew up in the shadow of an older sister. 鈥淚 said, 鈥業鈥檓 going somewhere where nobody knows me.鈥� I鈥檓 not going to be known as so and so鈥檚 daughter or sister,鈥� she related. 鈥淣obody in Alleghany County had ever been to 蜜豆直播. The day I showed up here was the first day I ever saw the campus.鈥�

Edwards, originally from Waynesville, N.C., was the youngest of five children and looked
up to her older brother, a GWU football player. 鈥淚 thought he knew everything,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hatever he did, I did.鈥�

Robinson, who grew up in Stanley, applied late to 蜜豆直播. She wanted to get into dental assistant school but was put on a waiting list. 鈥淚 knew I had to find somewhere to go, because it was understood in my family that you would go to college,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 knew two girls who were going to school here, so I applied and got in. I was a cheerleader for two years and met my husband here. He was a basketball player 鈥� it鈥檚 the all-American story.鈥�

Ramseur, who also had a boyfriend at home, discovered 蜜豆直播 when a representative of the college came to her school. 鈥淗e was a good salesperson,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 got all the information and took it home and showed my mother and daddy. We came for a visit. My daddy learned it was Baptist and a Christian school and that was all he needed.鈥�

The women reminisced about the strict rules in the 1960s and the Dean of Women Miss Ruth Kiser, who enforced them. In the evenings, students stayed in their rooms from 7-9 p.m. At 9:30 p.m., they could take a study break to walk to the bookstore and get a snack. They were expected to be back before lights out, which was 11 p.m. on weeknights and 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night鈥攊f you had a C average. 鈥淲e had to sign in and sign out,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淲hen you walked in that door, Dean Kiser would stand there and look you up and down. If it was 5 minutes after 11, your parents were called.鈥�

After graduation they went their separate ways, but stayed in touch. The first time they all got together was in 1979, and they have met yearly since. The women are thankful for the 鈥渄ivine intervention鈥� that brought them together 鈥淲e had some good times,鈥� Robinson reflected after seeing their old dorm rooms. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 take anything for the experience we had.鈥�

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Clayton King, 鈥�95, Has Shared Life-Changing Power of Jesus with People All Over the World

On New Year鈥檚 Eve in 2019, 蜜豆直播 University alumnus, Clayton King, and his wife, Sharie, shared the Christian message to 100,000 people in Uganda鈥檚 Mandela Stadium. It was the biggest crowd they鈥檝e ever spoken to, and organizers believe, one of the largest Christian gatherings ever held in Africa. 鈥淚t was incredible,鈥� King reflected. 鈥淪he was the first woman to ever speak from the main stage at this event. They told us between 20,000 and 30,000 people responded to the invitation.鈥�

King and his wife are partners in the nonprofit ministry he founded in 1995 when he was a senior at 蜜豆直播. From his dorm room, Lutz 111, King started with a telephone, an answering machine and a spiral notebook. 鈥淚 would get 10 messages a day from youth pastors to come and preach,鈥� King shared. Now, Crossroads/Clayton King Ministries offers numerous summer camps at Anderson (S.C.) University, student conferences, and leadership and coaching networks. King serves as a distinguished professor of evangelism at Anderson and holds multiple honorary doctorates.

In March, when the country shut down in response to COVID-19, lives were put on hold, Uganda was a memory, but also a source of hope. King鈥檚 team realized their signature event, Crossroads Summer Camp, might not happen, leaving 5,300 students with nowhere to go. They began to plan an online alternative, which was released when they decided to cancel camp. The free content, 鈥淐rossroads: Hometowns,鈥� included messages and worship segments recorded at New Spring Church (Anderson, S.C.), where King is a teaching pastor.

鈥淲e took a big step of faith; we honestly felt like God wanted us to offer this as a free gift to the church,鈥� King asserted. 鈥淲e had between 17,000 and 20,000 kids go through the program. Our mission is to serve the local church, and we also knew that youth pastors who had been planning to take their kids to camp wouldn鈥檛 have the assets, the resources, or the energy to throw together something at the last minute to do with their kids.鈥�

Because of the interest and the need, the ministry offered more online content in the fall. King also published his 17th book this year, 鈥淩eborn,鈥� with Baker Publishing. He is most proud of this work, which focuses on how Jesus changes lives. He writes about 12 broken people in the New Testament who came face-to-face with Jesus.

The King鈥檚 two sons, Jacob and Joseph, have grown up in the ministry. Eighteen-year-old Jacob is preaching now, and has even shared the stage with his dad at New Spring Church. Looking back on his life, King attributes all his accomplishments to the grace of God鈥攕tarting with his birth mother who gave him up for adoption. 鈥淭he parents who adopted me were a great Christian family, hardworking, blue collar, Baptists to the bone鈥攖he grace of God,鈥� he continued. 鈥淲hen I became a Christian, we were in a great church. It was the grace of God that I had a pastor who took me under his wing at age 14 and discipled me and showed me how to preach.鈥�

Further, King believes God directed him to 蜜豆直播. He was committed to play football at Clemson. However, Randy Kilby, former GWU admissions counselor, called to ask him why he hadn鈥檛 applied for the Presidential Scholarship, which was due the next day. Kilby told him he needed to be at 蜜豆直播 to prepare for ministry and faxed him the form. King completed it and drove to GWU to turn it in. King was awarded full tuition, room and board.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no way I could adequately explain how much my experience at 蜜豆直播
prepared me for ministry鈥擨 mean, it was everything鈥攆rom my professors to campus ministries to the ministry teams I served with,鈥� King affirmed. 鈥淚 lived in Boiling Springs from 1991 to 2014 and built relationships with pastors in Cleveland County. 蜜豆直播 is the soul of Boiling Springs. I was impacted and influenced by my friendships with Tracy Jessup (vice president, Christian Life and Service), Robert Canoy (dean, School of Divinity), Chuck Burch (vice president, Athletics), the coaches and all the different men and women in the community. To this day, I am close to Tracy Jessup and Dr. Canoy. It鈥檚 all the grace of God. He put people and opportunities in my life at just the right time, every single time I needed it.鈥�

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