Christian Life and Service Archives - �۶�ֱ�� University

From Chemistry Lab to Clinical Care: Dr. Evan Moffitt Drake’s �۶�ֱ�� Journey

Office of University Communications — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:57:11 +0000

2012 Alumna Built a Career That Blends Pharmacy Expertise with a Passion for Helping Patients and Students Thrive

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Evan Moffitt Drake, ’12, of Fletcher, N.C., was nearing the end of her freshman year at Gardner‑Webb University when a conversation with her volleyball teammate nudged her toward an unexpected future. Her teammate shared that her goal was to become a pharmacist, and she planned to major in chemistry to get started. Drake had always liked math and science, but she knew little about the pharmacy field.

“I looked into pharmacy and then chemistry, and I talked to the �۶�ֱ�� faculty,” Drake told a group of GWU students during a recent visit to campus. Her presentation was part of the Applications of Chemistry Seminar Series, hosted by the Department of Natural Sciences.

After those conversations with professors, she chose chemistry as her major. Drake also took a job at a pharmacy to see the profession up close and discovered she genuinely enjoyed the work. “I liked the science,” she recalled, “but I also realized how much I enjoyed interacting with patients.” That early exposure set her on the path that would eventually lead to pharmacy school, clinical practice, teaching, and research.

“�۶�ֱ�� was the jumping board for me,” Drake noted. “Here’s where I learned what I wanted to do. Here’s where I started the pursuit. I went into pharmacy school with the knowledge I needed. I felt prepared walking in, a lot more than some of my classmates did.”

Her academic preparation went beyond learning chemistry. The GWU faculty had already taught her how to work at a graduate‑school pace. “They challenged me; they taught me at a high level, but they expected me to perform at a high level,” Drake said. “Sometimes that felt really daunting, and it was really hard. I hadn’t been challenged like that before. Some of my classmates had an easy undergrad, so to speak. They got a big wake-up call in pharmacy school when they had to study at night, study on weekends, do study groups, extra projects.”

Drake honed her study habits with the help of �۶�ֱ�� professors. “I learned to be more studious; I learned to be diligent,” she reflected. “I was able to grow in my discipline and organizational traits. So, you are getting prepared here. I can promise you that. You put your part in; they do their part.”

Another strength of the Gardner‑Webb environment is the faculty’s approachability. “I learned it’s OK to ask questions here, because they made it a safe place for me to ask questions,” she said. “I was able to ask things that I didn’t understand, and I felt comfortable doing that.”

That same spirit now informs Drake’s teaching as an assistant professor in the Wingate School of Pharmacy, where she earned her PharmD in 2016. Her position also includes serving as a clinical pharmacist at St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, N.C. “It’s common in pharmacy education to be employed by the university, but placed in a clinic or hospital,” she explained. “You serve patients a few days a week and then teach a few days a week. Pharmacists are needed everywhere as part of a whole team and team-based approach to patient care. When I first went to pharmacy school, I thought I’d be working at a CVS or in the basement of a hospital. But it is so much more than that. There is a plethora of opportunities with a pharmacy degree.”

At St. Luke’s, Drake serves as an ambulatory care pharmacist, caring for patients who walk into the office for help managing chronic conditions. “When they are diagnosed with a chronic disease and they need help managing that or a lot of education, they’re referred to me,” she explained. “So, things to think about would be like diabetes, high blood pressure, bone loss or osteoporosis, depression, or heart failure.”

Working with patients one-on-one deepened her sense of calling. “I love having time with my patients,” she said. “A lot of them are older adults or veterans. Hearing their stories, building trust—those relationships matter. Helping someone improve their health over months or years is incredibly meaningful work.”

In North Carolina, pharmacists can obtain a prescribing license. Working in collaboration with a supervising physician, Drake can adjust medications, order labs, and help manage treatment plans. In rural areas, where physicians are few, an ambulatory care pharmacist can dramatically support patient access and lighten the physician’s load. For Drake, it’s a way of ensuring patients get the attention, education, and follow‑up they need. “Sometimes it’s just explaining what a number means or how a medication works,” she said. “Those five minutes of education can change the trajectory of someone’s health.”

Another part of Drake’s teaching position is conducting research, something she once thought would be too overwhelming. But through collaboration with her colleagues, she has found that she enjoys the challenge and is energized by exploring questions that directly affect patients and student pharmacists. She’s co‑authored studies including “Building and Testing a Team-Based Care Model in Primary Care: The Heart‑2‑Heart Blood Pressure Control Partners Study” and “Geographic Disparities in Glucagon Prescriptions Across North Carolina.” Her work focuses on improving patient care, strengthening rural health outcomes, and understanding how students grow in clinical settings.

From her days as a student‑athlete discovering a new career path to her current work as a teacher, researcher, and clinician, Drake’s journey reflects a commitment to service shaped by her time at Gardner‑Webb. Whether she’s helping a patient understand a chronic condition, mentoring a pharmacy student, or researching ways to improve health outcomes across North Carolina, her work is rooted in compassion and connection. “You don’t have to be just one thing,” she told students. “You can help people in so many ways.”

�۶�ֱ�� 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., �۶�ֱ�� 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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Community Gathers at �۶�ֱ�� University for Parade of Tables to Benefit Local Students in Need

Office of University Communications — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:26:49 +0000

Fundraiser Strengthens Support for the Little Bulldog Backpack Program, Serving 67 Children Each Week

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—One of the signature fundraisers for the Little Bulldog Backpack Program will be held at �۶�ֱ�� University this spring. The annual Parade of Tables is April 18 in the Tucker Student Center, beginning with table viewing at 6 p.m. and followed by dinner and a program at 6:30 p.m. Volunteers decorate themed tables for eight guests, and tickets to the event support the organization’s mission to provide weekend meals for local children.

Hodges McCathern, a member of the Honors
Student Association, packs food for children.

The fundraiser supports the year-round work of the Little Bulldog Backpack Program, which provides weekly food bags for students at Springmore and Boiling Springs elementary schools. Each bag contains 15 to 18 items, including breakfast foods, lunch and dinner options, non-perishable fruit, and salty and sweet snacks. �۶�ֱ�� students, faculty and staff regularly lend support through packing food bags and contributing donations. Boiling Springs Baptist Church donates space for storage and for volunteers to pack the food each week.

This year’s event features tables designed by the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and the Hunt School of Nursing. Dr. Josh Parrott, Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service, will serve as emcee, and entertainment will be provided by �۶�ֱ�� alumna Lindy Bryson. Dinner will be catered by Aramark. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased from Lou Ann Scates at 704-477-2455 or on campus from Debbie Hill, administrative assistant for the Department of English and World Languages, at dthill@gardner-webb.edu, 704-406-3035 or 704-406-4411.

The Parade of Tables was first held in 2017, when Lou Ann Scates, retired �۶�ֱ�� registrar, organized the event on the University’s campus. Paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fundraiser was revived in 2025 with Scates’ church, Boiling Springs Baptist, serving as host.

GWU Assistant Professor Dr. Mitch Porter helps with
the Little Bulldog Backpack Program every week.

The feeding program began in 2011, inspired by Scates’ visits to her son’s school for lunch. She often noticed children who wanted to buy extra food but lacked the money. “It’s hard to imagine a kindergartener or a fifth-grader going to bed hungry,” Scates reflected.

Scates shared her concern with biology faculty emerita Susan Manahan, and the two began pooling their resources. Working with the school’s social worker, they started buying food for 20 children every other week. Because Springmore’s mascot is the Little Bulldogs, the Little Bulldog Backpack Program quickly took shape as its own community organization.

Support grew as word spread across the �۶�ֱ�� campus and throughout the community. Today, the program is an established 501(c)(3) non-profit backed by local partners. “We have eight churches who help, and have received financial donations or food items from individuals, businesses, and Town of Boiling Springs officials,” Scates shared.

Now serving 67 children every week, the Little Bulldog Backpack Program continues to grow through volunteer support and community generosity. Together, local churches, volunteers, and members of the �۶�ֱ�� community continue to ensure that children in Boiling Springs and Springmore schools have the food they need each weekend.

To learn more or to support the Little Bulldog Backpack Program, contact littlebulldogbackpackprogramk5@gmail.com.

Assistant Professor of Physics and Director of the GWU Honors Program, Dr. Wilson Hawkins, center, and members of the Honors Student Association help pack food bags each week.

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�۶�ֱ�� Hosts Dr. Jerusha Matsen Neal for Greene Lectures on March 3

Office of University Communications — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:06:58 +0000

Duke Divinity Professor to Present on Creation Justice and Congregational Leadership Amid Climate Change

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The School of Divinity at �۶�ֱ�� University will host noted homiletics professor Jerusha Matsen Neal for The Rev. and Mrs. C.O. and Eliza Greene Lectureship in Ministry on Tuesday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Dover Chapel. The lectures will develop the theme “Grounded Hope: Creation Justice and the Place of the Local Congregation.” There is no cost to attend, and lunch is included.

“We are pleased to host Dr. Neal for the Greene lectures this year,” said interim dean Jim McConnell. “I am confident she will challenge us to consider how scripture compels local congregations to act in the face of climate change.”

The climate crisis raises theological questions about human purpose, the nature of hope, and the character of God. Drawing on biblical texts compiled through experiences of exile and loss, Neal’s lecture series reflects on where local congregations stand in this crisis—and where God is standing.

The schedule for these lectures is as follows:

10 a.m. – Lecture 1: “Exilic Hope: Preaching Scripture in the Climate Crisis.”
11 a.m. – Q&A.
11:45 a.m. – Lunch.
1 p.m. – Lecture 2: “New Creation Hope: Resistance and Restoration in the Face of Apocalypse.”

Neal, an associate professor of homiletics at Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C., is an ordained American Baptist pastor who has spent her ministry preaching in cross-cultural spaces and bridging denominational communities. Her most recent book, “Holy Ground: Climate Change, Preaching, and the Apocalypse of Place” (Baylor University Press, 2024), engages the climate crisis through the sermons of South Pacific communities displaced by rising tides. In her earlier book, “The Overshadowed Preacher: Mary, the Spirit, and the Labor of Proclamation” (Eerdmans, 2020), Neal challenges faith leaders to leave behind false shadows of approval and embrace the overshadowing Spirit of God.

A former actress and playwright, she has also authored a collection of dramatic monologues, “Blessed: Monologues for Mary” (Cascade Books, 2012). She speaks regularly to faith communities across the country on the intersection of courage and hope in the face of the climate crisis.

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

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

About the Greene Lectureship

The Rev. and Mrs. C.O. and Eliza Greene Lectureship was established in 1993 to preserve the legacy of excellence in pastoral ministry characterized by Greene, who served for approximately 14 years as director of Missions for the Kings Mountain Baptist Association (now Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association). Prior to that ministry, Greene served as pastor of four churches in Cleveland County and of two other churches in North Carolina. The Lectureship is administered by the Pittman Center for Congregational Enrichment and funded by family members, friends, and members of churches where the Greene served as pastor. Held annually on the GWU campus, the Lectureship’s purpose is to address various dimensions of pastoral ministry.

About �۶�ֱ��

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Penning Encouragement: GWU Students Unite to Share Faith Through Devotional

Office of University Communications — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:31:02 +0000

Senior Emma Kate Harrison Leads a New Devotional Initiative, Inviting the GWU Community to Write Reflections on Identity, Faith, and Encouragement

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Writing Ministry of �۶�ֱ�� Campus Ministries United offers events throughout the semester to encourage students to write notes of encouragement to special people in their lives or leave an inspirational note for a stranger to pick up. Led by her passion for writing, senior Emma Kate Harrison, became the Writing Ministry coordinator last year.

A human services major from Robbinsville, N.C., Harrison started writing as a private way to process her grief and other emotions after her stepfather died in 2020. Four years later, she decided to share her thoughts publicly and created an Instagram page called “Embracing the Endeavor.”

She explained, “I made it very clear that I wanted to use my story to help others, and that’s the only reason I’m willing to share my story. I will tell you anything so that you can be encouraged and feel validated in your emotions. It’s been cool to see how the Lord’s working in other people’s lives because of my story.”

As she thought about how writing impacts both the author and the reader, Harrison had an idea for a different Writing Ministry project: a printed devotional written by the GWU community. “Through this devotional, it is my prayer that our campus will be reminded of who they are because of what Jesus has done,” she shared. “The theme is Identity in Christ, and what that looks like as a college student. We are quick to put our identity in school work or in the sports we play or the friendships or the relationships, but when our identity is in Christ, those things are an exciting overflow not a pressure to perform.”

Her goal is to have the devotional ready by April so that students will have them to read over the summer. “You have all these resources when you’re at college,” she related, “Your friends who love Jesus, so many church things and ministry events on campus. But when you transition home, you are on your own. Having a devotional with students from �۶�ֱ�� and a few faculty and staff can jump start you into summer.”

Harrison wants 30 submissions and needs 10 more. One participant, Troy Berchoff, a sophomore English major with a minor in biblical studies, has written five devotions for the project. “When Emma Kate informed me of the devotional she was planning, I was greatly enthused,” he stated. “What better way to be encouraged with small thoughts from the community surrounding you? I love writing, and it helps me explore and expound upon my relationship with God, so I want to point others to a similar attitude of reflection and understanding. Also, I believe that if any scriptural wisdom or insight is imparted on us, we are blessed if we give that to others. God gives every good and perfect gift because it contains Himself in it and is useful for edification and worship.”

Support from students like Berchoff has brought Harrison close to her goal, yet she continues to welcome new submissions to complete the collection. She will be taking submissions until March 20. To participate, fill out this . For more information, visit the GWU Writing Ministry on or email Harrison at eharrison3@gardner-webb.edu.

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�۶�ֱ�� Physician Assistant (PA) Studies 2027 Cohort Raises Money for Bulldog Cares Fund

Office of University Communications — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 18:55:02 +0000

Glow Run 5K Generates Contribution to Assist Students with Emergency Financial Needs

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—In a show of campus generosity and community spirit, the 2027 cohort of the Gardner‑Webb University Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program organized a fundraising event that helped support fellow students in financial need. They raised $2,648.85 and presented the donation to the Bulldog Cares Fund during a recent basketball game. This fund—a joint venture led by Student Development, Student Success, and Financial Planning—seeks to assist �۶�ֱ�� students by providing financial support intended to prevent them from leaving the University for emergency financial reasons.

The PA students generated the donation by sponsoring a Glow Run 5K on Nov. 15, 2025. Participants included students, friends and supporters who lit up the night for an evening of fitness, fun, and community spirit. The group—decked out in neon colors, glow sticks, and LED accessories— transformed the course into a moving celebration, creating an atmosphere that was equal parts athletic and festive. The running course traversed through the campus of Gardner Webb University and had many “glow” items along the way.

“The Glow Run 5K wasn’t just about crossing the finish line—it was about connection and momentum,” observed Allison Shamblin, director of Didactic Education in the Department of PA Studies. “From the pulsing music at the start line to the cheers echoing along the route, runners and walkers of all paces were encouraged at every step of the way. The event showcased the 2027 cohort’s dedication to teamwork, wellness, and creativity, turning a traditional 5K into a memorable nighttime experience.”

Shamblin added, “By the end of the night, glowing smiles matched the glowing gear as participants celebrated a successful event filled with energy and enthusiasm. The Glow Run 5K stood out as a highlight of the season, reflecting the passion and leadership of the PA Class of 2027 and leaving the community excited for what they’ll organize next.”

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Championing Music at �۶�ֱ�� University

Office of University Communications — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:26:14 +0000

Dr. Aaron Rice: The GWU Department of Music—The North Carolina Destination

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�۶�ֱ�� University’s Department of Music is experiencing a season of bold growth and vision under the leadership of Dr. Aaron Rice, associate professor and department chair. Since arriving in 2022, Rice has helped boost enrollment by 30 percent and expanded student opportunities across North Carolina and beyond.

In recognition of his efforts, Rice has been named the recipient of the 2025–2026 Rising Star Award, an honor given by the Faculty Development of Instruction and Improvement Committee. The award recognizes emerging excellence in teaching, leadership and scholarship.

“I’m incredibly honored and grateful,” Rice reflected. “It encourages me to continue to invest and do all the things that I love. We want to be the strongest music unit at a Christian institution within North Carolina.”

A native of Gastonia, N.C., Rice felt a calling to ministry early in life and initially focused on contemporary worship music. But his love for choral music was rekindled during college, leading him to pursue graduate work at East Carolina University and Southwestern Seminary.

Rice’s leadership has already made a regional impact. �۶�ֱ��’s choral workshops have grown to include elementary school students, giving young musicians access to college-level instruction and performance experiences. University ensembles have performed at the North Carolina Choral Directors Association conference and Charlotte’s Thanksgiving Eve Parade.

“Seventy percent of our students are from within a 100-mile radius,” he said. “I think we’re strategically positioned to have an outsized impact on Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland, Rutherford, Caldwell, Catawba—all those counties. We’re ready to do it, and we are doing it.”

Rice is also preparing students for national and international opportunities. He helped lead a performance trip to France in 2024 and is raising funds for a 2027 trip to New Orleans. He has helped secure resources to open a digital piano lab and to fund research to support future church musicians.

“Honestly, I want to make sure the things that we’re doing are great,” he said. “We want to see our ensembles performing at conferences. As we continue to get better and better students, we’re watching them grow and thrive and do well. We’re going to see them end up performing on these big stages. As soon as they graduate, we want to make sure that these students are No. 1, getting placed, and then they’re out there, crushing it. We want to see them doing exceedingly well.”

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Gardner‑Webb Celebrates Selah Week: A Christ‑Centered Pause with Purpose

Office of University Communications — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:14:43 +0000

Speaker Ronnie Parrott and Worship Leader, Alumnus Cialen Gadsen, Invite Campus Community to Grow in Faith and Service

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—“Selah, se·lah (SAY‑lah), a Hebrew musical or liturgical term appearing in the Psalms, generally understood to mean ‘pause,’ ‘rest,’ or ‘break,’ and is used to signal a moment of reflection or emphasis within a sacred text.”

Drawing from this definition, Selah Week at Gardner‑Webb University invites students to set aside time to strengthen their faith. “We want students to pause from their semester and consider who Jesus is more intimately,” explained Neal Payne, GWU associate minister for Student Ministries. “This year’s theme is ‘Belonging,’ and we will talk about how belief leads to belonging and how that moves us to being part of the larger Body of Christ, especially being part of a local church and using our spiritual gifts to serve one another and to glorify Christ.”

Ronnie Parrott

Payne, a GWU alumnus, said Selah Week, has been an annual Spring Semester event at �۶�ֱ�� for many years. Services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 17, and Thursday, Feb. 19, at 9:25 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Tucker Student Center. The morning programs are part of the regular Dimensions series and include testimony from a student. The evening programs feature testimony from a faculty or staff member.

The speaker is Ronnie Parrott, lead pastor of Christ Community Church in Huntersville, N.C. He completed his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and previously pastored churches in Kentucky and Arkansas. (He is no relation to Dr. Josh Parrott, GWU vice president and university chaplain for Christian Life and Service.)

Leading worship for the evening services is Cialen Gadsen, a 2025 alumnus who is a graduate student in the GWU Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning program. A resident of Gaffney, S.C., Gadsen plays drums, piano and guitar. He serves in the worship ministry of a local church and leads a men’s faith group in Charlotte, N.C.

“To me, Selah Week shows my intentional pause,” he acknowledged. “It’s me stepping away from the noise of everyday life to reflect, worship, and realign my heart with God. It’s another reminder for everyone that true rest, reflection, and worship are a necessity, especially in our walk with Christ.”

Cialen Gadsen

Gadsen’s statement resonated with Millie Raymer, a �۶�ֱ�� junior psychology major who helped Payne plan the event. She serves in a work-study role with Campus Ministries United (CMU) and appreciates the mission of the student-led group and its passion for service. “The heart behind this special week is to allow students the safe space to draw nearer to the Father or even get to know Him for the first time,” she emphasized. “This year, Selah Week is loosely focused on each person’s unique spiritual gifts and how they fit into the body of Christ. We will explore what the spiritual gifts are and what that means in one’s own personal walk with the Lord.”

Remembering his own experience, Gadsen noted that he is honored to participate in the services. “Events like Selah Week were times where God truly met us in a real and personal way,” he said. “I want to help create space for students to pause, reflect, and encounter God.”

He added that CMU and the Office of Christian Life and Service significantly shaped his faith journey. “They created spaces where faith was lived out authentically, not just talked about,” he affirmed. “Through worship, community, and leadership opportunities, I was able to serve others, alongside friends, with humility and purpose. True connections and friendships were made because of it.”

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Four Dedicated Employees Retire After Decades of Service to �۶�ֱ��

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

Their Contributions to the Campus Community Have Shaped Generations of Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Four longtime employees are retiring from �۶�ֱ�� University after the Christmas holidays. Their dedicated service has impacted students through academics, Christian Life and Service, and ensuring a safe, attractive environment for learning and community.

Retiring on Dec. 31

Susan Manahan, Assistant Professor of Biology, 31 years

During her tenure at �۶�ֱ��, Manahan has championed scientific exploration and community service. After graduating with degrees in microbiology and nutrition from Penn State University, Manahan’s first job was working as a quality control technician for Bachman Pretzel Company in Reading, Pa. She joined the GWU faculty shortly after obtaining her master’s degree in biology from UNC-Charlotte.

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

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

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

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

Davis began working at �۶�ֱ�� in 2003 in the Office of Christian Life and Service/Campus Ministries. She enjoyed working with and around college students and ministering to them during these formative years. She had the opportunity to lead mission trips for college students and has traveled in the states as well as over six countries. She has been involved in ministry with her husband, Eric, for 46 years, and is the founder of Fragrance Ministries, which exists to encourage and empower women to know Jesus Christ personally.

Retiring on Jan. 5

David Wacaster, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, 27 years

Wacaster has a Bachelor of Science degree from �۶�ֱ�� and joined the University in 1998 as a patrol officer. He was captain of University Police when he was tapped to be the director of Environmental and Occupational Safety at GWU. In 2020, he became the director of Operations for Facilities and Maintenance. Before coming to �۶�ֱ��, Wacaster had served six years with the Shelby Police Department, where he held the positions of patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT Team member, and detective. He is married to Tonya, who received her bachelor’s and master’s in nursing from �۶�ֱ��. His daughters also graduated from GWU. Kaylee earned a sports management degree and is a fifth-grade teacher at Township Three Elementary. Jenna graduated with an education degree and teaches second grade at Springmore Elementary. They both played softball at �۶�ֱ�� and were recognized as Big South All Conference players. Kaylee holds six career hitting records for the Bulldogs. Jenna is married to Caleb Webber and they have a son named Riggs. When he’s not at GWU, Wacaster likes to ride the trails in West Virginia while running his off-road touring business. He also enjoys spending time with family and spoiling Riggs.

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Festival of Lights Dinner and Performance: A Night of Holiday Joy at �۶�ֱ�� on Dec. 4

Office of University Communications — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:30:00 +0000

Honor the Legacy of John R. Dover Sr., and Celebrate the Season with Food, Fellowship, Music and Lights

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Celebrate the Christmas season with �۶�ֱ�� University at an evening of dining, fellowship, and yuletide warmth. The Festival of Lights Dinner on Dec. 4 complements the annual beloved presentation of holiday music and lights, a campus tradition started by the Department of Music in 1985.

“The Festival of Lights Dinner and Performance is one of the most meaningful evenings of the year at �۶�ֱ��,” stated Interim Vice President of Advancement Karen Bruce. “It’s a time when we come together as a community to celebrate the joy of the season, honor those who laid the foundation for our University, and reflect on the light we’re called to share with the world. We’re excited to welcome alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends for a night of inspiration, music, and fellowship.”

Tickets may be purchased for the dinner only or the dinner and the performance.

The Festival of Lights Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. in Stewart and Hope halls of Tucker Student Center. Guests will enjoy an elegant seasonal dinner that brings together friends, alumni, and community partners for a night of warmth and gratitude. During the evening, John R. Dover Sr., whose legacy continues to inspire us, will be honored.

The 40th Annual Festival of Lights performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Dover Theatre. Experience the cherished �۶�ֱ�� tradition that has captured the spirit of Christmas for four decades. Talented GWU students and faculty will present powerful performances of Christmas classics, sacred choral works, and holiday favorites. The audience will be invited to join in the singing of familiar carols.

At 9 p.m., the audience will follow the softly lit luminaria path to the circle in front of Tucker Student Center. Then at 9:05, everyone will participate in the lighting of the campus Christmas tree, a symbol of hope, unity, and the light of Christ shared throughout our community.

Immediately following, guests will be invited inside Tucker Student Center for refreshments. Gather and fellowship with friends to close out the memorable night of celebration.

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�۶�ֱ�� Students Share Faith and Joy on Fall Break Mission Trips

Office of University Communications — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:04:17 +0000

Team Painted Houses, Distributed Food, and Shared God’s Love with Children and Adults

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Throughout the year, the �۶�ֱ�� University Office of Christian Life and Service sponsors national and international service opportunities for students. Two teams recently returned from trips to Give Kids The World Village in Orlando, Fla., and Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic, where students partnered with Sharing Christ Our Redeemer Everywhere (SCORE) International.

“We offer mission trips because we believe that God is at work (John 5:17) making all things new (Revelation 21:5), and we believe that each of us has a role to play in His story,” noted Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service Dr. Josh Parrott. “God offers the restoration of the fractured relationship with humanity through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. This is the greatest news in the history of the world, and we want students to join us in this greatest cause in all the world—making disciples of King Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). I hope all of our students will prayerfully consider how they might serve God and Humanity on a mission trip with us!”

The �۶�ֱ�� team painted houses in the Dominican.

Parrott and Associate Minister for Pastoral Care Stacy Simmons led the trip to the Dominican Republic, staying in the headquarters for SCORE International. This full-service mission organization continues to grow its efforts in long-term, sustainable ministries such as church planting, discipleship, anti-human trafficking, medical outreaches, orphan care, clean water initiatives, and much more. Currently, SCORE has 47 missionary families serving as career missionaries. Short-term trip teams partner with the long-term missionaries and ministries to create relationships that point toward Jesus.

The �۶�ֱ�� students stayed on SCORE’s property in Juan Dolio. On the first day, they painted four small houses and played games with the local children. The next day, they worshiped at a local church, and GWU student Madilyn Harris shared her testimony with the congregation. On the third day, in partnership with another local church, the team distributed bags of food and prayed with members of the village. Student Lucy Merritt shared her testimony at the second church. In the afternoon, they visited an orphanage, and the team led a mini-vacation Bible school for the children. Another student, Cameron Zaffuto, shared a Bible story, and the team led the children in arts/crafts and games.

Zaffuto, a freshman elementary education major from Rutherfordton, N.C., told the children about Daniel in the lion’s den and led an activity. “This was an amazing experience in which I got to see how God can work through me,” he described. “I went on this trip because I felt like that is what God called me to do. I heard Luke 10:2, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few,’ repeating in my head over and over again, so I took a step of obedience and decided to go.”

He reflected, “The biggest thing I learned on this trip was how to be content in the situation I’m in. I saw how many people were living, and most of them not in good conditions, but they all seemed full of joy, even though they didn’t have very much. Seeing this showed me that all you need in life to be joyful is God. If you feel like God is calling you to do something, step into obedience. He has a plan for you.”

Parrott shared that he was blessed by the experience. “I was encouraged to watch our students love God and love others on this trip!” Parrott shared. “They enthusiastically painted houses, played with children, prayed with others, shared testimonies, and pointed others to Jesus.”

Simmons added, “It’s truly rewarding to see how students’ faith and character deepen as they learn and grow through their mission trip experience,” she said. “We pray they take what they’ve learned and live it out daily—both at home and here on campus.”

Dominican team members:

Jalyn Safley
Madilyn Harris
Lucy Merritt
Emma Jean Hampton
Rachel Gaura
Claire Ledford
Sarah McLean
Anna LaFrancis
Daniel Martin
Cameron Zaffuto
Isaiah LaNave
Ryan Cope
Josh Parrott
Luke Parrott
Stacy Simmons

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