Christian Service Archives - �۶�ֱ�� University

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.

�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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�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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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.”

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

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�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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�۶�ֱ�� to Host Week of Giving, Service, and Prayer Nov. 17–21

Office of University Communications — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:01:49 +0000

In Celebration of University’s 120 Years, Campus Invited to Give Back and Pray for Community

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�۶�ֱ�� University will unite the campus community for a Week of Giving, Service, and Prayer from Nov. 17-21. The initiative celebrates three core expressions of faith—generosity, service, and prayer—that have defined the University for 120 years.

Partnering with United Way, the University will honor its legacy of impact by supporting urgent needs, serving with compassion, and lifting one another in prayer. The goal is to strengthen the community and continue a tradition of leading with heart, hands, and hope.

Interim GWU President Nate Evans stated, “�۶�ֱ�� University has long been an indispensable partner in the life of this region, standing alongside our communities in times of need, service, and hope. During this Week of Giving, Service, and Prayer, we are mobilizing as One Webb to make a concerted and meaningful impact. When we unite in generosity, serve with purpose, and lift one another in prayer, we honor our 120-year legacy not with words but with action.”

Giving Through United Way

During the Week of Giving, Service, and Prayer, faculty and staff are encouraged to contribute to United Way, which helps feed the hungry, support education, improve health, and provide shelter in the local region. The University’s goal is 50% campus participation. Gifts can be made as one-time contributions or through payroll deduction. Learn more about giving to United Way, here.

Serving with Hands—120 Minutes of Impact

�۶�ֱ�� is partnering with United Way and community organizations across the region to complete 120 combined hours of service. Opportunities will be available on and off campus. View some suggestions from the Office of Christian Life and Service here.

Praying with Hope—120 Voices United in Faith

Prayer strengthens the hands that serve and inspires the generosity that gives—it’s the foundation that supports it all.

In addition to two moments of campus worship and prayer, the campus will receive daily 30-second reflections—simple prompts to pause, breathe, and reconnect with God as you move through your day of service and generosity.

Campus Prayer Gatherings

Prayer Service – Nov. 17 at noon, Dover Chapel.
Time of Prayer – Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m., The Quad flagpole.

For more details about the Week of Giving, Service, and Prayer, click here.

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�۶�ֱ�� Community Remembers Professor Emeritus Dr. Phil Perrin: Musician, Mountain Climber and Missionary

Office of University Communications — Fri, 16 May 2025 17:28:34 +0000

Perrin, who Taught at GWU for 34 Years, Passed Away on May 14, 2025

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�۶�ֱ�� Professor Emeritus of Music Dr. Phil Perrin, who shared his love for God and music with many students during his 34 years at the University, passed away on May 14, 2025. He also found ways to combine his ministry with his hobbies of hiking and mountain climbing. In his retirement, Perrin continued to use his talents to lead worship in area churches and teach music on the mission field.

Dr. Phil Perrin

During his final two years at �۶�ֱ��, Perrin taught worship, children’s choir leadership, and advanced conducting in the Master of Church Music program in the �۶�ֱ�� School of Divinity. School of Divinity Dean and Professor of Christian theology Dr. Robert W. Canoy noted that Perrin was an asset to the school on many levels.

“He came to us with years of experience as a gifted musician,” Canoy affirmed. “Best of all, he was able to conclude his academic career by returning to his first-love, church music. We needed someone to help us in our church music concentration, and he was looking to end his academic ministry by helping students become better church musicians.”

Canoy added, “Phil was a man of great energy, always positive, always smiling, and always looking for another trail to hike or mountain to climb.”

Perrin grew up in a rural setting near Knoxville, Tenn., and graduated from Knoxville Central High School in 1958. He earned a Bachelor of Science in music education at the University of Tennessee in 1962. He earned a Master of Church Music in 1964, then a Doctor of Musical Arts in music history at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1968.

Perrin spent the school year of 1968-1969 teaching and directing the chorus and band at Hazard Community College in Hazard, Ky. In 1969, he began teaching music at �۶�ֱ�� and became director of the choirs. He taught music history, church administration, hymnology, choral conducting, worship, and children’s choir methods and materials in the undergraduate program, and assisted students in church vocational placement. Upon the University’s acquisition of handbells, Perrin became director of the handbell choir.

Dr. Patricia Sparti, professor of music and director of �۶�ֱ�� orchestral activities, described Perrin as a “great man and extraordinary servant of the Lord.” She continued, “He was an extremely kind and gracious person to me and to everyone. Alumni have always told me what a kind and talented professor he was. Dr. Perrin filled in for me at my church in the summer of 2008, when I had shoulder surgery. He was available, because he was in between mission trips.”

Sparti added that Perrin still attended concerts at �۶�ֱ��. “He loved music and would always write and tell me how much he enjoyed them,” she noted. “When he retired in 2003, he was immediately honored as a GWU professor emeritus, and we all said we hoped we could serve as well as he did.”

Through the years, Perrin served as minister of music in numerous Baptist churches in the area. He served Florence, Floyd’s Creek, Rutherfordton First, Race Path and Shiloh in Rutherford County, N.C.; Boiling Springs, Calvary, Dover, Elizabeth, and Putnam in Cleveland County, N.C.; and Macedonia and West End in Cherokee County, S.C.

He also enjoyed hiking and combined ministry with mountain climbing. He completed the Appalachian Trail (approximately 2,190 miles) and climbed the highest mountain on all seven continents, reaching the peak of six of the seven, and 23,800 feet on Mount Everest. On these trips, he participated in short-term mission assignments, serving in Nepal, Indonesia, The Philippines, Malaysia, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Crimea, Russia, Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, India, and China.

After training with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2003, Perrin and his wife, Wilda, moved that fall to East Africa to begin a two-year assignment as music missionaries at Mount Meru (Baptist) University in Arusha, Tanzania, working among the Masai people. The Perrins taught church choral techniques, hymnology, Biblical foundations of church music, vocal technique, music theory, church music administration, children’s choir leadership, guitar and keyboard.

The Perrins left home again on Aug. 21, 2014, to teach choral music in a private high school near Chengdu, China. Although they were confronted with power outages, robbery, rationed/impure water, poor roads, auto accidents, and many cultural differences, their retirement experiences were highly rewarding during these adventures.

Perrin once listed what they learned from these experiences:

Appreciate simple things.
Happiness is not determined by one’s standard of living.
An event is more important than when it either starts or ends.
Relationships are of supreme importance; God loves the entire world.
God can use anyone who will love Him and serve Him.

A celebration of life service for Perrin will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at 2 p.m. at Cliffside Baptist Church, 220 Old Main St. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., also at Cliffside Baptist.

Sources: Faculty Emeriti profile; personal Interviews, Phil Perrin’s newsletters, his Aug. 4, 2004, speech, and the “Westview Witness” church newsletter of July 25, 2004; Oland and Joyce Summers

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�۶�ֱ�� Alumnus and Retired Navy Commander John E. Sutton is Speaker for University’s Memorial Day Observance

Office of University Communications — Tue, 13 May 2025 19:12:01 +0000

Ceremony will be Held on May 23 at 11 a.m. in Dover Chapel

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�۶�ֱ�� will host its Memorial Day Observance on Friday, May 23, at 11 a.m. in Dover Chapel, and the public is welcome to attend. Each year, the University sets aside this time to remember the lives of those who have died in military service to their country. The national Memorial Day observance dates back to 1868 when Americans started gathering in their communities to decorate soldiers’ graves and pay tribute to their fallen heroes. The day was established as a federal holiday in 1971.

Retired U.S. Navy Commander John E. “JES” Sutton

Retired U.S. Navy Commander John E. “JES” Sutton will be the featured speaker. He is a 1976 alumnus of �۶�ֱ�� University with a degree in mathematics.

The service will begin with a welcome and invocation by Vice President for Christian Life and Service and University Chaplain Dr. Josh Parrott. Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Music Dr. Aaron Rice will sing the national anthem. Adjunct Instructor and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Dr. Jim Rennie will lead the Responsive Reading of Psalm 67:1-7.

Interim �۶�ֱ�� President Nate Evans, who is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, will introduce Sutton. “Memorial Day is a special time for our community to pause and reflect on the high cost of freedom,” Evans asserted. “Through this observance, we are reminded of the courage and sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price for our nation’s freedoms. We are grateful to Commander Sutton for his service to our nation and for joining us on this important occasion.”

The retired commander grew up in Brazil, where his parents served as missionaries for the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1972, Sutton left his home in Rio de Janeiro to attend Oregon State University. After one quarter, Sutton transferred to �۶�ֱ�� to finish his degree. He met his wife, Rosie, at GWU, and they were married in 1976.

During the summer of 1975, Sutton applied for a commission in the U.S. Navy to work as a nuclear engineer. He enlisted in October 1975, attended Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island, and received his commission in November 1976. He retired from active duty in 2005 while stationed at the NATO headquarters at Brunssum, the Netherlands. He continued working as a government contractor until he fully retired and permanently moved to Elizabethton, Tenn., in 2009. The Suttons have four children and ten grandchildren.

After Sutton’s remarks, Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Lesley Villarose will conduct a Remembrance of the Fallen. Silence is observed as the bell tolls 21 times, the highest military honor to those who died defending freedom and democracy. Afterward, Associate Vice President of Marketing Wilson Brooks will play Taps.

Evans will have closing remarks, and Associate Minister for Community Engagement and Athletic Ministries Isaiah Crawford will say the benediction.

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Dr. Heather Wright Honored with �۶�ֱ�� President’s Early Career Award

Office of University Communications — Tue, 06 May 2025 12:24:58 +0000

Assistant Professor of English Recognized for her Outstanding Instruction, Scholarship and Community Service

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Heather Wright has received the �۶�ֱ�� president’s Early Career Award in recognition of her exceptional performance as an assistant professor. The award is presented to faculty members who have completed at least two, but no more than six years in rank at the University.

The award’s primary focus is on the faculty member’s productivity in scholarship, creative discovery, and instruction that exceeds expectations. The honor also recognizes outstanding performance in professional development and excellence in service. The award includes an additional $1,000 from �۶�ֱ�� in professional development funds to be used during the 2025-26 academic year.

“Dr. Heather Wright demonstrates the spirit of academic excellence and student-centered teaching that defines �۶�ֱ�� University,” praised �۶�ֱ�� Interim President Nate Evans. “We are proud to celebrate her many contributions to our learning community.”

Wright has worked full time at GWU for three years and was an adjunct instructor for six years. She was nominated for the award by Dr. Chris Davis, professor and chair of the Department of English Language and Literature. He noted Wright’s dedication to her students’ success. “Her impact on students is tremendous, notably in her abilities to engage and support them,” Davis related. “She fosters a sense of community and respect in her classrooms, where her students feel welcomed and valued. Dr. Wright receives wonderful student feedback at all levels of her instruction, from first-year composition courses, to upper-level English and honors seminars, and graduate courses in English education.”

Further, Davis stated that through Wright’s instruction and support as the director of the English education program, 100% of English education graduates have passed EdTPA requirements in the last three years. Multiple graduates achieved the “highly qualified” designation, which makes them eligible for a teacher signing bonus. All are employed in either North or South Carolina.

Wright is humbled by the recognition and quick to give credit to her colleagues for their guidance and mentorship throughout her educational journey. She earned her Master of Arts in English from �۶�ֱ�� in 2011, and mentions the help she received from former English professor Dr. Matt Theado, along with current faculty members, Dr. Jennifer Buckner and Dr. Shea Stuart.

“I’m really proud to be part of the English program at �۶�ֱ��,” Wright affirmed. “Dr. Theado really pushed me when I was looking at doctoral programs, and I wasn’t really sure where to go. He and Dr. Buckner and Dr. Stuart, over the years, gave a lot of great advice and were references for me. They were always great sounding boards. Seeing their passion for what they do and how they talked about their areas of interest meant a lot to me.”

While obtaining her master’s degree, Wright taught high school in Columbus, N.C., and was an adjunct instructor at Limestone in Gaffney, S.C. After earning her master’s, she was an adjunct instructor for �۶�ֱ�� and Isothermal Community College in Spindale, N.C. She left the high school setting and her adjunct positions in 2018 to pursue her doctorate at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, where she was also a graduate assistant. During a break, she came back home to Boiling Springs for a visit and saw Buckner riding her bike. They stopped to talk, and Wright received advice that helped her complete her graduate studies. “She asked me how my dissertation was going and I said, ‘I don’t know,’” Wright remembered. “Then she said, ‘Listen; how do you eat an elephant?’ The answer is ‘one bite at a time.’”

As Wright continued working on her dissertation through a global pandemic, she repeated Buckner’s phrase to herself. Since then, she’s shared that and many other nuggets of wisdom from Buckner with her students. “Dr. Buckner has always been amazing to me,” Wright emphasized. “I think the world of her, how intentional she is and how gracious and brilliant and—there aren’t enough words. I have this catalog of Dr. Jennifer Buckner advice I’ve gone to since I was 22 years old.”

She also appreciates Stuart, another colleague and former professor, for providing her with professional growth opportunities. “She made it possible for me to go to conferences over the years along with her,” Wright assessed. “If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have been able to go to them. She always made that possible. She gave me a leg up.”

Wright has been active in scholarship early in her career, offering nine presentations since 2022. The highlights include multiple presentations given at the annual conference for the National Council of Teachers of English, the American Reading Forum, the Journal of Literary Innovation Conference, and the Appalachian Studies Conference. Wright was named a 2021-22 Celia B. Godsil Grants in Place Fellow by the Rural Schools Collaborative for her project, “Rural Places and Rural Pages.” In addition, Wright co-authored an article published in the peer-reviewed journal, “American Reading Forum Yearbook 2023.” Other manuscripts are under consideration elsewhere as well, and Wright has IRB approval for a qualitative research study.

Outside of �۶�ֱ��, Wright makes a direct impact on the local community by serving as an advisor for the official local chapter of , a national philanthropy that provides free prom and formal dresses to young women in need. The chapter is sponsored by Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., where Wright’s twin sister, Nicole Hamrick, is the minister of children and youth. In 2024, �۶�ֱ��’s SGA approved the event as an outreach opportunity for its members.

Wright became involved with Becca’s Closet through one of her high school students in Columbus. He found out about the charity and decided to start one for his senior project. His dad had passed away, so he knew particularly about the financial hardships of single parents and thought there might be other families who couldn’t afford the extra expense of a prom dress. “He thought this would be phenomenal for our community,” Wright explained. “He and his mom and the science teacher and I started getting prom dresses. One prom dress at a time. We had 30 prom dresses and it just carried on from there.”

Wright also helped start a chapter of Becca’s Closet in Sylva, N.C., when she taught at Smoky Mountain High School. “I like being part of the dress closet because one of my students started our local chapter back in 2016,” Wright stated. “It was important to him, and it became incredibly meaningful to my students at Polk County Early College. It was something we all did together. We’d organize, set up, and work hard together. It’s been a blessing to be able to keep the closet going, but I’m only able to do so because my student started it. I’m only able to keep it going because of the amazing people at Poplar Springs Baptist Church who volunteer their time to help it run smoothly.”

She continued, “I’m always thrilled when �۶�ֱ�� students are able to participate in the closet. I’ve been fortunate to partner with Jessika Raduly and Hope Saunders in GWU Student Engagement, as well as members of SGA. I think our lives are made by how we choose to love the world around us. Small things, like a dress, can become something larger. It’s a practice that becomes a lifestyle, a step that becomes your walk.”

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Ten Students from �۶�ֱ�� Help with Rebuild Efforts in Waynesville and Fletcher, N.C.

Office of University Communications — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:45:36 +0000

Group Spends Spring Break Volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Instead of traveling out-of-state this year, Neal Payne, �۶�ֱ�� associate minister to the University for Student Ministries, and 10 students from �۶�ֱ�� went to Black Mountain, N.C., to help rebuild homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Helene.

Several organizations are helping in the area, including Baptists on Mission. Another team from �۶�ֱ�� led by Dr. Nicole Waters, dean of the College of Health Sciences and interim provost; and Dr. Candice Rome, professor of nursing, worked with the Baptist group during spring break. Read about their efforts here.

During the week, some of Payne’s group was filmed by a news crew from in Asheville, N.C. Half of the GWU students restored a home in Fletcher, N.C., and the others helped with a rebuild in Waynesville, N.C.

Troy Berchoff, of Mooresville, N.C., an English major who is minoring in biblical studies, was part of the Fletcher crew. “Across the hours I spent sawing, drilling, and chiseling, I perceived God in many ways,” Berchoff described. “He was in the cracked window I forcefully took out with our foreman, the yellow daffodils that constantly waved at us every time we walked by, and the picnic table, which had floated in from the flood, that served as our lunch spot. Knowing God in ways like that made me full.”

The �۶�ֱ�� students pose with the homeowners of the house they worked on during the week.

Berchoff said the Samaritan’s Purse team they worked with strives to create a sense of community between the homeowners and the volunteers. “From our first day, our team bonded, and we honestly enjoyed the shared work being accomplished,” he observed.

Elizabeth Qualls, a freshman communication studies major, also worked at the Fletcher site. She was inspired as she witnessed not only the faith of the homeowners they were helping, but the faith of all the residents in the area affected by the hurricane. “I learned that whatever storm in your life that you go through, whether a spiritual battle, or a physical flood, it is necessary to cling to God, in every circumstance,” she shared. “I also learned more about importance of service and being sent to the mission field.”

The students learned how to use nail guns, saws, and drills, and build walls. “A lot of them had never done that before, but by the end of the week, we were able to leave them to the section,” Payne related. “We’d say, ‘Y’all have to take care of that,’ and they’re measuring and cutting and shooting. And they love to work really hard.”

They worked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and a half day on Friday. One of the houses they worked on belonged to a couple in their early 70s. “They had lived in this house all of their married life,” Payne described. “It was located in a low-lying part of Waynesville, in a lower-income neighborhood. Water came up over the creek that was several hundred yards away from their home. They sat on the hillside and watched the water flow through their house. It didn’t wash their house away, but it was damaged. They ended up having to tear their house down, because it just destroyed everything in it. We were doing a new rebuild for them. Here they are in their 70s having to start their lives all over again.”

Psychology major Matthew Greene, of Knoxville, Tenn., worked at the couple’s home. He said meeting the homeowners and hearing them share their faith had the greatest impact on him. During their time together, the Samaritan’s Purse leader showed the group a rock that had “Jesus” written on it. It had been given to him by someone he had helped that day. “He passed the rock around and it ended at my table,” Greene related. “I went to give him the rock back, and he let me keep it. Instead of keeping it, I gave it to the homeowners. They were super appreciative and said they loved me. It felt really good to give hope to someone in need and to show them they were seen by their brother in Christ.”

Participating students:

Will Altman
Troy Berchoff
Russell Frederick
Matthew Greene
Isaiah LaNave
Elizabeth Qualls
Hildi Smith
Madison Turner
Aubry Wiggins
Emma Wooten

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�۶�ֱ�� Team Answers Call to Help Neighbors in Western North Carolina

Office of University Communications — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:41:18 +0000

Group of Six Works to Rebuild Home for Family That Lost Everything in Hurricane Helene

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Over the years, the Gardner-Webb Office of Christian Life and Service has led student mission teams to serve around the world and other parts of the United States. This year, some of the greatest needs were close to home, just over an hour from campus.

Because of the tremendous work to be done in Western North Carolina, two groups from �۶�ֱ�� traveled there over spring break to help people rebuilding after Hurricane Helene left its path of destruction in September 2024. Dr. Nicole Waters, dean of the College of Health Sciences and interim provost; and Dr. Candice Rome, professor of nursing, started making plans to go as soon as they saw reports from the aftermath. “After the storm, Dr. Rome and I felt a strong desire to support relief efforts in Western North Carolina—an area we both love and wanted to actively help in its recovery,” Waters emphasized.

Amid the devastation, students and team leaders sought to bring hope and healing. They received so much more for their time and effort, gathering blessings and inspiration from people who were grounded in their faith and determined to persevere.

As an example of the resilient spirt of the people, Dr. Josh Parrott, vice president and university chaplain for Christian Life and Service, shared a story of a husband, 89, and his wife, 81. “The water was 9- to 12-feet high and covered their house,” he related. “When the swift water rescue team got there, the husband was on top of an armoire and his wife was on top of another piece of furniture and the water was up to their necks, so they busted out a little window. Every day the elderly couple was at that site working with the Baptists on Mission. At lunchtime, the group would huddle up with the elderly couple and pray with them. The couple would lead in prayer and in the singing of the Doxology. To stand in that circle with that elderly couple and see them display that level of faith—and even the man whose house we worked on was joyful and trusting Jesus—to see that level of faith through a complete loss—I mean it’s just things I’ve never seen before and to think it’s an hour away; it’s apocalyptic in areas.”

He continued, “The most pressing need now is for volunteers. Houses and lives continue to be rebuilt, and our Tarheel brothers and sisters are going to need the sustained effort of volunteers. Our University has an opportunity to step into these spaces and display love for God and for neighbor (Mark 12:30-31) over the next 5-10 years.”

Parrott joined the team led by Waters and Rome with Chloe Downs, Corinna Pittenger, of Roanoke, Va., and Waters’ son, Ethan. The second 10-member team, led by Associate Minister to the University for Student Ministries Neal Payne, worked with Samaritan’s Purse in Waynesville and Fletcher, N.C.

First Baptist Church in Swannanoa, N.C., was home base for the smaller team. They witnessed widespread destruction, lingering debris, displaced families and realized the immense recovery efforts that will be required for years to come to an area so close to the university community and their personal homes.

The Baptists on Mission have been coordinating relief efforts from that site since October 2024. “Spending the week at was a truly humbling experience,” Waters stated. “This church has served as a steadfast presence for the community, opening its doors the very Sunday after the storm and welcoming Baptists on Mission Disaster Relief teams without hesitation. Their ongoing daily sacrifices to host and support these teams reflect a powerful example of Christlike service, offering inspiration to all.”

The four-story church can house between 50-70 volunteers, providing overnight accommodations by allowing the use of their classroom spaces for sleeping and fellowship hall/gym for meals. The Baptists on Mission stationed portable showers near the church for use.

The volunteers were divided into 10 teams, and the �۶�ֱ�� team was assigned to a home in Marion, N.C., for the week. Waters noted, “It was really heartwarming for us to participate, meet the homeowner, hear their story, and what God is doing in their life.”

She continued, “Marion still has many homes needing repair. There is also environmental devastation still present with debris in trees and bodies of water. A local train track remains unusable due to the land beneath the track being washed away. Businesses and homes on the river experienced significate destruction and many remain waiting repair or demolition. The Baptists on Mission have committed to be in that area for approximately the next 10 years.”

The homeowner they served had lost all the contents in his approximately 1,400 square-foot home, due to flooding from 3 feet of water. During Helene, he was away on business travel and no occupants were there. However, the surrounding homes endured significant flooding and the remaining residents were rescued by a swift water rescue team.

Previous teams had cleaned out the house and worked on replacing new flooring, drywall, basic appliances, doors, etc. to allow the family to return soon. The �۶�ֱ�� team continued working to get the house ready for move-in. Pittenger, a double major in communication studies with film emphasis and English, said she learned how to use a nail gun, and they taught her how to install doors. “However, the most important part of the trip was hearing all the stories about those who had been affected, and how God had helped them through Baptists on Mission, the organization we were working with,” she asserted. “It was crazy to see how much damage there still is in the area and how many people are still massively affected. Help is still needed.”

When the last group of volunteers completes a home, the homeowner will receive a Bible that has been signed by every team member who has been there to work on the home from the beginning stages of restoration.

The �۶�ֱ�� team members had little experience in home repair, but Waters’ son has some expertise in that area. “We looked at him on Monday and said, you are the boss,” she related. “You need to tell us what we are doing. We were able to do flooring. Josh (Parrott) was able to participate in that. We did frames, doors, and windows. Probably in the next three weeks, the homeowner will get his keys to the home.”

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