news-category: Admissions Eight Students Win ۶ֱ’s Ignite Excellence Full-Tuition Scholarship By Office of University Communications On February 20, 2024 Winners from North Carolina, Alabama, New York, and Illinois Receive Award Valued at $33.7K per Year BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The winners of ۶ֱ University’s most competitive academic scholarship—Ignite Excellence—have been announced. These eight high school seniors rose above the 288 top-ranked students who came from 19 states to participate in on-campus interviews. “This really was an amazingly accomplished group of finalists, and we are thrilled to welcome each of these high-ability students to GWU,” praised ۶ֱ President Dr. William M. Downs. “It’s good to see top students making our University their top choice, and the full-tuition scholarships will ensure a fast start for all of these new Runnin’ Bulldogs. I’m eager to get them to campus in August and to watch them excel in the coming years.” The 2024 Ignite winners are listed below, with their hometowns and what they plan to study: Ja’Kayla M. Alexander, Shelby, N.C., nursing. Ayden Mackinley Bollinger, Lenoir, N.C., biology. Isaiah D. Brown, Warrior, Ala., criminal justice administration. Naliah Chrisha Codjovi, East Amherst, N.Y., biology. Jessica Marie Horn, Plainfield, Ill., psychology. Elijah David Lewis, Graham, N.C., computer science. Jaylan Robert Mays, Charlotte, N.C., undecided. Lucy A. Merritt, Shelby, N.C., nursing. Each recipient receives a full-tuition scholarship that covers the cost of tuition for eight semesters. The award is valued at $33,770 per year. The winners have an average GPA of 3.96 noted Molly Allison, director of Admissions for Undergraduate Admissions. During the interviews, students meet one-on-one with a GWU faculty member. “Our faculty implement a standardized scoring system and ask predetermined questions to evaluate the students,” Allison explained. “Based on these assessments, we select the highest-scoring candidates as our winners.” The 288 qualified applicants came from: Alabama. Arkansas. Arizona. Florida. Georgia. Hawaii. Illinois. Maryland. Missouri. North Carolina. New Jersey. New York. Ohio. Pennsylvania. South Carolina. Tennessee. Texas. Virginia. Washington. Learn more about the Ignite and other GWU scholarship programs. Note to our readers: This article reflects the University’s tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University’s official Admissions page. ۶ֱ 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., ۶ֱ 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. Ignite your future at ۶ֱ.edu.
News Article ۶ֱ University Earns National Recognition for Preparing Future Elementary Teachers in The Science of Reading Elementary Education Program Achieves Top Marks in New Report from The National Council on Teacher Quality BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at ۶ֱ University has earned an A+ from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). The council’s report, “Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation,” spotlights GWU’s College of Education […] Office of University Communications | July 23, 2026
News Article ۶ֱ Alumna Shelby Putnam Combines History, Community and Storytelling at Carolina Theatre The 2020 Graduate Credits GWU’s Liberal Arts Education, Faculty Mentorship and Leadership Experiences for Helping Shape Her Career BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—On those rare occasions when ۶ֱ University 2020 alumna Shelby Putnam catches a show at the historic Carolina Theatre in Greensboro, N.C., she takes in the beautifully-preserved auditorium and knows she is in the right […] Office of University Communications | July 22, 2026
News Article Family Establishes Robert and Evelyn Cabaniss Music Scholarship at ۶ֱ University Endowment Honors Cleveland County Couple’s Longtime Love of Music, Education, and Service BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Music was woven into everyday life in the home of Robert and Evelyn Cabaniss of Cleveland County, N.C. The family listened to a wide variety and sometimes sang along. To honor their parents’ love for music, support for education and service […] Office of University Communications | July 17, 2026