Gardner-Webb Receives $1.85 Million Transformative Gift

Donation Enhances Athletics, Residence Halls, and Academics

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.— Gardner-Webb University has received one of the largest single contributions in the last 25 years—an initial $1.75 million gift that broke previous records. Just one week later, the donors added an additional $100,000, bringing the total to $1.85 million. This transformative gift will impact all areas of campus life.

“This transformative gift is a powerful affirmation of Gardner-Webb’s mission and the life-changing impact this institution has on our students and their families,” said Interim President Nate Evans. “It reflects not only deep gratitude but also great vision, investing in our facilities, academic programs, and student life so that Gardner-Webb can continue to change lives. We are incredibly grateful for this generosity and inspired by the trust it places in our future.”

The donation will go toward athletic, residential, and academic enhancements. Projects start this month to install new turf for the football field and replace the basketball court in the Paul Porter Arena. A major refurbishment of Nanney Hall is underway and various updates in other residence halls and apartments will take place over the summer. The final part of the record-breaking gift will be used to update computers, equipment, and technology needs for the Department of Communication, Art and Design.

The donors were motivated to give because they saw the positive impact that the GWU community—faculty, staff and students—had on their son’s Christian walk. “Gardner-Webb is a unique and rare gem in higher education,” they said. “The school has blessed our son in a variety of ways. GWU offered an environment where he could thrive and grow both professionally and spiritually. He was also instrumental in identifying certain areas that would benefit from our financial support, and we wanted to honor that as well.”

They also felt strongly about directly supporting the Gardner-Webb mission and encourage others to financially support the University. “God has his hand on GWU and this is evident every time we set foot on campus,” the donor said. “God’s calling to support GWU was an easy ‘YES.’ We hope that other families with the capacity to give will experience the same calling.”

With their contribution to Gardner-Webb, they wanted to bless the people who had become friends over the last four years. “Our son developed strong relationships with his peers, academic, administrative and coaching staffs,” the parents said. “We have developed meaningful relationships with some key administrators and have enjoyed our many visits to Shelby/Boiling Springs. We feel a real connection to GWU, and it’s all because of the people.”

Upgrades to Nanney and other residence halls will directly impact the daily lives of Gardner-Webb students, observed Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Lesley Villarose. “I am deeply grateful for the generous support of our donors,” she affirmed. “We are excited about the transformation this will bring. The investment in new residence hall furniture is more than just a physical upgrade—it is an investment in the comfort, well-being, and community experience of our students. These refreshed living spaces will enhance students’ ability to rest, study, and connect with others, helping to create a true home away from home.”

The turf and basketball court will provide a foundation to improve the student-athletes’ experience. Interim Vice President of Athletics Chuck Burch noted the existing football turf was installed in 2014. “Ordinarily, turf fields last between eight to 10 years, so our field has held up well considering how much we have used it,” Burch noted. “Replacing the turf and shock pad under the turf allows us to provide our student-athletes the safest environment possible.”

Head Football Coach Cris Reisert also expressed his gratitude to the donors. “The new turf football field is a huge blessing for our program,” he emphasized. “This gift provides a state-of-the-art turf field that our players can use daily to help improve their craft in practice or compete for conference championships in games.”

Additionally, Burch explained the need for a new basketball court. The Runnin’ Bulldogs are playing on the same surface that has been in the Paul Porter Arena since the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center was built in 1982. “After multiple sanding and refinishes, there are numerous dead spots throughout the court,” he stated.

Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jeremy Luther added, “This gift will give our student-athletes a sense of pride and encouragement to continue striving to be the best they can be. It’s great to see the investment our donors and administration have made in making this new floor a reality.”

The equipment for the Department of Communication, Art and Design will support numerous academic programs. Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Jennifer Buckner assessed the gift’s impact. “This lab provides industry-standard technology that will support photography, videography and digital designs in a tech-forward learning environment, preparing students for future careers,” Buckner said. “We are excited to see how this lab enhances department strengths, such as our sports and commercial photography or our student-produced films for the International Real to Reel Festival.”

Gardner-Webb 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., Gardner-Webb 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 Gardner-Webb.edu.