Gardner-Webb Welcomes Students Back to Campus

Gardner-Webb Opens New Academic Year with Energy, Upgrades, and Community Spirit

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb campus marked the start of the 2025-’26 academic year by celebrating nine new faculty members, incoming first-year students, and major improvements across campus. While new students enjoyed a weekend of orientation fun and learning about their new college home, returning students came back to updated living spaces, athletic facilities and academic areas.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs will enjoy new turf on the football field and a new basketball court in the Paul Porter Arena. A major refurbishment of Nanney Hall included new flooring and furniture. Other residence halls and apartments also received new furniture. The Mac Lab in the Department of Communication, Art and Design is equipped with new computers and technology. These enhancements to campus life were made possible by a record-breaking $1.85 million gift from parents of a recent Gardner-Webb graduate.

In addition, the University’s dining partners, Aramark, introduced enhancements in The Caf and Tucker Student Center. Along with mobile ordering and Starbucks connect, new offerings include more high-protein and allergen-friendly food options; changes to Bo’s in Dover Campus Center; and reusable to-go containers.

Beyond these physical improvements, Interim Gardner-Webb President Nate Evans established a theme for the year, “One Webb.” Each faculty and staff member received a GW T-shirt with the statement and wore their shirts on Aug. 20, the first day of classes. Also, the day began with Evans and first lady Brittany Evans hosting “Grounds for Connection.” They gave out free coffee and a few directions to first-year students. The University’s live mascot, Bo, joined the event to received pets from students, faculty and staff.

“The start of a new academic year always brings great energy to Gardner-Webb, and this year is no exception,” Evans observed. “With our theme of ‘One Webb,’ we celebrate the unity of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and look forward to a year of academic excellence, spiritual growth, and new opportunities to live out our mission. Together, we will continue building on our strengths and writing the next chapter of the Gardner-Webb story.”

During the four days of Orientation, first-year students developed friendships while participating in a variety of activities, including an ice cream social, worship services, entertainment, games, food, and sweet bingo. They also started learning how to transition to college life in their University 111 class, a requirement for all first-year students. Led by a faculty or staff member and a peer leader/mentor, these classes help new students approach academics through a Christian worldview, and develop skills to succeed in life during and after GWU.

Valerie Mancipe, a first-year commuter student, appreciates the warm welcome she’s received from Gardner-Webb. “I live in Forest City, N.C., and I do about 30 minutes of driving to get here every day,” she affirmed. “My siblings and my cousins all went here before, and they gave me really good recommendations. I like that the classrooms are small enough to where you feel comfortable asking questions. I like the peer leaders; we meet with them three times a week. Everyone is really nice and helps you out with, you know, where your classes are and what you need to do.”

A business major, she will use this year to narrow her focus. “I want to solidify a specific kind of route to take with business, because it’s such like a big, broad field, and I’m taking accounting classes, maybe marketing,” she shared. “I’m pretty sure I’ll find something because all the teachers here are very passionate about what they teach.”

Serving as a peer leader for the first time this year, Allie Johnson, of Bakersfield, N.C., is a history education major in her second year at Gardner-Webb. “My favorite thing so far about this first week and being a peer leader is helping my students find community and helping them get plugged in to different clubs and organizations, so they have a sense of belonging going into the first six weeks, which is crucial for them,” she asserted. “My expectations for myself, this year are to get more involved and meet new people.”

Jamari Nicholson, a sports management major from Matthews, N.C., also described the welcome he’s received and his goals for the year ahead. “Everybody, really just brings you in with open arms, so I think that is really cool,” he assessed. “I want to just start getting out in the community, start helping, especially with my major in sports management, start helping out the sports and meet new people and make connections.”

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.

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.