Gardner-Webb University Recognizes 2020 Who’s Who Recipients

Students Honored for Academic Achievements, Leadership and Citizenship

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University recently recognized 32 students who were named to the 2020 GWU Who’s Who list. Because of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, the students and their special guests joined GWU administrators in a Zoom video conference to celebrate the achievement.

Students are nominated for Who’s Who by faculty, staff and senior students. For consideration into the Who’s Who Program, students must have an outstanding grade point average (GPA), participate and demonstrate leadership in academic and extracurricular activities, be involved in citizenship and service to the GWU community, and exhibit future leadership ability or potential.

Sarah Currie, vice president of Student Development, welcomed everyone to the digital ceremony, noting it was great to see them on her computer screen. “Who’s Who is an opportunity for the University to recognize our outstanding seniors, which is why you are here,” Currie noted. “During your time here at Gardner-Webb, you took the idea of community and built relationships. You have chosen to invest and stand up for each other in meaningful ways. As you transition to this next season in your life, I really believe that your legacy of human connection will continue to be evident in your life, the way you love God and love people through that too.”

She read “Glint,” a poem by Gerald Kelly, which talks about God lighting the way through storms. “This is my prayer for you as you move into this next stage of your life, that you will have God’s presence with you,” Currie affirmed. “You will see him in your horizon and there is a reassuring light that is God’s call on your life. Everything around us can seem—at moments—to be chaotic, but God’s peace is sustainable.”

Currie recognized each student, who then introduced his or her guest. The students explained how their guests had helped them succeed at Gardner-Webb.

Before the meeting concluded, Dr. William M. Downs, GWU president, praised the students. “I didn’t get to teach any of you, and I’m jealous of my faculty colleagues who had that chance,” he observed. “I’m saddened that I didn’t get to know you better. I’m sorry for you that the semester has ended this way. I hope that as many of you as possible can attend in August for a commencement to end all commencements. We owe you a big one. Congratulations for all that you have accomplished over four years. We are proud of you, and we know that you are going to do great things in the future.”

2020 Gardner-Webb Who’s Who Recipients and Their Guests

Cabarrus County, N.C.

Makayla Fewster, Harrisburg, N.C., Natalie Bishop
Ashton Knotts, Kannapolis, N.C., Mindy Robinson

Catawba County, N.C.

Laci Frye,  Conover, N.C., Stephanie Allen
Katie Furr, Hickory, N.C., Shana Hartman
Lisa Martinat, Lenoir, N.C., Bob Carey
Isaac Tuttle, Lenoir, N.C., Joseph Moore

Cleveland County, N.C.

Maya Mallory, Boiling Springs, N.C., James Morgan
Jada Robbs, Shelby, N.C., Sarah Currie
Joy Smith, Casar, N.C., Tom Jones
Carlos Williams, Boiling Springs, N.C., Teresa Phillips

Gaston County, N.C.

Zoha Aamir, Cherryville, N.C., Meredith Rowe
Madeline Bame, Gastonia, N.C., Morgan Soja

Guilford County, N.C.

Gabriel Hoyle, McLeansville, N.C., Casey Delehanty

Harnett County, N.C.

Taylor Mills, Lillington, N.C., Tracy Williams

Henderson County, N.C.

Courtney Kanetzke, Mills River, N.C., Tim Zehnder
Tyler Oxtoby, Saluda, N.C., Sarah Edmonds

Johnston County, N.C.

Bridgette Turner, Clayton, N.C., Lisa Luedeman

Lincoln County, N.C.

Gabriel Gavin, Lincolnton, N.C.

Mecklenburg County, N.C.

Jared Roess, Charlotte, N.C.

Rowan County, N.C.

Cameron Reeder, Salisbury, N.C., Morgan Soja
Celsea Reeder, Salisbury, N.C., David Campbell

Union County, N.C.

Garret Allen, Indian Trail, N.C., Bernhard Martin

Out-of-State

Georgia

Daniel Graves, Cumming, Ga., Sarah Edmonds
John O’Connell, Alpharetta, Ga., Casey Delehanty

South Carolina

Kordell Hemphill, Pacolet, S.C.
Artur Hofer, Boiling Springs, S.C., Jessica Herndon
Shelby Putnam, Rock Hill, S.C.
William Sprinkle, Inman, S.C.
Hunter Warren, Gaffney, S.C.

Other states

Madolyn Aucremann, St. Augustine, Fla., David Carscaddon
Charity Bennett, Fishers, Ind., Mike Blum
Bogdan Podgaisky, Mt. Washington, Ky.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.