60 Years of Nursing Excellence

- Honoring the Legacy -

Where educators inspire, students lead, and lives are changed—one nurse at a time

When you drink the water, don’t forget who dug the well.

—Dr. Shirley Putnam Toney, Dean and Professor Emerita of Nursing

For six decades, the Hunt School of Nursing (HSON) at Gardner-Webb University has been shaping compassionate, skilled nurses who transform communities and lives. What began in 1965 with 45 students and modest supplies has grown into a nationally respected school, preparing nurses across associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.

As we celebrate our 60th anniversary in 2025–26, we honor the visionary leaders and dedicated faculty who “dug the well” so that thousands of nurses could flourish—serving patients with skill, empathy, and excellence.

A History of Vision and Growth

The story of the Hunt School of Nursing is one of bold leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment:

1962

Gardner-Webb Partnership

Grace C. Lee, director of the Rutherford Hospital School of Nursing, begins a partnership with Gardner-Webb, where 11 students travel to GWU to take courses created specifically for them: anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, sociology, physical education, and chemistry.

July 1965

Provisional Approval

After three years of collaboration between Rutherford Hospital School of Nursing and Gardner-Webb, GWU receives provisional approval to establish the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from the N.C. Board of Nursing.

August 1965

Gardner-Webb Welcomes Students

Gardner-Webb welcomes the first 45 ADN students. The Department of Nursing shared space with the natural sciences department. Nursing supplies included a bed, some equipment, a manikin, and a movie projector, all donated by Rutherford Hospital.

1966

Full Approval

The N.C. Board of Nursing grants full approval of the program.

1970

Nationally Accredited

Gardner-Webb is one of the first two ADN programs in the state to become nationally accredited by the National League for Nursing.

1973

First ADN in U.S. Air Force

Alumna 2nd Lt. Barbara Craig becomes one of the first ADNs in the nation to be commissioned by the U.S. Air Force.

1978

First Dean

Lee retires, and Dr. Shirley Toney becomes the School of Nursing chair and is later named its first dean.

1983

Program Launched

The RN to BSN program is launched after Dr. Toney leads a feasibility study. The RN to BSN completion program was made possible by a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Trust, the Davis Trust, and the Waggoner Foundation of Statesville, N.C. It was named the Davis Nursing Program in 1995 after becoming affiliated with the Davis Hospital Foundation.

2001

Master of Science

The Master of Science in Nursing program is established after separate studies led by Dr. Toney.

2002

Full Accreditation

Under Dr. Toney’s guidance, Gardner-Webb’s nursing programs gain full accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

2006

Dr. Rebecca Beck-Little Named Dean

Dr. Rebecca “Susie” Beck-Little is named dean; Dr. Toney stays on as faculty.

2009

Online Program

The RN-BSN program moves completely online.

2009

Approved by the Commission

The North Carolina Board of Nursing approves the establishment of a traditional BSN program at Gardner-Webb. Additionally, the post-master’s entry DNP program is approved by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

2010

First Traditional BSN Students Enrolled

The first traditional BSN students are enrolled, along with the first cohort of DNP students. At the time, the only other established DNP program in the state was located at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

2013

FNP Program Begins

The MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program begins.

2013

Dr. Sharon Starr Named Dean

Dr. Sharon Starr, alumna, is named dean of the School of Nursing.

June 2014

Hospital Purchased by Gardner-Webb

Gardner-Webb purchases the former Crawley Memorial Hospital to house the College of Health Sciences.

July 2014

Hunt School of Nursing Named

N.C. Rep. Dr. Jack Hunt and his wife, Ruby, name the Hunt School of Nursing (HSON) with a gift to provide a scholarship, program enhancements, renovations of nursing facilities, and educational technology.

2017

Dr. Nicole Waters Appointed Dean

Dr. Nicole Waters, a two-time alumna, is appointed dean of the HSON. The N.C. Board of Nursing approves HSON to establish an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program with the first group of students starting in the summer.

2018

Nursing Practice Degree Transition

The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties announces that all entry-level nurse practitioner (NP) education should move to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree by 2025. Gardner-Webb faculty start working toward the transition. Because of a national shortage of mental health care providers, HSON leaders obtain a grant from the Fullerton Foundation to add the DNP-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program option.

2019

DNP-FNP and DNP-PMHNP Programs

The first students enroll in the DNP-FNP and the DNP-PMHNP programs.

2020

Dr. Tracy Arnold Named Dean

Dr. Tracy Arnold, a four-time nursing alumna, is named dean of the HSON, and Dr. Waters is named associate provost of the College of Health Sciences. The next year, a university reorganization resulted in the HSON Dean being renamed director, and the associate provost title became dean of the College of Health Sciences.

2024

Associate Dean and Associate Director

Further administrative changes create an associate dean of the College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Arnold is promoted to this role. Dr. Anna Hamrick, an alumna who was serving as associate director of HSON, is appointed director of the HSON.

2025

Community-Based Grant

The College of Health Sciences receives a $290,408.52 Community-Based Grant from The Golden LEAF Foundation to establish a Health Sciences Summer Bridge Program for high school students. Students are introduced to various healthcare fields through interactive activities, such as lab work, simulations, networking, and shadowing healthcare professionals. Equipment purchased for the grant provides additional support for the HSON and College of Health Sciences students during the academic year.

2025

First Federally-funded Grant

The College of Health Sciences receives the University’s first federally-funded grant. Presented by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the initial award is $550,000, which is renewable for three years for a total of $2.16 million. The funding addresses behavioral health needs in rural and underserved areas through the Advancing Collaborative Care, Integration, and Interprofessional Education in Rural North Carolina (ACE) project.

By the Numbers:

60 Years of Impact

From its beginnings to the present, the HSON has kept pace with the changing healthcare landscape—developing nurse practitioner programs in family practice and psychiatric mental health, and expanding online learning—always with a Christ-centered approach and a heart for service.

Each number represents a life changed, a career launched, and a community strengthened.

0 Total Degrees Awarded

Associate

Bachelor’s

Graduate

0 Students Enrolled

in Spring 2025

ASN

BSN

Graduate

Faculty Voices

For 60 years, the heart of the Hunt School of Nursing has been its faculty—mentors, scholars, and role models who combine expertise with a Christ-centered commitment to student success. Their voices tell the story of a program defined not just by degrees earned, but by lives transformed.

Dr. Nicole Waters

(’06, ’14), Interim Provost & VP of Academic Affairs

“The School of Nursing has profoundly influenced my academic, professional, and spiritual life. The Christ-centered mentorship and support I received inspired me to give back as a faculty member and now as an administrator. I am deeply honored to continue this legacy.”

Dr. Tracy Arnold

(’02, ’04, ’06, ’12), Associate Dean, College of Health Sciences

“From my first day as a student to earning multiple degrees at GWU, I experienced firsthand the dedication of our faculty to the growth of their students. That same commitment led me to remain part of this community.”

Dr. Cindy Miller

Faculty Member for Over 40 Years

“When I started, we didn’t have computers. Today, we teach students across the country online while maintaining the same caring environment. Our smaller class sizes mean professors truly know and celebrate our students.”

Schedule of Events

Join us for anniversary events throughout the year as we honor our past and look ahead to the future of nursing at Gardner-Webb.

(Full event schedule coming soon!)

Looking Ahead

As the Hunt School of Nursing steps into its next chapter, its mission remains steadfast: to prepare highly skilled, compassionate, Christ-centered nurses who meet the challenges of modern healthcare with confidence and care.

With gratitude for those who built the foundation, and excitement for those who will carry the torch forward, we celebrate 60 years of nursing excellence at Gardner-Webb University.

Share Your Story

Are you an HSON alum? We’d love to hear how nursing at Gardner-Webb shaped your journey.

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