Once a student is nominated, they will receive an invitation to apply for this scholarship. Nominations for the scholarship are due by November 10. Application/Essay deadline is November 17. After November 17. Gardner-Webb hosts interviews in early December. These interviews will help GWU determine the candidate that best exemplifies a Tucker Scholar.
Individual parts of the scholarship packet include:
The essay is a very important aspect of the Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship application for the committee to see how the candidate is a good fit for this award. Each student should take time and think about how he or she wants to make a first impression. Application and essays should be complete, compelling, and with correct grammar and spelling.
Your essay should be thoughtful, with examples, and reflect careful consideration. The most engaging writing tells a story. Each essay should reveal the student’s passions and personality and demonstrate how they will be a great addition to this community of faith.
Gardner-Webb University has a culture rooted in living out our faith and demonstrating it by our actions. The University has claimed Mark 12:30 as a life verse. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
As you grow in your faith, how have you worked to apply the meaning of Mark 12:30 in your life? Convey in examples and your own words what it means to love God with the four unique aspects of who you are – Mark highlighted each one individually as each is equally important.
Your passion, your discovered meaning, your drive, your motivation. It is the reason you serve with compassion giving completely of yourself and that overriding desire to advance the Kingdom of God.
Represents your life of faith and how this is central to who you are and the direction of your life. We are not saved by works but by our faith. Faith alone is dead, but faith is lived out by our “heart’s” actions.
Denotes your intellect and your understanding that God has called us to study to prove ourselves. This idea is a life-long pursuit, and the tools you will gain at GWU will help you.
This aspect is the physical ability to do what God has directed, but it is also the confidence and attitude to follow his lead. The strength can come from a developed character that can see the work done no matter the challenges. Strength is coupled with resilience and is imperative for one to face the inevitable challenges brought by a life of faith, service, and commitment.
At GWU, we strongly believe that an essential way of showing our love for God can be seen best in how we show our love for other people. Consider that in how you express your thoughts.
A candidate should be a current high school senior who is a first-year applicant at Gardner-Webb University for a bachelor’s program. Each applicant should be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and plan to live on campus. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student who exemplifies the attributes highlighted in Mark 12:30. The candidate will stand apart from other applicants by the depth of character, faith, and service-driven life. The student will be required to demonstrate how they can thrive in the challenges of GWU’s academic environment and graduate prepared to live out the university’s motto making a difference for God and humanity.
Interested students should complete the scholarship packet.
One scholarship will be awarded each year. After four initial years, there will always be four Heart, Soul, Mind, Strength Scholars on campus playing a vital role in the community.
There is no limit to the number of students from each high school, town, or county who can be nominated or selected as finalists.
No. All applicants from any state will be considered as long as they meet the qualifications.
Yes, homeschooled students can be nominated by a minister, teacher, or spiritual mentor. The nominator should not be related to the student.
Yes, nominations and applications can only be made online with the submission form.
If you are selected as a finalist, you will receive an invitation call and email in November to the Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship Event, which will take place in December. Students who are not selected as finalists will be notified and may wish to apply for the other scholarship opportunities.
No. Students are required to be nominated by a minister, teacher, or spiritual mentor. The nominator should not be related to the student. Once nominated, a student will be required to receive two letters of recommendation touching on their academic and character leadership.
No. The scholarship has no major requirement so that you can choose from GWU’s 60+ areas of study.
No. The scholarship is awarded based on each student’s exemplification of the motto of GWU, a demonstrated commitment to service, and a desire to continue to grow and exercise their faith.
Your essay is a very important aspect of your application for the committee to see how you are a good fit for this award. Take your time and think about how you want to make a first impression. The application and essay should be complete, compelling and articulate with correct grammar and spelling. Your responses should be thoughtful, include examples, and reflect careful consideration. The most engaging essays are clearly focused on telling your story. Your writing should reveal your passions, personality, and demonstrate how you will be a great addition to this community of faith.
The event will be held in December. Finalists and their families will be invited to campus for interviews with members of the community. Each interview typically lasts 30 minutes, and the day also includes a chance to experience GWU and take a campus tour.
