Gardner-Webb Alumni Relations Hosts Philanthropy Week on April 26-29

Students, Faculty and Staff will Participate in Activities to Thank Donors and Serve the Community

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb Office of Alumni Relations is hosting Philanthropy Week for students, faculty, and staff on April 26-29. Throughout the week, the campus community will have several opportunities to learn more about the philanthropists (donors) and their tremendous contributions to Gardner-Webb.

Leah Clevenger, director of Alumni Relations, is excited to offer this inaugural event. “We are celebrating the philanthropists who have supported Gardner-Webb’s mission throughout the decades,” she affirmed. “This week-long effort will raise awareness for philanthropy among our students, faculty, and staff as we honor the generosity of families and foundations that value Christian higher education.”

The following informational and service-oriented activities are planned:

• Monday: Celebrating GWU’s Philanthropists—Gift tags will be placed in front of buildings across campus to recognize the philanthropists and the financial gifts they have made to GWU.
• Tuesday: Taco ‘Bout Philanthropy—2 p.m., Tucker Student Center, Stop by the Taco Stand and learn more about philanthropy.
• Wednesday: Let’s Thank GWU’s Donors—11 a.m. (outside the Caf) and 2 p.m. (outside of Tucker), Visit the “Thank-a-Donor” stations and write or record messages of gratitude to donors.
• Thursday: Annual Day of Giving—11:30 a.m., (outside the Caf) Participate in Philanthropy on the Fly and receive a #DoubleDawgDay T-shirt. Help provide food items for children through Feeding Kids Cleveland County and the Little Bulldogs Backpack Program. Students and others will assemble food bags. Then, the partner organizations will deliver them to children in five local schools: Boiling Springs Elementary, Springmore Elementary, James Love Elementary, Shelby Intermediate, and Turning Point Academy. #DoubleDawgDay is the University’s single biggest day of giving. Because several friends of the University have committed to providing matching gifts on this special day, donations have double the impact.

First-year student, Selah Werner, Class of 2023, said recognizing the University’s supporters is important to her. She works with the University’s Dialing Dogs program, which gives her an opportunity to connect with alumni and friends of GWU and tell them about giving to the Annual Fund. “Donors are the reason we’re able to do what we do,” Werner shared. “When people give to the University, it provides a way for Gardner-Webb to be what it is. Without them, Gardner-Webb wouldn’t be what it is today.”

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.