From Reserved Student to Gardner-Webb Campus Leader, Wade Gross Makes the Most of Every Opportunity

Senior Follows His Father’s Advice to Step Outside His Comfort Zone, Discovering Leadership, Friendship and Community

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—When Wade Gross, of Senoia, Ga., arrived at Gardner-Webb University, he carried with him a challenge from his father. “In high school, I was a rather reserved person,” he reflected. “I didn’t really get out and do much. But Dad—one of the main things he told me—was whenever I came into college, I could sort of reinvent myself in a way, to where I could enjoy it a lot more than I did high school. He was exactly right.”

His father was also the one to suggest that he consider Gardner-Webb. Having played football against the Runnin’ Bulldogs during his own college days, he had fond memories of the University. “He loved the campus and was really positive about it,” Gross related.

Along with his father’s connection to GWU, Gross and his family often visited his grandfather, who lives in the Boiling Springs area. “Through high school I had an interest in Gardner-Webb and it was always in my head as the place that I wanted to go for college,” he shared. “It wasn’t until my senior year that I finally started doing some real research on the University and applied because I really liked what I saw.”

Within eight hours of submitting his application, he received an email confirming his acceptance. “From there, I was like there’s no other option,” Gross reflected. “It really just worked out perfectly for me.”

One reason that Gardner-Webb was the right fit for Gross was that he could commute to campus from his grandfather’s 60-acre farm that’s just 10 minutes away. “I enjoy having space,” he offered. “I have three trucks and need enough space for those, and I can take care of my dad’s and my papaw’s land.”

Despite living off campus, Gross was determined to make the most of his college experience. Taking his father’s advice to heart, he explored clubs and organizations, joined several and started building relationships campus. He participated in the Student Government Association and serves as a Student Recruitment Ambassador (SRA) for the Office of Admissions. SRAs conduct tours for prospective students and their families, answering questions about student life and academics.

Gross also became a Peer Leader for a UNIV 111 class, which is required for all first-year students to help them transition to university life, establish community, and develop practical and interpersonal skills for future success. Peer Leaders serve as teaching assistants, friends and role models for the new students.

He ventured far outside his comfort zone by participating in intramural sports and becoming involved with the men’s volleyball club, something he never would have pictured himself doing before arriving at Gardner-Webb.

The experience became another example of the personal growth he sought when he decided to follow his father’s advice and reinvent himself in college. He’s become a very different person than the first-year student who arrived on campus four years ago. “If my freshman self could see me now, he would be shocked!” he asserted. “I’ve changed so much since then. I’ve gotten more involved with the University than I ever thought I would have. I’ve built such a solid ground for myself, and I have nobody else to thank other than Gardner-Webb and the people I’ve met here.”

His willingness to explore extended to the classroom as well. Gross arrived at Gardner-Webb as an undecided student before choosing business management. As he continued to learn more about his interests and strengths, he ultimately found his academic home in communications and public relations.

“Communications is such a special major, because it’s an open major that can take you down multiple different paths whether that’s business, graphic design, marketing, sales, sports, radio, journalism, etc.,” Gross explained.

He appreciates how his classes have helped him develop problem-solving skills that help him in his leadership roles across campus. His goal is to be someone his fellow students can come to when they need help. “My leadership experience at GWU has prepared me for life after college by giving me a choice,” he stated. “That choice is: Do you want to become a leader or follow in others’ footsteps? I want to be a leader.”

Whether he’s providing a tour for prospective students and their families or assisting in the UNIV 111 first-year experience class, his advice is the same. “College is the time to get a good understanding of who you are and what you want to become,” he said. “Through getting involved on campus, you can grow and find out who and what you want to become. You’ll be put in certain situations and circumstances that will test you. This helps you grow and become more. So don’t be scared to get involved, be excited to unlock truths about yourself.”

Gross knows the value of that advice because he has experienced the transformation firsthand.

“In terms of reinventing myself, some of the things I did include making a lot of friends, getting interested in different things, being more outgoing, caring less about little things, furthering my faith and being willing to get involved with things that are out of your comfort zone.”

He views the community at Gardner-Webb as one of the University’s greatest strengths. “It’s big enough that you can see new people every day, but also small enough to see your friends just walking around or hanging out,” he affirmed. “Gardner-Webb helped me become more through the community and the opportunities that have been offered to me.”

For students considering Gardner-Webb as their college home, Gross speaks from the heart. “I tell them how special of a place Gardner-Webb is to me,” he offered. “How I’ve met all of my best lifelong friends here and how I can be happy moving forward in life because of what Gardner-Webb gave me.”

Four years after arriving to Gardner-Webb as a reserved high school student, Gross leaves as a leader, mentor and advocate for the community that helped shape his college experience.

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. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.