Women’s History Month Series Features Gardner-Webb Campus Leaders

Interim Vice President of Advancement Karen Bruce Reflects on Opportunity, Calling, and Stewardship

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Women’s History Month honors the mothers, mentors, and history‑makers who shaped lives and opened doors for generations. At Gardner‑Webb University, that legacy continues through the women who lead across campus, including five members of the GWU president’s cabinet. Throughout the month, they will share their stories, reflecting on the opportunities women have today and those who guided them along the way.

Today’s reflection is from Interim Vice President for Advancement Karen Bruce.

Career highlights:

• More than 20 years of leadership experience across Christian higher education, nonprofit organizations, and corporate environments.
• Previously served in leadership roles at Faulkner University, Montgomery, Ala.
• Master of Science in Organizational Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management from Peru State College.

Bruce shares her thoughts on Women’s History Month.

There was a time when women in America were not given the opportunities they have today. I sometimes struggle to imagine what my life might have looked like if I had been born 10, 15, or even 20 years earlier. Personally, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to use the gifts and talents the Lord has given me for His purpose—even when that purpose doesn’t fit neatly into the traditional careers that were often encouraged for women when I was a young girl.

Women’s History Month reminds me that many of the opportunities we have today exist because of the courage, perseverance, and faith of the women who came before us as well as the men and women who opened the doors for others to walk through.

My life has been filled with both men and women who have inspired, encouraged, and advocated for the future I enjoy today. One woman in particular has inspired me, though I never met her and very little is written about her.

Her name is Sheerah. Scripture tells us that she was the great-granddaughter of Joseph, the granddaughter of Ephraim, and the daughter of Beriah. In 1 Chronicles 7, tucked within a genealogy, we learn that she was the woman who built three cities.

We know almost nothing about her life, yet God chose to record her name and her accomplishment in Scripture. As I have reflected on what her life might have been like, I have found great inspiration in her story. It reminds me that faithful work—even when it seems quiet or unnoticed—can have lasting impact.

When I first arrived at Gardner-Webb, there were two women serving on the university’s Cabinet. Today, there are five. That change is more than numbers—it reflects opportunity, balance, and representation.

It is especially meaningful when you consider that more than 60% of Gardner-Webb’s student body is female. Having women in key leadership positions is part of the guidance and formation we provide as a university community. We want our students to see women modeling leadership, service, and stewardship in ways that help them imagine the opportunities they themselves may pursue in the future.

For female students, employees, and future leaders, it sends a clear message that Gardner-Webb is a place where women are valued, where their voices matter, and where they can grow into positions of leadership and influence. When students see women leading with integrity, faith, and excellence, it expands their vision of what God may be calling them to do in the world.

Mentoring relationships with students, faculty or staff are incredibly meaningful to me, and each one is unique. For some, I am simply a friend or a sounding board when they need someone to listen. For others, I may be an encourager—recognizing their strengths and urging them to build on the gifts they’ve been given.

Sometimes my role is to be a prayer partner, bringing their challenges, obstacles, and hopes—even their deepest goals—to a Father who already knows the path He has for them. And in other moments, it may be as simple as opening a door, making an introduction, or helping them see possibilities they may not yet see for themselves.

One piece of advice I hope young women will carry with them beyond Gardner-Webb is this: Do not be afraid to use the gifts God has given you. Your path may not always look like the one that others expect, but faithfulness to your calling will always matter more than fitting into someone else’s definition of success. Seek wise counsel, work diligently, and trust that the Lord can use your gifts in ways far greater than you can imagine.

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.