news-category: Student Engagement End-of-Year Reception Honors Top Gardner-Webb Club, Advisor and Event By Office of University Communications On April 27, 2023 The winners of the Event of the Year, left, were Alpha Chi's Survivor Night accepted by Trevor Wyatt, left, and Allyson Butts. The CrossFit Club won Club of the Year. Representing the club in the photo on the left are, from left, Allyson Butts, CrossFit Coach Melissa Batista, Kayla Upshaw, Zoe Mina and Blake Elizalde. Program Celebrates the Work of all Clubs and Organizations on Campus BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Office of Student Engagement hosted its first Clubs and Organizations End-of-Year Reception recently. The event also included several first-time awards to recognize the Club of the Year, the Advisor of the Year and the Event of the Year. “We celebrated all the hard work GWU clubs, organizations, and honor societies have done this year,” noted Hope Saunders, assistant director of Student Engagement. “We recapped the year, as well as showed our appreciation for those who made the year such a success. In attendance were the Faculty/Staff advisor and two executive board members from each of the 45+ student-led groups across campus.” The CrossFit Club received the 2022-2023 Club of the Year award. This club hosted the most events, grew the most in membership and completed club paperwork on time. Club leaders were asked to nominate advisors for Advisor of the Year and explain why they were deserving of the award. Receiving the award was Jessica Grant of Joyful Hands. The Alpha Chi National Honor Society’s GWU Survivor Night won the Event of the Year, which was voted on by the Inter-Club Council Executive Board. Saunders also summed up what the over 45 student-led groups had accomplished this year: Hosted 54 service events that served GWU, the surrounding community and across the globe. Provided community for 547 unique club members. Provided a total of 827 events for the student body to participate in. In addition to recognizing the overall winners, a Club of the Month and Event of the Month were presented. Clubs were recognized for either offering a variety of events to their members, conducting fundraising for their club, or completing their documentation in a timely manner. Program of the Month awards went to the clubs that hosted successful, creative or unique events. March Club of the Month: Math, from left, Dr. Mirek Mystkowski (Advisor), Adam Mystkowski, Callie Owen, and Dr. Olga Poliakova (Advisor) March Event of the Month: Plate Smashing hosted by College Democrats and Pride Club of GW, represented by Tristian Lewis, left, and Justin Matthews of the College Democrats March Event of the Month: Plate Smashing hosted by College Democrats and Pride Club of GW, represented by Ashley Rich, left, and Courtney Gant of the Pride Club of GW February Club of the Month: Equestrian, represented by Lydia Mount, left, and Dylin Waldorf December Event of the Month: Future Business Leaders of American Fall Leadership Conference, represented by Hannah Hyatt, left, and Advisor Dr. Angie Smith November Club of the Month, ASL, represented by Jazmyn Hampton, left, and Elizabeth Tebo November Event of the Month: Honors Student Association Murder Mystery Dinner, represented by Rebekah Vaughn, left, and Emma Rayfield October Club of the Month: Campus Ministries United, represented by Danielle Norton April Club of the Month: Joyful Hands Ministry, represented by Faith Peavey Monthly Recognitions for Clubs and Organizations October Event: CrossFit Club—B.Y.O.F. (Bring Your Own Friend). Club: Campus Ministries United (CMU). November Event: Honors Student Association—Murder Mystery Dinner. Club: American Sign Language Club. December Event: Future Business Leaders of America—Fall Leadership Conference. Club: MOSAIC French Club. (Not available for photo) February Event: Tri-Beta National Honor Society—Crowders Mountain Trail Workday. (Not available for photo) Club: Equestrian Club. March Event: College Democrats of Gardner-Webb and Pride Club of Gardner-Webb—Plate Smashing. Club: Math Club. April Event: Alpha Chi National Honor Society—GWU Survivor Night. Club: Joyful Hands Ministry Team. 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. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu. The winners of the Event of the Year, left, were Alpha Chi's Survivor Night accepted by Trevor Wyatt, left, and Allyson Butts. The CrossFit Club won Club of the Year. Representing the club in the photo on the left are, from left, Allyson Butts, CrossFit Coach Melissa Batista, Kayla Upshaw, Zoe Mina and Blake Elizalde.
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