Gardner-Webb Collegiate National Association for Music Education Chapter Receives State Honors

Chapter Recognized with Only Excellence Award Given; Two Students Honored with Scholarships and Another Elected to Executive Council 

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb Collegiate NAfME (National Association for Music Education) received the statewide Chapter of Excellence award at the North Carolina Music Educators Conference (NCMEA) in Winston-Salem, N.C., in November. They were the only chapter in the state to be recognized with this award.

Twelve members attended the event, which also included workshops and concerts to further develop their skills. A highlight for the chapter was accepting the award given in recognition of the group’s community service activities that included assisting with Gardner-Webb’s annual Choral Clinic and participating in a joint service project with Joyful Hands, the sign language choir, at a local nursing home.

Gardner-Webb senior Hailey Rodden, Chapter president, reflected on winning the state honor. “Receiving the club award means a lot, as the leadership team has worked the past few years to shape our club to one that is involved in our campus and community,” Rodden observed. “The award marks a milestone achievement for our club that has only inspired us to continue to grow as a club and work on areas that we can improve on.”

Connor Settlemyre, also a senior and vice president of the Chapter, added, “We were beyond grateful and excited to win this award and to bring a state-level award back to Gardner-Webb University.”

Annie Pinto, a Gardner-Webb sophomore, was elected to serve as president-elect on the Collegiate Executive Council. She will join collegiate members elected from chapters across the state to plan meaningful workshops for future conferences and events.

“I am honored to receive the role of Vice President of Collegiate NCMEA,” she stated. “I will be traveling over the summer to Washington, D.C., to talk to legislative leaders. I will be attending meetings once a month on zoom with other leadership members. Additionally, I will be going to Raleigh (N.C.) to attend meetings with the president of Collegiate NCMEA. I am excited to bring my experience, passion, and dedication to this role, supporting our educators and strengthening the future of music education in North Carolina.”

Rodden and Settlemyre were also formally recognized at the all-conference session for receiving named scholarships. Both are music education students who are entering their student teaching semester. Settlemyre received the Bill McCloud Award, which considers playing auditions, written reflections, and recommendations. Rodden received the Ruth Jewell Scholarship that is based on musical talent, leadership, service to school and community, and academic achievement. Their profiles in the state magazine can be found on page 14 at this link.

Rodden said it was a memorable experience to receive the award and to be recognized for her accomplishments at Gardner-Webb. “This honor has pushed me to continue to strive to become a good educator,” she affirmed. “Receiving the scholarship allowed me to network with educators from all around North Carolina that will become my colleagues upon graduation.”

Settlemyre, who is minoring in youth discipleship studies, was also grateful for the recognition. “This award is given to one senior music education major in North Carolina each year,” he related. “Receiving this award was a tremendous honor to be recognized for my playing abilities and my accomplishments throughout college so far. It was also very beneficial to be recognized in front of all of the music educators from across the state.”

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.