Gardner-Webb Celebrates Achievements of Nearly 500 Graduates

University Awards its 25,000th Bachelor’s Degree During Spring Commencement Ceremony

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University hosted its Spring Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Families and guests celebrated the achievements of nearly 500 students in traditional undergraduate, online, and graduate programs of study.

Gardner-Webb University Interim President Nate Evans welcomed everyone and noted the significant milestone that would be achieved in the course of the evening. “This very special graduation ceremony is the latest in the 120-year history of our distinguished institution,” Evans expressed. “And we are so pleased, so proud, and so excited that you are with us this evening to celebrate together! This year marks a special moment, we will be awarding our 25,000th bachelor’s degree during tonight’s ceremony.”

Evans continued, “To all of our graduates who are here and ready to receive your degrees, I offer you my personal congratulations. You’ve accomplished something that only a small percentage of the population ever does. Through perseverance, hard work, and determination, you’ve proven that you can set a goal and see it through. And that is no small feat.”

The commencement program also included remarks and greetings from the President of the Student Government Association, Paul McElearney, and Board of Trustees Chair the Rev. Dr. M. Lamont Littlejohn Jr.

The featured speaker was Skip Allen, lead pastor at Hope Community Church in Shelby, N.C. A graduate of Crest High School in Shelby, he earned a Bachelor of Science in biblical studies from Liberty University and a Master of Arts in religion with a concentration in evangelism and church planting. Hope Community Church is a growing multi-site church where people gather each week to worship, grow in their faith, and reach their communities with the hope of Jesus.

His wife, Jena, is a two-time graduate of Gardner-Webb and has dedicated 17 years to serving mothers and newborns as a labor and delivery nurse at Atrium Cleveland in Shelby. The Allens have five children.

Allen focused his comments on navigating the road ahead. He encouraged graduates to follow the advice of King Solomon in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

He labeled these two verses as the “strategy for life,” because they list three ways to trust God: correctly, completely and confidently. “It says, ‘In all your ways acknowledge Him,’” Allen related. “That doesn’t mean just say His name—it means know Him, because the more you know God, the more you’ll trust Him.

And the more you trust Him, the more you’ll see Him directing your path. The Hebrew word ‘acknowledge’ means to know deeply, personally, relationally.”

Allen concluded by saying, “Graduates, don’t just go out and make a living—go out and make a life out of trusting the God who made you. And, as you walk into a future full of both uncertainty and opportunity—never forget that you have a God who is calling you to trust him. Correctly. Completely. Confidently. Because He knows the way.”

During the ceremony, Senior Scholastic Awards were presented to the members of the graduating class who earned the highest grade point average during their terms of university study. The winners were:

• Crystal L. Aldridge, mathematics, who was also awarded the Most Outstanding Graduate medal in recognition of her outstanding leadership, citizenship and academic excellence.
• Theodore Francis Drescher, graphic design.
• Sydney Grace Hudson, political science and international affairs.
• Reese Mollie Brynn Jones, biology.
• Abigail Faith McBee, computer science.
• Zoe Grace Mina, exercise science.
• Mylee Kathleen Quattlebaum, nursing.
• Ashley Marie Rich, English.
• Dylin Marie Rose Waldorf, Christian Studies

Connor D. Settlemyre also received the Most Outstanding Graduate Medal for his leadership, citizenship and academic excellence. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

The Gardner-Webb Online Scholastic Award is given at each commencement to the online student with the highest cumulative grade point average. This year’s winner is Abigail Marion Osborne, who received a Bachelor of Science in nursing. 

The Darlene J. Gravett Award was presented to Dr. Yolanda Lindsay, who earned her Doctor of Education in curriculum and instruction. This faculty-nominated award recognizes graduate students whose research promises meaningful, lasting benefit to society. It is named in honor of Gravett, who was a long-time dean of the GWU Graduate School and associate provost emerita.

Lindsay’s study, “Teacher Understanding, Perceptions, and Experiences of Students in Foster Care: A Forgotten Population,” sheds light on a critical and often overlooked issue in education. Through surveys, focus groups, and interviews, she uncovered significant gaps in teacher awareness of foster care processes — gaps that hinder the support students in foster care need to succeed. Her research not only identifies the problem but offers clear solutions. Lindsay highlights the need for stronger communication between school staff and Social Services, standardized policies for identifying and supporting students in foster care, and professional development in trauma-informed teaching strategies.

Thursday’s commencement ceremony was shown on the University Facebook page.

College of Health Sciences Recognition Event

The College of Health Sciences held an additional recognition ceremony for its graduates on Friday, May 9, at 9 a.m. in the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. All master’s candidates were hooded on the stage during the event. Pre-licensure nursing students were also pinned.

More information about Gardner-Webb Spring 2025 Commencement is available here.

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.