Gardner-Webb Officials Present Ignite Excellence Scholarships to Exemplary Students

Eight Winners Receive Full Tuition Award for Academic Achievements

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Admissions staff at Gardner-Webb University has announced the 2022 winners of the Ignite Excellence Scholarships. Each of the eight recipients will receive a full-tuition scholarship that covers the cost of tuition for fall and spring semesters and is valued at $31,220 per academic year.

The average GPA for all of the participants was 4.37, and the average GPA for the eight winners was 4.57.

“This year’s Ignite Excellence Scholarship competition was fierce, with so many high-ability students vying for our University’s top academic award,” observed Gardner-Webb University President William Downs. “These are our region’s best and brightest high school graduates choosing to continue their studies at GWU. We’re confident that they will make an indelible impact on our campus and then, later, in their professions. They will be our society’s future scientists, business leaders, healthcare professionals, educators, and more…and they’ll do it the Gardner-Webb way.”       

The winners were selected from a field of 218 participants, which is a 14 percent increase over last year. Two participants were from Germany and the others represented 12 states. “We had such excellent students participating this year in the Ignite Excellence Scholarship program,” noted Julie C. Fleming, assistant vice president for Undergraduate Admissions, “Our eight Ignite Excellence Scholars rose to the top of the group. We are excited to have them join Bulldog Nation and look forward to the impact they will have on the campus community.”

The winners are:

• Jessica Dowd, of Kannapolis, N.C., a student at Covenant Classical Academy, graphic design major.
• Stephanie Toukmaji, Charlotte, N.C., a student at Hickory Grove Baptist Christian School, nursing major.
• Peyton Bryant, of Mooresville, N.C., a student at South Iredell High School, business management major.
• Annali Silver, of Bakersville, N.C., a student at Mitchell High School, history education major.
• Sarah McLean, of Lenoir, N.C., a student at Caldwell Early College High School, biology major.
• Elijah Smith, of Elizabethton, Tenn., a student at Elizabethton High School, undecided.
• Peter Moore, of Rutherfordton, N.C., a student at Rutherford Early College High School, chemistry major.
• Sydney Hudson, of Maiden, N.C., North Lincoln High School, undecided.

About GWU Admissions

Gardner-Webb offers merit and needs-based scholarships, grants and other financial aid opportunities to meet students’ unique needs. The Office of Financial Planning is dedicated to providing students and their families with friendly, efficient, and responsible financial services, while complying with all federal, state, and University policies. For more information about the admissions process, email [email protected]

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, 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.