Gardner-Webb Faculty Honored for Teaching Excellence, Service and Scholarship

Winners Recognized in 2024 Faculty Assembly

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb 2024 Faculty Assembly opens the academic year by introducing new faculty and celebrating the achievements of returning colleagues. President Dr. William M. Downs began the program with his welcome.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Karen Aubrey recognized winners of the various faculty awards. Nominated by their peers, the recipients were selected by the Faculty Development of Instruction and Improvement Committee (FDIIC).

Dean of the Gayle Bolt Price School of Graduate Studies Dr. Sydney Brown presented the graduate faculty awards. Nominations are accepted from faculty and students throughout the academic year. Academic deans are asked to provide additional information on nominees. The Graduate Council Awards Committee selects the recipients. Recipients present as part of Online Faculty Learning Day.

Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Ivelina “Iva” Naydenova, chair and professor in the Department of Psychological Science

Presented by Downs, this honor is awarded each year to an exceptional faculty member, who has at least five years of full-time teaching service to GWU and has shown academic rigor, effective course design, and dedication to students. 

Naydenova started her career at Gardner-Webb nearly 15 years ago and has grown to be a tenured professor. She has thrived at GWU to become an accomplished teacher, mentor and scholar. Read more, here.

Rising Star Award

Dr. Sarah Fabian, Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music

This award is given to a full-time faculty member employed five or fewer years at Gardner-Webb. Eligible faculty demonstrate excellence, or promise of excellence, in scholarship, teaching, and service.

Fabian was nominated for her standards of excellence. She inspires her students to achieve something greater and helps them to be able to achieve those goals. She develops a connection with her students that makes them want to attend her classes and events. Fabian is constantly interacting with potential students to provide opportunities for them to experience what life at Gardner-Webb is all about. She has made her mark on campus life by setting the tone for all football and basketball games, elevating the fan experience with new and inventive ideas that heighten the game day experience. Fabian’s dedication to growing the music program through local high school recruiting, connecting with directors, hosting game day and alumni events keeps the standards of excellence alive in Gardner-Webb’s instrumental programs.

Faculty Service Award

Dr. Lorell Gordon, Assistant Professor School of Psychological Science and Counselor Education

This award encompasses any excellence in service by a full-time faculty member to the University, a school, or a department.

Gordon has been an asset to growth in her department. She is a valued by her colleagues and students and is recognized for her vision, hard work, and innovative thinking in working across credit and non-credit domains for the betterment of Gardner-Webb. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of a new concentration in her department, whose first graduates will complete the concentration this year. Gordon has chaired several search committees for eligible new hires on both the main campus and Charlotte campus. She has volunteered her time soliciting and obtaining approval for continuing education credits for mental health counselors to obtain through our PACE program. 

In addition to her volunteer service at the University, Gordon also volunteers her time providing counseling for veterans, active-duty military and their families through the American Red Cross. Gordon is a Navy Reserve veteran and the president for the Military and Government Counseling Association of North Carolina. One colleague stated, “She truly represents the best of what we look for here at Gardner-Webb University.”

Mentoring and Academic Advising Award

Lisa Brummett, Instructor of Health Sport and Physical Education

This award encompasses excellence in mentoring, advising, out-of-class support, encouragement, and collaboration on student research projects by a full-time faculty member.

Brummett has a heart for students and is committed to giving back to her community and discipline through mentorship and advising. She exhibits intentionality, which is at the core of her teaching. Her love of learning and teaching is truly contagious. Her authenticity is paramount to the success of her teaching. Brummett knows every single class her students have taken, when her students are in student teaching, when students will complete the EdTPA, and when students need to take their state required tests. Her graduates have all passed their EdTPA with strong scores and have successfully found teaching positions. Not only is she a strong mentor and advisor to her students, she has also mentored the adjunct instructors in her program making sure that each is successful. One of her students commented, “She is one of the best teachers and mentors that I have had the opportunity of working with. She is incredibly supportive of her students and she always makes sure we have everything we need to be successful in our career.”

Nancy Francis-Gregg Day-Adjunct Award

Brittany Evans 

This award recognizes a traditional undergraduate program adjunct, who has made outstanding contributions to the teaching mission of Gardner-Webb University.

Evans has faithfully served as an adjunct in the College of Education since 2021 and is joining the faculty full time this semester as a visiting instructor in the Elementary Education Program. She has consistently gone above and beyond in her role. She is, at all times, professional and knowledgeable and is a true asset to students. Evans has stepped up in her role—taking on additional classes and supervising student teaching. Her understanding of literacy and the Science of Reading has been instrumental in helping to redesign the curriculum to support teacher candidates. She was also instrumental in the support of a grant to enhance literacy curriculum and license exams for the College of Education.  

Scholarship Faculty Award

Dr. Steven Harmon, Professor of Historical Theology 

This award includes excellence in research and/or scholarly contribution to a field by a full-time faculty member.

Harmon has served the University as a full-time faculty member since 2015. He has amassed a wide variety of scholarly research over the last year that has been published and presented. One nominator wrote, “Harmon’s scholarship of record is one that any faculty member at any university in the world would be proud of. He is one of the leading Baptist Theologians alive and working today, and his name and work are recognized throughout the Baptist academic and ecclesial world.”

Adjunct Graduate Faculty Award

Dr. Morgan Blanton

For almost a decade, Blanton has served as an adjunct professor in the EdD in Leadership Studies and EdD in Curriculum and Instruction programs in the College of Education. Her research in the fields of literacy and professional learning, focus on instructional design and reflective practices. One student said, “Dr. Blanton’s encouragement and guidance were invaluable during my duration as an EDCI Doctoral Candidate. As my dissertation chair, she remained a constant source of support to my research.”

Graduate Full-Time Faculty Award

Dr. Steve Gambill, Master of Public Administration

Gambill taught as an adjunct professor for Gardner-Webb for 24 years before joining the faculty full-time five years ago. He has practiced law for 39 years with a focus on representing municipalities and police departments and has also served as a town manager. A nominating student said, “Dr. Gambill exhibits an unwavering dedication to student success, professionalism, and compassionate mentorship. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that each student reaches their full potential, fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment.”

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.