Gardner-Webb Ignite Scholar Aletheia McDowell Ready to Begin Nursing Career

Senior Puts God First, Engages in Campus Community, and Appreciates Supportive Professors

By Makella Knowles, Intern for University Communications

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—In high school, Aletheia McDowell, now a senior at Gardner-Webb University, didn’t have a clear college or career plan. But she knew one thing: She felt called by the Lord to work with and help children.

After her grandfather was diagnosed with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic, McDowell realized how important it was to have capable healthcare workers, leading her to the nursing field. With encouragement from her mom, she applied for the Ignite scholarship. McDowell remembers her interviewers put her at ease and during the conversation, she shared more about her college goals. When she received the phone call awarding her the scholarship, “It felt like the Lord was leading me there,” she recalled.

McDowell has lived in Greenville, S.C., most of her life after moving there with her family from Texas when she was 3. Her house is a lively one, with her four siblings and their dog, a poodle pug mix named Mephibosheth, after the Bible character.

She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in psychology and pours out many praises on her professors and classmates. She reflects on the hours her professors have spent listening to her concerns and supplying encouragement for her success. Specifically, her instructor of nursing and academic advisor, Kerstin “Angel” Queen, has been a source of strength and guidance over the past three years. She has made many friends with the other students in her department, finding a strong community of students who can bond over the difficulty of their field.

With graduation quickly approaching, McDowell hopes to begin her nursing career in a hospital, preferably in a pediatric or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, fulfilling her dreams of helping and taking care of children.

Over the years, McDowell has participated in a myriad of campus activities. As a sophomore and junior, she was a peer leader in University 111, and she now serves as a teaching assistant in the science lab where she connects with and mentors younger students. She’s an avid member of both the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and the Student Nursing Association (SNA). Both of these organizations cater to pre-med and nursing students, a perfect fit for McDowell. Each holds monthly meetings and helps with on-campus events. Additionally, SNA is responsible for the upkeep of the nursing complex’s garden. When she has the time, she participates in CrossFit events, Pancake Bingo, and Women’s Ministry events like weekly Bible studies and The Gathering.

Despite her demanding schedule, McDowell strives to keep her priorities well organized. While devoting a lot of time to studying, she does allow herself time for fun things as well, treating it like a reward system. “If I finish this chapter then I’m able to go out tonight,” she explains. She also loves doing things with her friends like taking trips to Cookout, having movie nights in her apartment on campus, or having some quiet time with one of her favorite books such as “Jane Eyre” or “Pride and Prejudice.”

She loves spending time with the Lord, setting Him at the top of her list as she dedicates her Sunday mornings to service at Pleasant City Church. With her journey at Gardner-Webb coming to a close, McDowell sums up what has made her college experience so successful: “God is first, school comes second. That’s why I’m here… to get an education.”

Makella Knowles, of Indian Trail, N.C., is a senior majoring in English and minoring in Spanish and marketing.

About the Ignite Scholarship

Ignite Excellence is Gardner-Webb University’s most competitive academic scholarship. Each recipient receives a full-tuition scholarship that covers the cost of tuition for eight semesters. Recipients are selected through an on-campus interview process. Applicants must reside on campus, be enrolled full-time, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5.

About Gardner-Webb

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.