Ignite Scholar Ayden Bollinger Found His Place—and Purpose—at Gardner-Webb

Scholarship Support, Close-Knit Campus Life, and a Passion for Helping Others Guide This Biology Major Toward a Career in Pediatrics

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—As a recipient of one of Gardner-Webb University’s top scholarships, Ayden Bollinger is grateful to attend the college of his choice while he pursues his goal to become a pediatrician. The junior biology major/chemistry minor from Lenoir, N.C., is passionate about helping and serving people.

“Winning the Ignite Excellence Scholarship was a dream come true, not only for me, but for my family,” he shared. “Without it, my college experience would look a lot different right now.”

As he neared graduation from high school, Bollinger received a letter from Gardner-Webb, inviting him to apply for early acceptance and merit-based scholarships. He filled out the application, was accepted, and offered a scholarship.

Senior Admissions Counselor Reilly Morgan called him with the good news and invited him to the GWU campus for a visit. “I loved the close-knit atmosphere during my visit,” Bollinger observed. “Everyone was very welcoming, and seeing firsthand the relationships students had with professors was definitely a selling point.”

Later, Bollinger was invited to apply for the Ignite Excellence Scholarship, which is Gardner-Webb University’s most competitive academic honor. Each recipient receives a full-tuition award that covers the cost of tuition for eight semesters.

Since Bollinger’s first semester at GWU, Morgan has stayed in touch to answer any questions he might have, even ones outside of the Office of Admissions. “She always guides me in the right direction and ensures everything is taken care of,” Bollinger stated. “Ms. Morgan also attended my high school on Senior Awards Day to present me with my scholarship. It meant a lot that she took time out of her day for that.”

Besides Morgan’s welcome and continued support, Bollinger has made friends and finds the faculty approachable and interested in his success. He enjoys collaborating with his classmates on assignments and is grateful for their advice and encouragement. He appreciates the professors, who are readily available to answer his questions. “I value GWU because it is Christ-centered—where spiritual growth is just as important as intellectual growth,” Bollinger reflected. “The classes are small, and I feel that you are not just a number to your professors. They get to know you by name.”

Being at Gardner-Webb has given Bollinger an opportunity to meet new people and develop independence, while staying connected to his community in Lenoir. “I coach two youth basketball teams, serve as a referee, and remain engaged in my church’s youth Sunday school class,” he related.

He has served as a youth league basketball referee for two years. “I started refereeing basketball and coaching, because it was a way to stay connected to a game that I love so much. I have played basketball since I was little, starting with youth recreational leagues. I also played at my middle and high school.”

While coaching keeps him involved in basketball and serving as a mentor to young people, a career in pediatrics will also give him an opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients and their families, and “to support them through different stages of their lives, from everyday concerns to serious health challenges,” Bollinger shared. “You can make a real difference from the beginning of a person’s life. I like to learn, and I feel that being a pediatrician involves lifelong learning.”

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.