Hitting the Right Notes: Corwin Stanley Balances Music, Ministry, and Entrepreneurship

Gardner-Webb Ignite Scholar Thankful for Donors who Contribute on Double Dawg Day to Help Him Pursue His Musical Talents and Business

By Makella Knowles, Intern for University Communications

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Corwin Stanley, a sophomore music worship major with a double primary in trumpet and voice, has exciting goals for his future. Growing up in Mooresville, N.C., Stanley was familiar with Gardner-Webb early on, initially hearing about the school from his elementary school piano teacher. He was drawn immediately to the church music program and explains how “as the child of a music minister, my home was always filled with music and ministry, shaping my passion from an early age.”

Being eligible to compete for the Ignite Excellence Scholarship, which is partially funded by donations to Gardner-Webb on Double Dawg Day, gave him the opportunity to learn more about Gardner-Webb. And, winning the Ignite four-semester, full-tuition award was a blessing. “I’m incredibly grateful for the donors who support scholarships like the Ignite,” Stanley acknowledges. “Their generosity has made it possible for me to pursue my passion for church music. My family and I deeply appreciate the impact of these gifts, and I hope to pay it forward one day!”

The proximity to home and GWU’s Baptist background were other deciding factors when Stanley chose to attend Gardner-Webb. “During my first interaction with the school, I experienced a genuine sense of community, where professors and staff made it clear they value personal relationships and individual growth,” he remembers. “It’s a place where I knew I could form meaningful connections, grow in my faith, and pursue my passions.”

Being so close to home, he has been able to stay connected with his church. His involvement in the church choir and orchestra growing up has also shaped his desire to serve God through music at Gardner-Webb.

Stanley speaks highly of the Department of Music and values the mentorship of the faculty. Associate Professor of Music Tim Hudson is Stanley’s trumpet professor and a great source of wisdom and instruction. Dr. Bruce Moser and Dr. Joshua Cheney, two more of Stanley’s professors, have taught him a wide range of skills to equip him for the music field.

Through concert choir with Cheney, Stanley had the privilege of traveling to France in the summer of 2024 to participate in a program to honor the 80th anniversary of D-day. The choir performed the Durufle requiem, which was composed in Normandy to honor the dead. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allowed me to explore a new culture and create unforgettable memories,” he remembers. While there, he was able to experience the historical side of France when visiting Utah and Omaha beach, as well as the cultural side in Paris. He would love to return to the country again someday.

At Gardner-Webb, Stanley fills his time with enriching activities to further his career as a business owner and in ministry. He has served as a bass player for The Gathering (student-led worship) on campus. He values time management and prioritization in his often-demanding academic schedule, but still allows himself time to unwind by taking trips to nearby Moss Lake to fish or to the gym with friends for the afternoon.

When he’s not on campus, he’s back home mowing lawns and growing his business. An entrepreneur, he is the proud owner of Stanley Lawn Care. Going on six seasons, his business has continued to build clientele and relationships in his hometown. He started by going door-to-door in high school with his push mower. Now, after winning second place and $1,000 in last year’s Gardner-Webb Dawg House Pitch Competition, he has purchased a higher-end lawn mower and doubled his profits. He hopes to keep up with Stanley Lawn Care for the rest of his college journey before moving on to commercialize it post-grad while working in a ministry role of some kind.

Double Dawg Day – April 10

On this annual day of giving, donors can take advantage of matching opportunities that could double the impact of their giving. These matching donations are made possible thanks to the generosity of other donors. Faculty and staff have the convenient option of donating through payroll deduction.

Choose the people, programs and causes you want to support across the GWU campus. Some options include:

• University Priority Fund, which supports the greatest needs of the University.
• Annual Fund, which supports student scholarships, like the Ignite Excellence.
• School/College Priority Fund, which provides the dean with the ability to respond quickly to emerging opportunities, transform the student experience and strengthen operational capacity.
• The University’s 22 athletic teams, which supports facilities and training.

For more information about #DoubleDawgDay or to become a Social Media Advocate for the day, click here.

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. Learn more here.

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.