Orientation for New Gardner-Webb Students, First-Year and Transfer, Begins Aug. 12

Residential Students Move in from 8 a.m. to Noon

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Student Development staff is preparing to welcome 500 new students to campus on Aug. 12. These new Runnin’ Bulldogs include first-year, commuters and transfer students. From 8 a.m. to noon, residential students will check in at Tucker Student Center and move into their residence halls.  

Helping the students carry boxes and other belongings to their new rooms will be a group of volunteers—staff, faculty and students. The Bulldog Movers are coordinated each year by the Offices of Christian Life and Service and Housing and Residence Education.  

“We are really excited to welcome our new students to campus,” asserted Brian Arnold, assistant dean of Students, director of Student Engagement and New Student Orientation. “The New Student Orientation Office has worked on a great schedule of engaging activities to help orient our students to Gardner-Webb University.”  

All students—residential and commuter—and their families will be officially welcomed on Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. with a program in Paul Porter Arena. Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, Lesley Villarose will lead a New Student Induction ceremony. Gardner-Webb President Dr. William M. Downs will bring greetings along with Boiling Springs Town Mayor Daniel Thomas, Boiling Springs Town Manager Justin Longino, and Gardner-Webb Student Government Association (SGA) President Maddie Mamoone. At the end of the session, the students will be welcomed by the 25 student orientation leaders who will usher them through the scheduled events, activities and planning sessions.  

New Student Orientation provides a basic introduction to college life and the campus resources available to students. The students will have four days of learning, fun and relationship-building activities before Traditional Undergraduate classes begin on Aug. 16.  

Orientation Highlights

A few highlights of the orientation schedule are listed below. View the entire schedule, here.

Aug. 12

• 2 p.m.: Welcome Session in Paul Porter Arena.
• 4:45 to 5 p.m., Presidential Ice Cream Social with President Downs and his wife, Kim, in the area outside of Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center and Bost Gym/Suttle Wellness Center.

Aug. 13

• 10 a.m., Worship at the Webb in Paul Porter Arena.
• 7 to 10 p.m., New Student Celebration – Music, Entertainment, Food, Games – for students only, Bost Gym Parking lot.

Aug. 14

• 7 p.m., Dover Theater, Think Fast Game Show.

Aug. 15

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Connect Fair with information about clubs and community churches and organizations in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center.
• 9 p.m., Pancake Bingo in Tucker Student Center.

Other welcome back events in August:

Aug. 16

• 2 to 5 p.m., Ice Cream Social for all students in Tucker Student Center.

Aug. 17 and 18

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Poster Sale, Tucker Student Center.

Aug. 18

• 7 to 9 p.m., Welcome Back Celebration for all students, Bost Gym Parking Lot.

Aug. 25

• 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Paint-a-Palooza, Bost Gym Parking Lot.

Aug. 28

• 7 to 8 p.m., Paws Awhile with therapy dogs, Tucker Student Center.

Aug. 29

• 3 to 5 p.m., Together Tuesday DIY Door Sign, Tucker Student Center.

Aug. 30

• 8 to 10 p.m., Open Mic & Karaoke, Tucker Student Center

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event.  Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request.

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.