Gardner-Webb Student Appreciates Scholarships to Attend University That Feels Like Home

Gifts on Double Dawg Day, April 7, Help Hailey Page Earn ‘Quality Education, Make Quality Memories’

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Everyone in Hailey Page’s family is an alum of a state university with a large campus and student population. Page sought a different college experience like the one she found at Gardner-Webb University. She is grateful for the scholarships that are funded through Double Dawg Day—coming up on April 7—that make it possible for her to become part of GWU’s supportive community.

“I had never seen a university or college where the community was as strongly prioritized as Gardner-Webb,” asserted Page, of Sanford, N.C. “Small classes, small town, and big relationships. I knew that I did not want that small-fish, big-pond feel. Gardner-Webb felt like home from the get-go and has only continued to feel as such.”

Moreover, when she graduates in 2024 from Gardner-Webb University with her degrees in criminal justice administration and psychology, not only will she be prepared for graduate school, she will also have friends who will be there for her. “One of the things I value the most about my GWU experience is the relationships that I have made,” Page reflected. “I have met friends who will be in my wedding and will be my next-door neighbor in the nursing home. I will never be able to say thank you enough just for those friendships.”

Page is a recipient of the Honors Program Scholarship and the Trustee Scholarship. “This financial aid is incredibly meaningful to me, as it means that I can go to class, and buy books, etc., and I don’t have to worry as much about tuition,” she observed. “On top of that, it helps to remind me that this education is not just important to me, but important to the alumni who donate to help fund it.”

At GWU, she’s a member of the Criminal Justice Society, Phi Beta Lambda, Young Life and works for Housing and Residence Education. “I have amazing rapport with professors, the Dean of Students (Lesley Vilarose) and even the president (Dr. William Downs),” she noted. “Would I be able to casually chat with the president of the University anywhere else?”

Alumni, students, parents, friends, faculty and staff can unite with their fellow Bulldogs on Double Dawg Day and choose to donate to the Annual Fund, which supports the scholarships for Page and other students. “By donating,” she said, “You are helping students like me achieve a quality education from a quality school, and be able to make quality memories.”

Donors can choose which programs and causes they want to support, including:

• University Priority Fund, which supports the greatest needs of the University.     
• 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 sports teams.

Join the fun as special recognitions and challenges are made throughout the day. Be the first to make a donation at 12:01 a.m., or support your favorite Runnin’ Bulldog team to win a challenge.

Matching donations are made possible thanks to the generosity of other donors. In addition to giving, individuals are also invited to serve as Social Media Ambassadors by sharing their love for Gardner-Webb on social media. By using #DoubleDawgDay, individuals can show their support and promote the day of giving on April 7.

For more information about #DoubleDawgDay, visit the FAQ page.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, 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.