Gardner-Webb Art and Communication Students Exhibit Diverse Talents in Senior Show

Annual Event Held on April 15 in Tucker Student Center

Written by Michael Harvey, ’21, Public Relations Major

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Department of Communication & New Media and the Department of Visual Arts will team up to present the annual Senior Show, as it opens for display on Thursday, April 15, in Tucker Student Center. This exhibit will feature the works of seniors who are taking a portfolio class within one of the departments.

The Department of Communication & New Media will celebrate seniors majoring in graphic design, public relations, photography, broadcast journalism and video/film, while the Department of Visual Arts will celebrate the accomplishments of senior art majors. Students will display items they have created during their academic career, such as press releases, photographs, sculptures, paintings, graphic design pieces, videos and more.

Dr. Lisa Luedeman, professor for the communication portfolio class and head of the public relations major, praised her students as they prepare for the show. “I’m very proud of my students, my senior students in particular who are going to be represented in the show,” Luedeman shared. “They’ve really come a long way since they started in the program, and I think that anyone who comes out to the show to see all the different pieces that have been put together will be impressed and realize that there is a lot of talent in both the art and communication departments.”

Macie Latham, a senior graphic design major participating in the show, reminisced on her time as a student in the communication department. “The department, as a whole, offers this comfortable and judgement-free feeling to just learn and grow,” Latham affirmed. “It just feels like home because we form a community over here. The instructors offer constructive criticism, but make the classes not feel like a class at all. I will look back fondly on being a member of the COMM department.”

Lindy Lynch, a senior photography major participating in the show, explained how her time at Gardner-Webb gave her experiences and opportunities that will last a lifetime. “Gardner-Webb and the COMM department has given me experiences that I could only dream about,” Lynch related. “While here, I was given chances to hone my craft and better my photography skills in a variety of scenarios. I thank the professors for pushing me to be better and to learn from my mistakes. I feel ready to tackle anything that comes my way.”

The exhibit officially opens at 4 p.m. with a reception that includes refreshments. The event is free and open to the public, and will remain on display until 6 p.m. throughout Tucker Student Center and the Ali Pouryousefi Memorial Art Gallery. All guests are required to wear masks and practice safe distancing measures while in Tucker.

For more information regarding the 2021 Senior Show or the Department of Communication and New Media, contact Luedeman at [email protected]. Doug Knotts, professor and chair of the Department of Visual Arts, may also be contacted at [email protected].

Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.

2021 Senior Show

The students participating in the show are listed in alphabetical order below by department and hometown.

Art:

Grace Napier, Belmont, N.C.

Sarah Rochester, Shelby, N.C.

Hannah Smith, Vienna, Va.

Jessica Snover, Fountain Inn, S.C.

Communications:

Chace Biagas, Clover, S.C.

Deja Brockington, Smithfield, N.C.

Bless Bull, Gastonia, N.C. 

Jamaica Carby, Shelby, N.C.

Bobby Dales Jr., Rocky Mount, N.C.

Gracie Dodson, King, N.C.

Ashley Eavenson, Northport, Ala.

Louis Frink, Holly Springs, N.C.

Ajay Hatch, Durham, N.C.

Michael Harvey, Matthews, N.C.

MacKaden Inscore, Statesville, N.C.

Macie Latham, Advance, N.C.

Taylor Latham, Lawndale, N.C.

Monet Lawton, Augusta, Ga.

Lindy Lynch, Anderson, S.C.

Ethan Loveless, Cape Carteret, N.C.

Eric Pack, Tryon, N.C.

Savannah Parton, Union Mills, N.C.

Alex Roycraft, Boca Raton, Fla.

Kyle Ruehlman, Milford, Ohio

Ben Schade, Apex, N.C.

Carter Smith, Shelby, N.C.

Shai Thomas, Anderson, S.C.

Bryce Willis, Durham, N.C.