news-category: Faculty Baptist Women in Ministry Honors GWU Professor Sophia Steibel By Office of University Communications On July 27, 2022 Nominated by Her Students, Steibel Receives Distinguished Mentor Award BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Sophia Steibel, Gardner-Webb University professor and the first School of Divinity faculty member to serve as the Bonnie Price Chair for Christian Formation and Leadership, has been recognized by Baptist Women in Ministry. She is the recipient of the 2022 Frankie Huff Granger Distinguished Mentor Award. This honor is presented each year to a mentor who has supported and empowered women called to ministry to use their gifts in service of the church. Established in 2013, the award honors the legacy and ministry of Granger, who served at First Baptist Church, Berea, S.C. for over 20 years. “Dr. Steibel has been an outstanding mentor for women (and men) during her years of service at the School of Divinity,” praised Dean and Professor of Christian Theology Robert W. Canoy. “This honor is one that she would never seek for herself, never preferring public recognition. She only wants God’s best for God’s people.” Three of Steibel’s students, Kelly Settlemyre, Jennifer Jennings and Sarah Blosser Blackwell, nominated her for the award. “It was a life-giving surprise, especially to have been nominated by excellent former students,” Steibel affirmed. “To know that as women in the past formed me, and now I do those under my influence, illustrates how a God-given legacy passes on. I am very grateful for this honor to have come in this season of my life.” In recommending Steibel for the award, the students noted that she was a quiet, behind-the scenes individual who is prophetic and spiritually wise. They appreciated her deep commitment to mentor and support them as they pursued their callings. Steibel earned her Bachelor of Arts from Gardner-Webb. She received her Master of Arts in religious education and her Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. She joined the Gardner-Webb School of Divinity faculty in 2001. Before then, she was an associate professor of religious education at Gardner-Webb. Steibel is the former director of Campinas Baptist Theological College, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Additionally, she served on the faculties of South Brazil Baptist Theological Seminary and Baptist Religious Education Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is active in the life of First Baptist Church of Shelby, N.C. 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.
News Article Gardner-Webb 2013 Alumna Shebra Hughes: ‘Waffle House is a Hidden Gem’ Senior Vice President Manages 81 Locations; Values Company’s Family Atmosphere BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Shebra Hughes, a 2013 alumna of Gardner-Webb University, and her husband Tommy love visiting campus. They reminisce about when she was a student and they were dating, but also enjoy representing the company they work for: Waffle House. A senior vice president, Shebra […] Office of University Communications | May 20, 2025
News Article Gardner-Webb Community Remembers Professor Emeritus Dr. Phil Perrin: Musician, Mountain Climber and Missionary Perrin, who Taught at GWU for 34 Years, Passed Away on May 14, 2025 BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb Professor Emeritus of Music Dr. Phil Perrin, who shared his love for God and music with many students during his 34 years at the University, passed away on May 14, 2025. He also found ways to combine his […] Office of University Communications | May 16, 2025
News Article Gardner-Webb Assistant Provost Dr. Greg Pillar Selected to Participate in National Conference Inaugural HigherEd PodCon Showcases Over 40 Presenters from North America BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University Assistant Provost Dr. Greg Pillar has been selected to participate in the inaugural HigherEd PodCon set for July 12 at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Pillar is one of over 40 presenters and will be featured in a session on […] Office of University Communications | May 14, 2025