Student from Rock Hill, S.C., Winner of the First Godbold Full-Tuition Scholarship 

South Pointe High School Senior Kenneth Battle Chosen from 38 Applicants

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—A group of 38 sharply-dressed high school seniors attended the first Godbold Scholars Day held on Feb. 12 at Gardner-Webb University. Hosted by the Godbold College of Business, the daylong event included scholarship interviews, campus tours, and presentations by alumnus Ben Campbell and College of Business namesake, John Godbold.

The students came to campus from as far away as Groveport, Ohio, to as close as Cleveland County, N.C., to interview for a four-year full-tuition scholarship. The competition was open to business majors with a GPA over 3.5. The interview portion was required.

Godbold was proud to be involved in presenting the first full scholarship given by the Godbold College of Business. He was impressed with the caliber of students who came to vie for the award, but one student rose to the top. Kenneth Battle, a senior at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, S.C., won the four-year scholarship.

“Kenneth exemplified exactly what we want in a student at Gardner-Webb,” Godbold asserted. “I’m proud for him to the be first one, and I’m excited about continuing to present a full scholarship in the future.”

Dean of the College of Business and Assistant Professor of Marketing Dr. Mischia Taylor appreciated everyone who participated in the event. “Potential students had the opportunity to network with faculty, students and staff from across campus,” she offered. “Some of our board members, Michelle Garey and Damon Scott, were able to join us for lunch, and our namesake John Godbold spent the entire day with these potential new students. We are so grateful to all who were able to come together and put on a full display of the family of Gardner-Webb University and the Godbold College of Business.” 

While the high school students participated in interviews, their families asked a panel of current Gardner-Webb students questions about campus life. Before lunch, Campbell spoke to the group about his career journey. He is the CEO and president of Hospitality America, a hotel management company that works with Hilton, Holiday Inn, and others. After lunch, Godbold explained how he became involved with Gardner-Webb. The University’s business professors helped him survey Cleveland County to develop a business plan for a new bank. The information provided by GWU helped the new bank become successful. Out of their success, the Godbolds gave back to establish the Godbold College of Business and a scholarship. 

Campbell, a 2009 alumnus, was a four-year starter for the GWU baseball team. He wasn’t heavily recruited, so he had to prove himself to the coach to get a spot on the pitching squad. A native of Greenville, S.C., he wanted to attend Gardner-Webb because of its smaller size and Baptist affiliation.

The lessons he learned on the baseball diamond, the concepts he studied in class, and the connections he made through Gardner-Webb helped him to obtain his first job in the food and beverage department at the Carolina Panthers Stadium. “I took the same approach that I did in my playing career,” Campbell shared. “I was going to outwork it. I was going to work really hard and prove to the manager that I was worth keeping. My second year, I was promoted but I had to move to New Jersey.”

After deciding that he didn’t want to spend his career in food and beverage, he moved to Los Angeles, and took a job working the front desk at a hotel. “I was going back for my MBA, taking classes at night and working the front desk,” he related. “The great thing about the hotel was I realized I had a passion for people and a passion for that experience that our guests were looking for—great service and a great experience.”

Again, he worked hard and the promotions came, and he moved back to Greenville, S.C. “Anybody in our industry can make it to the highest level including me,” Campbell noted. “Sometimes, I’m not exactly sure how I got here. I just kept trying to do the right thing and doing the hard work and listening to as many people as I could.”

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.