Baylor Associate Professor Presents ‘Re-Inventing Church History in The Américas’

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Brazilian native Dr. João B. Chaves has built an academic career studying the intersections of religion, culture and public life across the Américas. An associate professor at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, he will bring his expertise to �鶹�ƽ�� on Oct. 27 as the featured speaker for the 2026 Mary Washburn Wilson Lectures.

“The School of Divinity is looking forward to hosting Dr. João Chaves,” said Dr. James R. McConnell Jr., interim dean of the School of Divinity. “Dr. Chaves is a church historian who focuses on religious history in Central and South America. Dr. Chaves will bring two lectures that will explore the influx and influence on Latin America of Christian missionary movements from the United States.”

Presented under the theme “Re-Inventing Church History in The Américas,” the annual lectureship includes these presentations by Chaves:

• 10 a.m. – Missionaries of Domination: Genealogies of Power and the Anti-Democratic Architecture of Christian Supremacy.
• 1 p.m. – Evangelists of Dissent: Jesus, Nietzsche, Xangô, and the Futures of Rights-Based Societies.

Chaves joined Baylor University’s Department of Religion in 2023 after serving at both Princeton Theological Seminary and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

He is an award-winning author and has published extensively on Baptist missions, Pentecostal and charismatic movements, and the role of faith in public life. His book, “Migrational Religion,” received the 2022 Hispanic Theological Initiative Book Prize. His research has been supported by major organizations and institutions, including the Lilly Endowment and Princeton Theological Seminary.

In 2023, Chaves and co-author Mikeal C. Parsons received national recognition when their book, “Remembering Antônia Teixeira: A Story of Missions, Violence, and Institutional Hypocrisy,” was named a finalist for the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in Biography.

Beyond academia, Chaves has contributed opinion articles to publications including The Washington Post and The Christian Century. He has served in leadership roles with organizations such as the Baptist World Alliance and the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion.

Registration Information

• Date: Oct. 27.
• Location: Dover Memorial Chapel, �鶹�ƽ��.
• Cost: Free; registration required and includes lunch.
• Registration deadline: Oct. 20; register .
• For additional information, contact Lisa Hollifield at lhollifield@gardner-webb.edu.

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 disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu with your request.

About the Mary Washburn Wilson Lectureship

The Mary Washburn Wilson Lectureship is supported by the Mary Washburn Wilson Visiting Scholar Endowment, established in honor of Mary Leigh Washburn Wilson (1922-2003) through a generous gift from her daughter, the Rev. Tillie Duncan, a member of the �鶹�ƽ�� Gallery of Distinguished Alumni, and her husband, Shannon Duncan. The lectureship is designed to expose students to new ideas and encourage thoughtful engagement with perspectives and concepts they may not have previously considered.

About �鶹�ƽ��

�鶹�ƽ�� 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., �鶹�ƽ�� 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. Become More at .

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Dr. Steve Harmon’s New book, ‘U2’s Theological Imagination’ and a Limited Podcast Series, ‘Hearing Hope’ Trace Spiritual Questions Woven Throughout the Music of U2

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—What if theology isn’t confined to a classroom, a seminary or a Sunday sermon? What if it can be found in a rock song, a concert arena or the searching lyrics of a band that has spent nearly 50 years asking questions about faith, justice, grace and hope?

Those questions inspired �鶹�ƽ�� professor Dr. Steven Harmon to write “U2’s Theological Imagination: A Guide for Pilgrims on the Way,” a new book that explores the spiritual imagination woven throughout the music of U2. A new limited companion podcast series, “Hearing Hope,” invites listeners deeper into the themes, songs and conversations behind the book.

Although many people think theology belongs primarily to clergy or academics, Harmon argues otherwise. In the podcast’s premiere episode on the �鶹�ƽ�� Podcast Network, he notes that “Anyone who thinks about God in any shape, form, or fashion” is engaging in theology.

Harmon, who has taught in �鶹�ƽ��’s School of Divinity since 2010, traces his fascination with U2 back to his teenage years, when he first encountered the band’s music through a Christian music magazine and later listened to the album “War.”

“This was back when I was in high school,” Harmon recalls in the podcast’s opening episode. “I listened to it through my Sony Walkman, and it was unlike anything I had heard before.”

Rather than presenting theology as an academic exercise, Harmon argues that U2’s music helps listeners imagine a world transformed by hope and God’s redemptive purposes.

“The word imagination was a very deliberate choice for the book,” Harmon says. “Through the lenses of Christian faith, we have a way of imagining a world that has not yet come to be.”

The first episode explores Harmon’s personal connections to the band and examines songs such as “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Future episodes will delve deeper into themes including longing, community, justice, grace and Christian hope. A companion Spotify playlist also allows listeners to follow along with the songs discussed throughout the series.

Harmon shares that one of the central themes in U2’s music is what theologians call “eschatology,” a vision of God’s ongoing work to redeem, restore and renew the world. Rather than focusing only on the end times, Harmon says the concept points to God’s purposes for creation and humanity, and the hope that the world can move closer to what God intends it to be.

“What I’m looking for is the full realization of this big thing God is doing in the world, and in my life, and in others’ lives,” Harmon says. “We haven’t found that yet. We’re still seeking that, and that’s something that runs all the way through U2’s music.”

A respected theologian, author and ecumenical scholar, Harmon has written numerous books and articles on Christian theology, church unity and Baptist-Catholic relations. An active participant in international conversations among Christian traditions, he has represented Baptist organizations in ecumenical dialogues with the Anglican Communion, the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox churches. Yet his newest work brings together two lifelong passions: theology and music.

is available through the �鶹�ƽ�� Podcast Network, with new episodes scheduled to release every two weeks this fall. Harmon has also curated a “Hearing Hope” companion  on Spotify, allowing listeners to explore the songs discussed throughout the series.

Harmon’s book, “U2’s Theological Imagination: A Guide for Pilgrims on the Way,” is available through Cascade Books, Amazon and other booksellers.

�鶹�ƽ�� 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., �鶹�ƽ�� 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. Become More at .

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Faculty Awards, New Faculty Introductions, and a Vision for ‘ONE Webb’ Mark the Start of the 2026-27 Academic Year

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�鶹�ƽ�� celebrated excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and mentorship during its annual Faculty Assembly on Aug. 11. Leading the list of honorees was Dr. Jeff Hartman, professor and internship coordinator in the Department of Exercise Science, who received the University’s highest faculty honor, the Excellence in Teaching Award. The annual gathering also welcomed new faculty members and marked the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year.

Held in the Tucker Student Center, the assembly brought faculty together for worship, professional development, recognition of outstanding achievement, and a shared commitment to student success.

“As full-time faculty members, you are entrusted with educating and supporting our students,” said Dr. Nicole Waters, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “Through your teaching, mentoring, advising, and service, you help prepare them to use their God-given talents in their personal and professional lives.”

Reflecting �鶹�ƽ��’s commitment to being Christ-centered, the Faculty Assembly began with a devotion from Dr. Jim McConell, interim dean of the School of Divinity. Members of the Faculty Assembly Choir, under the direction of Dr. Cal Robertson, professor of biblical studies, led faculty and staff in a worship song and also offered a choral selection. Accompaniment was provided by Robertson on the guitar and Timothy Scruggs, �鶹�ƽ�� Department of Music staff accompanist.

During his presidential address, �鶹�ƽ�� President Nate Evans highlighted the University’s progress over the past year, discussed key institutional priorities, and outlined a vision for the future. Framed by the theme “ONE Webb,” his remarks emphasized �鶹�ƽ��’s commitment to being Christ-Centered, Student-Focused, and Excellence-Driven.

“I am excited to begin a new academic year and grateful for the faculty who make the �鶹�ƽ�� experience so meaningful,” Evans said. “Their investment in our students is central to who we are, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together as ONE Webb.”

Excellence in Teaching Award – Dr. Jeff Hartman

The Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Dr. Jeff Hartman, professor and internship coordinator in the Department of Exercise Science. Considered one of �鶹�ƽ��’s most prestigious faculty honors, the award recognizes exceptional teaching, academic rigor, innovation, mentorship, and commitment to the University’s mission.

Faculty members must have completed at least five years of full-time teaching service at �鶹�ƽ�� to be eligible for the award. Candidates are nominated by peers, endorsed by their department chair, and evaluated through feedback and scoring from both faculty and students. The recipient also receives a $1,000 cash prize and the opportunity to address the University community during fall convocation.

Hartman was recognized for helping students connect classroom learning to professional practice while mentoring students in research and scholarship. He has guided eight exercise science students in publishing scholarly articles as undergraduates and has played a significant role in preparing students for internships and professional careers through experiential learning opportunities.

Scholarship Faculty Award – Dr. Josh Vadeboncoeur

The Scholarship Faculty Award was presented to Dr. Josh Vadeboncoeur, assistant professor of sport management. The award recognizes excellence in research and scholarly contribution through publication, presentations, grant activity, and professional recognition.

Vadeboncoeur’s scholarship focuses on motorsports and the intersections of culture and race. His 2025 book, “Racing to Make Space: Black Fans in NASCAR’s Fast Lane,” along with numerous peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, has established him as a growing voice in sport management scholarship.

Etta Curtis and J.D. Huggins Faculty Service Award – Dr. David Campbell

The Etta Curtis and J.D. Huggins Faculty Service Award was awarded to Dr. David Campbell, professor of geology.

Campbell was recognized for his sustained service to the University. During his five-year tenure as chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, Campbell helped guide the creation of a new biochemistry major, led the department’s five-year review process, and supported curriculum improvements. Beyond campus, he has shared his expertise through science education initiatives, international paleontology presentations, fossil identification workshops, and astronomy events that engage students and community members alike.

Mentoring and Academic Advising Faculty Award – Dr. LaDonna Clark

The Mentoring and Academic Advising Faculty Award was presented to Dr. LaDonna Clark, assistant professor, principal faculty member, and director of clinical education in the Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies.

In addition to advising graduate PA students, Clark mentors aspiring healthcare professionals through outreach programs, health fairs, and educational events. As director of the program’s Capstone course, she helps students develop skills in research, evidence-based medicine, scientific communication, and professional presentation that prepare them for successful healthcare careers.

The honor reflects Clark’s student-centered approach to advising and mentorship, her commitment to supporting graduate and pre-physician assistant students, and the professional development opportunities she creates through healthcare outreach and experiential learning.

Nancy Francis-Gregg Day Adjunct Award – Jessica Sherman

The Nancy Francis-Gregg Day Adjunct Award was awarded to Jessica Sherman, adjunct clinical instructor in the Hunt School of Nursing.

Sherman was recognized for creating a supportive clinical learning environment where students gain confidence while developing critical nursing skills. Student evaluations reflected her impact, with students praising her individualized feedback, encouragement, and commitment to helping future nurses transition successfully from the classroom to professional practice. Specifically, students cited her ability to build confidence and strengthen clinical skills.

Rising Star Faculty Award – Dr. Angel Queen

The Rising Star Faculty Award was presented to Dr. Angel Queen, assistant professor and chair of undergraduate nursing programs in the Hunt School of Nursing.

Queen was honored for exceptional promise and achievement in teaching, scholarship, service, and leadership. She has emerged as a leader within the Hunt School of Nursing through her work in curriculum development, student retention initiatives, scholarship, and community engagement. Among her accomplishments is the creation of NURS 200: Nursing Essentials, a course designed to strengthen student success and support nursing students throughout their academic journey.

Graduate Faculty Awards

Adjunct Award – Dr. Kristen Edwards

The Graduate Faculty Award for Adjunct Faculty was presented to Dr. Kristin Edwards, instructor in the Master of Arts in Instructional Technology program. Students consistently praised Edwards for her exceptional organization, clear communication, timely feedback, and unwavering commitment to helping them succeed.

Through her teaching, Edwards has earned a reputation for creating a supportive and well-structured learning environment that helps graduate students navigate complex coursework while balancing professional and personal responsibilities. Students highlighted her responsiveness, attention to detail, and dedication to helping them achieve their academic goals, describing her as a faculty member who invests deeply in their success.

Faculty Award – Dr. Denise Patterson

The Graduate Faculty Award was presented to Dr. Denise Patterson of the College of Education. Students commended Patterson for challenging them to excellence while providing mentorship, encouragement, and practical preparation for leadership roles beyond the classroom.

Students cited Patterson’s ability to connect theory to professional practice, helping them apply what they learn in meaningful ways both within and beyond their current roles. They also praised her mentorship and supportive approach, noting her commitment to preparing graduate students to become effective leaders and educators while maintaining high academic expectations.

New Faculty Members

Faculty Assembly also included recognition of nine new faculty members joining �鶹�ƽ�� for the 2026-27 academic year. New faculty members introduced during the event included:

• Dr. Tyler Thomas, computer science.
• Dr. Christina Johnson, biology.
• Dr. Robert Roth, criminal justice.
• Dr. Jessica Casimir, sociology and social sciences.
• Dr. Andrew Dunphy, biology.
• Dr. Michael Meissner, public service.
• Dr. Wayne Durr, finance.
• Judy Dover, nursing.
• Dr. Yvonne Smith, nursing.

�鶹�ƽ�� 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., �鶹�ƽ�� 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. Become More at .

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Alumnus and National Security Expert Patrick Woody Challenges Graduates to Stay ‘FIRED’ for Lifelong Growth and Service

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�鶹�ƽ�� celebrated the achievements of over 500 graduates on May 8 in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Traditional undergraduate students were honored at 9 a.m., with graduates from master’s and doctoral programs recognized at 2 p.m.

Each ceremony began with the ringing of a replica of the Liberty Bell. As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year, it is interesting to note the significance of this bell, which is used to begin all �鶹�ƽ�� Commencement services, convocations and special assemblies. The bell was first rung in the fall of 1970 to inaugurate �鶹�ƽ��’s first year as a senior college. The replica weighs 44 pounds and stands 15 inches high. It is one of a limited edition of 2,400 bells produced to mark the bicentenary of American Independence (1776-1976)—one for each month of the 200 years.   

�鶹�ƽ�� President Nate Evans welcomed graduates and their guests to begin both ceremonies. He recognized the accomplishments of the students and thanked parents, spouses, friends, and loved ones who supported them along the way. He also expressed gratitude for the �鶹�ƽ�� faculty and staff for teaching, guiding, and mentoring students to achieve their goals.

Each commencement program also included remarks and greetings from GWU Chair of the Board of Trustees the Rev. Dr. M. Lamont Littlejohn Jr. He congratulated their success and challenged them to carry the values that define �鶹�ƽ�� with them—to live “Pro Deo et Humanitate,” for God and Humanity.   

During the undergraduate ceremony, Student Body President Andrea Stampone addressed her classmates, reflecting on the defining role of kindness and community in the Gardner‑Webb experience.

“My charge to you today is to carry this kindness into all walks of life that you may enter,” Stampone stated. “Treat people with kindness. Be a person who needs people. Be someone that runs to others when they need people, because these things make you a lucky person. Care deeply. Listen carefully. Love loudly. So go out into the world, and make that community special. Because it’s not that being a part of something special makes you special, but instead that something is special because you are a part of it.”

The featured speaker for both commencement ceremonies was Patrick Woody, a Gardner‑Webb 2003 alumnus and former student body president. He is founder and CEO of Point of Warning, a consulting firm that provides risk, intelligence, public policy, and organizational improvement services to government, private sector, and nonprofit organizations.

A cybersecurity professional with experience across the U.S. Intelligence Community—including the CIA, Department of Homeland Security, and National Counterterrorism Center—Woody directly advised multiple U.S. Presidents, White House leadership, Cabinet officials, and Congress on critical national security issues.

Woody received a Bachelor of Arts in history at �鶹�ƽ��. He has a Master of Arts degree in international relations and comparative politics from George Mason University and doctoral work in international relations at the University of Maryland.

He shared that his speech included advice that he wished someone had given him when he graduated 23 years ago. “I’m going to talk to you about getting fired,” Woody explained. “Not from a job or a career, but from a mindset. It’s getting fired from the comfort of thinking that because you’ve achieved this milestone, you’ve arrived and there’s no more work to be done. I want to talk about a different way of looking at the future and your post-graduate life—one built around five principles that spell out the word ‘F-I-R-E-D.’ If you leave today with these principles, I promise you that the next chapters of your life will be the best ones.”

Woody described each guiding idea and closed with a short summary. “Fail—and let it teach you,” he reiterated. “Invest—in yourself, your future, and others. Reflect—so that you are steering and not just speeding. Educate yourself—always, relentlessly, joyfully. Dialogue—across every divide you encounter. Being ‘FIRED’ is not a setback. It is a posture. It is how you walk into every meeting, every relationship, every new chapter of your life—with humility, with purpose, and with the courage to keep growing.” 

Beyond the commencement addresses, the ceremonies also featured special presentations and awards recognizing excellence, service, and remembrance within the Gardner‑Webb community.

Commencement Honors and Recognitions

Posthumous Degree Presentation

Before undergraduate students walked across the stage to receive individual recognition for their accomplishments, Evans took a moment to remember Isaiah Hughes, a valued member of the campus community whose academic journey was tragically cut short. Hughes was an accomplished student in the Godbold College of Business and destined for great success. Evans invited the Hughes family to join him on stage, and he conferred the Bachelor of Science degree in management information systems posthumously upon Isaiah Hughes.

Undergraduate Awards and Distinctions

During the morning ceremony, several awards were presented to recognize graduates for their exceptional achievements. Senior Scholastic Awards, were presented to the members of the graduating class who earned the highest grade point average during their terms of university study. The winners were:

• Corrie Danielle Cloninger, Bachelor of Science in nursing.
• Sara-Michael Jann, Bachelor of Science in biology.
• Kaylee Faith Maynor, Bachelor of Science in nursing.
• Madison Elizabeth Peek, Bachelor of Science in nursing.
• Ava Vaughn Stratman, Bachelor of Science in exercise science.

The Most Outstanding Male and Female Graduate Awards were given to the members of the graduating class, who, judged by the faculty, best exemplify the qualities of leadership, citizenship and academic excellence.

The recipient of the Most Outstanding Female Graduate Award is Kylee A. Morris, who received a Bachelor of Science in biology. Morris began her studies at GWU in 2022 as the University’s third Tucker Scholar, an honor that includes full tuition, room and board for eight semesters. She was also crowned Miss GWU in 2025, and is a section leader in the marching band.

The recipient of the Most Outstanding Male Graduate Award is Paul M. McElearney, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and international affairs. McElearney, former GWU student body president, served on the search committee for GWU’s 14th president. He is also a cadet captain in �鶹�ƽ�� Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) detachment assigned under the Southern Guards Battalion.  

The �鶹�ƽ�� Online Scholastic Award is given at each commencement to the online student with the highest cumulative grade point average. The winners were:

• Kayla Warren Griffin, Bachelor of Science in accounting.
• Jennifer Abernathy Ruckman, Bachelor of Science in accounting.

Graduate Scholarship and Research Recognition

The afternoon ceremony featured the presentation of the Darlene J. Gravett Citizen Scholar Award, which recognizes graduate research with the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the improvement of society.

Dr. Sydney Brown, assistant provost of Academic Systems and Graduate Studies, presented the award to this year’s recipient, Dr. Brittany Hudgins-Graham. Brown noted that Hudgins-Graham exemplifies the purpose of the award in a powerful and timely way. Her work, “Forest Therapy for Mental Balance: A Christian Community Approach,” brings together mental health, community, and faith to address a growing need in our world today.

“What makes this project especially compelling is its focus on practice—creating accessible, community-based approaches that support well-being in real and tangible ways,” Brown observed. “Her work reminds us that research is not only about understanding problems, but about responding to them with care, creativity, and purpose. Dr. Hudgins-Graham’s work reflects the very spirit of this award—scholarship that serves others and strengthens communities.”

Videos of Friday’s commencement ceremonies are available on the and

�鶹�ƽ�� 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., �鶹�ƽ�� 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 �鶹�ƽ��.edu.

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Commencement Ceremonies on May 8 will Celebrate Achievements of Over 500 Graduates

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�鶹�ƽ�� will celebrate the achievements of over 500 graduates on May 8 in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Traditional undergraduate students will be honored at 9 a.m., with graduates from master’s and doctoral programs recognized at 2 p.m.  

“Commencement is one of the most meaningful days in the life of our University, as we celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and achievement of our graduates,” noted GWU President Nate Evans. “Each of these students leaves �鶹�ƽ�� prepared not only for professional success, but to lead lives of purpose, service, and impact. We are proud of what they have accomplished and excited to see the difference they will make in their communities and beyond.”

Each ceremony will begin with the ringing of a replica of the Liberty Bell. As America marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year, the bell’s symbolism carries special meaning. It has long been used to open Gardner‑Webb commencement ceremonies, convocations, and special assemblies. The bell was first rung in the fall of 1970 to inaugurate Gardner‑Webb’s first year as a senior college.

The replica weighs 44 pounds and stands 15 inches high. It is one of a limited edition of 2,400 bells produced to mark the bicentenary of American Independence (1776-1976)—one for each month of the 200 years. The certificate of ownership states: “This is to certify that Bell No. 0395 was cast by order of �鶹�ƽ�� College, Boiling Springs, N.C., at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London. This bell is to the scale of one-fifth the original Liberty Bell ordered from the same foundry by the Province of Pennsylvania in 1752, and was cast on the same site.”

Senior Scholastic awards will be presented to traditional undergraduate and online students, and doctoral candidates will receive their hoods. Evans will confer undergraduate and graduate degrees on all graduates.

The featured speaker, Patrick Woody, a Gardner‑Webb 2003 alumnus and former student body president, will bring the commencement address. He is founder and CEO of Point of Warning, a consulting firm that provides risk, intelligence, public policy, and organizational improvement services to government, private sector, and nonprofit organizations.

A cybersecurity professional with experience across the U.S. Intelligence Community—including the CIA, Department of Homeland Security, and National Counterterrorism Center—Woody directly advised multiple U.S. Presidents, White House leadership, Cabinet officials, and Congress on critical national security issues.

He later served in leadership roles at Twitter, Twitch, and Epic Games, where he became a recognized authority on combating online harms such as extremism, information integrity, child safety, and strategic partnerships. Before his time in government, Woody worked for the One Economy Corporation, using technology to improve the lives of individuals and communities facing poverty in the United States and abroad.

Woody received a Bachelor of Arts in history at �鶹�ƽ��. He has a Master of Arts degree in international relations and comparative politics from George Mason University and doctoral work in international relations at the University of Maryland.

Woody has had the privilege of serving on the boards of directors for multiple organizations.

The ceremonies will also be available for live streaming on The University’s and channel.

�鶹�ƽ�� 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., �鶹�ƽ�� 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 �鶹�ƽ��.edu.

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Duke Divinity Professor to Present on Creation Justice and Congregational Leadership Amid Climate Change

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The School of Divinity at �鶹�ƽ�� will host noted homiletics professor Jerusha Matsen Neal for The Rev. and Mrs. C.O. and Eliza Greene Lectureship in Ministry on Tuesday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Dover Chapel. The lectures will develop the theme “Grounded Hope: Creation Justice and the Place of the Local Congregation.” There is no cost to attend, and lunch is included.

“We are pleased to host Dr. Neal for the Greene lectures this year,” said interim dean Jim McConnell. “I am confident she will challenge us to consider how scripture compels local congregations to act in the face of climate change.”

The climate crisis raises theological questions about human purpose, the nature of hope, and the character of God. Drawing on biblical texts compiled through experiences of exile and loss, Neal’s lecture series reflects on where local congregations stand in this crisis—and where God is standing.

The schedule for these lectures is as follows:

• 10 a.m. – Lecture 1: “Exilic Hope: Preaching Scripture in the Climate Crisis.”
• 11 a.m. – Q&A.
• 11:45 a.m. – Lunch.
• 1 p.m. – Lecture 2: “New Creation Hope: Resistance and Restoration in the Face of Apocalypse.”

Neal, an associate professor of homiletics at Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C., is an ordained American Baptist pastor who has spent her ministry preaching in cross-cultural spaces and bridging denominational communities. Her most recent book, “Holy Ground: Climate Change, Preaching, and the Apocalypse of Place” (Baylor University Press, 2024), engages the climate crisis through the sermons of South Pacific communities displaced by rising tides. In her earlier book, “The Overshadowed Preacher: Mary, the Spirit, and the Labor of Proclamation” (Eerdmans, 2020), Neal challenges faith leaders to leave behind false shadows of approval and embrace the overshadowing Spirit of God. 

A former actress and playwright, she has also authored a collection of dramatic monologues, “Blessed: Monologues for Mary” (Cascade Books, 2012). She speaks regularly to faith communities across the country on the intersection of courage and hope in the face of the climate crisis.

For more information, please contact Lisa Hollifield at lhollifield@gardner-webb.edu.

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 disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu with your request.

About the Greene Lectureship

The Rev. and Mrs. C.O. and Eliza Greene Lectureship was established in 1993 to preserve the legacy of excellence in pastoral ministry characterized by Greene, who served for approximately 14 years as director of Missions for the Kings Mountain Baptist Association (now Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association). Prior to that ministry, Greene served as pastor of four churches in Cleveland County and of two other churches in North Carolina. The Lectureship is administered by the Pittman Center for Congregational Enrichment and funded by family members, friends, and members of churches where the Greene served as pastor. Held annually on the GWU campus, the Lectureship’s purpose is to address various dimensions of pastoral ministry.

About �鶹�ƽ��

�鶹�ƽ�� 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., �鶹�ƽ�� 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. Become more at .

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Ceremony on Dec. 12 Awards Degrees and Honors Scholastic Achievements

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�鶹�ƽ�� celebrated the achievements of nearly 300 graduates in Commencement Ceremonies on Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Students who completed the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees during the 2025 Fall Semester were recognized.

�鶹�ƽ�� President Nate Evans noted the significance of the event as he welcomed the graduates, their families and friends. “Commencement is always one of the most joyful days of the year because it reflects the very heart of our mission: Students pursuing their calling, growing in knowledge and character, and preparing to make a difference in the world,” he asserted. “And so, we gather today to celebrate you…and, perhaps most importantly…to honor the promise you carry forward from this moment and this place: the promise of a bright and rewarding future.”

Senior Scholastic awards were presented to traditional undergraduates:

• Carley Brooke Lawter
• Kalem Darius Griffin
• Caitlin Mackenzie Hines
• Jacob P. Jensen

The online senior scholastic awards were present to Tona Deann Marlow, who completed her degree in the fall semester, and Donna Denise Woody for the summer semester.

Doctoral candidates and those receiving their master’s degrees received their hoods. Evans conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees on all graduates.

The featured speaker was Dr. Robert Canoy, who served as dean of the �鶹�ƽ�� M. Christopher White School of Divinity for 16 years. This semester, he taught part time and will retire on Dec. 31.

Canoy joined the School of Divinity faculty in 2000. Through the years, he led classes in Christian theology, Greek, eschatology, the Revelation of John, and The Ministry of Worship, a Doctor of Ministry seminar. In addition, Canoy regularly led study tours to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, and Rome.

Canoy’s primary area of research is New Testament theology, having written articles and books on eschatology, and Eucharistic theology. He is the author of “Atonement in the Apocalypse: An Exposé of the Defeat of Evil.”

He served as pastor in Shelby, N.C., Maryland (in the Washington D.C. area), Iowa, Missouri, and Kentucky before returning to an academic career. His teaching experience began at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as a doctoral student and then Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo.

Canoy spoke about recognizing and celebrating new beginnings, and he offered examples—from biblical characters to historic figures and recent celebrities. “The Bible is an honest book filled with ‘begin-again’ stories, if I can use that phrase,” Canoy related. “That’s because life has always been about beginning again, over and over again, since each step that we take leads to the next step. And some steps that we take require some serious recalibration. Truth is, in this life there are no last steps.”

He discussed Simon Peter, who had boasted that he would never betray Jesus. “But he denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times, which Jesus had predicted,” Canoy observed. “But Peter ‘began again.’ He made a new start on the banks of the Sea of Galilee…Jesus gave him a new beginning, a fresh start, after his past failure.”

His list of famous “do-overs” included Thomas Edison, who failed more than 100 times before finding a filament that would sustain a light bulb, and Michael Jordan, who was famously cut from his high school basketball team before becoming one of the sport’s greatest players. Canoy ended with the most remarkable “begin-againer,” Jesus Christ. “He died at 33 before making the first of its kind—the greatest historical comeback ever—called resurrection,” Canoy stated.

Concluding his remarks, Canoy observed, “Graduation from �鶹�ƽ�� means being prepared for life’s ups and downs, highs and lows. Today’s commencement from GWU means that nothing is more important than knowing that God is all about getting us back up when we throw ourselves down or when life knocks us down. So, let us commence today to do even better tomorrow what we may have done well, or not so well yesterday, Pro Deo et Humanitate!”

Video of the commencement ceremony is available on The University’s and channel.

�鶹�ƽ�� 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., �鶹�ƽ�� 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. Become More at �鶹�ƽ��.edu.

The post �鶹�ƽ�� Recognizes Nearly 300 Graduates in 2025 Fall Commencement appeared first on �鶹�ƽ��.

Their Contributions to the Campus Community Have Shaped Generations of Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Four longtime employees are retiring from �鶹�ƽ�� after the Christmas holidays. Their dedicated service has impacted students through academics, Christian Life and Service, and ensuring a safe, attractive environment for learning and community.

Retiring on Dec. 31

Susan Manahan, Assistant Professor of Biology, 31 years

During her tenure at �鶹�ƽ��, Manahan has championed scientific exploration and community service. After graduating with degrees in microbiology and nutrition from Penn State University, Manahan’s first job was working as a quality control technician for Bachman Pretzel Company in Reading, Pa. She joined the GWU faculty shortly after obtaining her master’s degree in biology from UNC-Charlotte.

Manahan’s dedication to students extended beyond the classroom. A highlight of her career has been mentoring undergraduates in their independent research and helping them achieve their goals. Her students have pursued various professions in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, and wildlife biology. Manahan has been granted the rank of Faculty Emeritus status upon her retirement. Read more here.

Dr. Robert Canoy, Professor of Historical Theology, 25 years

Canoy joined the School of Divinity faculty in 2000 and has regularly led study tours to Israel, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. His primary area of research is New Testament theology. He is the author “Atonement in the Apocalypse: An Expose of the Defeat of Evil.” Before joining the faculty of the School of Divinity, Canoy was pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C. His academic career includes teaching at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo. He has also served as pastor, interim pastor, and guest teacher in churches across North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Iowa, and Missouri. He is married to Cynthia and they are the parents of two adult sons. His hobbies include bicycling, basketball, baseball, hunting, woodworking, and traveling. Read more here.

Teresa Davis, Administrative Assistant for Office of Christian Life and Service, 22 years

Davis began working at �鶹�ƽ�� in 2003 in the Office of Christian Life and Service/Campus Ministries. She enjoyed working with and around college students and ministering to them during these formative years. She had the opportunity to lead mission trips for college students and has traveled in the states as well as over six countries. She has been involved in ministry with her husband, Eric, for 46 years, and is the founder of Fragrance Ministries, which exists to encourage and empower women to know Jesus Christ personally.

Retiring on Jan. 5

David Wacaster, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, 27 years

Wacaster has a Bachelor of Science degree from �鶹�ƽ�� and joined the University in 1998 as a patrol officer. He was captain of University Police when he was tapped to be the director of Environmental and Occupational Safety at GWU. In 2020, he became the director of Operations for Facilities and Maintenance. Before coming to �鶹�ƽ��, Wacaster had served six years with the Shelby Police Department, where he held the positions of patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT Team member, and detective. He is married to Tonya, who received her bachelor’s and master’s in nursing from �鶹�ƽ��. His daughters also graduated from GWU. Kaylee earned a sports management degree and is a fifth-grade teacher at Township Three Elementary. Jenna graduated with an education degree and teaches second grade at Springmore Elementary. They both played softball at �鶹�ƽ�� and were recognized as Big South All Conference players. Kaylee holds six career hitting records for the Bulldogs. Jenna is married to Caleb Webber and they have a son named Riggs. When he’s not at GWU, Wacaster likes to ride the trails in West Virginia while running his off-road touring business. He also enjoys spending time with family and spoiling Riggs.

�鶹�ƽ�� 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., �鶹�ƽ�� 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. Become More at .

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Open to the Public, Free Sessions Examine the Topic: ‘Reading the Bible Prayerfully with Eyes Open’

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The School of Divinity at �鶹�ƽ�� presents theologian and author, Peter Enns, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Faith Hall, Tucker Student Center. The program, “Reading the Bible Prayerfully and with Eyes Open,” is part of the Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series. There is no cost to attend, and lunch is included.

“We look forward to hosting Dr. Peter Enns for the Mary Washburn Wilson lectures,” asserted Interim School of Divinity Dean Dr. Jim McConnell. “Dr. Enns is a biblical scholar known for his insightful reading of scripture, both the Old and New Testaments. Dr. Enns will encourage us to read the Bible with our eyes open to the challenges that these texts present, but also open to the promises of hope found within them.”

Enns earned his Ph.D. at Harvard University and is Abram S. Clemens professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pa. He has written several books including “The Bible Tells Me So,” “The Sin of Certainty,” “How the Bible Actually Works,” and his latest “Curveball: When Your Faith Takes Turns You Never Saw Coming.”

He is also cohost of the popular podcast “The Bible for Normal People.” The focus of his work centers on understanding the Bible as an ancient text and thinking through what it means to read that ancient text well today.

The Mary Washburn Wilson lectures are supported by the Mary Washburn Wilson Visiting Scholar Endowment, which was established in honor of Mary Leigh Washburn Wilson (1922-2003) through a generous gift by her daughter, the Rev. Tillie Duncan, a member of the GWU Gallery of Distinguished Alumni, along with her husband, Shannon Duncan. The lectureship is designed to expose students to new ideas and to make them aware of ideas not previously thought about in an intentional way.

The schedule follows:

• Session One: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., The Challenge of Reading The Bible In The Modern World
• Lunch: 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
• Session Two: 1 to 2 p.m., Reading The Bible With Open Eyes And Humble Hearts.

For more information, please contact Lisa Hollifield at lhollifield@gardner-webb.edu.

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 disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu with your request.

�鶹�ƽ�� 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., �鶹�ƽ�� 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. Learn more at .

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Through the Last 16 Years Under His Leadership, School of Divinity Has Gained Funding for Students; Maintained High Academic Standards

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Robert Canoy, dean of the �鶹�ƽ�� M. Christopher White School of Divinity for 16 years, will retire at the end of the 2025 Fall Semester. Canoy will serve as a part-time faculty member until Dec. 31, and also offer guidance to Professor Dr. Jim McConnell, who has been named interim dean of the School of Divinity.     

“Dr. Canoy’s leadership has shaped the School of Divinity and strengthened �鶹�ƽ��’s mission for nearly three decades,” shared Interim GWU President Nate Evans. “His commitment to preparing ministers, scholars, and servants of the Church has left a lasting mark not only on this institution but also on congregations and communities across the globe. We are deeply grateful for his visionary leadership and steady presence, and we celebrate both the legacy he leaves and the foundation he has built for the future of theological education at �鶹�ƽ��.”

Canoy’s affiliation with �鶹�ƽ�� began in 1997, shortly after he was called as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C. Invited by Dr. Wayne Stacy, then dean of the School of Divinity, Canoy served as an adjunct faculty member and as an ecclesiastical representative for the school’s first accreditation self-study. In 2000, Canoy joined the faculty full time as associate dean. When Stacy departed, Canoy stepped into interim leadership, guiding the school through its initial 10-year accreditation, granted in 2004 by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

In 2005, with the appointment of Dr. Chuck Bugg as dean, Canoy resumed his role as associate dean. After Bugg’s departure, Canoy once again provided transitional leadership until 2009, when he was named the divinity school’s fourth dean. Since then, he has led the School of Divinity through two additional accreditation reviews, in 2014 and 2024.

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Nicole Waters commended Canoy for his exemplary service to the University. “I extend heartfelt gratitude to Dean Robert Canoy, whose faithful and visionary leadership has blessed the School of Divinity and �鶹�ƽ�� for many years,” she praised. “Throughout his tenure as dean, Dr. Canoy has provided unwavering guidance, steadfast advocacy, and wise counsel. His dedication to faculty, staff, students, and alumni has strengthened and enriched our community.”

Waters added, “I am especially grateful for his continued presence and influence during the fall semester as he transitions from the role of dean to a part-time administrator and professor, and I appreciate Dr. Jim McConnell’s willingness to serve as the interim dean. During this transition, we celebrate a legacy of faithfulness and excellence and anticipate the ways it will continue to shape the future of the School of Divinity.”

McConnell also praised Canoy’s skillful leadership of the School of Divinity. “While Dr. Canoy served as dean, the influence of the School of Divinity has spread throughout our region and beyond, including internationally,” McConnell asserted. “Dean Canoy has maintained our school’s focus on its mission, ‘the preparation of persons for Christian ministries,’ recognizing that God’s call to ministry in the local church extends to a diverse group of people. I am humbled to follow Dr. Canoy as interim dean of the school. At the same time, I am thankful for the strong foundation on which Dr. Canoy has established the school. Because of his leadership we are well positioned to continue to train men and women for Christian ministries of all types into the future.”

Under Canoy’s guidance, the divinity school has received numerous gifts. An endowment of more than $1 million given in 2006 by Joyce Earnhardt was particularly meaningful, because it allowed divinity school students to study overseas. “It allows for students to travel to the Bible lands,” Canoy related. “I have been leading those groups for 20-something years. That’s been a real highlight to watch students go to the Bible places and to connect the Bible with that part of the world for their own preaching and teaching.”

In addition to trips to Israel, Greece and Turkey, divinity students also have the opportunity to participate in mission immersion trips and have served in Cuba, the Balkans, and Africa. The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund also helps students pay for their theological education, and other grants to the divinity school support hands-on programs and academic enrichment opportunities. With these funds and assistance provided by the Christian Service Organization, as well as churches from across the nation, divinity students are able to obtain their degree without taking on additional educational debt.

Canoy is thankful for the administrative assistants who have provided stability to the School of Divinity over the years, especially the current assistant, Lisa Hollifield. He also praises the highly-qualified faculty who prepare students from their various areas of expertise in historical theology (Dr. Steven Harmon), missions (Dr. Terry Casino, originally from the Philippines), counseling (Dr. Hebert Palomino from Colombia and Dr. Doug Dickens), New Testament interpretation (McConnell), and biblical studies (Dr. Cal Robertson).

Because of the faculty’s dedication, 90% of students who want to go into a church-related ministry obtain a position after graduating. In addition, many churches that employ a �鶹�ƽ�� student will contact the divinity school when the student is called to serve elsewhere. “They say, ‘Please send us another one like that,’” Canoy shared. “That means we’ve done something well.”

�鶹�ƽ�� 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., �鶹�ƽ�� 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 �鶹�ƽ��.edu.

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