College Tour: Gardner-Webb University

After we visited Montreat College, the next school my family toured was Gardner-Webb University. Here’s what we learned. 

 

The Basics 

Gardner-Webb is a private, Christian college located in Boiling Springs, NC, which is right on the border of North and South Carolina. They are affiliated with the Baptist Church. There are about 2000 students and a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio.  

 

The Christian Aspect 

Gardner-Webb has a required program called Dimensions, which seems similar to the chapel programs at other schools. Students must attend 10 programs per semester for a total of four semesters. Dimensions is held on Tuesdays at 9:25 am. GWU also has a variety of student ministries, including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, small groups, and a choir. There are mission trips throughout the year as well. 

 

Academics 

Gardner-Webb has over seventy areas of study. Some areas include American Sign Language, business management, computer science and cybersecurity, graphic design, exercise science, and journalism. They offer associate degrees and minors, as well as bachelor’s degrees. GWU also has pre-professional programs, such as pastoral ministry, pre-dentistry, pre-law, pre-veterinary medicine, and pre-medicine.  

Example dorm room at GWU

Student Life 

Gardner-Webb has 22 NCAA Division 1 teams, including golf, tennis, swimming, and track and field. There are 11 men’s sports and 11 women’s sports. They offer over 60 student clubs and organizations. They also have lots of opportunities to stay active on campus including a rock wall, CrossFit, and intramural sports. All students are required to live on campus with a few exceptions, such as living with your parents, being a part-time student, or being 21 or older.  

 

Admissions and Scholarships 

There are a variety of scholarships awarded at GWU including one full-ride scholarship each year. The full-ride scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student who stands apart from other students by the way he or she lives out Mark 12:30, the motto verse of Gardner-Webb. There are also eight full-tuition scholarships that are awarded based on GPA and interview performance. There are also athletic, music, and marching band scholarships, as well as others. The cost of tuition (per semester) is $16,235.  

 

Gardner-Webb University had a very nice campus with great athletic amenities and a wide variety of academic options. I enjoyed visiting the campus and having the opportunity to learn more about the school.