GWU College of Health Sciences facility.

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - As students begin classes at colleges and schools across the country, Gardner-Webb University is marking the start of a new academic year by setting numerous enrollment records and reaching full occupancy in campus housing. University leaders announced this week that the institution has set or tied all-time highs for student numbers in almost 20 categories, including full-time undergraduate students (1,624) and residential students in all programs (1,358).
"These achievements are a continuation of outstanding momentum from spring 2015, when we also posted more than 20 individual program enrollment records," shared David Hawsey, GWU vice president for Enrollment Management & Marketing. "The record numbers help to offer proof that our programs are relevant and our academic quality is excellent."
Among other all-time marks, records were reached for the fall semester in the Master of Arts/Education Specialist, Doctor of Ministry, Evening Undergraduate Education and K-12 Teachers Alliance Teacher Education programs, as well as several of the University's health sciences tracks, including the Physician Assistant Studies, Doctor of Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner programs. The GWU College of Health Sciences students are now receiving their education in a newly renovated 50,000-square-foot facility at the site of the former Crawley Hospital on the western part of the Boiling Springs campus.
The health sciences facility is one of many upgrades completed or in progress as the fall semester gets underway. During the summer the University upgraded its technological infrastructure, refurbished the O. Max Gardner Hall music building and updated its wellness center. Gardner-Webb is also putting the finishing touches on a new Brinkley Softball Stadium with a synthetic playing surface, and fans at Spangler Stadium will soon experience upgraded services as amenities are added to the facility's visitors side. Stadium Drive around the west and south sides of campus was repaved, and new sidewalks, lighting and a bicycle path were added along the roadway.
As campus offerings and student numbers grow, Gardner-Webb leaders are also considering options for additional housing facilities on campus in the future, as the University is now at full on-campus residence capacity. While GWU is welcoming a slightly smaller class of first-year students to campus this year - 460, compared to 494 in fall 2014 - the institution posted its highest-ever spring-to-fall retention rates for traditional undergraduate returning students (87.6 percent) and new transfer students (100 percent), helping the University set the records for full-time undergraduate and residential students.
"Gardner-Webb's blend of liberal arts and professional studies, its Christian foundation and its connection to the community are resonating well with our students and their parents, and that's evident through our enrollment results," Hawsey said. "Whether for career fields or graduate school, we are preparing well-trained graduates with skills, knowledge and an attitude of helping others--not just themselves--achieve success in work and in life."

Photos by Mark Houser/Gardner-Webb University