Magazine Archive - ��ϲʸ�� University

Campus of Champions

��ϲʸ�� University — Thu, 05 Oct 2023��ϲʸ�� 20:45:00 +0000

This year, ��ϲʸ�� University’s campus community and supporters celebrated milestone after milestone. Athletics posted Big South Conference wins in football, women’s basketball, men’s tennis and track and field. Wrestling took individual titles in the Southern Conference. ��ϲʸ�� students and faculty achieved excellence in scholarship, and alumni made notable accomplishments.

The New York Times recognized GWU as the safest campus in North Carolina. Education, nursing and public administration had significant increases in enrollment. The Office of Christian Life and Service led 47 students, faculty and staff on national and international mission trips, where individuals received the gospel of Jesus Christ. Donors eclipsed all previous one-day giving records by contributing over $1 million on Double Dawg Day.

These achievements didn’t happen overnight. Becoming a champion in any field requires hours of work from individuals who seek only the reward of doing their best and inspiring their team.

This attitude also marks a “champion of faith,” commented Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service Dr. Josh Parrott. Paraphrasing Mark 12:30-31—the verse posted by the doors of every building on campus—he noted, “Champions direct our hearts toward God by encouraging us to love him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength (and) direct our hands toward humanity by encouraging us to love our neighbor as ourselves.”

To define the character of a champion, Mike Griffith, head coach of the men’s tennis team and Big South Coach of the Year, singled out Johan Van Wijk and John Spring. When he took them off the starting list, they continued to train with enthusiasm and grit. “They pushed our starters and beat them a lot of times in practice,” Griffith explained. “I believe they are the reason we won the conference championship.”

The wins for the University’s Office of Advancement are no different. Over the last few years, the number of people giving to ��ϲʸ�� has increased along with total giving. This year’s record-breaking Double Dawg Day total would not have happened without teamwork. “Championship teams win because the team is working together,” declared Vice President for Advancement Nate Evans. “We’re winning because our donors are active members of the team. They might give $10, $100 or $100,000, but everyone is putting forth effort that helps us become perennial champions.”

Alumna Sherika Montgomery, new commissioner of the Big South Conference, affirmed that champions put team above self. She was a member of the 2010 women’s basketball team that won a Big South Regular Season Championship. Those years at ��ϲʸ�� taught Montgomery that a championship is earned with hard work, perseverance, resilience and a commitment to practice in the off season. She asserted, “Those are the things that I still, to this day, apply to any effort—whether it’s a championship, a new initiative, a new community engagement opportunity, or something we are grappling with on the national level.”

When it comes to the GWU faculty, Dr. Robert Prickett, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, noted these champions of learning constantly seek new methods to inspire students. “They are out there, trying, learning from every failure,” he described. “Whether that’s a performance in theater or an experiment in the lab or an authentic assessment in a class, they try, they learn, they adjust, they adapt, they grow—and then, do it one more time.”

Allyson Butts, 2019 Ignite Excellence Scholarship winner and current graduate student, agreed with Prickett’s assessment. She observed, “Being a champion is about how you live, not about what you achieve. A champion consistently pursues excellence, is willing to make personal sacrifices to love and support others, and lives for something greater than themselves. Maybe no one knows their names, but they touch the lives of people for the better. In my mind, that is the ultimate calling that we have as Christians.”

Within the pages of this magazine, you’ll find stories of students, student-athletes, faculty, alumni and donors who are champions living out the GWU motto in their communities: “Pro Deo et Humanitate – For God and Humanity.” They strive for excellence—not for trophies and titles—but for the people they’ve inspired to achieve their own greatness.

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Embracing the Community of the Unexpected

��ϲʸ�� University — Thu, 05 Oct 2023��ϲʸ�� 20:44:00 +0000

Teaching Excellence Winner, Dr. Elizabeth Amato, Centers Learning Around Relationships

Dr. Elizabeth Amato has been named the director of Undergraduate Research. As an associate professor in political science, Amato has served the ��ϲʸ�� community since 2014. She also received the Excellence in Teaching Award for 2021-22. The award recognizes academic rigor, effective course design and dedication to students. Amato’s approach to teaching centers on fostering a strong relationship between students and the text they are reading.

“My goal is to help students carefully read some of the best thinkers on the persistent questions of how we live as individuals and in political communities,” Amato said. “I want them to encounter the written words of a person from the past. These people are some of the best teachers available.”

Amato also believes that humility and a spirit of discovery are important in the process of education. In addition, she feels humor and a coaching mentality are essential when teaching young minds. “Comedy helps hold people’s interests and makes them wonder what is next,” Amato stated.

She credits her parents for inspiring her love of teaching. She grew up in Baldwin, Ga., in a family of teachers, with her father being a math teacher and her mother, a piano teacher. While she never took after her parents’ skills of mathematics and music, she learned a lot from her professor, Peter Augustine Lawler, at Berry College in Rome, Ga., where she earned her bachelor’s degree.

“He introduced me to a very different way of thinking about political science and literature,” remarked Amato. “He took ideas seriously and did things in an unexpected way. He taught me to look for the unexpected within the text.”

Through Lawler, Amato saw the value of political science and started to think through the question, “How do I want to live?” For Amato, political science is the “art of the possible” and a great way to bring ideas into the world using the materials available to humanity. “Politics are an important aspect in the struggle to live as free beings,” she observed. “It is vital in understanding how to live with others.”

Thinking back to her time as a first-year college student, Amato said if she could go back and give herself advice, it would be to value friendship and community. This desire to build community and foster relationships can be seen in her style of teaching, such as her popular coffee and tea tasting class, in which students drink coffee and tea from all over the world. “The class brings back the wonder and excitement of learning,” she described.

The tasting class further promotes community and offers important aspects for professional development, where the student is enabled to navigate social situations and understand networking. Another purpose for the activity is to introduce the students to a wide number of coffees and teas to help them seem more cultured in social situations. They also learn about the economics and politics behind these drinks.

Amato recalls the first time she toured ��ϲʸ�� and seeing herself belonging on the campus.

I wanted to teach at a small liberal arts college,” she shared. “That was my ambition and dream—to know the name of my students and be able to mentor them.
Dr. Elizabeth Amato

She appreciates the faculty mentors who helped her get accustomed to ��ϲʸ��. She specifically cites Professor of History Dr. Timothy Vanderburg, former GWU professor Dr. Joseph Moore, and Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Dianne Sykes, who have each helped her in different ways.

Before coming to ��ϲʸ��, she taught at James Madison College at Michigan State University in East Lansing. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in political science at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Amato wrote her dissertation on the role politics and literature play in understanding the pursuit of happiness. In 2018 she published this research into a book titled, “The Pursuit of Happiness and the American Regime: Political Theory in Literature.” In addition, Amato has authored multiple articles and chapters and served as a resource on elections for regional media and public events.

She is working on her next project, writing a book about moral education presented within the television series, “Cobra Kai.” Amato noted, “My hope with the book is to show how the ‘Cobra Kai’ navigates the thorny questions and trials of young adults who both want to be good and to do good. I love looking at how writers, novelists, and directors depict the world. What are they trying to show and teach us?”

She is positive about her new position as director of Undergraduate Research. “I am excited for the opportunity
to guide students towards high-impact and high-quality projects and undertakings,” she affirmed. “I believe it is through something like undergraduate research where students transition from students in the proper sense to experts.”

Brandon Richmond graduates in May 2024 with degrees in English and philosophy and theology.

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Marilyn Withrow Donates Gift to Purchase Chemistry and Microbiology Equipment

��ϲʸ�� University — Thu, 05 Oct 2023��ϲʸ�� 20:43:00 +0000

Advanced Microscopes and Instruments Improve Lab Research

Alumna Marilyn Withrow, ’71, made a generous gift to enhance the ��ϲʸ�� University chemistry and microbiology programs. This multi-year commitment provides advanced equipment and protects the investment by including funds for maintenance and upkeep.

Susan Manahan, assistant professor of biology, said the donation of 22 microscopes for the microbiology laboratory replaces all of the old microscopes and will greatly enhance the viewing experience of the students in lab activities. Students in Microbiology for the Health Sciences, General Microbiology, Genetics, Cell Biology, and Immunology will use the microscopes to focus on a variety of samples.

“In addition, we were able to purchase and equip a teaching microscope with a camera that will be connected to the new monitor to show students what to search for and focus on when viewing their own microscope slides,” Manahan explained. “With the software that comes with the camera, we will be able to take photographs of images on slides and even make short videos.”

The chemistry department acquired Thermo Scientific UV-Vis (ultraviolet-visible) Spectrophotometers, which identify the presence of chemical compounds and measure their concentration. Dr. Stefka Eddins, professor of chemistry, shared that the new equipment replaced two aging, soon-to-be-defunct, instruments.

The purchase allows the department to continue to meet the needs of students in classes, such as General Chemistry II, Analytical Chemistry I and II, Physical Chemistry I and II, Biochemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry. “These classes are taken by biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and exercise science majors,” Eddins offered.

Our hands-on approach to teaching our students how to use chemical instruments, including the two new spectrophotometers, sets us apart in that our students acquire real, hands-on, laboratory experience and are not just mere observers.
Dr. Stefka Eddins, professor of chemistry

In addition to the instruments, the department also purchased accessories for automated spectrophotometric analysis, as well as an explosion-proof refrigerator. These pieces of equipment will expand the ability to perform chemical analyses efficiently and store various reagents safely.

Marilyn and her husband, David, ’72, are longtime supporters of their alma mater, and Marilyn is a former trustee. When David passed away in 2020, the family established the David E. Withrow Endowed Athletic Scholarship to support student-athletes. In addition, David’s relatives supported the construction of the Withrow Science Building. This building was dedicated
in 1966 and named in honor of GWU trustee and benefactor, A.T. Withrow of Charlotte, N.C.

As students were introduced to the new microscopes, they were excited to see sharper images and smaller details of the microorganisms. One of those students is senior Helena Berczes, who is double majoring in biology with a concentration in biomedical sciences and American Sign Language with a minor in interpreting. A laboratory associate, who assists other students in the microbiology lab, Berczes expressed her thanks for the gift and explained how the donation affects everyone in the Department of Natural Sciences.

“I’m excited for people coming through the department to use the new equipment and be able to see everything so much more clearly,” Berczes noted. “Even the older scopes that we had on the (microbiology) side of the department, were moved over to general biology. I heard one of the professors say that those scopes are better than the ones they had, so actually it has benefited the entire department even if they are not using the brand new ones.”

Blake Henkel, a junior who is also majoring in biology with a concentration in biomedical sciences, admired the innovative features available on the new microscopes. He wants to be a dentist and said learning to recognize microorganisms prepares him for dental school. “Not only does it help us identify what we need to identify, but also to retain and recall what these organisms look like,” Henkel explained.

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Inaugural Tucker Scholar Leah Carpenter Wants to Change Lives

��ϲʸ�� University — Thu, 05 Oct 2023��ϲʸ�� 20:42:00 +0000

Inaugural Tucker Scholar Leah Carpenter Strives to Follow Life Altering Example in Nursing

Leah Carpenter’s smile is so genuine, people are compelled to return in kind and offer a greeting. “Her light and love radiate,” affirmed her youth pastor, Taylor Campbell, when he nominated her for the Tucker Scholarship.

At the scholarship presentation in 2020, members of the selection committee described her as a “ray of sunshine”—one of the many reasons why she was named ��ϲʸ�� University’s first Tucker Scholar. Established by dedicated supporters, Carolyn and Robert Tucker, the Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship is awarded to a student with exceptional academic achievement. Equally important, the individual also exemplifies the commands of Jesus found in Mark 12:29-31—“Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.”

The formal scholarship presentation was made by the Tuckers’ daughter, Lisa, a 1989 alumna. “I was so impressed with you from the moment we met,” she told Carpenter. “Everything you stand for; it beams from you immediately.”

Carpenter applied for the eight-semester full-tuition, room and board scholarship but never thought she would win. “I remember clear as day when I got the call,” she related. “It was during school and I’m crying and sobbing and calling my mom and we were jumping for joy. I never thought I was going to get it, but I’m humbled that I did.”

She continued, “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here in the first place. The Tucker family has been caring and generous to me. They taught me to be generous to other people, to lead by example and show the love of God anywhere you go.”

Carpenter said the weight of being the first person to represent the Tucker name can be overwhelming, but she finds encouragement in that foundational scripture. “I remember when I got the award, and Carolyn Tucker gave me this plaque,” she reflected. “It had Mark 12:29-31 on there. She said the last thing is the most important part—to love your neighbor as yourself—and so I’ve really tried to instill that in my life at ��ϲʸ��. I think the best way to represent the Tucker family is to be love and show the love on campus.”

One of the ways Carpenter shines on campus is by helping to lead a Bible study through the Delight Women’s Ministry. She also attends the student-led worship service, The Gathering. She’s a member of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and Student Nurses Association (SNA). During the summer, she’s involved in Carolina Cross Connection, a ministry that uses volunteers to provide home repairs for people in need. She also helps with the homeless ministry at her church.

With her attitude and personality, it’s easy to see why Carpenter chose nursing as her major. “I wanted to be at the bedside every single day and make sure people were advocated for, and I could serve people well,” she explained. “You truly get that one-on-one time with your patients when you are a nurse.”

Now a GWU senior, Carpenter started clinical rotations when she was a sophomore. She’s observed intensive care and worked in obstetrics, medical-surgical, operating room, and behavioral health. One of her clinical instructors, adjunct Dominique Belgrave, applauded her development. “Both nurses and patients she encountered complimented Leah on her teamwork, broad knowledge, impressive implementation and interpersonal skills,” Belgrave asserted. “Throughout the semester her confidence grew, and she learned how to use her clinical judgment when caring for her patients.”

After years of pursuing the goal of being a nurse, Carpenter described the first time she cared for patients as surreal. Filled with excitement, she also experienced wonder, doubt and joy. Getting over those initial fears requires a proper balance of caution and confidence.

One of my instructors told me that, ‘A scared nurse is a good nurse, because you should never be overconfident where you cannot ask for help,’” she shared. “You remind yourself that you’re not alone. There’s someone to guide you.
Leah Carpenter

Carpenter concluded, “I’m excited but also have to remind myself of the responsibility I now have when it comes to caring for someone else. I love that I am learning so much in the hospital and going to clinicals has shown me just how tiring but rewarding nursing can be.”

Leah Carpenter’s Top Five Reasons to Love ��ϲʸ��:

The people. You feel at home, and welcomed.
Faith-based campus. Professors take the time to pray before a test and when asked, share godly counsel.
The sunsets. Nowhere else in the world has sunsets like this.
The student-athletes. I’m a big sports fan, and I love the fact that you can get to know the people on campus who play sports.
The smaller campus. Everybody says this, but it’s the truth. Being in a class with 10 students means you get to know them and your professor.

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Reaching Higher Ground

��ϲʸ�� University — Thu, 05 Oct 2023��ϲʸ�� 20:41:00 +0000

GWU Athletics Achieving Championships Throughout the Fields of Life

With its team championship wins in 2022-23, ��ϲʸ�� University became the only Division I university in North Carolina to earn titles in football, women’s basketball and men’s basketball since 2019. On their way to the championships, the programs and student-athletes set records as well.

GWU also earned a men’s tennis Big South co-championship for the regular season, and individual championships in Southern Conference wrestling, and Big South track and field.

“Intercollegiate athletics has seen more change in the past three years than in the last 30,” shared Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich, vice president and director of GWU Athletics. “As a result of these changes, the success of the most watched and visible collegiate sports of football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball is more important now than it has ever been in our past, which is why our results, which are unmatched by any other D-I university in the state of North Carolina, should be celebrated and known throughout our community and across the nation.”

The Dance to Remember

The first history-making win came on March 10, 2019, when the buzzer ended the Big South Conference Championship game. On that day, a celebration began as the Runnin’ Bulldogs Men’s Basketball Team realized, “We’re going dancin.’” The victory advanced ��ϲʸ�� to the NCAA Men’s Tournament for the first time in program history. The team’s win continued a rich basketball tradition at GWU—the Runnin’ Bulldogs previously made national tournament appearances at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and NCAA Division II levels. The historical season also inspired the award-winning documentary “The Dancin’ Bulldogs: A 16 Seed’s Journey to the NCAA Tournament” and the CBS documentary short “Four Sides of the Story: March Madness Begins.”

Gridiron Victories Offer NCAA Playoff Upset and Team Honors

Then, on Nov. 19, 2022, in Spangler Stadium, the Runnin’ Bulldogs football team topped off a historic season by winning its first Big South conference title since 2003. In that game, the Runnin’ Bulldogs ran for 240 yards and used a 21-point second quarter to roll to a 38-17 win over North Carolina A&T. The victory sent the team to its first-ever NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs, where they won a first-round game on the road against Eastern Kentucky University, 52-41.

During the playoffs, home teams were 20-2, and the Runnin’ Bulldogs were one of only two road squads to earn a win. Additionally, ��ϲʸ�� dominated the Big South honors for 2022. Quarterback Bailey Fisher was Offensive Player of the Year, defensive lineman Ty French was named Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Ty Anderson was the Defensive Freshman of the Year, linebacker William McRainey was voted the Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the league, and GW head coach Tre Lamb was selected Coach of the Year. The conference win in 2022 marked the Runnin’ Bulldogs third overall Big South football title.

Women’s Basketball Brings History Home

The ��ϲʸ�� Women’s Basketball team took its place in the history books on March 5, 2023��ϲʸ��, by winning both the Big South Tournament and the Big South regular season. At the championship game, the women claimed their 21st consecutive victory to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. They also finished 21-0 against Big South Competition, the best mark in the history of the league. And in that final game, forward Jhessyka Williams scored a season high 33 points, tying a championship game mark for most points scored by an individual.

��ϲʸ�� Women’s Basketball earned four spots on the All-Big South Conference team and secured three of the league’s major awards.

Williams (Augusta, Ga.) was unanimously named Big South Player of the Year, forward Alasia Smith (Johnson City, Tenn.) was named Big South Defensive Player of the Year and head coach Alex Simmons was named Big South Coach of the Year.

Guards Lauren Bevis (High Point, N.C.) and Ki’Ari Cain (Sumter, S.C.) joined Williams and Smith on the All-Big South Conference team, with Bevis earning first-team honors and Cain earning an honorable mention selection. Bevis was also runner up for Big South Player of the Year.

Guard L’Mia Littlejohn (Shelby, N.C.) earned a spot on the Big South Conference All-Academic Team. Littlejohn
is an exercise science major who carries a 3.75 cumulative GPA. She plans to pursue a career in physical therapy upon graduation. A top reserve, Littlejohn played in 28 games during the regular season and knocked down 40.5 percent from beyond the three-point arc.

Williams was the first ��ϲʸ�� standout to be named Player of the Year since Margaret Roundtree in 2010. The team finished the season with a 29-5 record.

Wrestlers Earned Individual Spots in the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships

Oklahoma City native R.J. Mosley became a three-time NCAA qualifier at 165 pounds and the first ��ϲʸ�� wrestler to ever win back-to-back Southern Conference titles. Mosley went 24-5 during his final regular season and was 7-1 in Southern Conference action.

Jha’Quan Anderson made his second appearance in the national championships after earning an at-large bid. The Conyers, Ga., native advanced all the way to the SoCon finals at 184 pounds before dropping a decision in the finals. Anderson went 22-13 overall and was 7-1 against SoCon foes during the 2022-23 regular season.

��ϲʸ�� has now seen 33 wrestlers advance to the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships since 2000.

��ϲʸ�� Tennis Earns Regular Season Title and Individual Honors

GWU Head Tennis Coach Mike Griffith was named the Coach of the Year while Victor Putter was honored as Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the Big South, as the team earned a regular season co-championship as well.

Griffith was selected as the coach of the year for the Big South for the second time in his career. The first came in 2019, which was the only other time in school history that GWU has won the conference title. He guided the team to a 15-6 mark in the regular season and 4-1 record against league opponents. The 15 wins marked the most in a single season since the team joined the Big South Conference.

Putter became the first in GWU history to earn the title of Scholar-Athlete of the Year in Men’s Tennis. He has compiled a 4.0 GPA in his four years at GWU while pursuing a degree in mathematics.

*Check out the companion story on Putter later in this section

Track and Field Athletes Chase Titles

The Big South Outdoor Championship events were highlighted by ��ϲʸ��’s Cameron Donoghue and Amy Prugh’s record-breaking finishes.

Donoghue, a Yarmouth Port, Mass., native, earned a first-place finish in the decathlon while also setting a GWU record and personal best for the event.

Prugh was named to the women’s All-Academic Team, and her season was also highlighted by a first-place honor for the 3000m Steeplechase at the Big South Outdoor Championship. Prugh also set a new ��ϲʸ�� school record with the finish. Prugh posted a 3.94 GPA in economics/finance to earn the academic honors.

��ϲʸ�� Pitcher Selected for Top Big South Honor

��ϲʸ�� University hurler Bobby Alcock, from Lynn, Mass., was voted the 2023��ϲʸ�� Big South Baseball Pitcher of the Year. Alcock is the first-ever Runnin’ Bulldog to be voted Big South Pitcher of the Year. He concluded the regular season as the Big South leader in strikeouts (99), ERA (2.20) and batting average allowed (.170). Alcock went 7-2 overall with three combined shutouts in 81.2 innings pitched, and permitted just seven extra base hits all season (five doubles, two home runs among 48 allowed) in his 13 appearances. Named to the College Baseball Foundation Pitcher of the Year Watch List, Alcock was a three-time Big South Pitcher of the Week honoree in 2023��ϲʸ��, and fanned at least 10 batters four times—including 12 in a 1-0 win over Longwood on March 18. In league games this season, he was tops in ERA (1.79), strikeouts per game (10.89), strikeouts (73), innings (60.1) and batting average against (.155) while going 5-2.

Alcock was also named to the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division I All-America Second Team and the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) NCAA Division I All-Region Second Team in the Atlantic Region.

With all of these championships and individual honors, ��ϲʸ�� Athletics has built a culture of competitive excellence. Our past, present, and future students will be inspired to become champions in competition, in the classroom and in our community.
Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich, vice president and director of Athletics

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Big Steps for the Big South

��ϲʸ�� University — Thu, 05 Oct 2023��ϲʸ�� 20:40:00 +0000

Alumna Sherika Montgomery Chosen to Lead Conference

For ��ϲʸ�� University alumna and former-student athlete Sherika Montgomery, the Big South Conference has been intrinsically connected to her personal and professional path. Now, as Montgomery takes on the role of commissioner of the Big South, she looks forward to giving back to a community that invested in her during her time as a student-athlete.

“Having the opportunity to serve as commissioner and to continue to work alongside our constituencies and lead that forward progress is tremendous,” Montgomery said.

Stepping into the position formerly held by Kyle Kallander as he retired after 27 years, Montgomery is the fourth commissioner of the league, which was founded in 1983. She previously worked for the Big South from 2010-17 in various positions, including assistant commissioner for compliance and senior woman administrator. During that time, Montgomery was a two-time chair of the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics, as well as an inaugural member of the NCAA Board of Governors Ad Hoc Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity. Additionally, she was honored on the Top 25 Women in Higher Education and Beyond list by Diverse Education in 2016. Montgomery also spent time with the Summit League as associate commissioner for governance and compliance in 2018-19. In 2021, she began a stint with the Missouri Valley Conference as associate commissioner and senior woman administrator, ultimately being appointed deputy commissioner last year.

Kallander voiced his support for Montgomery as she stepped into the post of commissioner. “Sherika Montgomery is an amazing talent and will be outstanding in leading the Conference into the future,” Kallander said. “She has tremendous people skills, wonderful insight and integrity, and has the intangibles that are often overlooked in great leaders. She just gets it. Plus, to have an alum of the Big South return to take the reins is truly special.”

��ϲʸ�� President Dr. William Downs also expressed his faith in Montgomery. “Having served on the search committee and as a member of the group of Big South Conference CEOs that selected our new commissioner, I can confirm that Sherika Montgomery rose to the top of an outstanding pool of candidates,” Downs said. “She brings energy, vision, and significant experience to this leadership position at a critical time for college athletics. I am confident that she is the right person at the right time for our conference, and I am eager to see our competitiveness and our brand strengthen in the years ahead.”

Montgomery played basketball at ��ϲʸ��, and was a member of the 2010 Big South Conference regular season championship team that finished with a record of 28-5. She graduated from ��ϲʸ�� with a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a minor in recreation in 2009, and returned to earn her master’s in sport science/pedagogy in 2011.

Montgomery noted the significant lessons of resilience and discipline she learned as a student-athlete and the perseverance she harvested on and off the court are traits she continues to apply to every effort. “You will ultimately attain that goal or come really, really close based on some of those key characteristics that started during my time at ��ϲʸ�� University as a student-athlete,” Montgomery said.

In the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, Montgomery mentions the importance of taking the time to listen and gain an understanding of the needs of community leaders and stakeholders on campuses. She says that it is through the understanding of others that her decision-making as a leader of the conference and advocate for each school is enhanced.

Advocating for a holistic focus on the student-athletes of the Big South and keeping a pulse on all facets of their health (in the classroom and on the fields of play), Montgomery aims to display an intentionality in her approach to leadership. She wants student-athletes to gain the most out of their experiences, which she understands firsthand to be moments that will impact the rest of their lives and careers. “I bring what I call that level of relatability, and being able to resonate with so many different constituencies because of those experiences … I think that’s going to serve me tremendously,” Montgomery said. “When it comes to being Big South made, I’m a testament to that.”

*The Big South Conference has 10 full-time member institutions, and six associate members located in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Written by Thomas Manning ‘22

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‘A Remarkable Life’

��ϲʸ�� University — Thu, 05 Oct 2023��ϲʸ�� 20:39:00 +0000

100-year-old Alumna Offers Wit, Wisdom, and Humor Worldwide

When one first meets Miss Gladys, laughter is not far behind. Armed with a dry sense of humor, she finds a way to catch everyone off guard and break the ice. Miss Gladys has a brilliant mind; she’s fueled with energy, and she can carry on a dialogue with anyone.

Gladys Brooks Boroughs, who turned 100 on Dec. 28, 2022, has dedicated her life to living out the ��ϲʸ�� University mission. She is a former GWU trustee, and she and her husband established a scholarship through the Christian Service Organization. In 2003, she was honored as a ��ϲʸ�� Distinguished Alumna.

Her daughter, Elaine Boroughs McRae, emphasizes that her mother is a lifelong learner, living every day to the fullest. As an example, Boroughs and her friend, Maida Green Scruggs, are planning a Zoom call so they can catch up and reminisce. Incidentally, Scruggs is the wife of the late Horace Scruggs, brother of bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs, who are Boroughs’ first cousins. Horace, who died in 2007, worked in GWU plant operations for 29 years. Boroughs received some of the musical talent and plays piano by ear.

“A finer role model I couldn’t have!” McRae praised. “Her wit and wisdom continue, and I’m so blessed to call this saint, ‘Mom.’ She’s had a remarkable life and made an impact on numerous people both in the church and the (Baptist) association.”

Born in 1922 in Cleveland County, N.C., Boroughs was the middle child with six older and six younger siblings. A child of the depression, her family lost two farms, yet somehow managed to provide a college education to many of their children. Boroughs described one way the family made ends meet, “I remember there was a company in Shelby that sold flour in 100-pound sacks. Mommy would make our dresses out of that.”

Boroughs graduated as valedictorian of her high school class and was also first in her class when she graduated from ��ϲʸ�� in 1942. While at ��ϲʸ��, she lived with her cousins, because their house was closer to the college.

When her grandfather died, Boroughs stayed at home and ran two miles back to ��ϲʸ�� the next morning to take a test. “The teacher was so understanding,” Boroughs shared. “She said, ‘You don’t have to take the test,’ but I insisted on taking it.”

She majored in English, and after graduating, decided to move to Washington, D.C., because her older sister, Reba, lived there. Boroughs took a job at the Five and Dime until she was hired by the FBI to edit documents during World War II, serving under the FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Even after all these years, Boroughs won’t risk sharing the classified information in the files, but described her work as “defense reviewing.” She saw Hoover a couple of times, but never talked to him. She told a story about a co-worker who was on the elevator when Hoover was about to get on. Without thinking, the co-worker reached in his coat for his handkerchief. Hoover’s bodyguards immediately pulled their guns on him.

While in Washington, D.C., she met the love of her life, Lewis Boroughs, also a North Carolinian, from Seagrove. He was a professor at George Washington University. After Lewis took the bar exam, he joined Burlington Industries as a lawyer and the couple relocated to Greensboro, N.C., where Boroughs still lives. She managed the household while her husband was away on business in New York city.

The couple had three children, Elaine, Miriam and Kenneth. When the girls were teenagers, Kenneth was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and passed away. “That is when you really saw the strength of family and faith,” McRae observed. “Their faith never wavered.”

Boroughs is known for her involvement at First Baptist Church of Greensboro. Through the decades, she held about every position: Deacon chair, Women’s Missionary Union, Sunday school teacher, and chair of many other committees. When her husband retired, the couple traveled the world, often in the capacity of serving a Baptist mission. In Temuco, Chile, they helped teams from First Baptist Church construct an orphanage. On several occasions, Boroughs preached at the Sunday morning worship service and led Bible studies for the women.

She and her husband were also instrumental in forming the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) in North Carolina. Groups from across the state often met at the Boroughs’ house to discuss the impact CBF could have on outreach and ministry.

Boroughs was also a devoted member of The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) and founding member of Sedgefield Woman’s Club. In 1987, she became North Carolina State President of GFWC.

“To this day, her devotionals are still being printed and sold at GFWC conventions,” McRae shared. “What a legacy this little Brooks’ (Boroughs) girl, the truly middle child of 13, is leaving for posterity.”

When asked to expound of a secret to long living, Boroughs noted that “laughter and appreciating humor” provide a prescription that you can get “without a doctor’s note.”

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��ϲʸ�� Launches New Runnin’ Bulldog

Web Communications — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 18:05:04 +0000

VPCo. Created New Athletics Brand After Interviews with Over 500 Stakeholders

The launch of a new Runnin’ Bulldog for ��ϲʸ�� followed six months of research, over a year of athletic brand exploration, and interviews with more than 500 ��ϲʸ�� stakeholders. Working with VPCo. in Charlotte, N.C., the University’s revitalized athletic brand was drawn from historical graphics dating back to before the 1960s and updated with an innovative, customized look with swagger. “Distinctive, Fresh, Bold, and Confident…those were among the qualities that we prioritized when we set out to take our Runnin’ Bulldog to the next level,” shared ��ϲʸ�� President William Downs.

“Watching Varsity Partners work to design something special for our student-athletes and for our fans has been pure fun. I love the look! It’s big, it’s authentic, it’s fierce, and it’s got swagger.”
William Downs, ��ϲʸ�� President

Fans are seeing the transformation in sports venues, uniforms, billboards, bus wraps, and more.

The University Marketing Council recommended this rebrand work to Downs in July 2021, because the last GWU athletic brand update was more than 35 years ago. Additionally, the previous bulldog logo has become less distinctive over the years and has been adapted into numerous “clip art” illustrations across the internet. However, loyal fans of the retired logo can be assured it will be used for “retro” and “throwback” promotions.

In creating the new brand, VPCo. conducted focus group research with alumni, faculty, staff, students, student-athletes, trustees, community members, and friends.

“We needed some consistency with our visual identity, and we felt it was very important to be inclusive in this process,” noted Marc Rabb, assistant athletic director for Athletic Media Relations. “We had conversations with coaches and student athletes, and this was really important, and truly successful.”

Kylee Garrison, a ��ϲʸ�� volleyball player from Huntersville, N.C., enjoyed participating in the process and was excited about the new brand. “I am not someone who normally loves change, so I was surprised by how much I liked the new designs,” observed Garrison, who is dual-enrolled in the Master of Science strength and conditioning program. “I think it matches the vision for updating the campus and progressing towards the future. I look forward to seeing how this starts a chain reaction at GWU and what it looks like to be a Runnin’ Bulldog. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make sure that we all have a renewed sense of school pride.”

Nick Irwin, partner and chief creative officer with VPCo., commented that as his team worked through the identity process with the GWU campus and Boiling Springs area, they sensed a genuine sense of community. “We really enjoyed working with everyone to design an updated identity that aligns with the growth, vision and spirit of ��ϲʸ��,” he affirmed. “We feel that the end result is an excellent representation of a Runnin’ Bulldog’s steadfast determination, and the student-athlete’s drive for success on and off the field.”

The new branded bulldog logos, wordmarks, distinctive fonts, spirit stripes and other special items, such as soccer “shields,” were created for ��ϲʸ�� athletics. These elements bring a new level of consistency and visibility to expand the GWU brand nationally. “The iconic red jersey was incredibly important for our updated logo, and that came through in the conversations, as was having a mark that represented determination and moving forward,” added Irwin.

L’Mia Littlejohn, an exercise science major and member of the basketball team, believed it was time for the University to have a new look. “I think it is important to rebrand so we stay current,” she noted.

Head Basketball Coach Tim Craft praised the new branding and logo enhancements as the latest example of Gardner- Webb athletics continuing to strive for excellence. He emphasized, “VPCo. has done an amazing job of modernizing our bulldog and other features of our brand, while also capturing the tradition and community that makes ��ϲʸ�� special and unique. This new look is enhancing school spirit, and is an exciting change for our student-athletes, alumni and fans.”

University Marketing was instrumental in bringing all areas of the University community together for this effort. Richard McDevitt, vice president for University Marketing and Communications, believes that the importance of instituting a unified brand identity is one that speaks beyond athletics. “This is more than a new logo; it is a refueled and renewed energy for the entire university. It has been a longtime coming,” McDevitt noted. “Our goal as a marketing team is to breathe life into our brand through powerful and engaging content delivered consistently to our audiences. We are always excited to amplify the voice of our Runnin’ Bulldogs, and we were honored to work on this project.”

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Building Life Champions

Web Communications — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 06:30:00 +0000

Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich Named VP and Director of Athletics

“I have great confidence that Andrew Goodrich will lead ��ϲʸ�� athletics into a new and highly successful era,” said GWU President William Downs. “He has vision, tenacity, experience, and an appetite for building championship programs. The passion is palpable, and everyone who meets Andrew will quickly learn that he simply won’t be outworked. The future for Runnin’ Bulldogs sports is incredibly bright!”

��ϲʸ�� University has named Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich as Vice President and Director of Athletics. He steps into the role following Chuck Burch’s retirement after serving more than two decades in the position.

Goodrich comes to ��ϲʸ�� by way of Syracuse University, where he has worked as Deputy Director of Athletics & Chief Marketing Officer since 2018. The Owego, N.Y., native is an honors graduate of the University of Notre Dame, with an MBA in Marketing. He also earned a Ph.D in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Florida, as well as a graduate certificate in Administrative Leadership from Cornell University.

Previously working at International Business Machines (IBM) in the early 2000s, Goodrich recalls an important realization he had during that period in his life. “While working as a financial analyst and accountant at IBM, I was coaching youth football and baseball in our community. I enjoyed my job at IBM, but I loved working with kids and especially using sports to help teach them how to be a champion in life and on the field. During this time, I knew that I needed to pursue a career as an athletics administrator,” Goodrich said. The experience he gained VOLUME 57, 2022 | 33 in crafting entrepreneurial strategies at IBM would prove to be crucial to his professional path in the years to come.

Shortly thereafter, he began his MBA studies at Notre Dame, also working as a graduate assistant with the marketing department. “As a student in the graduate school program, I was able to take an athletics administration course from Dr. Kevin White, who was the director of athletics at the time. It was during this class that I knew for absolute certain that I was going to become a Division One athletics director someday,” Goodrich said.

His extensive background in higher education and various leadership positions throughout the collegiate athletics industry have instilled a strong sense of confidence in Goodrich as he approaches this role with ��ϲʸ��. “I have a very unique background as a professor with a Ph.D in Higher Education Administration, that helps me develop trust and collaboration with faculty and campus leaders,” Goodrich said. “I have worked in both the internal and external operations within high performing athletics departments all across the nation, which allows me to work efficiently and effectively with the academic and compliance departments, as well as the revenue generation, fan experience, and strategic communications departments.”

During his tenure at Syracuse, Goodrich assisted in the generation of approximately $80 million annually in revenue for the program. A particularly significant project at Syracuse for Goodrich involved the negotiation of a 10-year naming rights agreement for the JMA Wireless Dome. A member of the Syracuse Executive Cabinet and University Leadership Team, Goodrich worked to manage 19 NCAA Division I athletic programs, including 600 student athletes from 32 countries. Multiple attendance records for football and men’s basketball at Syracuse were set under his watch, and he also assisted in the search and hiring process of six head coaches and one Senior Women’s Administrator at the school.

With the landscape of the NCAA continuing to evolve in the Name, Image, and Likeness era, Goodrich guided Syracuse into this new environment with co-licensing agreements for student-athletes. Jim Cavale, founder and CEO of the athlete brand-building app INFLCR, speaks highly of Goodrich’s contributions in this field. “Andrew Goodrich is always thinking outside the box. I’m excited to see him get the opportunity to lead ��ϲʸ�� into the new era of college sports,” Cavale said.

“I have worked in both the internal and external operations within high performing athletics departments all across the nation, which allows me to work efficiently and effectively with the academic and compliance departments, as well as the revenue generation, fan experience, and strategic communications departments.”
Andrew T. Goodrich, Vice President and Director of Athletics

Additionally, Goodrich negotiated Syracuse’s largest e-commerce deal, and developed the second-largest corporate sponsorship agreement in school history, with a value of $4.48 million. Syracuse was granted the 2022 Clyde Award as the top Learfield Corporate Partnerships Property of the Year.

Prior to this stretch at Syracuse, Goodrich worked at the University of South Florida as Senior Associate AD, External Relations from 2014-2018. This was preceded by two years at the University of Miami, Florida as the Associate AD, Marketing and Sales from 2012-2014.

Goodrich joins ��ϲʸ�� with an eager ambition to build on his career of notable successes. “This is a university that is not only going to survive the changes to NCAA governance, it is going to thrive and be stronger than it has ever been,” Goodrich said. “I’m confident that 10 years from now, GWU will be the standard by which other schools like us are evaluated.” He is also enthusiastic about the leadership exhibited on campus. “I’m so inspired by Dr. Downs and his vision for competitive excellence at Gardner Webb,” Goodrich continued. “His attitude is contagious, and I believe he will help GWU grow in all facets of the university system. The coaches I’ve met are passionate and driven to serve these students and the community by helping these teams perform their best.”

ACC Commissioner Dr. Jim Phillips praised Goodrich as a deserving selection for this position at ��ϲʸ��. “Andrew is an outstanding leader that brings a wealth of experience to the role as Vice-President and Athletics Director at ��ϲʸ�� University. He has made significant impacts during his career and will serve as a tireless ambassador for the Runnin’ Bulldogs and the more than 600 student-athletes that compete across 22 sponsored sports,” Phillips said.

A devout Christ-follower, Goodrich is drawn to ��ϲʸ��’s foundations as a Christian institution. “I’m so excited to work at Gardner Webb, a University that puts its Christian faith at the top of their set of values. God and His providence has provided me with every great thing in my life, and I couldn’t think of a better way to honor God than to use my talents and my life experiences to help these young men and women develop their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual strengths,” Goodrich said.

Citing the Gospel of Matthew as a source of spiritual guidance throughout this process, Goodrich pointed to the Parable of Talents in Chapter 25. “Some are given five talents, some two, others just one. We are all called to be good and faithful servants. To put our faith in the Lord and honor Him by multiplying our talents,” Goodrich said. “I call this having a Five Talent Mentality. You will see in the years to come that we, the Runnin’ Bulldogs, are not going to bury our talents, we are going to honor God and take the talents we have and multiply them, and in doing so inspire others to join us, put their faith in God, and do the same in their lives.”

Written by Thomas Manning ‘22

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Connections and Community

Web Communications — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 06:15:00 +0000

Michelle Lominac, ’23, Values the Peers and Faculty Contributing to her Educational Journey

Ask senior Michelle Lominac, of Concord, N.C., to name the most important lesson she’s learned at ��ϲʸ�� University, and her answer reveals her approachable personality, character and priorities.

“My biggest takeaway—make connections,” Lominac affirms. “Making connections with peers maximizes the experience as a whole. Making connections with faculty is key to finding a mentor, seeking help, and asking for advice. Making these connections has been the best thing for me to get the most out of my education, so it’s certainly something I’ll carry with me.”

A political science major in the University Honors Program, Lominac participated in the 2022 GWU Summer Undergraduate Research Program and gained experience for graduate school. She is minoring in business administration and criminal justice administration. Her plans are to pursue a Master of Public Administration and then, a career as a city or county manager.

The topic of her five-week summer research was exploring how the First Amendment protection of free speech applies to social media platforms. “In researching full-time, I found so much information that I learned how to use scholarly judgment to wade through the many articles and theories and find those most substantial, significant, and valuable to me,” she expounded. “I learned how to reshape my view throughout the process—how to step back and imagine my project from an unbiased perspective in order to decide my next steps.”

In her study, Lominac discovered the tension that exists between First Amendment protections of the freedom of speech and the editorial and liability rights of private entities, such as social media corporations. “There has been a lot of speculation about the legislative and judicial future of the topic, so it has been great to explore the variety of potential solutions,” Lominac offered. “However, there is no applicable jurisprudence, and the laws that exist concerning the internet are outdated.”

Her faculty mentor was Dr. Elizabeth Amato, associate professor of political science and international relations. Lominac appreciated Amato’s guidance hen the information she discovered didn’t match her plans for the project. “She assured me and helped me figure out a new direction to take my research,” Lominac related. “She let me know that sometimes scholarship is not as simple as we would like or expect, but we can roll with the punches and allow the work to enhance our ideas.”

Lominac advises students who want to apply for the Summer Undergraduate Research Program to choose a topic they want to spend hours researching. “I grew up in politics,” she shared, “I’ve grown to love political science for all its facets—politics, theory, government. I chose a business administration minor, because I felt it would be versatile for whatever my future plans would be. I also chose a criminal justice administration minor, because I was interested to learn more about the system from an administrative perspective.”

Lominac serves as secretary for the Alpha Chi honor society and was part of a collaborative research group that won an award and monetary prize at the national Alpha Chi convention. She is also hospitality coordinator for The Gathering, the weekly student-led worship service.

“��ϲʸ�� is home,” she asserted. “I’m supported and encouraged in my academic and nonacademic pursuits. I’m comfortable yet challenged daily. Most importantly, I’ve found an irreplaceable community at ��ϲʸ��.”

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