March Programming Celebrates Creativity, Connection, and The Power of Community

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擥ardner鈥慦ebb University will mark Women鈥檚 History Month with a series of uplifting, community鈥慶entered events designed to honor the strength, creativity, and connections of women across campus and beyond. The month鈥檚 theme, 鈥淐elebrating the hearts that shaped ours,鈥� will be reflected through creative expressions of gratitude, simple wellness practices, and opportunities to build meaningful bonds.

鈥淲omen鈥檚 History Month is a celebration of the community, creativity, and connection that bonds women today,鈥� observed Director of Campus Unity and Connection Jessika Raduly. 鈥淭his month, we are honoring the spirit of womanhood by leaning into the power of small, intentional gestures. Whether we are reflecting on our gratitude through handwritten thank you notes, weaving together the literal and symbolic threads of friendship bracelets, or finding beauty in growth while making fresh flower bouquets, we are celebrating the unique ways women nurture the world around them.鈥�

As the month unfolds, the focus expands beyond creativity to emphasize collective strength and well鈥慴eing reflected in the Walk & Talk wellness series. 鈥淭o me, these gatherings represent the true essence of this month: taking the time to listen to one another鈥檚 stories, supporting our mental and physical health, and building a future where every woman feels seen and celebrated,鈥� Raduly added.

Women鈥檚 History Month Events at Gardner鈥慦ebb University

Walk & Talk: Women鈥檚 Wellness Series

• Thursday, March 5, 2 p.m.
• Thursday, March 19, 2 p.m.
• Thursday, March 26, 2 p.m.
  • Meet at the Tucker Student Center (rain or shine).
  • A casual, connection鈥慺ocused walk emphasizing movement, conversation, and simple practices for holistic well鈥慴eing. Move. Chat. Connect.

Women Who Inspire Us: A Thank You Card Celebration

• Wednesday, March 18, 3 p.m.
  • Tucker Student Center
  • Participants are invited to write heartfelt thank鈥憏ou notes to mentors, friends, family members, teachers, and community leaders who have encouraged, supported, and inspired them. 鈥淗onoring the hearts that guided us, the hands that lifted us, and the voices that believed in us.鈥�

Fresh Flower Arrangement: Bloom & Bouquet

• Monday, March 23, 3 p.m.
  • Faith Hall, Tucker Student Center
  • A hands鈥憃n, fresh鈥慺lower arranging workshop that celebrates the beauty, growth, and daily influence of women. 鈥淏loom in honor of the women who inspire us.鈥�

Friendship Bracelet Creations

• Tuesday, March 31, 3 p.m.
  • Third floor, Tucker Student Center
  • A welcoming session to design and create friendship bracelets with intention and care鈥攃elebrating connection, creativity, and the meaningful bonds between women. 鈥淔riendship, crafted with care.鈥�

猫咪头条 University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 猫咪头条 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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Christian Rapper and Hip-Hop Artist Recorded and Toured with TobyMac

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擠ove Award-Winner Aaron Cole is the third performer in 猫咪头条 University鈥檚 inaugural 鈥淪ummer in the Springs鈥� Concert Series at Brinkley Amphitheater. The Christian rapper and hip-hop artist will be in concert on Aug. 24 to welcome GWU students back to campus.

All seats are general admission. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are free for 猫咪头条 students and $15 for all others and may be purchased in advance or at the door.

Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service Dr. Josh Parrott is excited that Cole will be on campus. “He is such a gifted and talented artist, and this will be a great night of worship as the University and local community gather at Brinkley Amphitheater,” Parrott affirmed. 

Cole was 3-years-old when he started to rap verses, and in just a year he made his first recording. Since then, his musical journey has been filled with a coveted Dove Award (2019 New Artist of the Year) and back-to-back-to-back #1 singles on the Billboard Christian Hot Adult Contemporary (AC)/Christian chart.

TobyMac, a multi-Grammy award-winner and Billboard chart-topper, said of Cole, 鈥淢y dude Aaron Cole is about to take it all somewhere special. This is the tip of the iceberg and it just goes deeper and wider from here on out.鈥�

Cole was born and raised in Bristol, Va., a quintessential small town that rests right across the border of Tennessee. For Cole, hustling was a way of life. He grew up in a home where everyone had to work hard for what they had, and music was his outlet to express how he was feeling about the world around him. Some would say he was born into music鈥攈is dad had a recording studio in their apartment and his uncle was a Christian rapper. As a child, he would always sit in on the sessions. It wasn鈥檛 long before he began to mimic the verses and rap them back to him. It was clear he had a gift and ambition to go after his dream.

He caught the attention of TobyMac when he was just 15. Soon after Cole was signed to TobyMac鈥檚 label, Gotee Records. In 2017, Cole鈥檚 debut single, 鈥淩ight On Time鈥� (featuring TobyMac) hit the music circuit and skyrocketed to #1 on Billboard鈥檚 Christian Hot AC while the accompanying music video quickly amassed over 8 million views on YouTube.

Then, Cole had another hit on his hands with 鈥淥ne More Day鈥� which also rose to #1 on Billboard鈥檚 Christian Hot AC Chart, sending him to share the stage with the likes of Lecrae, Andy Mineo, KB, Trip Lee, and performing on three massive arena tours with TobyMac, Torian Wells and the late Mandisa.

Reflecting on his success, Cole said 鈥淣o matter what your story is, we are all called to be something great. So, go after your dreams, no matter how impossible they seem. Work hard, stay true to who you are, don鈥檛 compromise your faith, and let God lead. After all, if God can make a poor kid from Bristol wildest dreams come true, He can do it for you too.鈥�

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.

猫咪头条 University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 猫咪头条 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 猫咪头条.edu.

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A Fundraiser for GWU Mission & Service Trips, Event Includes Shaylee Simeone and April Cushman

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳ickets are on sale now for the second event in the Summer in the Springs concert series in 猫咪头条 University鈥檚 Brinkley Amphitheater. Dove Award-winning Carl Cartee will be joined by Shaylee Simeone and April Cushman for A Night of Worship on July 20. The event is a fundraiser for GWU mission and service trips for students.

All seats are general admission. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased in advance or at the door.

A 猫咪头条 Distinguished Alumni, Cartee has been writing songs since he was 7 years old, considering music more of a second language than an acquired skill. His catalog of songs and studio albums have garnered tracks on the albums of over 150 artists, such as Elevation Worship, Laura Story, Aaron Schust, Selah, Jaci Valesquez, Big Daddy Weave, The Martins, The Gaither Vocal Band, Rory & Joey, and The Oak Ridge Boys.

In addition, Cartee has written and recorded 13 albums and performed with artists Third Day, Mercy Me, and Steven Curtis Chapman. He serves as director of Worship Development on the staff of Fellowship Bible Church in Nashville, Tenn. He is also the founder of the Inspire Worship Conference, an annual event that trains and equips church worship leaders.

Simeone, a Nashville-based singer/songwriter and worship leader, is on a journey to say 鈥測es鈥� to God鈥檚 calling on her life. With pop-inspired music that is inherently congregational, she took her first step with a single debut of 鈥淒early Loved鈥� in 2019, and it now has over 5 million streams on Apple Music. For years now, Simeone has enjoyed being a part of several music projects focused on sync/licensing such as HRDLY and Sugar Sad Eyes, while consistently leading worship in her local church. She wants her music to be 鈥渞elatable while rooted in solid Biblical theology.鈥� Her latest EP is 鈥淪treams of Worship.鈥�

Cushman, born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, has been writing songs since she could make a joyful noise. Trusting Jesus at a young age, she served in church and on worship teams throughout her youth. April moved to Nashville in 2010 and landed her first publishing deal writing pop and country songs for Sony ATV. The Lord called her back to worship in 2019, after her father passed away. Cushman鈥檚 journey of physical pain, anxiety and grief, is now a story of hope, healing, assurance, freedom, and joy as she testifies to what the Lord has done. Moved and called to tell others of her journey in Christ and the Lord鈥檚 faithfulness, Cushman wrote and released an album in 2023 titled 鈥淒eep Waters鈥� (available on all music platforms under the name April Geesbreght).

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.

猫咪头条 University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 猫咪头条 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 猫咪头条.edu.

The post Tickets Still Available for July 20 Concert with Carl Cartee at 猫咪头条鈥檚 Brinkley Amphitheater appeared first on 猫咪头条 University.

America鈥檚 Premier Large Brass Ensemble Kicks off Inaugural 鈥楽ummer in the Springs鈥� Concert Series in Brinkley Amphitheater

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擱odney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass brings its signature sound to the Brinkley Amphitheater stage to begin 猫咪头条 University鈥檚 inaugural 鈥淪ummer in the Springs鈥� Concert Series on June 8. Marsalis has played all over the world, won numerous awards and competitions and received accolades for his evocative interpretation, impeccable virtuosity and beauty of sound.

Tickets are $20; all seats are general admission. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m.

鈥淪ummertime and music are synonymous, and what better way to enjoy the Dawg Days of Summer in Boiling Springs than with a series of concerts under the lights at GWU鈥檚 new amphitheater,鈥� shared 猫咪头条 President Dr. William M. Downs. 鈥淚 warmly invite the campus community, as well as our neighbors from across Cleveland County and beyond, to join us for some memorable summer nights!鈥�

猫咪头条 Associate Professor Tim Hudson has played trumpet with Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass since 2015. He noted that the fun, family-oriented program covers music through time from the Renaissance through today. The concert features an eclectic repertoire, such as music from Earth, Wind and Fire, John Phillip Sousa, “West Side Story,” Dixieland Jazz, Bach, Elvis Presley, and the gospel tune 鈥� “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” 聽

Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass is dedicated to the notion that music is a gift to be enjoyed by everyone. In their concerts, they strive to connect with the audience. The ensemble is especially dedicated to reaching out to the world鈥檚 youth and inspiring them to reach for their dreams.

Performances range from solo trumpet, to brass quintet, to the full 11-piece ensemble with percussion. In recent years, the group has been invited to perform in performing arts centers around the world including China鈥檚 National Center for the Performing Arts, Guangzhou Opera House, Tangelwood鈥檚 Seiji Ozawa Hall, and prominent performing arts centers throughout the United States, South America, Asia, and Europe.

Second Concert with Carl Cartee and Guests is July 20

The second concert in the series on July 20 features Carl Cartee with special guests Shaylee Simeone and April Cushman. Cartee鈥檚 event will raise funds for GWU mission and service trips for students. Tickets are $15 for Cartee and available, . A third concert planned for Aug. 24 will welcome GWU students back to campus; details will be announced soon.

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.

猫咪头条 University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 猫咪头条 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 猫咪头条.edu.

The post Tickets on Sale Now for Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass Concert on June 8 at 猫咪头条 appeared first on 猫咪头条 University.

Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass Plays June 8; Carl Cartee with Special Guests Performs July 20

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擜 brass 鈥渄ream team鈥� and a Dove award-winning musician will perform in 猫咪头条 University鈥檚 inaugural 鈥淪ummer in the Springs鈥� Concert Series at Brinkley Amphitheater. The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass will entertain on June 8. Carl Cartee with special guests Shaylee Simeone and April Cushman will be in concert on July 20. Cartee鈥檚 event will raise funds for GWU mission and service trips for students. A third concert planned for Aug. 24 will welcome GWU students back to campus; details will be announced soon.

鈥淪ummertime and music are synonymous, and what better way to enjoy the Dawg Days of Summer in Boiling Springs than with a series of concerts under the lights at GWU鈥檚 new amphitheater,鈥� shared 猫咪头条 President Dr. William M. Downs. 鈥淪ince we opened the venue last October, we鈥檝e enjoyed sampling from a range of musical genres; with the announcement of these upcoming events, we will expand our offerings even further. I warmly invite the campus community, as well as our neighbors from across Cleveland County and beyond, to join us for some memorable summer nights!鈥�

All seats are general admission. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now: $20 for Marsalis, , and $15 for Cartee, .

The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass

June 8

The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass is America鈥檚 premier large brass ensemble. 猫咪头条 Associate Professor Tim Hudson has played trumpet with the group since 2015. The group is dedicated to the notion that music is a gift to be enjoyed by everyone. The ensemble is especially dedicated to reaching out to the world鈥檚 youth and inspiring them to reach for their dreams.

Performances range from solo trumpet, to brass quintet, to the full 11-piece ensemble with percussion. In recent years, the group has been invited to perform in performing arts centers around the world including China鈥檚 National Center for the Performing Arts, Guangzhou Opera House, Tangelwood鈥檚 Seiji Ozawa Hall, and prominent performing arts centers throughout the United States, South America, Asia, and Europe.

A Night of Worship with Carl Cartee and Special Guests Shaylee Simeone and April Cushman

July 20

Carl Cartee wrote his first song at the age of 7, considering music more of a second language than an acquired skill. His catalog of songs and studio albums have garnered him a Dove award as well as tracks on the albums of artists, including Elevation Worship, Laura Story, Aaron Schust, Selah, Jaci Valesquez, Big Daddy Weave, The Martins, NewSpring Worship, Finding Favour, LifeWay Worship, The Gaither Vocal Band, Rory & Joey, The Oak Ridge Boys, FFH, Travis Cottrell and over 150 songs cut by other artists.

A 猫咪头条 Distinguished Alumni, Cartee has written and recorded 13 albums over the last 18 years and performed with artists Third Day, Mercy Me, Steven Curtis Chapman but is most grateful to lead and serve on the staff of Fellowship Bible Church in Nashville, Tenn., as director of Worship Development. He is also the founder of the Inspire Worship Conference, an annual event that trains and equips church worship leaders.

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.

猫咪头条 University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 猫咪头条 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 猫咪头条.edu.

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