Hanging Out with Gardner-Webb University's Major Gifts Officer

Dr. William M. Downs became President of GWU in July 2019.

After graduating from high school, I attended Gardner-Webb College which was then a two-year college.  I remember my years there from 1955 to 1957 with much appreciation and excitement.  It was a good school, and it prepared me well for my last two years of college and for life in general. Gardner-Webb over the last sixty-three years since I graduated has grown into a well-respected University.  The enrollment in 1957 was approximately 500, and this year the enrollment was a little over 2000 undergraduate students.

Several weeks ago I had a visit from Tami Ruckman, Major Gifts Officer at Gardner-Webb University. I had met her earlier in Boiling Springs, and when she was in Raleigh, she came by for a visit. I had my yearbooks from 1956 and 1957 and we had fun (at least I did) looking through them as I reminisced about my two years there. Comparing then and now was mind-boggling for me.

My Gardner-Webb Yearbooks. 

She arrived with a gift bag of little goodies from GWU.

Gifts included a copy of the most recent Gardner-Webb Magazine with a picture of their new president, Dr. William M. Downs on the cover.  Dr, Downs came with stellar recommendations when he assumed duties in July last year.  I hear glowing reports of how much Dr. Downs already is liked.

Another gift is my own personal drinking straw made of aluminum with its own cleaning brush and carrying case.  If I can remember to carry it, I will make my contribution to eliminating the use of plastic straws.

The little charging pad will be helpful because all I need to do is put my i Phone down on the pad and it will charge.  No messing with cords.

Can you find me among the two photos here?  That was 1956-57---a special fun year!!!!!

Where's  Grandpat?

Where's  Grandpat?

Tami and I really hit it off, so I look forward to more visits with her whether here or there.  Thank you, Tami, for the visit, and I am still giving thought regarding a gift to my alma mater. It was fun looking back at the yearbooks and remembering all the good times I had there and all the friends that I made.

Back to College

　
Mary and I are in Halifax for a couple of days, and we are staying at the summer housing on Dalhousie University Campus in one of the dormitories. It’s a great deal—two days including parking for less than $100. You can’t beat that. Before we had Maggie, our puppy, Dan and I oftened stay in the DAL summer housing. But, alas, they don’t allow pets.

It’s kind of fun being back in a dorm after all these years, and boy are things different than what we had at Gardner-Webb University (then College) when I was a freshman. Some of my age mates will likely enjoy seeing how things have changed. This would have been great back in the day.

Private rooms with your own desk, closet, sink, telephone and connection to the internet. We had one pay phone on each hall of our dorm to be shared by a number of girls. No cell phones back then either. Oh right, the internet had not been invented, and we had no such thing as a computer.

Co-ed dormitories!!!! That would have been unthinkable. Even co-ed showers, but as you can see they are very private.

Attendants at front desk to give help and answer questions. The only front desk we had back then was a Dean of Women usually policing the halls to be sure we weren’t doing something we shouldn’t be doing.

There’s an ATM machine in the lobby. ATM’s did not exist when I was a freshman.

Oh indeed, the dorms have changed and I would say so very much for the better. I just came along too early!!! All you incoming college freshman, enjoy your stay here

A Look Back: May Day Gardner-Webb College 1961

The Queen of May, Jackie Jones (DeLozier) with Jerry Walker, King of May.

Jackie Jones (DeLozier)

Jerry Walker.

In the early 1960s when I was teaching at Gardner-Webb (then Junior College), one of my duties was planning and supervising the May Day activities. In 1961, the theme of the May Day Program was "Alice in Wonderland", and I worked with a talented group of students who presented an outstanding program.  I've captured some stills from a home movie of the festivities.  Black and white photos are courtesy of Gardner-Webb University.*

Photo from The Anchor, courtesy of Gardner-Webb University.

Gale Weeks escorted by Jim McSwain.

Doris Hartley escorted by Joel Walker.

The flower girl and crown bearer.

Crown Bearer, Rickie Griffin and Flower Girl, Robin Stikeleather (Harpe).

The Alice in Wonderland Theme:

Alice (Gail Hall).

Gail tweaks White Rabbit (Photo from The Anchor, courtesy of Gardner-Webb University).

The White Rabbit (Bill Mauney).

Tweedle-Dee & Tweedle-Dum, Becky Taylor & Bobbie Oates (Photo from The Anchor, courtesy of Gardner-Webb University.)

Queen of Hearts, Carol Lou Hamrick and her court (Photo from The Anchor, courtesy of Gardner-Webb University.)

Dancers for the Maypole Dance.

Carol Lou Hamrick (left) and I unwrapped the May Pole after the festivities were over.

May Day Festivities were always a highlight of my days at GWU, but I understand they no longer celebrate May Day there in this way.

*Many thanks to Brad Vaughn of Gardner-Webb University Alumni Relations for locating and sending me photos of this event from The Anchor of 1962.