Gardner‑Webb president highlights amphitheater, enrollment gains and county scholarship initiative

Gardner‑Webb University President William (Bill) Downs updated the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners on May 19, thanking the board for support on campus projects, summarizing enrollment gains and inviting county leaders to campus events and partnerships.

Downs said Gardner‑Webb opened a 900‑seat amphitheater last October — a $3.1 million project that received $500,000 in state appropriation aided by the county and local town support. "That facility opened, back in October," he said, and cited a sold‑out Ricky Skaggs performance as an example of community use.

He presented figures from an economic‑impact study included in the county's packet, saying Gardner‑Webb's total economic impact on the county exceeds $155 million, with the university supporting more than 1,300 jobs. Downs also outlined academic growth — rapid increases in accelerated nursing tracks and doctoral nursing enrollment — and described the "Foothills Commitment," which begins Cleveland County freshmen who live on campus at a 50% tuition level and stacks other scholarships on top of that offer.

Downs invited commissioners to events including the Webstock music festival and a campus job and internship fair and said Gardner‑Webb wants to be a partner in regional workforce and Golden Leaf Foundation grant opportunities.