news-category: Alumni Celebrating Alumni – Victoria Ahearn, Principal of Gaston Christian School – Shelby Campus By Office of University Communications On September 27, 2023 Alumna Grateful to Education and Psychology Professors who Equipped Her with Skills to Succeed BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Students are the focus of ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï’s mission. Faculty members seek to engage students with unique, experiential learning opportunities to prepare them for their next steps as GWU alumni. Whether they choose to begin a career or accept the academic challenges of graduate school, they are equipped with knowledge and skills to lead, and inspired to serve and impact their communities. ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï celebrates these alumni who are making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Victoria Lee Ahearn, a native of Boiling Springs, N.C., is the principal at Gaston Christian School—Shelby Campus, which is in its second year. The school is for 3-year-olds through fifth-graders and enrollment has doubled since last year. Ahearn graduated from GWU with degrees in elementary education and psychology and is in her 16th year in education. She praises the professors at ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï for giving her the foundation she needed to succeed. “I feel like my education adequately prepared me for what I would encounter as a teacher,â€� she affirmed. “My professors were always available and answered any questions that I had. My education professors at GWU did a great job of exposing me to the various aspects of teaching that can happen outside of general classroom instruction. I had a very diverse group of students my first of year teaching, and I know I would not have been able to be as successful without the wisdom that I gained from the education program at GWU.â€� She received her master’s degree from Charleston Southern in school administration and supervision. She worked nine years in public school (Cleveland County Schools and Charleston County School District) and five years in virtual charter with the North Carolina Virtual Academy, which included serves as assistant principal. Ahearn attributes the successful first year of Gaston’s Shelby Campus to the generous support of the community and parents. Volunteers have given their time to help in various ways around the campus. “Our number one priority is looking at the child as a whole and loving the many gifts that God has given our students,â€� she informed. “As their principal, I have been blessed with teachers and staff from a variety of backgrounds including vast public, charter, and private Christian educational experience. They go above and beyond to meet the needs of their students.â€� She is married to GWU assistant professor of exercise science, Dr. Jonathan Ahearn. They met at ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï and have three children: Rylie, Sydney and Christian. Stay connected ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï’s faculty and staff are eager to hear about and celebrate alumni news and success. There are three ways to share your story with us: Contact a faculty member. Touch base with Alumni Relations. Submit a class note here. ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï 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., ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï 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 ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï.edu.
News Article ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Men’s and Women’s Basketball Season Tickets on Sale Now Options Include Discounts for Bulldog Club Members and Super Season Tickets to all 28 Men’s and Women’s Home Games BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.— Season tickets for the upcoming ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï basketball season at Paul Porter Arena are now available for purchase. Fans can choose from men’s and women’s season ticket packages or a super season ticket combo. […] Office of University Communications | October 28, 2026
News Article ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Theatre Presents ‘Clue’ Performances Scheduled for Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in Dover Theatre BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Mystery, comedy, and plenty of surprises take center stage as ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Theatre presents “Clue,â€� a murder mystery based on the Parker Brothers board game. Who did it? In what room? And with what weapon? The show is a fun and fast ride through […] Office of University Communications | October 28, 2026
News Article From Reserved Student to ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Campus Leader, Wade Gross Makes the Most of Every Opportunity Senior Follows His Father’s Advice to Step Outside His Comfort Zone, Discovering Leadership, Friendship and Community BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—When Wade Gross, of Senoia, Ga., arrived at ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï, he carried with him a challenge from his father. “In high school, I was a rather reserved person,â€� he reflected. “I didn’t really get out and do […] Office of University Communications | October 27, 2026