GWU eliminates at least 14 jobs due to financial instability
By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – More shakeups are happening at Gardner-Webb University (GWU) as the school announced it had laid off roughly four percent of its workforce at the end of last week.
After a university meeting on Thursday, layoffs commenced. Of the roughly 400 people employed at GWU, approximately 14 employees were no longer employed by the weekend.
These lay-offs, while unrelated, come on the heels of the end of last school year, when Gardner-Webb University chose not to renew the contract of head softball coach Bailey Wigness following an internal investigation into alleged inappropriate relationships with student athletes.
Just recently, the new head football coach was terminated for reasons not yet specified publicly.
Back February of this year, GWU announced they were eliminating their men’s and women’s tennis programs and replacing them with acrobatics and women's flag football.
The school said in a statement at the time that the sports program move was meant to "realign the athletic portfolio.”
The layoffs came on Thursday afternoon immediately following a meeting about the layoffs that were coming, according to sources that spoke with anonymity. There were reports that more terminations happened on Monday, but this could not be confirmed. In an official statement by the university, it said all reductions of staff happened Thursday.
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In an email exchange with GWU’s Associate Vice President for University Relations, Noel Manning II, the terminations were confirmed, but when asked what positions, the answer was somewhat vague, alluding to possible position redundancy, suggesting the work could be absorbed with current staff.
“University Administration has shared that we can confirm that 14 employees were affected by this decision,” Manning said. “Regarding the impacted positions, the essential functions associated with those roles will continue to be supported within a new organizational structure.
The Shelby Independent never received an answer of the exact positions eliminated on Thursday.
“University leadership is confident these changes will help better align Gardner-Webb’s resources with its operational needs and position the University for long-term sustainability and growth,” said Manning.
In an official announcement by Gardner-Webb on Sept. 10, stated the university is “making a series of budget and organizational changes to strengthen the University’s long-term financial position and address approximately $6.7 million in financial needs over the next two years. The changes include reductions in operating expenses and the elimination of approximately 4% of staffed positions across the University.”
However, when The Shelby Independent asked via email if the layoffs were approved by the Board of Directors or if it was an administration decision - an answer was not yet given, directly. The question was also asked if the $6.7 million is a deficit, to which no answer was given as of time of publication of this news story. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, someone present at a university meeting told SI that the word “deficit” was allegedly used, but the context was unclear.
GWU noted on a FAQ section “Like colleges and universities across the country, we are navigating demographic shifts, rising costs, changing enrollment patterns and increasing pressure on affordability. We are addressing these realities directly by better aligning our expenses with available resources and revenue to strengthen the University’s financial position for the future.”
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While this might raise eyebrows out of concern for the future of GWU, a four percent layoff isn’t uncommon as of late.
Recently, University of Pennsylvania ordered a four percent campus-wide expenditure reduction for the fiscal year starting July 2026.
UNC Chapel Hill implemented a massive $90 million budget restructuring through 2029. This included cutting two percent of its annual operating budget and slashing $25 million in administrative staff costs, but it was not framed as a four percent staff layoff.
Meredith College laid off six percent of its total employees and subsequently eliminated all four of its academic dean positions in 2025.
Even in neighboring Gaston County, Belmont Abbey College underwent past restructuring and staff reductions back in 2014, eliminating 16 administrative positions to cut about one million dollars from its operating budget.
The Sept.10 statement by GWU noted the difficulties of having to make such hard decisions, adding, “These decisions are difficult, particularly because they affect valued members of our university community. Gardner-Webb is addressing these financial realities directly and proactively, aligning expenses with available resources while positioning the University for long-term sustainability and growth.”
Gardner-Webb University’s fact sheet on its website notes that it has an $85 million dollar endowment.
Around June 2025, GWU received its largest single donation in 25 years; a $1.85 million dollar donation which was / is being used to "enhance athletics, residence halls, and academics."
With such an endowment and donations such as the large single gift back in 2025, Gardner-Webb says it isn’t closing any time soon.
The FAQ page answer for the question: Is Gardner-Webb closing? "No. Gardner-Webb has a storied history and a strong future. For more than 120 years, the University has adapted to changing circumstances while remaining committed to its mission and its students. These decisions allow Gardner-Webb to meet today’s challenges head on, strengthen the University and continue building toward its next century of service and impact."
In the Sept. 10, 2026 statement released by GWU, it concluded by reaffirming its commitment to its overall purpose as a university.
“The university remains focused on its mission and the student experience while continuing to pursue enrollment growth, increased philanthropic support, strategic partnerships, and new revenue opportunities.”
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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent.
The Shelby Independent.
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