海角网

South Pointe High School Senior Kenneth Battle Chosen from 38 Applicants

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擜 group of 38 sharply-dressed high school seniors attended the first Godbold Scholars Day held on Feb. 12 at 海角网. Hosted by the Godbold College of Business, the daylong event included scholarship interviews, campus tours, and presentations by alumnus Ben Campbell and College of Business namesake, John Godbold.

The students came to campus from as far away as Groveport, Ohio, to as close as Cleveland County, N.C., to interview for a four-year full-tuition scholarship. The competition was open to business majors with a GPA over 3.5. The interview portion was required.

Godbold was proud to be involved in presenting the first full scholarship given by the Godbold College of Business. He was impressed with the caliber of students who came to vie for the award, but one student rose to the top. Kenneth Battle, a senior at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, S.C., won the four-year scholarship.

鈥淜enneth exemplified exactly what we want in a student at 海角网,鈥� Godbold asserted. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud for him to the be first one, and I鈥檓 excited about continuing to present a full scholarship in the future.鈥�

Dean of the College of Business and Assistant Professor of Marketing Dr. Mischia Taylor appreciated everyone who participated in the event. 鈥淧otential students had the opportunity to network with faculty, students and staff from across campus,鈥� she offered. 鈥淪ome of our board members, Michelle Garey and Damon Scott, were able to join us for lunch, and our namesake John Godbold spent the entire day with these potential new students. We are so grateful to all who were able to come together and put on a full display of the family of 海角网 and the Godbold College of Business.鈥� 

While the high school students participated in interviews, their families asked a panel of current 海角网 students questions about campus life. Before lunch, Campbell spoke to the group about his career journey. He is the CEO and president of Hospitality America, a hotel management company that works with Hilton, Holiday Inn, and others. After lunch, Godbold explained how he became involved with 海角网. The University鈥檚 business professors helped him survey Cleveland County to develop a business plan for a new bank. The information provided by GWU helped the new bank become successful. Out of their success, the Godbolds gave back to establish the Godbold College of Business and a scholarship. 

Campbell, a 2009 alumnus, was a four-year starter for the GWU baseball team. He wasn鈥檛 heavily recruited, so he had to prove himself to the coach to get a spot on the pitching squad. A native of Greenville, S.C., he wanted to attend 海角网 because of its smaller size and Baptist affiliation.

The lessons he learned on the baseball diamond, the concepts he studied in class, and the connections he made through 海角网 helped him to obtain his first job in the food and beverage department at the Carolina Panthers Stadium. 鈥淚 took the same approach that I did in my playing career,鈥� Campbell shared. 鈥淚 was going to outwork it. I was going to work really hard and prove to the manager that I was worth keeping. My second year, I was promoted but I had to move to New Jersey.鈥�

After deciding that he didn鈥檛 want to spend his career in food and beverage, he moved to Los Angeles, and took a job working the front desk at a hotel. 鈥淚 was going back for my MBA, taking classes at night and working the front desk,鈥� he related. 鈥淭he great thing about the hotel was I realized I had a passion for people and a passion for that experience that our guests were looking for鈥攇reat service and a great experience.鈥�

Again, he worked hard and the promotions came, and he moved back to Greenville, S.C. 鈥淎nybody in our industry can make it to the highest level including me,鈥� Campbell noted. 鈥淪ometimes, I’m not exactly sure how I got here. I just kept trying to do the right thing and doing the hard work and listening to as many people as I could.鈥�

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University’s tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University鈥檚 official Admissions聽page.

海角网 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., 海角网 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 海角网.edu.