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Student Voices Highlight How Gifts Fuel Calling, Formation and Future Ministry Leadership

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—As °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ prepares to celebrate the 11th annual Double Dawg Day on April 16, the 24-hour giving initiative continues to demonstrate its power to expand opportunities for ministry preparation and transform the lives of School of Divinity students. Donor generosity—through scholarships, program support and global ministry opportunities—plays a central role in equipping emerging Christian leaders for service around the world.

Interim Dean and Professor of New Testament Interpretation Dr. Jim McConnell said Double Dawg Day remains essential to the School of Divinity’s mission. “The funds raised on Double Dawg Day mean that the students who attend the School of Divinity may do so while minimizing debt,” McConnell said. “It is our goal that students would graduate from the School of Divinity with no debt, and funds raised on Double Dawg Day help us to reach that goal.”

McConnell also shared that this year’s giving comes at a pivotal moment for churches across the country. “Most churches are facing declining attendance and participation,” he said. “Now more than ever, the church needs well-equipped ministers to lead into this uncertain future. The funds given on Double Dawg Day will help support the mission of the School of Divinity, which is the preparation of women and men for Christian ministries of many types.

Specifically, donor gifts reduce tuition costs through scholarships, provide essential housing and meal‑plan assistance for international students, and fund international learning experiences. These investments directly impact students such as Ty Hamer-Yelverton, a Master of Divinity student with a concentration in pastoral studies. “I’m pursuing my degree because I believe God has called me to faithfully proclaim and embody the Word of God in ways that help people grow in faith and live it out in the world,” Hamer-Yelverton affirmed. “I want to deepen my understanding of Scripture so that I can teach it responsibly, preach Christ clearly, and help cultivate communities that are rooted in sound doctrine, resilient faith, and genuine love for people.”

The assistant minister of Media Ministry at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., Hamer-Yelverton said his time at the University has already broadened his vision for ministry and deepened his calling and commitment to service. “Through my studies and relationships with professors, I have been challenged to think more deeply about the Christian faith and how it is lived out in the world,” he asserted. “My professors have been valuable sources of insight and inspiration, helping me understand what it means to love God not only with my heart, but also with my mind, body, and soul.”

The School of Divinity also welcomes international students like Kevin Ngugi Wairimu of Kenya. He is grateful for the tremendous support he has received from GWU professors, staff, fellow students, and people in town. He attends Boiling Springs Baptist Church and helps the Men’s Ministry as they serve the community by building ramps for elderly church members and others in the area.

Wairimu is pursuing his degree to be more effective in his ministry. “My passion is marketplace ministry and youth outreach,” he related. “My background is finance and banking, and I intend to use my past work experience as a vessel/tool for corporate missions. My degree is preparing me to be a bridge-builder in God’s global mission.”

Help from donors makes his preparation possible. “Having a scholarship means a lot, it’s a game changer for sure and a profound lifetime blessing,” Wairimu said. “The support has tremendously reduced my financial stress and allowed me to amply focus on my education. It’s not just funding; it’s a vote of confidence in my calling and potential to impact Africa and the global community.”

Wairimu and Hamer-Yelverton share a common message for donors ahead of Double Dawg Day. “Your support fuels students like me to pursue God’s calling and achieve our long-term goals, dreams and aspiration,” Wairimu said. “Your generosity amplifies our impact.”

Hamer-Yelverton echoed that giving is personal and powerful. “Donor support is more than a financial contribution; it is an investment in people, purpose, and the future,” he emphasized. “Giving on Double Dawg Day is a way of paying forward the support that many of you once received yourselves. It allows you to walk alongside the next generation, encouraging them and investing in the work they will do to shape the future. And for students like me, it reminds us that we are not walking this journey alone.”

How to Participate

Supporters may make a gift of any size to the School of Divinity—or any area of the University—during the 24‑hour campaign. Donors may designate contributions to:

• University Priority Fund.
• Annual Fund.
• School/College Priority Funds.
• Athletics.
• Bulldog Club.
• Campus programs and departments.

Make your donation .

In addition to making a gift, supporters can sign up as Social Media Ambassadors (also known as advocates) to spread the word and build momentum throughout the day. Register and learn more .

°®ÎÛ´«Ã½ 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., °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ 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. Become More at .