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A faculty member with 26 years of experience at Gardner-Webb is the 2025 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award presented at the Fall Faculty Assembly. Dr. Paula Qualls, professor of religious studies, was honored for engaging her students not only in the classroom but also in their daily lives--guiding them through difficult material while creating space for reflection, growth, and personal connection.
Qualls is a second-time winner of the award, having received the honor in 2008. One of the highest bestowed upon a faculty member, the accolade recognizes academic rigor, excellence in course design, a profound dedication to students, and a commitment to living out the University's mission.
Qualls and her husband Rev. Greg Qualls attend New Bethel Baptist Church in Rutherford County where he is the pastor. The couple has three grown children, the youngest is a student at Gardner-Webb.
The couple lives in Mooresboro.
To be eligible, the faculty member must have completed at least five years of full-time teaching service at GWU, be nominated by a peer, and receive a formal recommendation from their department chair. Faculty and students are given the opportunity to score and leave comments and feedback to make the ultimate determination for the award. The award is presented with a $1,000 cash prize and the invitation to speak at fall convocation.
Qualls' course portfolio spans every academic level--introductory general education classes, upper-level courses for majors and non-majors alike, and graduate-level seminars. Year after year, her department receives an overwhelming number of glowing comments from students who describe her with words like "love," "compassion," "encouraging," and "positivity."
Students shared:
"She was a great teacher and mentor during our University 111 class. She possesses a unique blend of knowledge, compassion, and the ability to inspire us to be better. Her classes weren't just about learning--they challenged us to take everything to a personal level. I also view her as a mentor in my life. She takes the time to truly know each student. The impact she's had has been profound."
"My fellow classmates and I agree--we have been transformed and deepened in our faith through her guidance and support. She is relatable and fosters a loving environment where we can learn and build community with one another."
Dr. Paula Qualls developed and piloted Gardner-Webb's first Faith Living-Learning Community--a transformative initiative that earned her the First-Year Experience Instructor of the Year Award for 2024.
Her colleagues consistently highlight her excellence in course organization, clarity of instruction, and innovative teaching design. They describe her as someone who not only masters her subject matter but also connects deeply with every student she teaches.
Colleagues have said:
"She reflects deeply on pedagogy--following the latest scholarship on teaching and learning and regularly incorporating new ideas into her classes."
"Her strength as a teacher comes from the passion she has for her students and her remarkable ability to connect with them on a personal level."
This past year, she developed and piloted Gardner-Webb's first Faith Living-Learning Community--a transformative initiative that earned her the First-Year Experience Instructor of the Year Award for 2024.
She also represented Gardner-Webb at Elon University's 20th Annual Teaching and Learning Conference. Sharing her methods with educators from across the region, Qualls presented "Teaching Outside the Box: Exploring Innovative Techniques."
Qualls received her bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and her MDiv and PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. She joined the GWU faculty in 1999. Before that, she taught for two years at Campbellsville University in Kentucky and as an adjunct with Simmons Bible College in Louisville.
