One of Governor Gardner’s many accomplishments while in office was the consolidation of the University of North Carolina, State College, and the North Carolina College for Women. The Consolidation Act was designed as an economic measure to cut costs during the depression and to reduce duplication. The reform was enacted by the General Assembly in 1931 and Gardner regarded this act as his most significant as governor. Gardner then focused on securing Frank Graham as the new President because he “knew that Frank Graham, with his fair sense of justice and fair play, would be the ideal man to weld consolidation into an effective instrument of higher education.” Dr. Frank P. Graham became the Consolidated University’s first President.

Gardner’s support of the University system even continued after his death with the creation of The Gardner Award. Given annually since 1949, it was established by his will to recognize faculty who have "made the greatest contributions to the welfare of the human race." It is the only award for which all faculty members of the 16 UNC campuses are eligible. Recipients are nominated by their chancellors and selected by the Board of Governors. The recipient is given a cash award.