Spring 2022 Commencement FAQs

Gardner-Webb University is pleased to announce over 500 students will receive degrees during spring commencement exercises held on May 6 -7, 2022.

Students earned associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees from a variety of university programs.

The University salutes these students and congratulates them for their significant achievements in higher education.

Commencement Planning

Commencement weekend will be held May 6-7 and we look forward to celebrating the class of 2022!

All University Commencement

Ceremony will be held in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center on Friday, May 6, 2022. At 7:30 p.m.

We hope you will join us to celebrate our graduates. The All University Commencement will include speeches from Gardner-Webb University President William M. Downs, the Commencement speaker, and President of the Student Government Association, Jada Newton. The ceremony ends with a fireworks display.

The Class of 2022 graduates will be seated with their school/ college and recognized as a group. There will be Closed Captioning at every ceremony.

At this time, there are no tickets or guest limits for the ceremony. This may change due to health and safety protocols so please check this website periodically for updates. If you are unable to attend, the ceremony will be available for viewing on our website.

Special assistance – Candidates can request accommodations through the RSVP link for themselves or a guest.

Inclement Weather Plan

In case of inclement or threatening weather, Commencement will be held in the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center and tickets will be required to attend. Graduates should meet at the Dover Theatre at LYCC by 6:30 p.m.

Click the link below for more information.

Inclement Weather Update

Additional Information for Graduates:

Students eligible to graduate in May will receive an email to RSVP to attend the weekend events. RSVP responses are due by April 1, 2022.

If you haven’t received the email, please RSVP at the link below.

RSVP Today

All students should plan to arrive by 6:15 p.m. and meet at the red Bulldog tent across from Spangler Stadium. Students should be dressed in full regalia.

At commencement, Doctoral degree candidates will be asked to approach the stage. At this point, you carry your hood draped over your forearm. You will be accompanied by your dissertation chair/ project advisor who will assist your Dean with hooding.
Once on stage, you will hand your card to the name reader at the lectern. You will then proceed toward the middle of the stage. The Dean will take the hood from you.
Your advisor and Dean will lift the hood over your head and place it at your collar.
You will then return to your seat for the rest of the commencement.
For the Saturday events, you should wear your hood over your regalia.

For the Friday commencement, you should wear your hood over your regalia.
At your event on Saturday, you will be asked to approach the stage. At this point, you carry your hood draped over your forearm.
Once on stage, you will hand your card to the name reader at the lectern. You will then proceed toward the middle of the stage. The Dean will take the hood from you.
Your Dean will lift the hood over your head and place it at your collar.
You will then return to your seat for the rest of the commencement.

If you or a member of your party will need accommodations at the commencement events, you may submit a request through your Commencement RSVP link.

If you have already submitted your RSVP, and need to identify a member of your party that may need accommodations, we ask that you complete the form below.

Please note: There will be Closed Captioning at every ceremony.

Request Accommodations

Graduation attire (cap, gown, hood, and tassel) for undergraduate and graduate students is available through the Campus Shop. You may place your order online and you may choose to pick up your order from the Campus Shop in the Tucker Student Center or you may opt to have it shipped to you. Once the order has been filled, you will receive an email stating your order has been shipped or is ready for pickup.

Please place your order early!

If you have any questions regarding your order, please contact the Campus Shop at (704) 406-4273 or [email protected].

Order Commencement Attire

All doctoral candidates MUST order their graduation attire directly from Jostens at the link below.

You are encouraged to purchase your attire by March 4, 2022 to ensure that you receive your order in time for the May 6 commencement.

Your graduate attire will be shipped directly to the address provided, once purchased.

For more information, call Jostens at (800) 854-7464.

Doctoral Candidates Attire Order

School & College Recognition Ceremonies

Each School/College will celebrate the Class of 2022 Graduates on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at various campus locations.

The Recognition Ceremony is where graduates are recognized individually and will walk across the stage. Length of ceremony varies by school/ college. There will be Closed Captioning at every ceremony.

At this time, there are no tickets or guest limits for the ceremony. This may change due to health and safety protocols so please check this website periodically for updates.

Special assistance – Candidates can request accommodations through the RSVP link for themselves or a guest.