Community Update: Commencement, Football and Upcoming Breaks

Commencement

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper updated the Executive Order the week of February 26 and the changes included increasing “Outdoor” spaces and venues capacity to 30%. This allows 2,700 people in Spangler Stadium.

With this change in mind, the University is excited to announce that we will hold May Commencement at 7:00 p.m. on Friday May 7^th in Spangler Stadium.

Friday night Commencement will be followed on Saturday by a celebration in Spangler stadium beginning at 8:00AM where graduates will be recognized as they cross the stage. Following the celebration there will be a reception across from the stadium on the practice field where students can gather with their families, fellow students and faculty.

Students applying for graduation and Commencement must complete their application by Tuesday March 16in order to participate. Those forms are available in Webb Connect. Students from previous virtual ceremonies who wish to participate in Commencement or students with any other questions may contact the Registrar [email protected]

Current Data

As of today, March 5, Gardner-Webb has 10 positive cases of COVID-19 among residential undergraduate students in isolation on campus. We have four residential undergraduate students who have tested positive and are in isolation at home. We have 12 residential undergraduate students in quarantine on campus and 13 residential undergraduate students in quarantine at home.  

There are five commuter/graduate students with COVID-19 in isolation at home and there is only one in quarantine at home.

Students with questions regarding classroom attendance or other student support while in isolation or quarantine should contact Dean of Students, Lesley Villarose, at [email protected]. This includes students who might need access to a desktop computer or laptop.

Among our faculty there are 0 positive cases of COVID-19.  We also have 0 staff members positive with COVID-19. We have four faculty/staff members in quarantine at home.

It is very important to remember that if you have symptoms you must report them immediately.  Do NOT come to campus or go to class or work with symptoms.

Remember that all employees are allowed a maximum of 10 days of paid leave if they are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are required to quarantine or isolate due to contact tracing or while awaiting test results.

Football Saturday

After a great opening win last Saturday against Elon, Gardner-Webb will face Presbyterian tomorrow in Spangler Stadium. Opening kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.

General admission tickets will be on sale at the stadium for $20 Saturday. Faculty and staff tickets will be available for purchase at a discounted $10 price and all-non Gardner-Webb students and youth can buy a ticket for $5.

Gardner-Webb students will be admitted free of charge.

All fans are expected to wear masks and practice safe distancing measures while in the stadium. Tailgating will be allowed in designated areas outside the stadium before the game, with those same safety precautions expected of all attendees.

In addition to fixed seating on each side of the field, the grassy banks around the stadium will be available to allow for safe distancing among fans.

Limited concessions and GWU merchandise will also be available for sale.

For more information, or to purchase tickets call Gardner-Webb athletics at (704) 406-4340.

Spring Break Changes

Just a reminder that undergraduate programs, on campus and online, including Department of Physician Assistant Studies, will teach through spring break, March 8-12. Classes will continue all that week.

Easter

The Easter holiday will remain as scheduled: Thursday, April 1 through Monday, April 5. Please make sure that you adjust your March and April plans accordingly.

Stay healthy and mask up, Bulldogs!