Story by Madison Wait
To celebrate Homecoming ‘16, Gardner-Webb will host a series of events from October 14th – 15th.
Kicking off the weekend is the Half-Century Luncheon, an open dining event for alumni hosted by the Gardner-Webb Alumni Association. The luncheon will also double as an induction ceremony for the Class of 1966, who are now eligible for membership in the Half-Century Club. The event will be held in the Tucker Student Center on Friday, Oct. 14th, at 11:30 a.m.
A Color Dash 5k sponsored by Campus Recreation will be held Saturday morning, Oct. 15th, in Gardner-Webb’s LYCC parking lot. The race will begin at 9:00 a.m. and runs 3.1 miles around the perimeter of the campus. The Color Dash is a family-friendly walk/run that showers its participants with colorful powders throughout the race. According to the Color Dash website, the event is designed to help communities come together to celebrate life. All participants will receive a Dasher kit complete with a white tee, race bib and temporary tattoo, as well as a free ticket to Gardner-Webb’s Homecoming football game. Registration is $20 per person and is available online at the Color Dash website. 50 percent of all profits will be donated to local charities around the globe.
Other events for alumni will take place throughout Saturday, including an induction ceremony and brunch for distinguished alumni. Tours of traditional residence halls will also be offered to alumni, prospective students and the community. Both events will take place at 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. respectively. In addition, Gardner-Webb will be hosting a free BQQ lunch open to alumni and students on the soccer field across from Spangler Stadium at 11:30 a.m.
The Homecoming Parade showcasing both student and community floats will begin at 12:30 p.m. The parade will start on Stadium drive and run the entire perimeter of Gardner-Webb’s campus.
The Homecoming football game will start at 1:30 p.m. in Spangler Stadium. The Gardner-Webb Running Bulldogs will be playing Coastal Carolina University. Tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for outside students. Current Gardner-Webb students get in free with student ID.
The “Dancing Through the Decades” Homecoming dance will bring the celebration weekend to a close. The dance will start at 10:00 p.m. in the Tucker Student Center and last until 1:00 a.m. The cost of attendance is free for Gardner-Webb students and an entrance wristband is required. Wristbands will be available for pick up in the Student Activities office starting Monday, October 9th.
For more information about any of these events, or to RSPV to any of the dining opportunities, visit http://www.gardner-webb.edu/student-life-and-services/calendars-and-events/special-events/homecoming/schedule/index.
