By Chloe Cloutier, photos by Chloe Cloutier and the Office of Communications and Media Relations
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Multiple Gardner-Webb clubs and organizations hosted a joint election night watch party in Tucker Student Center’s Faith Hall
The event which was organized by the College Democrats, College Republicans, Student Government Association, and The Department of Social Sciences, brought together over 60 students to watch early results come in.
The event lasted from 7 p.m. to midnight. By the conclusion of the event, only the swing state of N.C. had been called for President-Elect Donald Trump. At the watch party, students were able to watch election results come in with dual coverage from CNN, selected by the College Democrats, and Fox News, selected by the College Republicans. The channels would alternate every 30 minutes.
Raffles were also held featuring Gardner-Webb merchandise, as well as a competition for who could most accurately predict the results of the swing states. The party featured students of various political affiliations watching the early results come in together, and although each side had moments of excitement, the event was predominantly bipartisan.
Many students held signs or political materials supporting their candidates, and students were encouraged to hold dialogues with each other about politics, the election, and the incoming election results.
Organizer Hildi Smith, a representative from the College Republicans, shared that many in the room were anxiously waiting for the results to come in. “I believe this is a more tumultous election than we have seen in a while, and the closeness has both sides on edge,” said Smith.
Marianne Luedeman, organizer and president of the College Democrats, shared that sentiment. “This election is one of the most important ones of our lives, especially for queer people and those on the outside of American society. I’m anxious to see how it will turn out,” said Luedeman.
Paul McElearney, representative from SGA and the Student Body President, emphasized the
importance of getting students together for an event like the watch party. “I think it’s very important for students to stay informed on government officials, to stay involved in the process, and to enjoy the bright future our country has going forward regardless of what happens,” shared McElearney.
Following the conclusion of the event, the race would be called for Donald Trump by the
Associated Press the next morning. Vice President Harris would concede the election later
that Wednesday. With the conclusion of the presidential election, both the College Democrats and College Republicans organizations plan to continue holding events and engaging GWU students with
politics at large.
For questions about upcoming political events at Gardner-Webb, Luedeman can be reached at
[email protected] and Maverick Imlay, president of the College Republicans, can
be reached at [email protected].