• We designate a seating area for special needs access. The designated area utilizes folding chairs, which can be easily moved to make room for a wheelchair, walker or stroller.
• Guests are advised to arrive early.
• Standard handicap parking placards are required to park in handicap spots (see map below). 
• If you have any questions or concerns, please contact commencement@wingate.edu.

General Parking

Parking for commencement is available in all campus parking lots. There is no cost to park. Campus safety and other staff will be available to direct guests. Guests are advised to arrive early.

Special Needs Parking

We are especially attentive to our guests who require a little extra help when traveling to Commencement. You or your guest must be attending Commencement and have a standard handicap parking placard to use handicapped parking for Commencement.

Driving Directions

Campus Map

Handicap Parking Lots

Tickets & Seating

• There are no tickets required, seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
• Masks are optional for the Commencement ceremony, and each person is encouraged to make the decision that helps them feel as comfortable and safe as possible. Should public health conditions change, Wingate may be required to change to mask-required, but is committed to providing as much advanced communication regarding all details of the event as possible..
• Guests are advised to arrive early.
• Overflow seating will be in Austin Auditorium with a livestream showing the ceremony.
• We want this day to be a joyful occasion for all in attendance.  We ask you to keep celebrations brief as your student crosses the stage. Students or guests will be asked to leave the ceremony if their actions interrupt or delay today’s ceremony. Thank you for your cooperation.
• Ceremony Program
• Programa en español 

Livestream Links

• May 10 at 9 a.m. - Graduate Commencement 

• May 11 at 9 a.m. - Undergraduate Commencement 

Cecilia Holden is president and CEO of myFutureNC, a statewide initiative focused on the state’s educational-attainment goal. Among other public-service roles, she served as chief of staff for the North Carolina Department of Commerce and as director of government and community affairs for the State Board of Education. Her private-sector experience includes positions with IBM and a registered investment advisory firm. Holden holds a master of business administration degree from Duke University, a certificate in public administration from the University of North Carolina School of Government, and a bachelor of science degree in computer science and business from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Daniel Gandarilla, Ed,D., MBA, SPHR, serves as senior vice president and chief human resources officer for Advocate Health, the parent company of Atrium Health. Gandarilla, who previously served as the senior vice president and chief talent officer for Advocate, has enterprise responsibility for core talent processes, including strategic oversight of leadership- and management-development initiatives, performance management, succession planning and talent identification, career development and mobility, and strategic workforce planning. He also has responsibility for talent acquisition in Greater Charlotte.

Previously, Gandarilla served as vice president and chief learning officer for Texas Health Resources, where he oversaw clinical education, leadership development and succession planning, business education programs, academic partnerships, physician leadership development, continuing medical education, and the medical libraries. Outside of healthcare, he has worked at P&G, in independent consulting, and as a teacher in the U.S. and Mexico.

Gandarilla holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science and a master’s degree in education from Stanford University. He also holds an MBA and a doctorate in education with an emphasis in talent management from Texas Christian University. Gandarilla balances his passion for learning and leading transformational change with the most important activities in life: quality time with family, watching sports, listening to podcasts and finding quality coffee.

• Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriot (8 miles from Wingate – approx. 15 minutes)

Click here to reserve with a 15% Wingate Discount.
1825 Williams Rd. Monroe, N.C. 28110
(980) 290-2190

• Holiday Inn Express (8 miles from Wingate – approx. 15 minutes)

Click here for the website.
2505 W. Roosevelt Blvd. Monroe, N.C. 28110
(704) 774-1770

• Quality Inn & Suites (8 miles from Wingate – approx. 20 minutes)

Click here for the website.
2351 W. Roosevelt Blvd. (across from Wal-Mart) Monroe, N.C. 28110
(704) 283-9600

• Best Western Inn & Suites (8 miles from Wingate – approx. 20 minutes)

Click here for the website.
2316 Hanover Drive (across from Wal-Mart) Monroe, N.C. 28110
(704) 283-4746

• Hampton Inn (9 miles from Wingate – approx. 20 minutes)

Click here for the website.
2368 Roland Drive (across from Chick-fil-A) Monroe, N.C. 28110
(704) 220-2200

• Quality Inn & Suites (17 miles from Wingate – approx. 35 minutes)

Click here for the website.
13470 E. Independence Blvd. (Hwy. 74 near Cracker Barrel) Matthews, N.C. 28105
(704)821-9800

• Courtyard by Marriott (18 miles from Wingate - approx. 35 minutes)

Click here for the website.
11425 E. Independence Blvd. (Hwy. 74 near Pizza Hut and I-485) Matthews, N.C. 28105
(704)846-4466

Undergraduates

Summer Houston
(704) 233-8717
s.houston@wingate.edu

Graduates

Kaitlyn Cumming
(704) 233-8716
k.cumming@wingate.edu

Event Details

Stacey Harris
(704) 233-8018
s.harris@wingate.edu

Important Numbers

Commencement ceremony photos will be available to purchase after the ceremonies. 

View/Purchase Photos

Registered service animals are always welcome to attend commencement, but please leave pets at home.