More students and staff have been selected as part of the University’s COVID-19 vaccination incentive program.
Sage Walton, a junior, is the latest winner for the student giveaway section.
“I decided to get vaccinated as soon as I possibly could because I personally have an autoimmune disorder and I have close family who are immunocompromised,” Walton said. “It also gave me a peace of mind knowing that I was a part of building herd immunity against a virus that put all of our lives on halt for over a year.”
Walton won one of the $300 select cash prizes offered to students who receive and report their vaccinations to the student health portal.
“I used the link in the email to upload the quick photo of my vaccination card. Took about two minutes at most. Everyone should definitely do it,” said Walton.
Walton said she believes in the vaccine and sees it as the best option to returning to a fully healthy campus in the Fall.
“Getting vaccinated is the smartest, safest and easiest decision I made. The vaccination helps individuals stay safe, but also helps everyone they come into contact with to stay safe,” Walton said. “As we all interact on campus, we don’t know what kind of health struggles everyone else could be going through. To keep our community safe, getting vaccinated is the best option.”
Alongside Walton, Steven Hallam won the latest drawing for the employee giveaway section of the incentive program.
Hallam is an assistant research scientist for the Molecular Biology Department. Hallam could not be reached for comment, but he did win four tickets to a Cowboys basketball game later this year.
Walton and Hallam join a few other winners who were selected in the past couple weeks.
“I won $300 and that was just the cherry on top. I’m just glad I can be on campus and active within the community because of the vaccination,” said Sophia Spicer, a student winner.
Sophia Spicer was the first student winner for the incentive program.
“I lost the chance to celebrate my twenty-first birthday because of the restrictions. I just want to be safe enough to be able to celebrate my twenty-second now that I am vaccinated,” said Spicer.
Other rewards that students can win have been revealed by the University. These include $300 dollars in cash, or a variety of prizes including “A” lot parking permits, football tickets, Dining Dollars in the amount of $100, and Apple Airpods.
Two grand prize drawings will occur on August 23 and September 27 that will award two students a payment of $4,500 to their tuition and fees.
Additionally, five students will each win the prize of a dinner for six with President Ed Seidel and his partner, Gabrielle Allen, at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Also included will be catered dinners with Provost and Executive Vice President Kevin Carman, along with Associated Students of UW President Hunter Swilling.
