Union University celebrated its annual Family Weekend event on Sept. 29-30, creating an exciting and fun environment for family members and students to enjoy together as Union Bulldogs.
The event provided opportunities for families to experience campus life through events hosted by Residence Life and other campus organizations. Many of these have turned into traditional events such as the Friday evening Make-a-Wish BBQ hosted by Chi Omega and SAC’s Movie On The Lawn, this year featuring “Ratatouille.” Friday night ended with the traditional Sibling Sleepover, providing students’ siblings a chance to have a dorm night experience.
Saturday’s events kicked off with Buster’s Annual 5K Dash and the Bulldog Fling Disc Golf Tournament, both starting at 8 a.m. The morning also featured the President’s Brunch in the Grant Center, where families got the chance to hear from Union University’s president Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver.
The morning events were followed by afternoon games played by the Union Jaxx and Jillz ultimate frisbee teams, and the campus was active with students showing their family members their favorite parts of campus.
For some, Family Weekend was a first-time experience, such as Ida Carrette, sister of junior nursing major Jasper Carrette. Ida described her experience of seeing her brother’s school and her first time at Union Night.
“I think it’s fun, loud, and it’s lively!” Ida said. “It’s kind of fun to just see where he [Jasper] lives, and what he’s doing day to day, like this is where he goes to school, this is his dorm, this is where he studies, and stuff like that. That’s what’s been really fun.”
For Union alumna Carla Putt, Family Weekend has always been a tradition even before her kids started attending. Every year, Putt and her kids get a table together with other family friends at Union Night. This is something they have done for over ten years, and she plans on continuing the tradition now that her two daughters, Bella and Sophie, are freshmen.
“It’s fun to be here with Jackson friends and a lot of them went to Union also,” Carla said. “But also, I get to see a lot of people who graduated with me. Tonight, and even last year, I was here with a huge group of friends whose kids were here for Preview Day, and so all our kids are starting to graduate from high school and are also looking at Union.”
Saturday evening’s Union Night culminated in a time filled with worship, fun and celebration, beginning with a concert performed by Voices of Proclamation and Sounds of Exaltation. Families explored the different aspects of Union through interactive booths representing organizations across campus and kids were offered swings and bouncy houses. The night concluded with fireworks and Blank Slate Improv’s first show of the year.
