September 20, 2021
ETBU Tigers welcomed their families to the Hill for a weekend full of community and fellowship on Friday, September 17 and Saturday, September 18. A record number of ETBU family members joined campus life for social activities and Tiger Football.
“This was a record year with over 1,000 guests on campus for Family Weekend 2021, almost tripling the size of our 2019 Family Weekend, which was the largest one to date,” ETBU Director of Student Life Laura Coursey said. “This weekend was such a beautiful reminder of what the ETBU Tiger Family is all about. Being surrounded by students and their parents, grandparents, family, and friends brought a sense of life to the Hill that was so exciting and memorable.”
Family Weekend activities are designed to bring faculty, staff, students, and families together for a weekend of fellowship. Families experienced life on the Hill with activities such as Tiger Volleyball, Joe Pine coffee and live music, Big Guy Ballerina Improv shows, Lunch on the Lawn, Alumni Association Floats, and Family Tailgate.
“My favorite part of family weekend has been getting some time to come out and spend with my student, see the community they live in, and meet with some of the leaders and professors,” ETBU junior Worship Studies major Olivia Simmons’ father Brian Simmons said. “I hope my daughter gains a stronger walk with the Lord and that all of her teaching would be centered in that, and I just hope that she retains some amazing friendships that she can take into the future.”
This year, new to the Family Weekend itinerary was Family Worship, where the entire Tiger Family came together to worship in Baker Chapel on Saturday morning.
“I came to ETBU because I wanted a campus culture that was Christ-centered, and I love having professors that realize the value in friendships and growing outside of the classroom,” ETBU junior Christian Ministry major Darren Muirhead said. “It's great having family come on campus and get to see what life is like here at ETBU. I am so thankful my family got to meet my professors and friends that I see every day. My favorite part of Family Weekend is the social aspect of not only getting my family to meet everyone, but to get to meet other students' families as well.”
To wrap up the weekend festivities, the Tiger Family cheered on the ETBU Tiger Football Team as they claimed victory over McMurry University at Ornelas Stadium, 24-15.
“This event would not have been possible without the help of our faculty and staff,” ETBU Vice President for Student Engagement and Athletics Ryan Erwin said. “Whether they served through the set-up for the weekend’s events, at the Faculty Connection, or by being an encouragement to students on a daily basis, the Tiger Family is growing because of our faculty and staff’s dedication to our campus community.