September 30, 2023
East Texas Baptist University rolled out the welcome mat Friday, September 29, and Saturday, September 30, for Family Weekend 2023. Over 1,000 Tiger family members flocked to the campus to partake in a number of events planned and hosted by ETBU Student Life.
“Family Weekend 2023 was filled with fun and memorable moments,” ETBU Director of Student Life Laura Coursey said. “We love welcoming our extended Tiger Family to the Hill and seeing the campus full of parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends of all sorts. Providing students and their families an opportunity to reconnect after eight weeks of classes is one of the sweetest times of the year at our University.”
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 food trucks and live music at the Grove, a Movie Night Under the Stars, Family Worship, Tiger Family Lunch, ETBU Faculty and Staff Connection, and ETBU Theatre’s production of The Complete History of America (abridged). On Saturday morning, ETBU students, faculty, and staff showcased their individual small businesses during Small Business Saturday in the Quad. The display of small businesses ranged from art and jewelry to photography and baked goods.
“Being a part of planning and hosting Family Weekend has been such a blessing,” ETBU senior psychology major Nakayla Holloway said. “From helping decide what movie to watch on movie night to serving families and friends at the Family Tailgate, the weekend has been pure fun. My heart has been so full of joy watching students and loved ones reunite on campus—it’s just been very heartwarming to see. It’s always nice to take a break this time of year and show these families how far their students have come in their college career, while also showcasing the amazing culture and community that ETBU provides year-round.”
Numerous university alumni, now proud parents of ETBU students, gathered during Family Weekend, where they reminisced about their own cherished experiences at the institution while delighting in seeing their children create similar memories at their "Home on the Hill."
"Family Weekend has been a truly heartwarming experience for us, watching our son Carter immerse himself in the same culture and atmosphere that once enriched our own college years at ETBU,” ETBU Alumna Christie Hayes (‘00) said. “Witnessing a place we hold so dear continue to go above and beyond for students and families fills us with immense joy. We couldn't be prouder that our son chose ETBU as his college home."
To wrap up Saturday’s festivities, the Tiger Family cheered on the ETBU Tiger Football Team during the Tiger Walk at the Family Tailgate, and later as they battled Austin College and earned a 35-7 victory at Ornelas Stadium.
“Family Weekend is a cherished tradition among the Tiger Family,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. “It is a special time for our students to reconnect with their parents, grandparents, and siblings where they have made East Texas Baptist their college ‘Home on the Hill.’ Our aspiration for this special weekend is that our students will be rejuvenated by the joy of fellowship, that the families of our ETBU Tigers will be inspired by their time on our beautiful University campus.”