September 22, 2026
East Texas Baptist University welcomed families and friends to campus September 18–20 for its annual Family Weekend, providing opportunities for students and their loved ones to experience life on the Hill and connect with the University community.
More than 1,000 guests visited the campus throughout the weekend for the special tradition. Family Weekend began Friday morning with ETBU Tiger Volleyball’s win over Hendrix College, which kicked off the Tiger Invitational Tournament hosted throughout the weekend in Ornelas Gym. Later in the day, students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the East Texas community gathered in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center for an afternoon of worship through hymns during the annual Great East Texas Hymn Sing. The evening continued with Gather at The Grove, where families enjoyed music, lawn games, food trucks, and outdoor recreation before ending the day with Tiger Night Live and Family Bingo Night.
“It means the world to me to have my family here with me on campus,” junior nursing major Kayla Sandmann said. “Our home is three and a half hours away, and they all made the trek and worked out the plans so they could all be here for me. I’m a first-generation college student, and each one of them has played a significant role in getting me here. I can’t thank them enough for playing the part that the Lord had planned out for them in advance.”
The Saturday Family Weekend events began with the Small Business Saturday Market and Brunch Bar, where families and loved ones enjoyed a variety of juices and breakfast foods while browsing products from local vendors offering everything from baked goods and coffee to crafts, beauty products, and apparel. Saturday morning also gave guests the opportunity to gather in Baker Chapel for Family Worship. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Thomas Sanders shared a message from Mark 2, telling the story of the four men who went to great lengths to bring their friend to Jesus to be healed, lowering him through the ceiling. Dr. Sanders encouraged the ETBU Family to consider how we can make sacrifices so that others can see Jesus.
“It’s not our job to decide if people are worthy to be healed by Jesus,” Dr. Sanders said. “When Jesus calls us to speak into someone’s life, to impact someone’s life, He’s calling us to set aside our own selfish desires. Sometimes people have to believe in the Jesus in us because they can’t see Jesus anywhere else. I know that sounds crazy because we are fallen and broken. But isn’t that the miracle—that God can use broken people to make the Gospel accessible to people all around? We have the opportunity to help people believe because they can see our belief.”
Saturday afternoon, students and their families gathered for Tiger Family Lunch in the dining hall, followed by the Family and Faculty Connection, which offered parents and loved ones a chance to meet their students’ professors.
“It means everything to be here to support Dayshun, to see how he's doing in class, and to hear the reports firsthand,” Ashley Reese, mother of sophomore mass communication major and Tiger Football player Dayshun Reese, said. “You know, they come home and tell you that everything is good and everything is fine and everybody likes them, but it's another thing when you are able to ask the questions up close and see it firsthand. Watching them interact with the community they’ve built on their own, away from you, and seeing them take what you’ve taught them and apply it in real life is pretty cool.”
Leading into the evening’s activities, guests cheered on ETBU Women’s Soccer, who celebrated Senior Day at Cornish Field. Fans enjoyed the Family Tailgate before the ETBU Tiger Football Game vs. Centenary College, where Tigers earned a 46-14 victory. ETBU Volleyball also closed out the Tiger Invitational with a win over LeTourneau University, going 4-0 in the tournament.
The weekend ended Sunday with families attending their students' local church for morning worship and their favorite lunch spot.
“Family Weekend is such a special time because it gives our students the opportunity to share a piece of their ETBU experience with the people they love most,” Director of Student Life Laura Coursey said. “From worship and fellowship to cheering on the Tigers, we love seeing our campus come alive with our students’ biggest supporters. Weekends like this are what make the ETBU Family so special, and we are grateful to everyone who came to the Hill to celebrate this event with us this year.”