Starting on October 2, parents and prospective students alike were able to visit Asbury’s campus for Family Weekend. During this time, families have the chance to tour campus, attend fun events and get a feel of Asbury’s atmosphere. Family weekend coincided with the Fall Preview, an opportunity for high school students to tour and visit Asbury’s campus with their parents.
There was a lot of excitement from both parents and students alike as families were able to spend quality time together. When asked about her experience with Family Weekend, Junior Abby Woodward said, “My parents are coming down to see me in the choir concert on Saturday morning. They’ve never been able to come down for Family Weekend before.” Likewise, Sophomore Audrey Walden said, “They’re going to sit in some of my classes and then we’re going to the Wilmore Craft Market on Saturday.”
The first event of the weekend was the Creative Night of Worship on Thursday, which took place in the Student Center from 7-9 p.m. All on campus were invited to experience some of the student-led worship that Asbury has to offer and hear from spoken word poet Lo Alaman, who was also the chapel speaker the next day.
On Friday, the second day started with chapel in Hughes Auditorium. Lo Alaman’s message was titled “Having a Heart of Worship.” The verse reference was Matthew 7. Alaman talked about different talents God bestows on each of us, saying,“God does not just create for the sake of creating. God creates for the sake of intention. God creates with purpose.”
Family weekend coincided with the Fall Preview, an opportunity for high school students to tour and visit Asbury’s campus with their parents. Each department and other resource centers had special open houses on Friday to allow students to meet professors and see the entirety of Asbury.The start of the evening activities on campus was the Band and Orchestra Concert, featuring the two musical groups in Jameson Recital Hall. Student Activities Cabinet also hosted a campus wide game night on Friday from 8-10 p.m. Held in the Luce Auditorium, the event provided snacks and plenty of board and card games. On a different part of campus, the Hip-Hop: Arts event happened in the student center from 5-8 p.m. Hosted by Lo Alaman and multiple different student speakers, the event boasted food, music and dance.
Saturday brought a ton of exciting things happening throughout campus and the Wilmore community. The ensemble concert and reception featured a lot of the musical groups from the music department, including the Chorale, Women’s Choir, Men’s Glee Club, Handbells and the Jazz Band. Each group performed a couple of different pieces in Jameson Recital Hall and guests were then invited to go to a reception with food, featuring the Jazz Band playing in the background.
Happening throughout the entire day was the Wilmore Arts and Crafts Fair. Highlighting vendors and food trucks from throughout Kentucky, the festival had a wide variety of quality handcrafted items such as fiber arts, painting, pottery and jewelry. People from all over the Jessamine County area attended and enjoyed the attractions.
In the afternoon, Asbury’s campus featured the OMS International Pizza Fest, the baseball alumni game and women’s soccer senior day. At WGM, their annual Goat Roast was happening, an event where students and families were invited to enjoy food, live music and yard games.
With great weather and fun things to do, the entirety of campus was able to take a breath and enjoy themselves before the rush to midterms.
Photo courtesy of Asbury.
