JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 7, 2006 — 51社区 senior Lindsey Abell was crowned Homecoming Queen at halftime of the Lady Bulldogs basketball game Nov. 4.
Abell, of St. Louis, Mo., is a music major with an emphasis in Christian studies. She is the daughter of Charles and Mary Abell.
Abell鈥檚 crowning was just one of the highlights of Union鈥檚 2006 Homecoming week, entitled 鈥淎 Twist on Tradition.鈥�
Also on Nov. 4, alumni and their families participated in an 鈥淎rts in the Park鈥� exhibit and tailgating on campus. The event included inflatable games, a petting zoo, pony rides, an exhibition from an alumni artists and grilled food from various campus organizations.
鈥淚 am particularly grateful for the great turnout for Arts in the Park and tailgating,鈥� said Gary Williams, associate vice president of university relations. 鈥淚t was a nice, casual event. The success of this year鈥檚 Homecoming is a tremendous affirmation of the move to a fall Homecoming from the previously scheduled winter Homecoming weekend.鈥�
Other Homecoming court attendants included freshman Elizabeth Wood, public relations and advertising major from Crossville, Tenn., who is the daughter of Michael and Debbie Wood; sophomore Heather Childers, English literature major from Simpsonville, Ky., who is the daughter of Randall and Cindy Childers; junior Carolyn Negley, learning foundations major from Brentwood, Tenn., who is the daughter of John and Jean Negley; senior Ashley Cherry, business management and Christian studies major, who is the daughter of Charles and Amy Cherry; senior Beth McDowell, nursing major from Cape Girardeau, Mo., who is the daughter of Gary and Donna McDowell; and senior Jennifer Tharp, family studies and Christian studies major from Nashville, Tenn., who is the daughter of Lynn and Glenda Tharp.
Seniors Landon Preston and Bethany Hobbs were named Mr. and Miss Union. Preston is a business administration and Christian studies major from Fort Worth, Texas, and is the son of Rucker and Lindy Preston. Hobbs, from Paducah, Ky., is majoring in teaching English as a second language and Spanish. She is the daughter of Russell and Susan Hobbs.
Following the crowning of the Homecoming Queen, the Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs basketball teams achieved two victories. The Lady Bulldogs defeated St. Gregory鈥檚 University 86-37, while the Bulldogs won against Olivet Nazarene University 83-65.
Also on Nov. 4, Union鈥檚 Phi Alpha Theta chapter, an honorary history fraternity, dedicated a time capsule. The time capsule was an idea of Cassie Harris, former Phi Alpha Theta president. She suggested the idea to history professor Stephen Carls as a way to bring students back to Union in the 2053, the 100th anniversary of Phi Alpha Theta, to think about their lives at Union.
According to Carls, the time capsule couldn鈥檛 have happened without the help of Union President David S. Dockery.
鈥淗e was an enthusiastic supporter,鈥� Carls said. 鈥淗e was vital in helping launch this project.鈥�
The time capsule featured letters that 16 students wrote to themselves, as well as letters from various university administrators, faculty members and Tennessee politicians. Also included were photographs, a copy of a 2005-2006 university student handbook, a set of instructions for handling the students鈥� letters and various other items.
In addition to the basketball games, dedication of the time capsule and voting for the Homecoming court, students were able to participate in activities throughout the week, such as a Nov. 1 concert by contemporary Christian artist Sara Groves and the Hurt Resident Complex鈥檚 annual Costume Coffee House.
鈥淭he entire Homecoming week went well,鈥� said Justin Phillips, director of student programs and student life. 鈥淭hroughout the week, everyone involved, including alumni, student services, students and more did a nice job. It takes a team effort.鈥�