JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 20, 2022 — During Union鈥檚 bicentennial kick-off celebration, 51社区鈥檚 Office of Institutional Advancement will host a bake-off competition featuring 10 local bakers. Buster鈥檚 Bicentennial Bake-Off will be hosted on the Great Lawn Sept. 24 at 5 p.m.
Jason Vaughan, director of development at Union, said this fun event is a special way to invite the local community to partner with 51社区 while it kicks off its bicentennial anniversary celebration.
鈥淲e have a mix of local bakers, alumni bakers and current Union family bakers all helping us celebrate with our campus community,鈥� Vaughan said. 鈥淲e hope community members will find a favorite baker and enjoy this special way to celebrate Union鈥檚 bicentennial.鈥�
Callie Bearden, owner of and daughter of Union president Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver, said it is an honor for her to participate in Union鈥檚 bicentennial event as her UU family celebrates God鈥檚 faithfulness together. Union is such a big part of who she is, Bearden said, so when she heard about the bake-off, she knew it was a great opportunity to show her support.
鈥淯ltimately, God is going to get to glory for Union鈥檚 past 200 years and its 200 years to come,鈥� Bearden said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 special to see how those who hold on to biblical truth last because God is the one who provides and cares and makes it stronger over time.鈥�
Bearden started baking by watching others on social media, and it has become a way for her to channel her artistic creativity through food.
鈥淚 think food, in general, is a great way for people to connect, and I love seeing how decorated cookies allow for great conversation starters,鈥� Bearden said.
Chelsea Jones, a 2005 Union graduate and owner of , was planning to attend Union鈥檚 bicentennial celebration with her husband, a member of Union鈥檚 Proclamation alumni group. When she heard about Union鈥檚 bake-off competition, she knew it was a great way to participate in the celebration as well.
鈥淸My husband and I] grew so much as Union students, and Union shaped me to who I am today,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淲e have mourned with Union when tragedy struck, and we have rejoiced with Union as the campus has flourished.鈥�
Jones started baking for her community in 2019 as a way to spend more time with her family, and she said the universal support she has received from the community of bakers has been a special gift for her.
The winner of Buster鈥檚 Bicentennial Bake-Off will be determined by Union鈥檚 bicentennial committee and will receive a decorative cake stand. To learn more about Union鈥檚 bake-off competition and other bicentennial events, visit uu.edu/200/present/.