By Chris Yingling | Echo
Hundreds of grandparents and alumni gather on Taylor's campus today to celebrate Heritage Weekend.
Heritage Weekend, initially established six years ago with the dedication of the Memorial Prayer Chapel, has been celebrated on campus to commemorate the rich history associated with Taylor. The event has been held on the last week of April since its inception, according to the development office.
While fun events such as Taylathon, Grandparents Day and the alumni soccer game highlight the weekend, Heritage Weekend focuses on the people who give to continue the prosperity of Taylor's campus and students.
"Heritage Weekend does celebrate Taylor's rich heritage, and I don't think there's any other community like Taylor's community," said Sherri Harter, associate vice president of development. "Part of that is because of the heritage. People leave here, but they don't leave here by continuing to be a part of Taylor's heritage."
The festivities begin on Friday with Grandparents Day. Harter estimates just over 400 grandparents will be present to spend some time with their grandchildren and explore Taylor's campus for themselves.
"They get to come and experience a day in the life of their grandchild at Taylor," Harter said.
Students are also excited to see their grandparents, especially those who do not see their relatives often.
"I like that my grandparents are coming to Taylor for Grandparents Day because they live 900 miles away in Massachusetts," said senior Jordan Wagner. "It's cool to see them come back because they graduated from here back when they were students."
On Saturday, the events continue with the 60th annual Taylathon, which will be held at 11 a.m. A men's team and women's team will represent each of the four class years in a bike race through the heart of campus.
"Taylathon is the perfect event over Heritage Weekend because it allows alumni to see the strength and tradition we continue to value," said senior class president Jason Koh. "It's healthy competition that creates space for growth and lasting friendships with a fun all-campus event."The Women's Giving Circle spring meeting will also commence at 11 a.m. in the Braden room in the DC. The Giving Circle is a group of women alumni who pull together to give back to academic departments.
"This is a group of ladies who combine resources to support the Taylor Fund and academic departments by proposals they submit," Harter said.
The events finish up Saturday evening with the President's Dinner. The dinner has the intent not only of conveying gratitude to contributors but also of connecting students to the donors that made certain scholarships possible.
"It's a key thing for students to meet their donors," said Coordinator for Scholarships and Stewardship Kelsey Mitchener. "It's nice for them to recognize who has been their benefactor, (and) the donors appreciate seeing the impact of their gift and meeting the students."
According to Harter, the dinner conveys the reason why Heritage Weekend is held in the first place.
"The message there is generations that allow students to attend Taylor. It's generations of individuals who have invested in Taylor so that generations can continue to attend," Harter said. "It's this wonderful legacy of heritage that is associated with that."
The dinner is immediately followed by "Brahms to Broadway," a concert featuring the Taylor Chorale and the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra, to wrap up Heritage Weekend.
