Written By Jack Freedman, Staff Writer
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor College of Christian Studies held its 18 annual hamburger cookout on Sept. 4 at Meyer Christian Studies Center. The cookout was intended for Christian studies majors and minors to get to know each other and their professors.
“The goal [of the cookouts] is to have fellowship time, and I really hope that Christian studies majors will feel like they’re in the right place,” Dr. Tim Crawford, dean of Christian studies, said. “Once they’re juniors and seniors, they’re up here all the time. And so, I like them to get the idea that this is a place where they can hang out, feel comfortable, and have good associations with us.”
Historically the hamburger cookouts occur the Thursday before the first home game of the season. However, this has become a more awkward time since UMHB has been starting classes during the first week of August.
“Ideally, the cookout is on the second week of class, but it’s been different," Crawford said.
At 11 a.m., student workers from the UMHB Physical Plant brought over tables and chairs while staff members at Meyer helped them set up in the lobby. The students from the physical plant finished setting up after 45 minutes, but Meyer staff spent the rest of the day helping to prepare hamburgers and hot dogs.
“We start planning these cookouts three weeks in advance,” Patty Whitney, secretary to the dean, said. “I spent all day helping make the food.”
Despite the significance of the Christian studies cookouts, reserving the entire lobby to prevent people from meeting in Manning Chapel has often proven to be a challenge for Meyer staff.
“You’ve got to coordinate the space and reserve the tables, which comes in advance since people use our chapel,” Crawford said. “We also need to make sure that all the student workers’ schedules are coordinated for this evening.”
Around 4:30 p.m., students and faculty started to gather in the Manning Lobby. The students submitted their names for a raffle. At 5 p.m., Crawford kicked off the cookout by sounding a ram’s horn, also known as a shofar. He prayed over the food before it was received by students and staff. The attendees then spent the next hour eating hamburgers and hot dogs while talking to each other. New students got to know other students and meet their professors while the older Christian studies majors reminisced about their time learning ministry.
“Every year I’ve been here I’ve gone to one of these,” Madelyn Tipton, a senior and Christian studies major, said. “I enjoy fellowship with our professors. They usually bring their families, so we get to see more of their home life and get to know them on a personal level.” Tipton hopes to become a youth camp minister after she graduates.
At 5:30, Joseph James, a senior and Christian studies major, announced the raffle winners. Various attendees won UMHB cups and UMHB Christian Studies T-shirts. The cookout ended after the prizes were all given out, but many chose to stay and help clean up.
“I’ve been in Christian studies from two years,” James said. “When I transferred here, I changed my degree from law to Christian studies. I’ve been able to go to a lot of events and help Christian studies majors make relationships.” James hopes to become a full-time vocational minister after he graduates.
