Blog

Celebration of Union's bicentennial continued this year with events such as a birthday party, special chapel services, a documentary and more. Hyran Barefoot, Union president from 1987-1996, poses with Buster the Bulldog during Union's 200th birthday party held on Feb. 5, 2023. Photo by Suzanne Rhodes

The Department of Biology was given the opportunity to do research this year with 20 baby alligators from Louisiana. Micah Fern, assistant professor of biology, teaches his zoology students about alligator conservation. Current research involves using environmental DNA (eDNA) methods to locate populations in Tennessee. Photo by Suzanne Rhodes

EDGE student Kevin Riffle sits down for a meal that he prepared in cooking lab during one of the many life skills classes that the Union EDGE program offers students. This specific project challenges students to plan, prepare, and host a meal for guests. Photo by Suzanne Rhodes

Each year Union's Student Activities Council hosts Variety Show. Students in small and large group categories perform many types of talent, and they wow the audience with dance, song, creativity and more. Pictured here is the performance by Alpha Tau Omega using a Toy Story theme. Photo by Kristi McMurry Woody

Trenton Golds, a political science major from Wilksboro, N.C., cheers for a fellow graduate at Spring Graduation. Photo by Kristi McMurry Woody

When Bob's Burgers in Bells, Tennessee, burned down in January 2023, Bob O'Donnell wasn't sure what his future would hold. After seeing the beloved West Tennessee business in trouble, Union gave O'Donnell the opportunity to continue serving his famous hamburgers as part of The Lex, the cafe located immediately outside the university's Brewer Dining Hall. Now named "The Lex Featuring Bob's Burgers," the new operation opened this year with O'Donnell preparing his hamburgers and fries for Union students and the general public. Photo by Karley Hathcock

Welcome Week leaders perform the ever-popular "I'm glad that I'm a Welcome Week leader" sketch during the Welcome Week Show. Here senior Michael Garber plays the part of the carpenter with one student receiving a milk bath. Photo by Karley Hathcock

This year Union named Karen Miller as the new dean for the McAfee School of Business. Each semester the school hosts several events for students to connect with local businesses. Here Dean Miller welcomes local professionals to network with McAfee School of Business students during a Brunch with Business Leaders event. Photo by Karley Hathcock

Union is home to the Jaxx, an ultimate frisbee team that competes at the club level and travels to different tournaments across the country. Here, Jaxx freshman Joseph Hinrichs catches a pass during their game against Samford. Photo by Union student, Lauren Steed

This year we were able to begin construction on a new academic building. This will house the McAfee School of Business, and the departments of computer science and engineering. The university has installed a live camera feed so that construction progress can be enjoyed by all.