Students stand in line at the Ole Miss Wesley Foundation house during the annual Burgers and Blues night. (DM Photo/ Clara Turnage)
The Ole Miss Wesley Foundation kicked off the semester with their annual Wesley Welcome Week. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, dozens of students gathered on the front lawn of the Wesley Foundation House on Jackson Avenue for their Burgers and Blues event.
For the following hours, students enjoyed musical entertainment from a live band, as well as food donated from the community.
The Wesley Foundation was created only four years ago by Reverend Eddie Willis, who envisioned an event where students can gather and learn more about the foundation and all it has to offer.
“I wanted something with music, food, and fun that students would want to come to and remember our campus ministry by,” Willis said.
Blues rock band David Dunavent and the Evol Love Band has performed at the Burgers and Blues event since its start four years ago.
“I love coming back,” Dunavent said. “This is a great event and seeing everyone gather and have a good time is great.”
Willis, an Ole Miss alumnus having graduated in 1991, returned back to Oxford to take the position of Wesley Foundation director five years ago. Since then, Willis has strategized ways to make the foundation more inviting and create a tradition for students and those who are involved in the foundation.
From this, the Wesley Welcome Week was formed and different events take place for students including an ice cream social and the kickoff game tent for Thursday night’s game against Boise State.
“Burgers and Blues is a fun time to come out and eat food and meet people and talk about the summer during the first week of class,” Willis said. “Since classes are in full swing, it’s great to relax and catch up with friends.”
“It’s just really fun and chill,” said Hayden White, a senior pharmacy major. “I got to throw the football around and just hang out, and the music was really good, too.”
Throughout the year, the Wesley Foundation holds a weekly Bible study on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in Paris- Yates Chapel.
-Amanda Wilson
