By Alex Wize

Every year as the fall semester is concluding everyone gets to go home and see family for the first time in months. That is not the case for a handful of students attending Tennessee Wesleyan who hail from distant places.

Around 10 years ago, Doctor Stacy Swafford of the business school noticed that these students had no place to celebrate this wonderful day of feasting. Her and her husband have prepared a full thanksgiving meal for all students stuck at school to enjoy with the Swafford family and their peers.

When I asked her how this affected the family’s thanksgiving she said, “It is great because as many know my son (Charlie Swafford) attends TWU, so he can have thanksgiving with his friends and classmates. My daughter studied abroad so this is a great opportunity for her to practice her Spanish with native speakers. It is also a way for us to talk to and learn about other people’s families.”

The food itself was out of this world. My favorite dish was the ham she prepared. This was not the traditional ham you get every year back home. The brown sugar glaze she used was the first time I had not had a honey glazed ham. The mashed potatoes had the perfect consistency of creamy and fluffy and were obviously a fan favorite because of how quickly the pans were being cleaned out.

When the time comes again for finals to start for the fall semester and you have the chance to attend this gracious feast, do not be shy to show face at the Swafford home. There is plenty of plates of phenomenal food and wholesome conversation to go around. Needless to say, all in attendance left with warm hearts and full bellies from the Swafford residency.

Edited by Marco Martinez
Photo courtesy of Dr. Stacy Swafford