Huntington recognizes Mother, Father of Year
FOR RELEASE: Sunday, November 9, 2008
Huntington, Ind.-Huntington University awarded the 2008 Mother and Father of the Year during Parent Weekend on Nov. 7-8. Students submit essays about their parents to be reviewed by the Huntington University Parent Council which then selects the Parents of the Year. Mother of the Year Joy McClain (right) enjoys her award with her daughter, Jena McClain.
The Mother of the Year award went to Joy McClain, mother of Jena McClain.
"Just by talking with my mom, anyone could see that she is a woman of God," said Jena, a freshman nursing major from Greenwood, Ind. "I have had the privilege of growing up with a mother who looks at situations through heaven's eyes. I am truly thankful for that blessing."
Jena's essay described her mother as a fighter, saying that when God presented her mother with a trial, her mother tackled it with unexplainable courage, keeping her children as her priority, encouraging them and comforting them.
"Her source of hope and comfort came from God and God alone," said Jena about her mother.
Father of the Year Allen Tietz celebrates his award with his daughter, Rebecca Tietz.
The Father of the Year award went to Allen Tietz, father of Rebecca Tietz.
Rebecca's essay spoke of the encouragement her father has been in her life. Rebecca played three different varsity sports in high school, requiring her father's time and involvement in her life, which she says he willingly invested.
"It was during my freshman year of college that my mother passed away, and that really hit our family hard," said Rebecca, a sophomore middle grades education major from Fort Wayne, Ind. "I can still remember my dad encouraging my brother and me to take it to the Lord while he did the same. I don't think I have ever told my dad this, but he is my best friend."
This year's Parent Weekend included a scavenger hunt throughout the campus giving parents a chance to see a different side of HU, a 5K walk and run for parents and children, and rounds of disc golf. Also, parents attended classes with their children and ate in the Habecker Dining Commons.
