SWAT 2024 Was a Home Run

On Wednesday, August 14, over 600 new Patriots arrived on University Hill for Move-In Day. Over 100 upperclassmen volunteered to help the new students move into residence halls before the Student Welcome and Transition (SWAT) week festivities began. The incoming students were divided into four corps: Lexington, Concord, Yorktown, and Saratoga, each led by upperclassmen small group leaders and corps captains. They competed in events ranging from chant-offs to music performances, sports competitions, and other games to be crowned SWAT champions at the end of the week.

On Day Two of SWAT, DBU President Adam C. Wright invited every student into the President’s Home on campus to personally welcome each new Patriot to DBU. Dr. Wright and his wife, Candice, love opening their home to new students each year as it allows them to see first-hand how God is moving through each new student who steps on University Hill.

On Day Three, the new students participated in service projects. The 600 students split into a dozen groups and traveled to ministries across the DFW metroplex. "Seeing God work through the DBU Family by being the hands and feet of Christ at home is one of our favorite parts about SWAT each year," said Wayne Briggs, Director of Student Life. Students served at OurCalling, Mission Arlington, Victory Therapy, Beautiful Feet Ministries, Soaring Eagle Center, Tarrant Area Foodbank, and more.

After a busy week of making new friends, meeting professors, competing against one another, and worshiping with DBU Chapel Worship, it was time to crown the SWAT champion on Day Four. This year, Concord came out on top! After the awards ceremony, the students gathered in the Pilgrim Chapel to participate in one of DBU’s longest-standing traditions: the candlelighting service. The DBU experience is book-ended with candlelighting services as they participate during SWAT week when they first arrive on the Hill, and students participate again four years later, on the night before graduation. Dr. Wright addresses the students along with upperclassmen to encourage them to be open to what God has planned for them in this new chapter of life.

To cap off SWAT week, the new Patriots participated in a brand-new tradition called "Running Home." Everyone gathered on the field at Horner Ballpark and ran around the bases all the way to Homeplate to signify their journey at DBU officially beginning. The students sprinted around the bases as the corps and small group leaders cheered them on. At the end of the event, the annual SWAT photo was captured as SWAT Week 2024 came to a close.