Wednesday, September 20, 2023

FALL FAMILY WEEKEND FALL FAMILY WEEKEND

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Letter from Dean of Students: A thriving experience

BYRON HUGHES, PH.D. Guest Columnist

Dear Vol Families,

It is hard to believe that another Fall Family Weekend is upon us and we get to welcome you all back to campus to spend time with your student and deepen your connection to Rocky Top. If you aren’t able to join the formal activities of the weekend, then I do hope that you find some opportunity to visit campus for your own family weekend.

My team within the Tennessee Family Experience has created many wonderful resources that can help you and your student have a family weekend whenever the timing is right for you. In my role as Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students, I am fortunate to lead with a talented group of colleagues that spend their days advancing a comprehensive strategy for advocacy, support, and mattering and belonging.

As part of that strategy, the needs of families and anyone that is a supporter of a

student is a priority for us. We are partners with you in this process of launching Volunteers into the world that aspire to lead, learn and serve.

Though many of our students and families regularly stay engaged through phone calls, FaceTime or text messages, what is special about a weekend in person with your student is the opportunity to be with them and hear how they are truly doing. It is quite possible that you will receive a variety of responses from them about their experience – the good and the bad.

The bad may make you wonder if UT was the right choice for them – and you. Yet, I would challenge you to pause and consider the following advice from a parent to their student: “Hunt the good stuff even when times are challenging.” We want our students to have a hope-filled approach about their lives at UT.

As Shane Lopez, the late author of “Making Hope Happen,” believed hope can be an amazing superpower that pushes a person forward to navigate the hard things in belief that the good is present there too. Our priority is helping students form lives marked by thriving, flourish-

ing and resilience in moments of triumph or failure. Let us journey with you and your student through this incredible UT experience.

Over the past two years, UT has adopted the phrase “university on the rise” to capture the energy and momentum of success throughout many domains of our campus experience to include student persistence, research development, competitive excellence and more.

It is a great time to be a Tennessee Vol! In fact, we have designed Fall Family Weekend for you to see all aspects of this thriving experience. Whether it is a campus presentation from a faculty member, a visit to a performance arts venue or an excursion around Knoxville, please enjoy this special time with your student.

As we know, time is fleeting, and before you realize it, you will be back here for your student’s commencement exercises. Until then, please know that we have many faculty, staff, administrators and alumni throughout Rocky Top that are committed to supporting you and your student’s Volunteer Experience.

Be well and Go Vols!

Dean of Students Byron Hughes welcomes families to lunch during Fall Family Weekend 2022. Courtesy of Lindsay Davis

Fall Family Weekend 2023 emphasizes collaboration, connections

ABBY ANN RAMSEY Editor-in-Chief

This weekend marks UT’s annual Fall Family Weekend, an event in which parents, siblings and friends flock to campus to experience all UT has to offer and to see what the students they know have been up to. The weekend has no shortage of activities and engagement opportunities for families and students to participate in.

In the past, Fall Family Weekend has collaborated with the Center for Student Engagement, the Pride Center, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service, Multicultural Student Life and many others. Lindsay Davis, family engagement coordinator in the Office of the Dean of Students, said this collaboration is vital to the success of the weekend, and this year they’re delving deeper into that by collaborating more with the academic side of campus.

With that academic connection, the weekend will include a Haslam College of Business meet and greet and a mock class with Chancellor Donde Plowman and former governor Bill Haslam due to the excitement that came with the class they taught together last semester.

As the campus and the student population continues to grow, as does Fall Family Weekend. Davis said one challenge is that space does not allow for everyone to be in the same place at the same time on the same weekend. Registration for events for this weekend filled up weeks ago, but the office has made changes to events in order to allow for as many families as possible to participate.

“It has kept me on my toes in the best way because we get a chance to be really innovating in our approach to how we continue to support our ever-growing population of students and families on campus,” Davis said.

One example of the office trying to make room for more families is the addition of more time opportunities for a fan favorite event: a stargazing session hosted by astrology professor Paul Lewis. In the past, many attendees haven’t been able to attend the one stargazing session, but Davis says they’re excited to now offer stargazing sessions throughout the weekend.

Additionally, the weekend will include an off-campus housing expo, coming at a time when students struggle to find housing during a city-wide crisis.

At the root of Fall Family Weekend and family engagement in general is equipping families with information for how to support their students. Davis pointed out that with students being involved in school, extracurricular activities and jobs, it can be hard for them to keep up with everything. Families are just one resource available to them, so making families aware of UT resources is vital.

“We know that for our students, their family is their number one support and number one cheerleaders,” Davis said. “They’re the folks that they’re calling immediately when something’s going on, nine times out of 10. And so for us, having them engage with UT is important because we have the opportunity to equip them and share information about what’s going on so they can better prepare their student.”

According to Mary Hajdik, a fellow in the Dean of Students office and a senior finance major, engaging families also plays into people at UT feeling connected to one another.

“Fall Family Weekend itself is a great time to connect with students and their families, strengthening the sense of community and belonging on campus,” Hajdik said.

In her years as family engagement coordinator, Davis has seen many families unable to attend the weekend. Because the general goal of family engagement and experience is connection, Davis and her team are also currently working on ways to incorporate families who don’t make it to the designated Fall Family Weekend.

“Literally any weekend that UT’s playing at home, it’s a pretty penny in terms of housing and restaurants and flights and all the things,” Davis said. “I was just really discouraged because I want everyone to feel like they’re able to share in the magic of this experience that this student is having, but how do we do that?”

To combat the issue without making every weekend a jam-packed Fall Family Weekend event, Davis and her team will soon launch a program that allows people to schedule their own designated family weekend.

The office plans to give families swag bags, give recommendations of what to do on campus and essentially give them the same experience they’d get if they were visiting on the scheduled weekend.

As they do with families not coming to campus, the department also encourages students to still get involved this weekend even if they don’t have family visiting. While registration for many of the Fall Family Weekend events has filled up, there are several that are first-come first-serve, and a full schedule can be found online.

Davis said that while this weekend has exciting events on the docket, family engagement does not end after the few days of celebration. Davis and her team are always looking to connect with families and students in any way possible.

“My biggest emphasis is that while I love family weekend and I think it’s like the greatest thing since sliced bread, it’s not the end-all be-all of the student experience,” Davis said.

“I really want families to feel assured and affirmed that they are going to still have a great time and experience with their student even if they never participate in a Family Weekend.”

A family decorated in UT gear poses in a photo booth during a Fall Family Weekend welcome event. Courtesy of Lindsay Davis

Ideas and activities for filling an empty Fall Family Weekend

Knoxville is that there’s always something to do and it doesn’t have to be expensive.

Get a discount

Fall Family Weekend is an exciting and busy time for students expecting loved ones to visit. But for those whose relatives live too far away or are simply too busy to attend, it can be lonely and isolating. Finding ways to stay busy or distracted can seem overwhelming. Tempting as it might seem, hiding inside your room all weekend and forcing homework down your throat is not the only option. Knoxville and UT are full of events and opportunities. Here are a few ideas to combat the Family Weekend blues.

Get outside

Being in the great outdoors is a wonderful way to boost serotonin levels. TRECS offers equipment rentals at affordable prices. Grab a friend and go paddleboarding at Suttree Landing Park and stop by South Coast Pizza afterward. If you aren’t interested in an adventurous activity, you can rent a hammock for $3 and set up at one of the many on-campus shaded areas.

Take advantage of the time

With students being otherwise occupied, now is a great time to run the laundry pile

that’s been on your floor for two weeks. Empty units should be easy to find – or here’s hoping. And if you’ve been too scared to explore the library with so many students around, now is your chance. Get a self-guided tour of its seven levels and stake out your new favorite studying spots.

See Knoxville

There is so much to do in this city. Within walking distance from campus is the downtown farmers market every Saturday morning run by Nourish Knoxville. They pride

themselves on their promise to the public that everything sold was either grown, raised or made within a 150-mile radius of Knoxville. Open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market is the perfect place to walk around or shop for something a bit fresher than the dining hall.

Browsing Market Square is an experience any day of the week. The colors and sounds bring people of all ages together in appreciation for this city. One of the best things about

Speaking of expenses, Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” will be playing at the Clarence Brown Theatre on Friday night, with discounted tickets to UT students. Check out the Daily Beacon’s review before you go, or simply hop on board for a thrilling ride … will you spot the murderer before Hercule Poirot does?

Gather a group of friends

An organized game night is a great way to meet people. Invite a few friends and tell them to bring at least one other person with them to get a group full of personalities going. Or simply ask one or two and keep it personal. Crazy Uno is a great game to play in groups because of its general simplicity and the ease at which you can add spinoff rules. For example, every time an eight is played, everyone gives their hand of cards to the person on their right.

Be creative

Overall, the main takeaway is that Fall Family Weekend doesn’t need to feel lonely. With a few of these ideas and your own creativity, come up with some fun plans and get out of the dorm for awhile – unless binging Netflix with a pint of ice cream is your idea

CAYDEN DYER Staff Writer

Patrons browse the Nourish Knoxville’s Farmers’ Market on a Saturday afternoon. Madelyn Stone / The Daily Beacon

A guide to dining in Knoxville A guide to dining in Knoxville

UT Creamery seeks to serve the community while fostering student success

MACY ROBERTS Arts & Culture Editor

On Sept. 12, the University of Tennessee Creamery hosted a Community Grand Celebration with an official ribbon cutting, free ice cream samples, a UT dairy calf, face painting and more activities for the public to enjoy.

While the creamery officially opened about a month earlier on Aug. 14, the Grand Celebration brought the community together in a special event that saw guests like UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman, UT Institute of Agriculture Chancellor Keith Carver and Cowgirl Creamery co-founders and UT alumnae Peg Smith and Sue Conley — whose support allowed the creamery to return to UT campus after its original closure in 1985.

Current students might not know that the UT Creamery first opened over 100 years ago in 1915. But even though a century has passed, the creamery’s history hasn’t been forgotten. Rather, it remains a crucial aspect of the creamery’s commitment to storytelling and nostalgia. Photos taken when the original creamery was open decorate the walls, with neon signs and black and white tile floors giving the otherwise modern space an intentionally retro feel.

At the forefront of the creamery’s storytelling is UT students themselves, as the creamery is entirely run by students under faculty supervision.

Rocky Top Institute of Retail students manage the business side of the creamery, while Herbert College of Agriculture students — among others — make the ice cream. Moreover, students from any major can join the UT Creamery in a serving role behind the counter.

Kate Zimmerman, a senior psychology major, works around 15 hours a week as a server at the creamery. Despite being a psychology major, Zimmerman said it’s been interesting to learn about business and marketing through her position. Although, there’s one part of her role that she enjoys more than anything.

“The connection is the best part of the job,” Zimmerman said. “Whether it’s meeting people I would’ve never met — behind the counter or customers — it’s just cool to talk to people who love UT so much.”

Zimmerman described her job responsibilities as half scooping ice cream and half serving as a storyteller for customers — whether that be through teaching customers about the creamery’s history, describing different ice cream flavors or telling them about herself.

Senior nursing major Krina Patel also works as a server at the creamery. Like Zimmermann, she enjoys the connection aspect of the role and being able to take the time to

have five to 10-minute conversations with customers during slower business moments.

Zimmermann and Patel agreed that while the creamery sees its fair share of students, faculty and Knoxville citizens at large, a large portion of the customers that visit are alumni.

“We get a lot of people who used to go to the creamery in the ‘50s, and they want to come try it now,” Patel said.

Patel added that a lot of customers inquire about flavors that the old creamery used to have, and while the creamery only offers five flavors currently — VOLnilla, Torchbearer’s Chocolate, Smokey’s Strawberry Kisses, Mint Champion Chip and Go Big Orange — more are in the works.

Nathan Miller, faculty manager of students involved with ice cream production, said four more flavors are almost complete, as well as a potential seasonal flavor for the fall.

Miller spoke on the value of having a student-led experiential learning aspect to the creamery that isn’t limited by majors. In fact, many of the responsibilities involved with ice cream production may interest business students, Miller said.

“You’re looking at supply chain issues, inventory, production and those are all things that the students get to learn,” Miller said. “That’s why we don’t just recruit food science students.”

For instance, Grace Powell is a junior agricultural science major that works in ice cream production. Powell used to work at a creamery in Watertown while she was in high school, so she’s enjoyed being able to develop her skills further with the UT Creamery.

Powell provided insight on what a day in the life of a student involved with the food production sector of the creamery looks like.

“Sometimes cleaning takes longer than actually making the ice cream,” Powell said. “We come in and clean, completely disinfect and sanitize, then go straight into making ice cream.”

Hannah Lansbury is a senior food science major who took a lighter course load this semester, so she decided to pursue part-time work at the creamery. After graduation, Lansbury wants to pursue a career in quality assurance.

“Getting to see a lot of the sanitation as-

pects is really interesting and will be of use in my future career,” Lansbury said. “My favorite part might be making the ice cream, but the most interesting part and the part that’s going to help me the most are the sanitation protocols and stuff related to that.”

Even for non-food science majors, working with the UT Creamery can lead to brighter careers for student workers.

“The other day I was talking to someone about being a nursing major, and they told me that they had just graduated from nursing school,” Patel said. “ I literally got a shadowing opportunity by working at the creamery.”

The creamery is devoted to providing an experiential learning experience for UT students no matter what their background is, and in doing so, it fosters community for students, faculty, alumni and Knoxville residents at large.

The UT Creamery is open on weekdays and Saturdays from noon to 7 p.m., making it a great place to stop in between classes or before football games this fall. Learn more about the creamery and stay up to date on new developments by visiting their website.

Students working at the UT Creamery hand out free ice cream samples to attendees of the creamery’s official ribbon cutting ceremony. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Edward Cruz / The Daily Beacon

Where to dine on your parents’ dime

ABBIE SMITH Staff Writer

As parents and family members flock to Knoxville for the University of Tennessee’s Fall Family Weekend on Sept. 22-24, 2023, many students are put in a position to choose which restaurants to take their parents to when showing them around the area. While this can feel overwhelming and like a lot of pressure, choosing restaurants for your family to attend can hold a lot of potential. With your parents in town, you can eat at restaurants that you may not normally visit. With this in mind, here are some restaurants in the Knoxville area that you should consider going to with your family.

Point B

While Point B is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m, it’s primarily known for its brunch items. They have everything from omelets to buttermilk waffles to a yogurt plate, so there is definitely something for everyone on their menu. They have boards of food as well, for groups of two, four and eight people. These boards are a great option if everyone at the table is looking to eat the same thing. Even with these boards, there is the option to customize what you eat. For example, the taco board has a number of different toppings that you can mix and match into your own personal taco. This restaurant also has a selection of wines and cocktails that are definitely appealing to those over the age of 21.

Calhoun’s on the River

Calhoun’s has been a family staple in Knoxville since it opened in 1988. It’s a classic American restaurant with a beautiful river view, so your parents and family will definitely enjoy it. Since it is so popular, Calhoun’s is often busy, but it’s worth the wait. Calhoun’s has amazing wings and burgers, plus barbecue and steak that is very popular. There are a wide variety of appetizers and ways to customize your entrée, so even the pickiest eater can find something to enjoy here. Whether you sit inside or outside on the deck, Calhoun’s has an atmosphere that anyone of any age can enjoy. My grandparents eat at Calhoun’s every time they come to campus, and they’ve done so since my uncle enrolled at UT in 1994. Like I said– it’s a family staple.

Kaizen

Kaizen is located in Old City, which is very close to Market Square but not always as explored by students. It is a Japanese-style restaurant that tries to emulate the traditional communal eating of Japan. Their menu is both what you would expect from a traditional Japanese restaurant and has items that stray away from the typical items you see on every menu. The items on this menu are also more afford-

able than other menus featured on this list, so that is very appealing to students and their families. You can mix and match items on the list and create a full meal or customize ingredients to fit your tastes.

A Dopo Pizza

A Dopo Pizza has become very popular in Knoxville since it opened in 2016. The restaurant has a more modern feel to it than some of the other restaurants on this list, which makes it very appealing to students. It’s a great place to go to if you want to show your family the more modern side of Knoxville’s restaurant industry rather than the classics that they may have heard of before. Plus, who doesn’t like pizza? There are so many kinds of pizza on this menu, and they’re not just the classic cheese, pepperoni or margherita pizza that you might be used to. The pizza here is more akin to the Italian style of pizza rather than the American style, but it’s all good. You can also pair your pizza with Italian wine or local beer to round out your meal.

Osteria Stella

Osteria Stella is a restaurant located in downtown Knoxville that serves traditional Italian food. They’re well known for their pasta. All items on their menu are in Italian, although their ingredients are in English, so you can still understand what the item is if you do not speak Italian. They have entrées with pasta and meat, appetizers and desserts. Notably, they have a rotating selection of housemade gelato and sorbet. If you love pasta and want to take your meals to the next level, Osteria Stella is a great place to visit.

A Dopo, located in downtown Knoxville, provides fresh pizza for customers to enjoy. File / The Daily Beacon

‘We care about the people and the food’: Hungry Sumo brings hibachi to the Fort

ADAM DELAHOUSSAYE Staff Writer

With every passing week, it can feel as if Knoxville’s pool of eateries gets smaller and smaller, chewed up and spit out by the housing developers looking to convert Cumberland Avenue into an apartment-riddled shell of its former self. Thankfully, a little neighborhood south of our once raucous Strip is still able to see a fair amount of opportunities for restaurant owners seeking to attach their menu to the rich cultural history of Knoxville’s downtown.

The newest of these spots is a little hibachi restaurant nestled in between 13th Street and James Agee Street, known as Hungry Sumo. The location has seen a few restaurants come and go in its time — a curse these newcomers are hoping to shake. In fact, it’s something they’re actively working against.

“When we first opened up a few months ago, we handed out flyers to all the houses within a few blocks radius of us. We just wanted to get word out and it was hard when we first opened this summer because students weren’t here yet,” Bephanie Chia, manager of Hungry Sumo, said.

At Hungry Sumo, good food is a family affair. Owned by Benjamin Chia – Bephanie’s older brother – their list of employees currently sits at around four people with Benjamin and Bephanie, managers, their father Kuan, a cook and their mother Irene. It may not be a big ship, but it sure is a tight one.

The four originally hail from Queens, New York, where they lived and worked at a restaurant before the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting restaurants around the country. When restrictions started lifting everywhere but the Big Apple, the Chia family packed their bags and moved to Rocky Top. They haven’t looked back since.

What started as a food truck rolling around Knoxville eventually budded into its own brick and mortar establishment back in May of 2023. With that can obviously come a lot of changes, most specifically in the location. Benjamin seems to enjoy the vibe of a college town.

“When we were looking at locations, we knew we wanted the foot traffic and just to kind of stake this as our niche,” Benjamin said. “We were sort of like ‘Oh, we, this would be great with all the students,’ because I know you all get tired of the cafeteria food. I’ve had bad food before. It gets old, so we looked at it from an angle of wanting to serve students.”

Aware of their audience, Hungry Sumo accommodates the hectic lifestyle of an undergraduate student perfectly. While delivery and takeout bring in the majority of their customers, all dishes are served out of to-go boxes with plasticware inside. Benjamin, a former Marine, takes pride in the efficiency Hungry Sumo runs on. More than that, he likes seeing that energy reciprocated.

“I love serving the students. The energy they bring is fantastic. It’s something I can relate to so I’ve really enjoyed that so far,” Benjamin said.

As for the food itself, Hungry Sumo has an eclectic menu. Dumplings, katsu, teriyaki and just about every other hibachi house staple can be found on the chalkboard above their register. Practically made right in front of you, the preparation almost looks like child’s play when anyone in the Chia family has a pair of steak knives in their hands. And if portion sizes were ever a worry, that can be put to ease with the help of a simple comment.

“We always over-serve on meat, always,” Benjamin said. “So when you look at the menu and it says you’re getting this amount of food, you’re probably getting more than that.”

As previously mentioned, the corner of the Fort that the Chia’s have staked out seemed to have some bad mojo coming in. Pie Hut, the building’s previous occupant, closed its doors after a little over a year of business. While still getting their feet under them, the Chias seem confident and determined not to let history decide their fate.

“I am hoping that more people realize that we’re here, especially since we know what happened to the last two restaurants,” Bephanie said. “So we don’t want people remembering us as that because we do care about the people and the food, and I think we do it better.”

Whether you’re bustling back to your apartment in between classes or need a quick bite after a Vols win, Hungry Sumo has got UT students and Fort Sanders residents covered. A soon-tobe staple of hearty food and good people, the Chias seem to be Knoxville’s newest set of familiar faces.

Kuan Wah Chia assists his family’s business as a cook, making hibachi meals with generous servings for college students. Parker Phegley / Contributor

Nestled between 13th Street and James Agee Street, the newest addition to the Fort Sanders neighborhood serves up dumplings, katsu, teriyaki and just about every other hibachi house staple. Parker Phegley / Contributor

serves generations of Volunteers

service,” Stewart said.

Gus’s Good Times Deli has been a part of the University of Tennessee community since it opened in 1981. It is located on Melrose Avenue near the Strip and has survived the recent remodel of the Strip and the closings and reopenings of many different restaurants in the same area over the past 42 years.

Because Gus’s has been around for so long, it has become a favorite of students over multiple generations. It has become an institution that is shared between parents and children—something passed along from Volunteer to Volunteer.

John Hatfield, a 1994 graduate of UT who studied agricultural economics, said Gus’s was one of the first stops on his unofficial tour of campus with his daughter during COVID. He has incredibly fond memories of Gus’s, with his favorite being his first.

“It was my second night on campus. My roommate and I had scored some beers from an older friend and had the late night munchies,” Hatfield said. “We sauntered down to Gus’s, and it was a life changing event. The best thing about Gus’s is that not much has changed – it’s an institution with great people and great food.”

His daughter, Anne Stewart, is a junior at UT studying supply chain management. Originally, she blew off Gus’s during her unofficial tour of campus, writing the restaurant off as just some place that her father loved. Since living in Massey Hall her freshman year, Stewart grew to appreciate Gus’s just like her father.

“What started as a place my father was super passionate about became somewhere reliable, where I knew I could always get good food and

Gus’s is especially popular on game days when there are Vols from the past, present and future roaming campus. There’s nothing like a win in Neyland Stadium followed by a sandwich from Gus’s. It is the true Volunteer experience.

Brad Hailey, who graduated from UT in 1988 with a degree in finance, says his favorite memories at Gus’s are the ones spent eating with his daughter following a football win.

“Olivia and I can share a non-academic college experience that has spanned forty years of existence,” Hailey said. “Gus’s is the only restaurant that still exists from my time at UT. My best memories of Gus’s are with Olivia when we’ve gone there after football victories.”

Though the good food and service that Gus’s provides is certainly a major part of its longevity on campus, the restaurant feels like a special place to many students because it’s something that is shared with those around them.

Olivia Hailey, Brad Hailey’s daughter, who is a senior studying public relations, feels like Gus’s is a huge part of her relationship with her father.

“My dad has taken me to Gus’s for years now and it feels like it’s our place,” Olivia said. “Whenever he’s on campus and we both have time, we’re absolutely going to Gus’s. My dad is my best friend and role model, so being able to go to this restaurant with him, that means so much to him, is a really special feeling.”

The decorations on Gus’s walls highlight the past and their love for their community – there are newspaper clippings, pieces of artwork and photographs that show the role that the restaurant has played in enriching the UT community. Gus’s loves the Volunteers and could potentially stick around for another 40 years, so the current UT students can buy a sandwich and share the love with the next generation.

Gus’s

ABBIE SMITH Staff Writer

A family enjoys burgers and fries at Gus’s Good Times Deli, a campus staple that has been popular for decades. Parker Phegley / Contributor

5 on-campus food trucks to try

At The Big Bad Taco Truck, they believe in tacos to start the day – or any time of day –and they believe they should be paired with their Cafe de Cuba, a unique blend of Cuban espresso with local coffee blends.

Week of 9/18/23 - 9/24/23

Chances are, if you go to the University of Tennessee, you have seen a food truck around campus at some point. They are here nearly every day and typically occupy a different corner of campus supplying delicious food for an army of hardworking students. Each food truck offers up their own unique cuisine. Below are five that have stood out so far during September.

Wholly Souled

This Black-owned, Memphis-style soul food joint serves up some of the best barbecue in town. Featured on their menu is everything from Memphis-style spare ribs to delicious traditional pulled pork. The highlights of the meal, and a must choose for everyone who patronizes Wholly Souled, are the smoked ribs and the loaded mac and cheese, which is served with a generous helping of Wholly Souled’s delicious pulled pork.

CJ’s Tacos

This award-winning food truck is a Knoxville staple and a must try for anyone on campus. Having lived in Knoxville since 2013, head chef and owner Chris Jones, or CJ, has been serving an array of his unique tacos for years. He describes his tacos as the perfect middle ground between hard and soft shell. The truck serves seven different types of tacos — all of which are bursting with flavor. The Korean BBQ Pork taco is a great choice for all the fusion lovers, and the Holy Potato features some truly unique toppings.

The Big Bad Taco Truck

The second taco truck to feature on this list, The Big Bad Taco Truck, may serve tacos, but they aren’t your typical tacos. No, these tacos are served with an emphasis on breakfast.

For anyone who ventures to start their day here, the Chorizo tacos and the Big Bad Breakfast Burrito are two great breakfast options.

King of Pops

Blurring the line between what is and isn’t a food truck, this charming frozen ice cart serves up sweet treats that are guaranteed to help you beat the September heat. Although the company sells frozen bars, their goal is to create what they describe as “Unexpected Moments of Happiness,” or UMOHs.

How do they do this? They do this by selling frozen treats using only the freshest, local ingredients and by interacting with the communities they operate in to promote good. King of Pops has created almost 500 flavors — some standouts being blueberry lemonade and chocolate sea salt. Stop by to find your own favorite flavor.

Penne For Your Thoughts

Rounding out the list is Penne For Your Thoughts, a contemporary Italian-American food truck. The restaurant is self-described as a reinvention of “the neighborhood eatery, to create a timeless fusion,” and thanks to their ever-roaming food truck, these funky flavors are available on campus.

Try the Naan of Your Business entree for a blend of Indian and Italian flavor served between two delicious naan, or try the Pastative Thinking for a pasta dish piled high with alfredo sauce, chicken and other tasty toppings.

Although the lineup is ever-changing, there are always food trucks serving up delicious dishes all around the University of Tennessee campus. Support your local businesses, and give some of them a try.

The Weekly Crossword

Margie E. Burke

Contributor

Volapalooza held in Circle Park with music, food trucks and more, April 21, 2023. Madelyn Stone / The Daily Beacon

Welcome to the Strip: CRAVE865’s unique take on food and fun

The Strip is welcoming a brand new restaurant to the campus family. CRAVE865, located at 2008 Cumberland Ave., is home to gourmet hot dogs, burgers, chicken, salads and more. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

CRAVE came to be when three lifelong friends, one from Knoxville and the other two from Los Angeles, came together to create a unique restaurant that mixes fast food speed with an upscale feel.

When walking in, you are greeted by the full bar as well as a dining area accompanied by an open kitchen where you can watch the cooks make your food.

There are six televisions mounted on the walls playing a variety of sports at all times and high quality speakers playing all kinds of music. Matt Carter, general manager of the location, says that CRAVE is meant to be a “chill environment” open to everyone, including students. CRAVE is also a great game day hangout location.

“We had a huge group of Vols fans in here watching the game … all in here singing along to songs and having a great time,” Carter said.

This included the fan favorite tune “Rocky Top,” of course.

In contrast to the many fried chicken locations available to students, CRAVE has a wide variety of menu items that not only include the staple fried chicken but many different options of other dishes as well.

CRAVE prides itself on its high quality and fast service.

“We’ve got big, bold flavors. Everything is fresh, and it’s really high-quality ingredients,” Carter said.

Dylan Starling, a cook for CRAVE, praised the menu as well.

“Everything on the menu is creative and fun,” Starling said. “The fry seasoning was probably the best I’ve had.”

These high-quality ingredients are also met with fast service. Carter mentioned that the dish that takes the longest to prepare is the chicken tender basket at only eight minutes. CRAVE’s entire menu takes under 10 minutes and is cooked to order. You place your order at the counter by the bar, gather the utensils next to it and then make your way to a table where you can watch the talented kitchen staff make the food.

Carter said the restaurant is student-

friendly and a great study spot during the day. There are USB ports located all over the restaurant, and it is described as a relaxed environment.

“Students need to study, so they can come hang out here,” Carter said. “They can come get a bite to eat and study.”

In addition to the daytime dining, CRAVE becomes the go-to nighttime outing. CRAVE865 Nightlife is every Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. The daytime restaurant transforms into a perfectly aesthetic mini club with a full bar that still serves a wide variety of foods compared to other night bars and clubs.

The tables at the front of the house by the bar get moved, the lights go down, dance lights come on and the stereos get cranked up with a DJ on site. According to Carter, there are currently three to four DJs on rotation. CRAVE Nightlife still serves a great array of food like burgers, dogs, fries, tots, nachos and more as well as their full bar menu.

CRAVE865 is the Strip’s brand new member with a huge variety of menu options. CRAVE has fast food speed with high quality ingredients and service as well as being study and student-friendly. When looking for an upscale night time hangout, CRAVE Nightlife is the spot. The restaurant seeks to stand out and be unique to Knoxville.

“Come try the food,” Carter said. “You’ll be a believer.”

ABIGAIL RIGGS

Contributor

CRAVE865’s “Holy Cow” burger comes with white American cheese, bacon, caramelized onion and garlic aioli. Courtesy of CRAVE865

Located at 2008 Cumberland Ave., CRAVE865 serves gourmet hot dogs, burgers, chicken, salads and more. Courtesy of CRAVE865

OPINION: The reality of Fall Family Weekend

friends? Would they approve of my choices?

CALIE WRONA Opinions Editor

As the autumn leaves begin to change colors and a crispness fills the air, college campuses across the country prepare to welcome a very special group of visitors: parents. Fall Family Weekend at the University of Tennessee is a time-honored tradition that holds profound significance for me and countless other students.

For most of the year, college students find themselves immersed in an environment vastly different from the comfort of their homes. It’s a realm where newfound independence and increased responsibilities take center stage.

We learn to navigate the complexities of class schedules, build friendships that morph into extended family and make decisions that sculpt us into the individuals we aspire to be. In the midst of this transformation, it’s easy to feel a sense of detachment from the lives we once led at home.

After leaving the nest, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. However, in the excitement of a curfew-free life, I unintentionally overlooked the importance of those I love most. Family Weekend reminds me of the financial, emotional and personal sacrifices my parents have made to help me chase my dreams.

For college seniors like me, this family weekend carries unique significance. It symbolizes the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from both students and parents. It’s a moment when I can proudly showcase my achievements and say, “Look how far I’ve come.”

I vividly recall my first Fall Family Weekend as a wide-eyed freshman in 2020. My parents, Doug and Cathie Wrona, were coming to visit and witness the new life I had been creating. Socializing and making friends was challenging due to the global pandemic, so their arrival brought both relief and joy, knowing that I would soon see familiar faces.

The days leading up to my parents’ arrival were a whirlwind of emotions, a mix of excitement and anxiety. I meticulously cleaned my dorm room, suddenly became acutely aware of my laundry situation and even contemplated reorganizing my class notes to prove I was a responsible adult. There’s always a desire to make them proud, to show them that I’ve got this whole “college thing” figured out, even though that was far from the truth.

When my parents finally arrived, a wave of relief washed over me on the steps of Hess Hall. I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that I would soon savor home-cooked meals, my favorite snacks and perhaps a few surprises from home. Yet, amid the excitement, a twinge of apprehension lingered. Would they like my

As we strolled around campus, I shared anecdotes about my favorite professors, pointed out the Starbucks where I’d spent countless afternoons studying and the serene spots where I found solace. After making my parents climb the steps of the Hill, we headed back to Hess Hall, my freshman year sanctuary.

Once inside my dorm room, my mom and dad inquired about the pictures on the walls, the books on my shelves and the stacks of laundry that I promised to address eventually. It was a glimpse into my world that bridged the gap between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Saying goodbye is always the hardest part for me. As my parents drove away, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing and homesickness. I was back to being an independent adult, but I also missed the familiarity and comfort of home. Every farewell these past three years has been a bittersweet moment.

Fall Family Weekend is an emotional rollercoaster. It’s a whirlwind of joy, homesickness, pride and nostalgia all rolled into one. These weekends teach me to cherish moments and make the most of the time I have with loved ones no matter how brief it may be.

Embrace these family weekends. They may stir a mix of emotions, but they also offer an opportunity to connect, learn and grow together. To the parents reading this, thank you for your unwavering support and those occasional home-cooked meals — they mean the world to us.

Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.

Calie Wrona is a senior at UT studying journalism and media. She can be reached at cwrona@vols.utk.edu

Doug and Cathie are in high spirits to attend the football game against Akron with their daughter during Fall Family Weekend 2022. Calie Wrona / The Daily Beacon

Family Ambassador program creates unlikely connections, prioritizes family units

BELLA HUGHES Managing Editor

When freshmen arrive on campus in the fall, they are beaming with joy about the new experience they are about to embark on. Incoming students have dreamt of move-in day since they got their acceptance letters, and just a few months later, they are here on Rocky Top. Not far behind the bright-eyed freshman is a proud parent watching the next chapter of their child’s life unfold.

Don’t lose your connection to home during your first sight of independence, you aren’t the only one going through a life change. Parents are too.

The Tennessee Family Ambassadors programis a group of parent volunteers who work through the Dean of Students to support parents from admission to graduation. Ambassadors volunteer at a series of signature events including Big Orange Welcome, Fall Family Weekend and Spring Family Reunion. Beyond attending signature events, family ambassadors participate in their students’ education and provide a sense of home for out-of-state students.

The Family Ambassadors program –housed in the Dean of Students – is designed to educate parents on ways to support their students from afar. If a family emergency or major life event occurs and a family cannot physically support the student, family ambassadors can collaborate with the Dean of Students to provide tools to remediate the situation.

Helicopters get a bad rep, but there is nothing wrong with being involved in your child’s life. Ambassadors are like detached helicopter parents – not overbearing but stay active for precaution. Passionate parents seek ways to give back to the schools that give so much to their students.

Cynthia Moore, a Family Ambassador from Mississippi was used to being an active member in a school community. She often donated to her son’s high school and hoped to do the same at UT. Moore donated to UT at the start of her son’s freshman year, and within a couple of weeks, she was connected to the Office of Advancement where she was encouraged to apply for the ambassador program.

“I was very intrigued because I don’t try to be a helicopter mom, but I am very invested in where Carter goes to school so it was my way to give my time to UT. I happily signed on,” Moore said.

Family engagement is underutilized. Many parents go four years without knowing they have access to a group of people experiencing similar life changes. Facebook groups and newsletters are virtual ways to stay involved, but ambassadors bring a per-

sonal component to staying connected.

Moore made an unlikely connection while tailgating at an Ole Miss game. In a random occurrence, she met the sister of a UT student, and the mother of the sibling duo happened to be in the same Facebook group as Moore.

Cynthia took to the Facebook group to share her story, and later that day the mother reached out to express her gratitude.

“This made my day. I was feeling lonesome, and to know that somebody saw my kid and was talking to them makes me feel better. It’s funny that I am a Family Ambassador for UT, but here I am at Ole Miss, and we have that UT connection. It carries over for all of us. We are trying to help each other through,” Moore said.

Julie Jones, a Family Ambassador from Georgia, worked as a faculty member for Mercer College of Nursing and recognized the ability to use her skills to a greater capacity. Her interest in helping students reach academic success led her to apply for the ambassador program.

“I thought ‘How do I get my student engaged? How do I help other families get their students engaged?’ Because really, when it comes down to it, for me, that’s sort of a critical factor right? In both their academic success and their personal development.”

The Family Ambassadors program has joined the Family Counsel – a select group of parents who shape programming and work alongside Family Engagement – to create an inclusive experience for parents.

The collaboration forged a new program called regional groups. Regional ambassadors across the nation will host prospective families in their hometowns. This is an intimate way for current families to promote UT to parents new to the college process.

Julie Jones is a returning ambassador and looks forward to connecting with families on a more intentional level by hosting prospective students and their families in her home.

“People can come to our home, and we can share our experience as parents and our daughter’s experience as a student. We try to get folks engaged and to have them feel welcome and to have them feel heard,” Jones said.

The Family Ambassador program is rooted in the why. Why do parents want to be involved in their kids’ lives? For many ambassadors, it extends a sense of familiarity only a family can provide.

Moore is fulfilling the wishes of her late husband who vowed to play an active role in their son’s schooling. By staying busy and putting her efforts toward her child, she is able to connect to her family unit.

“We always believed in wherever Carter was in school. We did and I still do whatever we can for that school,” Moore said. There is no love like that of a parent, and the Family Ambassador program demonstrates that. Ambassadors see the potential in their children and carry that same support to other students. By building connections between all parties, students will succeed.

“We are trying to find those places where families can connect. This leads to academic success for students because they have their family support after university support,” Jones said.

The Family Ambassador program works as a liaison between family and faculty. The program works to support prospective and current families to get engaged in their student’s college experience. Courtesy of Lindsay Davis

5 tips for how to navigate a Tennessee football game day

SAMUEL STRONG Contributor

Picture this: the referee blows the final whistle, the game ends, the fans cheer and the players celebrate. Despite the game being over, Neyland Stadium is still fully occupied by fans donned in orange and white, singing the iconic tune “Rocky Top”— a sight so beautiful it could bring a tear to a Volunteer fan’s eye.

Off the field though, many may wonder how they can experience such a wonderful day watching and celebrating the Tennessee football team. Here’s a guide to doing game day in Knoxville right.

Grab a bite to eat

There is no better way to get ready for a Tennessee football game than to grab a bite. So whether you choose to tailgate or hit the town, plenty of great options exist. Typically, those who intend on tailgating have their plans down pat. However, for those looking for a local restaurant, check out the Strip, Market Square and the downtown area for nearby local restaurants.

Arrive early

This aspect of the guide may be the most vital part of a successful game day. Be Early. Ev-

ery Tennessee football game draws thousands of people to the Knoxville area — not to mention the thousands of students already on campus. Needless to say, traffic and congestion will be chaotic. So, it is vital to have plenty of time to get to destinations and enjoy them.

Parking. Parking. Parking. If you are even slightly familiar with UT and its campus, then you likely know of the college’s immense parking crisis. Unless you already have a parking spot secured, it will take some search-

ing and planning for you to find a spot at a reasonable price. Try your luck just a few steps from campus at the public parking meters on Terrace Avenue, Lake Avenue, White Avenue, 16th Street, 13th Street and 19th Street for a game day cost of $25.

Many attendees park at garages downtown, in nearby church parking lots selling spots or in lots across the river. Do your research ahead of time to figure out how much money you want to spend and how early you’ll need to get there to ensure a spot.

Ronald McDonald House in Fort Sanders also tends to offer game day parking for $40 a spot, but all the money benefits the house which provides housing to families who need to stay near the hospital. While parking anywhere on game day is expensive — some lots charge more than $70 a spot — paying for a spot at Ronald McDonald House benefits a Knoxville charity.

See some sights

There are plenty of local sights for Volunteer fans to visit before the football game. Just a short walk from the stadium, on the edge of the Tennessee River, floats the Vol Navy. The Vol Navy is a unique tradition in Knoxville, where a diverse mix of multi-million dollar yachts, typical pontoon boats and old Jon boats tie up together. This spectacle can be quite the sight for anyone who loves Tennessee orange.

Get excited

Another incredible Volunteer tradition is the parading of the university’s Pride of the Southland Marching Band through campus as it makes its way to Neyland Stadium. This parade can be an excellent way for fans of all ages to get excited about the game. The band begins its march at the Haslam Music Building on Volunteer Boulevard and will march to the front of Neyland Stadium. The time of this event varies with game times, so check online for official information.

Tennessee football’s loss to Florida ‘better hurt’ as Vols look to bounce back

Tennessee committed 10 penalties for 79 yards. Five of those were false-start penalties. The number could have been even greater, but several were declined.

The little things become big things, and they end up resulting in the subpar performance that took place on Saturday night in Gainesville.

go. For our football team, and I said this, everyone sees the big picture of the small details is where this game has to be won and played. We have to get better at that.”

Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel could sense the disappointment in the locker room on Monday morning.

The Vols went to Gainesville, Florida, hoping to end their 20-year drought in The Swamp on Saturday, and they left Gainesville with a 29-16 loss. The frustration and disappointment was clear on Saturday night after the loss.

That same disappointment has carried over to Knoxville.

“The first thing is it better hurt and it better matter. You could see that from our players (Sunday) and (Monday),” Heupel said on Monday. “I think I said it earlier, at the same time, all those lessons have got to move forward, but you’ve also got to wash this one clean, you know what I mean? When our players come back later (Monday), we’ve got to move on to the next one. That’ll be really important for us as a staff and as a program.”

The loss from Saturday can be credited as much to Florida playing well as the Vols playing poorly. Self-inflicted mistakes plagued Tennessee for 60 minutes in The Swamp.

Mistakes snow-balled, and Tennessee had only run 22 plays at halftime, not to mention the defensive woes.

The Vols had Florida in third-down situations several times on Saturday, but it didn’t slow the Gators down much. Graham Mertz and Florida’s offense were able to convert 7-of-14 third downs.

“(Mertz) was able to get outside of the pocket to where we don’t put contain on it,” Heupel said. “We don’t match things on the backend, give up two routes on the sideline. When we’re sitting on a hard corner, we should be all over that. So a little bit of the run fits. Guys are not completely out of their gap, but their eyes are caught in the wrong spot for a split second. They’re a step, step and a half behind and you give up a vertical seam.”

The little things, like getting off the field on third down or staying behind the chains on offense due to penalties hindered the Vols moving forward.

There were also “self-inflicted wounds,” as Heupel called them. Many of those can be chalked up to communication issues or the visible confusion from the offense on the field.

“At the end of the day we have to find the solution to it,” Heupel said. “I told the players this today too. It’s not the big things. And those are big things, don’t get me wrong, but it’s the subtle details in everything we’re doing. Everybody can’t take their turn of being off. We’ve got to become a unit that plays 11 together all of the time. Defensively too, particularly in the first half. We’re fully capable and we need to take a step forward quickly.”

The issues from Week 1 and Week 2 persist for Heupel’s group. Offensive efficiency hasn’t looked good through the first three weeks. New issues arose during the loss to Florida.

Tackling became an issue. The Vols missed 11 tackles, and they often came at the most inopportune times. The road game woes and crowd noise got to the Vols.

Road games to Alabama and Kentucky still sit on Tennessee’s schedule. The issues must be solved, and Heupel believes they can be solved.

“The needle has moved on some of it,” Heupel said. “Some of it, from Week 2 to Week 3 , didn’t get cleaned up. We’ve gotta grow and

CALEB JARREAU Sports Editor

Head coach Josh Heupel instructs his players prior to a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon

Davy Crockett waves the flag during pregame festivities ahead of Tennessee’s matchup with Virginia. Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Edward Cruz / The Daily Beacon