Southwestern Adventist University was proud to support and celebrate the incredible educators of the Texas Conference during the 2025 Refresh & Renew Educators' & Families Retreat at Kalahari Resorts & Convention in Round Rock, TX. It was a special time for teachers and their families to recharge, reflect, and reconnect before the new school year.

On Wednesday evening, SWAU hosted a fun and welcoming Dessert Social inside a rustic barn near the resort lawn. The space was filled with friendly conversation, smiles, and the sound of kids excitedly enjoying their ice cream cones. Everyone got to enjoy refreshing gelato, making it a sweet and relaxing break in the end of a such a warm day.

Our SWAU alumni teachers received an extra special surprise! There were personalized swag bags and custom-designed alumni T-shirts themed "Once a Knight, Always a Light", celebrating their continued impact as educators and proud SWAU graduates. Plus, they were entered into a raffle filled with teacher-friendly prizes like a mini fridge, laminator, air purifier, rolling cart, Bluetooth speaker, and label maker.

The evening kicked off with a welcome from President Ana Patterson, who greeted educators on behalf of Southwestern Adventist University, offering heartfelt words of encouragement and gratitude for their service and dedication.

As the sun set, guests made their way to the open lawn near the barn, where a movie capped off a perfect evening of rest, celebration, and community. We are honored to walk alongside our teachers, nurturing excellence and lighting the way forward. 

View the Flickr Album for more photos from this event.