Taylor University's first annual Heritage Weekend was held April 25-26, 2008 . The weekend consisted of Grandparents Day, a faculty chair installation, Taylathon bike races, the Heritage Program and the dedication of the Memorial Prayer Chapel.

A long-running tradition, Grandparents Day drew hundreds of grandparents of current Taylor students to campus for a day of special events, music, food and quality time with their grandchildren. During the day, the grandparents attended chapel and class, ate in the Hodson Dining Commons and enjoyed a concert.

The R. Philip Loy Endowed Faculty Chair in Political Science Installation celebrated the contributions of Professor Loy and Dr. Stephen Hoffmann, both faculty members in the political science department at Taylor. The Endowed Chair, filled by Hoffmann, was made possible by a gift from Taylor alumna Joan Gilkison '57 and her late husband Robert '57.

On Saturday, Taylathon men's and women's bike races were run on a sidewalk course through the center of campus. Both races were won by the senior class. The action then moved to the Rediger Chapel/Auditorium for a special Heritage Program celebrating the role and impact of prayer throughout the years at Taylor University.

Following the Heritage Program, an estimated 1,200 people attended the dedication of the Memorial Prayer Chapel. Construction on the facility began last year. The Chapel memorializes the lives of Taylor students Laurel Erb, Brad Larson, Betsy Smith and Laura Van Ryn, and Creative Dining Services staff member Monica Felver, who died in a highway accident on April 26, 2006. The Memorial Prayer Chapel is the first building in Taylor's history built for the exclusive purpose of prayer and also honors the memories of other members of the Taylor University community who have died during their time at Taylor.