Family Weekend kicks off on Friday to Sunday with several planned events on campus.
Family Weekend is this weekend and there are plenty of activities for students and parents to participate in. Director of the Center for Student Involvement Cori Jackson said the Center for Student Involvement generally plan Family Weekend four weeks into the semester.
“Three to four weeks into the semester, students are settling in their new routines and it just seems like a good time to reconnect,” Jackson said.
She said they typically host family weekend during September because most students go home for Columbus Day break.
“For a lot of students, it’s the first time they’re seeing their families, especially new students, since they’ve come to campus,” she said. “We plan some activities, but they’re not planned to the minute.”
Jackson said she knows some students prefer to go out to eat or go to the mall. She said they give plenty of time so students can do whatever they feel like with their family.
“Many of the activities on that schedule, students are welcome to take advantage of even if their family isn’t here,” Jackson said. “That’s one thing we want to stress.”
The welcome reception will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Winkel Sculpture Court in Myers. Families are invited to join College President John Ettling and members of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society at this welcoming reception.
Immediately after the reception, families can attend the Gospel Choir Performance at 6:30 p.m. in the Amite Plaza of the Angell College Center. Jackson said she would highly recommend going to the performance. The group will be performing a selection of energetic and inspiring tunes, according to the PSUC press release. Following the event is a bingo night in the Flynt Commons of the ACC.
Saturday, the Inter-Sorority Association will be holding a free pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Algonquin Dining Hall.
Senior communications and disorder sciences major and president of the Inter- Sorority Association Hannah Quick encourages parents and students to attend because all donations go toward St. Jude’s Hospital.
“It’s a great way for freshmen and their parents to get to know Inter-Sorority Association, and what we do,” she said.
Quick said the association has delegates and volunteers to help cook the food, set up chairs and clean up after from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. She said many members from different sororities volunteer their time and that it should be a fun event to put on.
“It’s more than pancakes. There’s waffles, bacon, eggs, coffee, tea and so much. It’s free food, so why not?” she said.
Following the pancake breakfast, there will also be a women’s soccer game against Potsdam. Junior health and fitness major and soccer goalie Taylor Adams said it should be an “awesome” game. She said she’s glad that the game will be home this time around because her parents will be able to attend and cheer her on.
“It’s been pretty good and we’ve been practicing,” she said. “For the past couple years, we’ve been away at Family Weekend, but this year it’s here.”
She said during her freshman year, she liked Family Weekend. She said her family participated in the pancake breakfast, and then her family visited Burlington.
“It was really nice. I missed them, so when I got to see them, it was great,” she said. “It’s also great to bring your parents to all the restaurants, especially downtown.”
Later that night, 176 Keys will be performing dueling pianos at 8 p.m. in the ACC ballrooms. There will be complimentary dessert.
“Basically, there are two piano players, and they just go back and forth for two hours. They take requests,” Jackson said. “It’s interactive with the audience. It’s super high-energy and it’s a free show.”
Jackson said families can come visit anytime.
“Again, there are some things we plan for first-year students. It’s kind of a good excuse for families to come,” she said.
Email Kavita Singh at fuse@cardinalpointsonline.com
