As the fatigued University community worked through midterm exams, students were able to partake in an abundance of activities with their families during Family Weekend held from Friday to Sunday. Activities ranged from self-guided tours, such as at the Harrison Institute and Small Special Collections Library, to meeting with staff of different departments and schools within the University.
Family Weekend allowed parents and students to get together to commemorate the students’ accomplishments and see how they were accommodating to life in college, as well as learn more about the available resources and diversity of life on Grounds.
First-year College student Charlotte Krilla said Family Weekend allowed her to display her adjustment to University life to her parents.
“My parents hadn’t visited me since move-in, back when I had no routine and little certainty of the future,” Krilla said. “Family Weekend gave me the opportunity to show off the growth and routine I had created for myself since move-in and it was nice to be reminded of home with their presence.”
On Friday, open houses provided information about different departments and schools within the University and on and off-Grounds housing information sessions were held.
Students and families were also able to partake in events directed by many organizations on Grounds, such as Cavalier Marching Band’s dress rehearsal and Family Weekend Choral Showcase.
The Cavalier Marching Band welcomed everyone to go to Carr’s Hill Field to attend its rehearsal for the halftime show from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There were also musical performances presented by student groups at the University, including the University Singers, Chamber Singers, Virginia Glee Club and Virginia Women’s Chorus from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Inga Hurst, mother of second-year graduate student Christopher Hurst, said she had a positive experience at the Family Weekend.
“This is my last one and I'm sad I didn't get to go during COVID,” Hurst said.
Besides the myriad of activities happening during the three-day Family Weekend, The Great Rotumpkin also took place at the Rotunda from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Nick Lund, father of first-year College student Annamaria Lund, said they found the event to be efficient and delightful, as parents and students were able to see each other after an exhausting half-semester and enjoy the festivity of the Halloween season brought to them on Grounds.
“[We] [were] just walking [around] the campus and just all the activity, you know, in that there's something going on in each place,” Lund said. “Things are really active, and it's inviting.”
Edgar Allan Poe’s room on West Range was open to all, and visitors could join Raven Society to learn more about Poe’s time as a student at the University from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The open house allowed guests to study Poe’s room in its pristine condition, and the Raven Society presented facts and knowledge about Poe’s history when he was studying at the University.
Nikki Parkerson, mother of first-year College student Ainsley Parkerson, said she found Family Weekend to be a fantastic event for families and their students to be together after a long and exhausting half-semester.
“We haven't seen our daughter in a few weeks, so it's always good to see her and see how she's acclimating to university,” Parkerson said.
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