Family day: a 'chance to connect'
Annual family weekend offers magic, music, family and food
Cortney Wimsatt
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Front Page
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Organizers paired with the Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS) to bring the star to campus and are planning on a large crowd.
"I think Mike Super will be great, and this is a fairly big event now that he won the show," Travis Smith, program coordinator, said.
Only 200 free tickets are available for families. PSU students can go for free, but organizers do say that there are some free tickets still available at the PSU ticket office.
Saturday packs the most events, beginning with the Student Health Center's 5K Fun Run/Walk at 8 a.m.
Freshmen Parents' Session at 9 a.m. in Russ Hall will give an opportunity to parents to ask questions from a panel of people from student housing, campus police and other administrations.
"This will be a chance to kind of clear the air and answer any questions that they have thought of over the first month of school," said Smith.
A free President's Brunch will begin at 10 a.m., also in Russ Hall. Attending will be academic deans, vice presidents, and PSU President Tom Bryant. Door prizes and giveaways will also be handed out to attendees.
Program coordinator Travis Smith calls the brunch one of the weekend's "signature" events.
"It's just a really good chance to connect with all the parents and students in a relaxed atmosphere," Smith said.
PSU's campus will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for families to see their students' classrooms. Campus tours will also be available until noon for a guided view.
The GPS scavenger hunt in the Oval will start at 11:30 a.m. This event is geared more for kids, with a magic show at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
"We have a lot of alumni who have children, so we want to make sure the younger kids have fun, too," said Smith.
GorillaFest will begin at 3 p.m. with live music from the Duling Family, kids' games and food vendors. An Alumni and Friends Tailgate will also begin at 4 p.m. for families that want to tailgate with PSU alumni.
All the tailgating will lead up to PSU's first home game of the season, against Missouri Southern.
During halftime, the 2008 Honorary Family Award will be given out to a family nominated by their PSU student. Winners will receive hotel accommodations, special seating at the game and the President's Brunch, a commemorative plaque and a family photo.
Planners say this year is special because the family will be interviewed on the new Jungletron.
Family Weekend also coincides with Pittsburg's Paint the Town Red.
With more than 10 events planned for Family Weekend and the first football game of the season, coordinators urge out-of-town visitors to reserve their hotel rooms early.
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