Last weekend, AU hosted its annual Family Weekend. The goal of the weekend is for families to learn what living on campus at AU is like, have the opportunity to meet their kids’ RAs and RDs and attend a slew of events taking place on campus.
We always try to target a weekend that has a lot going on on campus,” said Trent Palmer, director of student engagements. “We find it works best on a weekend where there’s already a good amount going on around campus to encourage good participation for the various campus entities holding events and activities.”
On Friday night, CAB partnered with the Cultural Resource Center to do the Dance Through the Ages event. It was held in the Reardon lobby and featured a photo booth and had four different tables that were decorated in different themed decades: the 20s, 50s, 60s and 80s.
Meg Fields, a member of CAB, said, “Though it didn’t necessarily go overly well for us as a CAB event, I think that it was something great for the CRC.”
“They were able to teach some dances and sell tickets to their international dinner. They gave away tickets for the best dress competition,” she said. “I think that everyone that came had a great time dancing, eating and just conversing.”
Some of the various events included the AU football game in the afternoon, the International Dinner that took place at Park Place Church of God and Late Night with Adelphi at Mocha Joe’s at 9 p.m. Families were encouraged to attend a local church on Sunday and then have lunch at the Marketplace.
Palmer offered this statement on the weekend: “Family Weekend 2016 offered a variety of enjoyable and educational opportunities for families and students alike to engage in together.”
“All components of the weekend went well, but highlights would have had to been a picture-perfect afternoon on Saturday to watch our AU football team compete gallantly against Franklin, and to cap the night off with the delicious smells, tastes, and sounds of the International Dinner left our loved ones appreciating the many great experiences our campus community has to come together and enjoy one another.”
“I was impressed with how well families adapted and dove in to AU student culture throughout the weekend and felt all left with a sense of belonging to the institution and a greater appreciation for their students’ holistic development as a Raven!”