Annual event brings parents closer to the campus lives of their college student
By Katie Schleiss
Junior Parents Weekend is more than parents dropping in to say "hello" to their children for a weekend. Many parents don't have the opportunity to see what day-to-day life is like for their children, and Junior Parents Weekend gives them just this opportunity.
Junior Aundrea Roberts said that this event helped her mother feel more connected to the campus. Junior year can a difficult time for many students because students begin thinking about their futures and where they plan on going with the rest of their lives, Roberts said.
"I think it's difficult a lot of the time for parents to try to envision everything that's going on, the classes, the people, the campus and just everything about being in college," Roberts said. "I think it really helped her not only feel connected to the campus, but also to my new life that I've been creating here in Portland."
Junior Parents Weekend was Feb. 19 to 21 and included many events for both students and their visiting parents.
Friday night included a social for families and nominated faculty members. The entertainment was Craig Karges, an illusionist.
Saturday morning included an informational session on planning for life after graduation, which included representatives from Career Services and the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership.
English professor John Orr spoke about advising students in applying for fellowships and grants, followed by the President's Luncheon. Families were also able to receive complementary tickets to the basketball game and another social event, a coffee house, was held on Saturday night. Sunday included Mass and brunch.
Assistant Director of Student Activities Bethany Sills said that Junior Parents Weekend is time to celebrate junior year, which is a time where UP has truly become a home for many students.
"Parents usually come on campus during a student's freshman year and then again when they graduate," Sills said. "It's a time where parents get to know the UP campus again."
Director of Student Activities Jeromy Koffler said Junior Parents Weekend creates an opportunity for juniors to host their families and introduce them to life here at UP.
Events are planned to allow students and their parents to mingle, have fun together and enjoy the campus.
"They attend fun events with their son or daughter, meet their student's favorite faculty at the Opening Social, and meet President Beauchamp at the President's Luncheon," Sills said.
Junior Jennifer Pesut said that Junior Parents Weekend is a great time to get families together, especially those families that don't live very close to campus.
"It's a great excuse, if you will, for parents and families to come to campus and see students' new homes," Pesut said.
Junior Julia Marsh is from Seattle and her parents haven't had the chance to come and visit for very long until now. She said that it was nice to have a whole weekend just to hang out with her parents and to show them around.
"It's my first year living off campus, so it was nice for my parents to finally meet my roommates and their families," Marsh said.
"As freshman, you are kind of looking to get away from your parents, and be on your own. But, I feel like as a junior, living on your own, you find this new appreciation for your parents."
Marsh said that she went to the basketball game and the mentalist, who she described as a mix between a mind reader and a magician.
Roberts said that her mom, younger brother and sister came out for Junior Parents Weekend and said that all three of them enjoyed it. She added that her mom really enjoyed getting the chance to meet some of her friends, whom she hears so much about, and their parents as well.
"It was such a nice break from the lull of school and homework and it was a lot of fun to let my family experience the life I'm living now," Roberts said.
"I also thought it was especially nice that it was in mid February because this time of year can be pretty dreary, usually, and schoolwork can seem overwhelming, but it's nothing a little bit of family time can't fix."
Junior Colin Dorwart said that Junior Parents Weekend was founded to be a way for student's parents to see their son or daughter's progress after they were first dropped off.
"Why only come to campus at orientation and at graduation?" Dorwart said. "This is a way to look at what's happened since, and not just at those two times."
