JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 7, 2009 — 51社区 welcomed more than 500 student family members to Jackson for Family Weekend Oct. 2-3, a time of activities and events that showcase daily campus life.
Although there were a number of events planned for families, free time is also reserved for families and students to spend together.
鈥淚 think a lot of the weekend is stuff that we don鈥檛 do,鈥� said Joy Moore, director of student programs at Union. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just that we coordinate the opportunity to come.鈥�
Rachel Endel, a sophomore math major, invited her mother, Sarah Endel, from Minnesota for the weekend.
鈥淢ost of the time people would be freaking out because they have to study while their family is here,鈥� Endel said. 鈥淏ut for me it鈥檚 a positive because my mom is a math teacher, so I can ask her questions about my Calculus III homework and she actually knows what鈥檚 going on.鈥�
Endel鈥檚 mom said she usually talks to Rachel by e-mail or Skype when they work on homework, but this weekend it was refreshing to be with her in person.
鈥淚t鈥檚 different when you go to college,鈥� Rachel said. 鈥淭hings change and your time alone with one of your parents is really important.鈥�
Mark Krinsky, from Cleveland, Ohio, came in for the weekend to see his daughter, Elsie Krinsky, a freshman nursing major.
鈥淚 like the fact that now I know where (she) lives, and I can picture her room and I know where she goes to class. I know the campus,鈥� Krinsky said. 鈥淭hat was the exciting part for me.鈥�
The weekend was organized for activity but most of the parents wanted to meet the roommates and friends on their own time.
鈥淚t was about seeing their life here and what it鈥檚 like to be in the college scene at Union,鈥� Moore said
Sarah Endel said the weekend was a good experience.
鈥淚 enjoyed getting to see what her world is like and meeting people she talks about,鈥� Endel said about her daughter.
Rachel agreed.
鈥淲hen I am calling home or showing pictures they actually mean something because she can be like, 鈥極h yeah. I met these people.鈥欌�� Rachel said.
Dinner in the Carl Grant Events Center on Friday evening included a welcome from Kimberly Thornbury, Union's dean of students, and a musical presentation from the student vocal group Proclamation. Later, students were given the opportunity to attend Open Mic Night in Barefoots Joe, play games in the McAfee Commons and go bowling as a sibling outing. The night ended with a sibling sleepover.
Saturday, the annual President鈥檚 Brunch with President David S. Dockery was once again a highlight of the weekend, Moore said. Intramurals, Chi Omega鈥檚 Make-A-Wish BBQ Plate Fundraiser and a family swim time were also activities available throughout the day.
The night ended with the annual Sigma Alpha Iota All Sing. The overall winners for the small groups and large groups were the ladies of Chi Omega.
鈥淚t was a tremendous experience and I鈥檓 glad I attended,鈥� Krinsky said. 鈥淭he best part is that she is thrilled. She likes college. She likes her roommates. She likes everything about it. That, of course, makes me happy.鈥�