Student Success Center | Photo by Monica Brutto | The Wright State Guardian
In a first since the COVID-19 pandemic, Wright State University will host an event-packed family weekend for students to connect with peers and families.
Purpose
On Sept. 23-25, various organizations and offices on campus will hold events for students and families to enjoy. All are welcome during this family-friendly weekend.
Associate Director of Student Involvement and Leadership Debra “Debbie” Lamp elaborated on the event stipulations.
“It’s also for students. If your family can’t come, maybe they’re too far away. Maybe they already have other things to do. Maybe there’s just one event that you want to attend and your family doesn’t want to come, that’s okay. We know that families are made up of lots of different ways,” Lamp said.
According to Lamp, Family Weekend also fills the gap left after moving Homecoming Weekend from fall to January.
The Student Involvement and Leadership Office has also taken a new role of responsibility for the event planning.
“I don’t know when the last [Family Weekend] happened. Traditionally, Residence Life and Housing has done it, but I know definitely for the last two years during the pandemic, it hasn’t happened and our office hasn’t really been much involved,” Lamp said
Friday events
According to the Family Weekend website, the first event is “Explore the Galleries” from noon to 4 p.m., when the Robert and Elaine Stein Galleries will host a self-guided tour.
Later on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Dunbar Library and Tabletop Club will host a game night to win various prizes, including OktoberFest tickets.
“One of the things we’ve heard from students, including the Student Advisory Board, was that they would love to have more game nights, and so when Student Involvement and Leadership suggested that they were looking for ideas for Family Weekend, we thought that that would be a good opportunity to bring families together and play games,” Associate Librarian Mandy Shannon said.
After attending Game Night, students can stop at the Movie On The Quad hosted by the Residential Community Association and Miracle Makers, who will provide snacks during the 8 p.m. showing of the movie ‘Lightyear.’
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the families come together and just seeing the community coming together,” Vice President of RCA Matthew Correll said.
The last event of Friday is the 8 p.m. performance of ‘The Mousetrap’ at the Creative Arts Center. Students can purchase tickets on the Liberal Arts website.
Saturday events
Between 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. is the Family Weekend check-in and welcome by Provost Amy Thompson and Dean of Students Chris Taylor. There is another opportunity to “Explore the Galleries” from noon to 4 p.m.
From 10:30 a.m. to noon are the ‘Classes Without Quizzes’ educational sessions through Aviation and Wright State, Turn Up the Radio, Respect Your Money, Put Your Career in the Driver’s Seat and Hike the Woods.
After a Lunch Break at noon there are the options of Live Latin Music and Dominoes, Outdoor Games and kayaking.
After the 6 p.m dinner, families have the option of watching a men’s soccer game or a performance of ‘The Mousetrap.’ This production is also at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, including registration access, visit the official weekend website.
