Parents and Families Weekend 2016 filled with memorable moments

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An estimated 13,300 parents, families and students enjoyed Penn State University Park’s annual Parents & Families Weekend held in October. The Penn State Parents Program coordinated the weekend that included an array of family events for students and their parents, siblings and other family members. Penn State families also had opportunities to connect with other families.

The weekend featured more than 100 scheduled events over three days, Oct. 14-16. Events ranged from formal addresses to college open houses to a visit by the Nittany Lion to musical entertainment, several of which sold out.

“Parents and Families Weekend provides a great opportunity for families to reconnect with their student and see Penn State through their eyes," said Cynthia Hill, director of the Parents Program, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs. "Our registration numbers were the largest in years and we sincerely hope that families and students enjoyed the weekend.”

One of Saturday’s most popular events was the Penn State Welcome for Parents and Families. Keynote speakers Rob Pangborn, vice president and dean for Undergraduate Education, and Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, greeted parents and families. Student a capella group Shades of Blue performed at the welcome and the Nittany Lion made a special appearance.

Campus Bus Tours, the Beaver Stadium Tours, and the Pumpkin Festival at the Arboretum at Penn State were some of the other more popular events. Families enjoyed the photo booth in the HUB-Robeson Center and photos at the Nittany Lion Shrine. Many families cheered on the men’s soccer team to an overtime victory on Saturday night.

The Parents Program is continually striving to make Parents & Families Weekend enjoyable and meaningful for all of those who attend. It is in that spirit that the Parents Program invites those who attended to take 10 minutes to complete this year’s survey. It is accessible through the Penn State Parents Program website, or click https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_57Ic9ZHS60b82ep.