Family Weekend

Each year, students leave their families and friends behind and travel the distance, whether it’s 20 minutes or four hours, to receive a higher education. Pictures posted on Facebook and the occasional FaceTime call with Mom don’t really capture the full picture of your college experience. That’s why the University of Toledo created Family Weekend, the perfect time to show off your college and all it has to offer.

The UT’s Family Weekend happened Friday, Sept. 16 to Sunday, Sept. 18 and was a weekend full of interesting things to do for UT families.

Kelley Webb, the graduate assistant of programming for the Office of Student Involvement, said there were plenty of things for students and their families to do last weekend. From pizza and a magic show on Friday night, to tailgating for the football game on Saturday, the weekend promised to be a memorable one.

UT’s Family Weekend isn’t as much about the fun and games as it is about doing those activities while spending quality time with family.

“Family Weekend is a great time for families to come to campus, visit their children and spend some fun-filled family time,” said Evita Parks, program manager for the Office of Student Involvement.

Parks said that this year is all about making new traditions, ones that have not been done in previous years.

“We have added a magic and comedy show on Friday night with a dinner on the lawn and a residence hall tour with an ice cream social,” Parks said. “For Saturday, we are working to make our tailgate even more entertaining. There will be face painting, balloon art and family photos.”

In addition, there was be a recognition for one of the Rocket families that attends and shows the best qualities families can have.

“We created an award called the Exceptional Rocket Family Award,” Parks said. “It is given to a family who exemplifies excellent service to their community, family sacrifice, support for each other, and Rocket pride. We believe that the family that will receive the first ever Exceptional Rocket Family Award is more than deserving and is a great way to start off a new tradition.”

This year’s Exceptional Rocket Family award was given to the Hermes family, which included special seating and recognition at the football game, a complimentary family registration and a prize pack.