We are family: Parents, relatives spend a weekend on campus
Family Weekend: A family poses for a photo together. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Family Weekend: A family enjoys one of the weekend's performances together. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Family Weekend: Families line up for lunch in the Wren Yard. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Family Weekend: A family tours the ISC's greenhouse. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
With parents and families teeming across the William & Mary campus, Family Weekend was ushered in with autumnal bliss, a change from the overwhelming heat and torrential downpours of recent weeks.
The packed weekend offered several fun and interactive events for families and students, occurring just over a month after new W&M students started at the university.
“The weather was perfect for the weekend and allowed us to soak in all the natural beauty of the campus that’s tucked right in the heart of Williamsburg,” said Bill Jones, father of Meg Jones ’22.
His daughter commented on the joy of seeing her parents, especially since they are not as readily available to see her as often as her friends from Virginia.
“As an out-of-state student, it was really great to get to see my parents,” she said. Even though Meg Jones, who is from Pennsylvania, recently saw her parents during Hurricane Florence evacuation, she was excited to see them again. “I was so happy to that I could have them down here at my new home and that there were so many activities for us to enjoy together.”
Some of those activities included tours of the Wren Building and green house, salsa dance lessons, a study abroad fair, lantern tours of the campus during the evening, and an a cappella showcase, among many more.
Jones, who is a member of Passing Notes, one of the all-women a cappella groups on campus, was excited to show her parents the hard work she and her group have put in over the last month. Her parents spoke highly of the concert.
“Our favorite part of the weekend was ‘William & Mary Sings,” said Meg Jones’s mom, Lori Jones. “Every group was amazing!”
The Jones family also took part in the lantern tour of historic campus, saying it added to their perspective of the history of the campus.
“We were impressed with the historical knowledge of our tour guide in the Wren Building for the lantern tour,” said Lori Jones.
In addition to the many festivities, both musical and academic, a highlight of the weekend included a speech given by Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress, who received an honorary degree from W&M last year. Hayden is the first woman and first African American to be appointed to the position. An inspiring speaker for Family Weekend, her words on the importance of the library sciences, asking important questions that demand answers, and more touched many of those in the audience.
After a weekend packed to the brim of many activities highlighting the students, the campus and surrounding community, many families leave in awe of the energy of William & Mary.
“I thought it was an enjoyable weekend and gave us plenty of opportunities to learn about the many aspects of being part of the Tribe,” said Bill Jones.
Asked if he had any suggestions for the weekend, Bill Jones joked, “If you could move it a few hours closer to Pittsburgh, I’d really appreciate the reduction in travel time.”
While moving the campus would be a feat in and of itself, counting on Family Weekend to unite families and celebrate the fall semester will always be a guarantee.
