This weekend, the University will welcome visiting parents and family members for its annual Family Weekend. The three-day event organized by the Office of Orientation & New Student Programs will feature around 100 events.
Tabitha Enoch, director of the Office of Orientation & New Student Programs, said while Family Weekend is traditionally well-attended, she expects more families will come and stay for a longer time this year because of Thursday evening's nationally televised football game.
One of the first major events of the weekend, Fall Convocation, will take place at 2 p.m. Friday at University Hall. University President John T. Casteen, III will present the Thomas Jefferson Faculty Award and will also present various awards to third-year students. William B. Harvey, vice president and chief officer for diversity and equity, will be the keynote speaker.
"The message is about trying to find a way to establish some important aspects of your own life and tie them to a larger commitment to the general wellbeing of society," Harvey said.
After convocation, members of the class of 2008 will receive their University rings at the annual ring ceremony.
Friday evening, beginning at 7:30 p.m., the University Guides Service will be providing candlelight tours of the Lawn.
According to University Guides diversity Chair Maggie Byrne, fourth-year guides will give "their version of a historical tour in period dress." The tours, she mentioned, will be more "story-based," in order for guides to give an added "personal twist."
Saturday's events include Culturefest, presented by the University Program Board, which is an annual program featuring over 25 diverse student groups.
UPC performing arts Chair Natasha Vaynblat said Culturefest aims to "foster a sense of diversity" at the University.
Vaynblat described the event, which will include a performance and fashion show as well as a food exhibition, as "an international bazaar of performance, clothing and dining."
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