The University of Toledo Alumni Association established Parents & Family Day in 1984 in an attempt to bring families closer together after not seeing their student for over a month. Since then more than 10 UT departments have put their resources together to make this event bigger and better every year. Parents & Family Day has been expanded to a weekend and is now called Parents and Family Weekend. The weekend is an opportunity for the parents, relatives, and friends of UT students to come and participate in family bonding experiences that will bring everyone closer together. The Parents and Family Weekend committee organizes a weekend full of fun filled activities which include but not limited to a tailgate cookout and tickets to the home Football game. Parents enjoy seeing the lively campus and city in which their child now resides and will continue to grow for years to come. This event is truly a family experience that can’t be missed.
Parents and Family Weekend '08, "UT: A Family Affair" was held on October 24-26. Over 900 family and friends attended this family fun event and participated in a "Family Feud" competition on Friday evening following a welcome reception and the enjoyable music of UT student, Aaron Collins. Saturday morning events were kicked off with a welcome speech by UT President, Lloyd Jacobs, and basketball program updates by the newest members of the UT family, Gene Cross, men's basketball coach, and Tricia Cullop, women's basketball coach. The UT Bookstore highlighted UT students, family and staff members in a style show of fashions available for purchase. Faculty members provided informative and fun lectures to the guests attending. Many thanks to Bernie Bopp who presented a program on "Physics, Music and Sound" and Thomas Atwood who presented "Exploring the Internet Beyond Google". Families, friends and students attended the UT/Central Michigan football game which was the highlight of the day. Unfortunately, the Rockets didn't win the game. The evening ended with a chicken dinner, casino games, carnival games, a caricature artist, a coffee bar and music provided by John Ackerman, a UT student.
Evaluations following the event were positive and guests were extremely pleased with the events scheduled for the weekend. Comments included :
§ The events covered a variety of age interests and we could all participate
§ Tailgating and the football game were extremely fun.
§ Musicians at Rocky’s Lounge, coffee and “fixings” there were great
§ We liked the fact that Dr. Jacobs was walking around greeting visitors. It was a very welcoming atmosphere.
§ Walking the campus, the football game, spending time with our son in his dorm room, taking him out to breakfast, shopping, and our hotel.
§ We especially loved the Family Feud Game
§ The event was very well planned out. Looking forward to next year.
§ Very enjoyable
We are looking forward to seeing you at Parents and Family Weekend 2009!