by Brooke Wolfe, Staff Writer
Families were welcomed to Pacific Lutheran University last weekend with three days full of events. Activities started Friday evening with an Associated Students of PLU Bingo Night and ran until family weekend worship Sunday afternoon.
Lutes’ parents and extended families came dressed in black and gold to support PLU students. More than 150 families came to support PLU for family weekend. Compared to last year, many more families came to support their PLU student, each event was about full.
Family weekend was planned by students and faculty and each event had a purpose.
“Over the summer the planning started,” said Nolan Ryan, the assistant director of alumni and constituent relations. “There is a committee of students from all over campus to get student input.”
Early Saturday morning kicked off the weekend’s festivities with the Lute Brunch. PLU President Thomas Krise and ASPLU President Sarah Smith greeted everyone, and families were encouraged to socialize. After brunch concluded, students led the way to a variety of different events on and off campus.
“We wanted to see what Gavin [our son] has been doing,” Renee Jackson, first-year Gavin Jackson’s mother, said. “This weekend is a free welcome to see your student.”
The families were taken on tours, introduced to their Lutes’ friends and taken on the necessary grocery and Target trips.
The PLU vs. Whitworth football game attracted many Lutes and their families. The game gave students an opportunity to show their families PLU’s school spirit. Spirits were especially high since PLU walked away with a 41-27 win over the Pirates.
Families that decided to stay on-campus during the football game were invited to attend the Thor Heyerdahl Film Festival in the Scandinavian Cultural Center. Seats were filled as the event cycled through two films and one lecture.
“[The weekend] has been very welcoming,” Kim Mair, first-year David Mair’s mother, said. “I have had the chance to visit my son and see what he is involved in.”
One of the more memorable events was the Matt Baker Comedy and Stunt Show followed by the Residence Hall Association Carnival. Saturday night gave Lute families the chance to bond over laughs and suspense. Baker put on a show for the parents and students with jokes and tricks.
After Baker’s show, Lutes and their families could take a short walk over to the Anderson University Center to take part in the RHA carnival. The carnival provided cotton candy and caramel corn along with games, which left students juggling their many prizes from the night.
After another night with their students and a Sunday brunch, family weekend was over and families headed home. Family weekend was a success and some parents will be coming back for another family weekend next year.
Karla Myers, mother of sophomore Kari Lundgren said she is absolutely coming back next year. “[The students] need mid-semester hugs and pep talks for encouragement!” Myers said.
