Each fall, Family Weekend allows students to reconnect with their families and share campus life with them.
| Contributed by Josh Greene |
The weekend has been an annual tradition at Sacred Heart for 35 years, according to Katie Morovich, director of Student Involvement and First Year Programs.
“We center the events around crowd favorites and school spirit, bingo being one of them where we offer three sessions and the home football schedule,” said Morovich. “From there we collaborate with different areas to create a schedule.”
Events throughout the weekend included but were not limited to bingo, a Parents and Family Council meeting, a dance showcase, a choir concert and a football game. The weekend was scheduled to conclude with Mass at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
However, rain and strong winds from the nor’easter that hit Conn. hardest on Sept. 26 forced organizers to adjust several planned activities throughout the weekend.
“We made several adjustments to the weekend schedule to keep as many events running as possible while prioritizing safety, the only event truly canceled was the Tent Tailgate due to the excessive winds,” said Morovich.
Despite the changes, students and their families still enjoyed the weekend.
“My family came to campus because they were excited to attend the EZ Street Band concert,” said junior Luca Tedesco. “Despite the rain and a lot of the on-campus activities being cancelled, there was still a lot to do. We had a really good time”
For first-year students, Family Weekend gives them the opportunity to showcase SHU to their families.
“The football game was my favorite event of family weekend, because I got to see our team win,” said freshman Anthony Gerardi.
Strengthening the connection between the university community and families is the goal of every Family Weekend, according to Morovich.
“It gives families an opportunity to spend meaningful time with their students while experiencing the vibrant campus community, traditions, programs and activities that make up the SHU experience,” said Morovich.
The weekend is families’ opportunity to relive their college experience or to experience college for the first time alongside their students.
“A lot of SHU students can’t wait to go home to see family and friends, Family Weekend is an opportunity for the inverse to happen, parents and siblings come up to see what college life is like for a weekend,” said Tedesco.
