As the last few seconds of the Syracuse football game ended, the crowd roared in excitement over the Syracuse win. This time was different that the other Syracuse wins; in addition to students high-fiving and cheering, moms, dads, brothers and sisters joined in the celebration as well.

This experience was possible through Syracuse University’s Family Weekend, which was this past weekend, from Friday through Sunday. The SU Parents Office organized the weekend and provided the families with registration, directions and other services.

“The effort made by the Parents Office really shows,” said Janice McElhone, a parent and 1982 alumnus, whose husband, Scott, was an alumnus of 1983. “There is a variety of activities; something for everyone.”

Many families attended the football game on Oct. 5 against Pittsburgh. There were an abundance of parents, siblings and students alike who tailgated, enjoyed a show on the Quad and cheered on the football team.

Different colleges also hosted events for families. The School of Information Studies had a Dean’s breakfast provided for the families. The Renee Crown University Honors Program provided an open house on Friday that lasted from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Pictures of the different families were posted on SU’s Facebook page.

Even the dorms had activities planned. Watson Hall set up a breakfast in the lounge that lasted from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday. The breakfast included cookies, muffins, coffee, juice and cider, along with other treats. Watson Hall residents made a tree for which family members could write different encouragements on oranges and staple them to the tree.

Some families were very involved with the activities and some were there merely to enjoy the time with their children and see them in their collegiate element.

“We cooked breakfast and dinner together at her apartment with a few of her friends,” said McElhone of her daughter Janine, a junior in the iSchool. “We watched her perform with her a cappella group — Groovestand — and walked through some of the buildings on campus where she has classes.”

Many families also took to Marshall Street, enjoying the different food options and stores.

Family Weekend was not just an opportunity for families to come, but it was also a chance for alumni to reconnect with the campus. Many of them reconnected through various organizations such as fraternities or sororities, different academic groups and musical ensembles.

“I was very involved in SU when I was in school,” said Jeffrey Linowes, an SU parent and alumnus. “I was in the marching band, concert band, president of the business school, president of my fraternity and gave tours to prospective incoming freshmen. We did see several alumni I went to school with whose kids go to SU now.”

Overall, many families were happy with the success of the weekend and were, of course, more than pleased to see their children.

Said McElhone: “As a parent, I love to see my daughter in her SU environment and being a part of her world for a few days.”

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Published on October 7, 2012 at 11:17 pm

Contact Claire: [email protected] | @ClaireDunderman