September 27, 2023

Families reunite during Family Weekend

Families joined their students for a weekend of festivities and fun as they met fellow Pards and celebrated ‘Fall for Lafayette’

By Jill Spotz

Rainy skies did not preclude more than 1,990 students and their family members from reuniting on the Hill for this year’s Family Weekend, Sept. 22-24. Historically organized by a student-led committee; this year’s co-chairs, Linn Carbaugh ’25 and Michala Dennis ’24, curated a fun weekend comprising new events like Painting with a Twist and Pard Talks, and long-honored traditions such as a pre-game tailgate, campus tours, showcase of student performances, 19th annual Pre-Game Block pARTy showcasing the arts, and more. Families also had the opportunity to visit multiple educational and athletic events, and explore the local community.

Popular (and sold-out) events included a tour of Kirby family buildings on campus: Kirby Hall of Civil Rights, Kirby House, and a private Kirby office in Van Wickle Hall. The Kirby legacy at Lafayette was initiated by a parent benefactor, Fred Morgan Kirby Sr., whose financial success is linked to the F.W. Woolworth chain of stores. Additional tours featured campus architecture and Chateau Chavaniac, Lafayette’s historical guesthouse, built in 1932 and modeled after the Marquis de Lafayette’s birthplace in Chavaniac, France.

Families had the opportunity to visit LaFarm, where they enjoyed hot chocolate, apple cider, s’mores, and a chance to learn about the College’s sustainability efforts. In lieu of a rained out visit to nearby Ringing Rocks, Larry Malinconico, associate professor of geology, and David Sunderlin, associate professor and department head, geology and environmental geosciences, led a tour in Van Wickle Hall and lecture where families learned about the College’s mineral and rock collection. Families also enjoyed performances by many talented and creative student groups on campus, including Cadence, The Mar-keys, Lafayette Dance Team, and Prestigious Pardettes.

Mom and dad are hugging their daughter while dad is holding the leash for their dog. The dog is wearing a t-shirt.

Alys and Jon Weisenberger P’27, visited their daughter, Audrey Weisenberger ’27 during Family Weekend.

Alys and Jon Weisenberger P’27 traveled from Richmond, Va., to visit their daughter, Audrey Weisenberger ’27, for the weekend.

“We are really letting her guide the ship so she can show us where she has been spending her time,” explained Jon. “She gave us a nice tour of campus. We think she found a great place for herself here at Lafayette. We are really pleased with how well the College has gotten the students involved so they can find their community.”

Below are a few highlights from the weekend.

View additional photos from Family Weekend on Flickr.

Pards Around Campus

Two parents stand arm in arm with their two sons

A family of five is standing outside smiling with their arms around each other. One family member is holding a Family Weekend t-shirt.

Two students are standing on the Quad. with two parents. They are standing arm in arm.

A group of four women are standing on the Quad smiling at the camera. One student is wearing a Lafayette tennis sweatshirt.

A Lafayette student is working the registration table at Family Weekend.

A family is standing around their daughter who is sitting on a swing.

Three students walk three dogs on the Quad.

A mom and dad pose with their daughter on the Quad.

Students congregate at the registration table in Farinon Student Center.

Two women stand in front of a balloon arch. One woman is wearing a Leopards sweatshirt.

A student is standing in between his parents in front of a balloon arch.

Three women stand in front of a balloon arch. They are wearing red and white.

A family of three stand outside on the Quad. The student is in the middle.

Marquis Parents Council reception

On Friday, members of the Marquis Parents Council gathered for a reception in Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center. Council members had an opportunity to learn about the College’s newest initiatives as well as Marquis Parent Council plans that support the student experience from co-chairs Greg and Gina Jansen P’25. The council supports all areas of the College from the Annual Fund and Maroon Club, to academic programs, Gateway Career Center, and more.

Greg and Gina Jansen P'27 are standing in Rockwell.

Two parents stand at the foot of the stairs in Rockwell.

A male parent is holding a glass of water and smiling.

A family of four stand outside of Rockwell with their arms around each other.

Legacy Celebration

More than 25 legacy families participated in an official pinning ceremony for newest members of the Lafayette family. For some families, their Lafayette legacy spans multiple generations. Lafayette President Nicole Farmer Hurd and Alumni Association President Michael “Weissy” A. Weisburger ’82 welcomed families at the event. Below are photos of some special moments captured during the ceremony.