The University will host its annual Family Weekend events today through Sunday (Sept. 13-15).
The weekend’s activities include a Mass, a tour of the Assisi Gardens, a carnival on the campus mall and much more.
“Even if your family isn’t coming, go to the events anyway,” said Emma Szymanski, a member of the University’s SAO (Student Activities Organization). “Go by yourself and meet new people or bring your friends for a great time.”
One of the Family Weekend events that has grown in popularity in recent years is the petting zoo.
“The petting zoo is a very popular Family Weekend event, but this year I am most excited for the carnival games,” said Meghan DeFrancesco, SFU’s Assistant Director of Student and Leadership Development.
“We are working with a great company outside of Pittsburgh to make it feel like a real carnival on campus. Each booth has prizes for the kids and tickets for adults to win bigger prizes at the raffle.”
The times for events this weekend are staggered in order to make it easy for families to participate in multiple activities.
“Growing up, I loved having weekly dinners with my large extended family,” said Szymanski. “Now that I am in college, I don’t have as many opportunities to do so.
“Family Weekend gives me a perfect opportunity to invite my family up and have a fun-filled weekend with them.”
DeFrancesco is excited to see this year’s students welcome their loved ones to the University over the next three days.
“I love welcoming the families of our students back to Loretto to spend some time together,” she said. “At this point, they have been back for about a month, so it’s a good time to reconnect with family, make lots of memories, and see campus again.”
