Families of all Washington State University Pullman students are invited to campus Oct. 15-17 for the annual Fall Family Weekend.
The event, formerly known as Dad’s Weekend, takes place every fall and will feature a variety of organized events as well as opportunities for Cougs and their families to explore campus and the community on their own.
“This is a great time for those who are closest to our Cougs to come see campus and experience it through their student’s eyes,” said Kari Sampson, director of development for the Division of Student Affairs.
Family events for all interests
Families who come to campus during this year’s Fall Family Weekend can use Coug Presence to plan their weekend. Event highlights include two art exhibitions at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, a virtual paint night featuring drop-ins by several Coug celebrities, an open climbing session at the Student Recreation Center, a sunset hike at Kamiak Butte, and the football game against Stanford.
In addition, New Student Programs is sponsoring a yoga class at Sunnyside Park on Saturday afternoon to help families “find a moment of rest” during the weekend, said Kelly Alvarado-Young, director of New Student Programs.
“We collectively have experienced a stressful year and a half as we have been navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and more than ever, recognizing our stress and how it impacts our bodies is a technique many of us can benefit from,” she said. “I hope this gives Cougs a moment to reflect on how far they have come since move-in.”
The weekend also includes the Chosen Coug Awards, an annual event that honors parents, family members, and supporters – a student’s “Coug family” – who have made a distinct impact on a student’s experience at WSU. All finalist nominees and their Cougs and families are invited to a brunch, where the winner of the award is announced and Chosen Cougs are celebrated.
“We’re very excited to honor all those who are championing their Cougs, especially during this challenging time,” Sampson said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these amazing supporters.”
Experiencing campus in a new way
Fall Family Weekend typically features a packed calendar of events, but due to COVID-19, this year’s event will include fewer large gatherings and may feel a little subdued, Sampson said.
“This weekend won’t look like it has in the past, or what it will look like at Spring Family Weekend, but Cougs and their families can still have a great experience,” Sampson said.
Sampson encouraged families to take advantage of their unstructured time to see what it’s like to be a Coug: visit their student’s housing, take a tour of campus and see where their classes are, go to their favorite restaurant, and do their favorite activity in the community.
“There’s a lot this campus and area offer that don’t have to be planned events,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to see your student two months into their Coug experience and see how they’ve transformed in a positive way.”
To learn more about Fall Family Weekend, visit the website or Coug Presence.
