Families fill campus

Family members and friends from across the nation will filterthrough campus over the next three days for the annual FamilyWeekend festivities.

For over 30 years, families have been invited to join studentsfor a weekend of food, football and entertainment.

The events kick off today, as family members are able to attendclasses with their students.

“I’m very excited,” said first-year businessand psychology double major Lauren Miller. A native of Los Angeles,Miller can’t wait to see her folks for the first time in overa month.

“I haven’t seen them since they dropped me off [inAugust],” she said. “I’m looking forward tohanging out with [my parents] and giving them a better look at thecampus.”

Also today, the Mothers’ Club will hold a reception in theHughes-Trigg Student Center Pre-Function Area at 11 a.m., followedby a family luncheon in the ballroom from noon to 1:30 p.m.

This afternoon, a block of educational sessions will take placein Hughes-Trigg from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. From 3 to 4 p.m., openhouses will be held at the Cox School of Business, Meadows Schoolof the Arts, Hegi Family Career Development Center, Office ofMulticultural Student Affairs and Greek houses (in the SAC).

Campus tours will leave from the Laura Lee Blanton Building at1:45 and 3 p.m. In addition, tours of Gerald J. Ford Stadium(meeting in the Lloyd All-Sports Center) and the Meadows Museumwill both depart at 4 p.m.

This evening, all are invited to the 29th annual talent show,which will feature the skills of Greek houses, junior Ingrid Mantorand senior Flip Caderao. Doors will open at 7 p.m. at McFarlinAuditorium. The show begins at 8 p.m.

Saturday will begin with residence halls opening their doors tofriends and family members at 10 a.m. The Umphrey-Lee Ballroom willhost a Seafarer’s Luncheon sponsored by SMU Dining Servicesfrom 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Mustang athletics will take charge Saturday afternoon as thewomen’s volleyball team hosts the Boise State Broncos at 2p.m. in Moody Coliseum. A family barbeque will be held just southof Clements Hall at 6 p.m. after another campus tour at 3 p.m.

Students, families and fans can head to Ford Stadium where theSMU football team will kick off against the San Jose State Spartansat 7 p.m. For some, the game will mark their first collegiatefootball experience.

“My parents really want to go to the football game,”first-year computer engineering major and St. Louis native AndrewBass said. “Hopefully, they’ll win.”

Family weekend will conclude with faith and food on Sunday.Worship services will be held in Perkins Chapel at 9 a.m., 11 a.m.and 5 p.m. A family luncheon will be sponsored by CHAS (CollegeHispanic American Students) at noon in the Hughes-TriggBallroom.

This weekend will offer students the opportunity to show off thecampus to visitors who are not used to life at SMU. And while manyparents plan to make a stop on the Hilltop this weekend, the eventsare open to all family members.

For a full schedule of the family weekend events or to purchasetickets, please visit http://www.smu.edu/sf/famwkkend.asp orcontact the Student Foundation at (214) 768-4414.