By Keagan Snively
SMU Family Weekend will be three days filled with family comfort for homesick students, finger lickin’ BBQ, fierce rivalry football, and fabulous showings of the musical “Hairspray.”
But the string of events happening from Sept. 23 to 25 doesn’t form by itself.
A committee established by the Student Foundation is devoted to making SMU Family Weekend a success. This year’s family weekend chair, Ciara Cooley, said she could not have a better team by her side.
“I cannot even tell you the amount of hours my committee has dedicated to this one upcoming weekend,” said Cooley, a junior financing major.
The student-run committee started its planning back in January after applications were reviewed and the six members were selected. Since then, Cooley said that multiple events have been organized down to the smallest detail.
The committee applies to Student Senate to fund Family Weekend events; Student Foundation covers any additional funding that may be required. Officials would not estimate what the total budget is for this year.
This year the committee decided to support Dallas Family Gateway, which provides transitional housing and other services to homeless families with children. This is the fourth Family Weekend charity project. The previous organization to receive support was Genesis Women’s Shelter. Cooley, a Family Gateway Board Member, had the connection to get the organization paired with SMU.
“It is something super close to my heart and I thought not only would they love to partner with us, but it would be a great fit on our end too,” Cooley said.
There will be multiple drop-off spots on campus during Family Weekend, with volunteers collecting items such as soap, razors, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes and toothpaste, lotion, tissues and feminine hygiene products.
The weekend will start with the sold-out Mothers’ Luncheon on Friday. The Boulevard BBQ will start at 4:30 p.m. on Clements Hall lawn, followed by the football game where the Mustangs will be facing the TCU Horned Frogs for the Iron Skillet. There will be a talent show on Saturday and two showings of the musical “Hairspray” on Sunday at noon and 5 p.m. For more information, visit the Family Weekend page.
Family Weekend Talent Show Coordinator Olivia McGrath said she didn’t join the committee with her family in mind, but she is eager for her mom to come and visit.
“I am excited for her to see that I have been putting my interests and resources to use at this great school,” sophomore McGrath said.
But above that, McGrath said she has enjoyed her time working with the committee.
“My favorite part is working with such creative people with tons of ideas,” she said. “It is so awesome to work with such a talented, passionate group of people.”
Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Ashley Fitzpatrick helps serve as Family Weekend Adviser. She said the women on the committee have put in a lot of effort. Family weekend wouldn’t exist without a dedicated team.
Other team members include: sophomore Alex Keith, sophomore Victoria Whitcomb, sophomore Meredith McBee and sophomore Courtney Chance.
“Being the adviser, I’m really just there as a support system,” Fitzpatrick said. “It is a completely student run organization and these girls do an amazing job.”
