West Virginia University parents will have the chance to get a first-hand look at life as a WVU student during Fall Family Weekend, held Oct. 1-3.

At the annual event, sponsored by the Mountaineer Parents Club, parents will have the opportunity to attend class with their student, visit the Student Recreation Center and let loose at a concert, among other things.

“We look forward to this weekend every year,” said Sabrina Cave, Parents Club executive director. “It is a great time for the whole family to experience what it is truly like to be a Mountaineer. There are activities for everyone that showcase our wonderful academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities and arts.”

Weekend highlights include the Welcome Reception, Family Night Dinner, downtown Morgantown’s ArtsWalk, Life 101 Seminar Series, a performance by The B-52s and WVUp All Night’ activities.

On Friday (Oct. 1), parents can attend class with their student. A Welcome Reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. in the Mountainlair commons area.

Families can eat a home-cooked West Virginia meal at Hatfield’s in the Mountainlair from 6-8 p.m. while relaxing and listening to a live West Virginia storyteller. The menu includes Black Oak Ham, turkey and all the sides. Pre-registration is required. Tickets are available online at http://familyweekend.wvu.edu.

Students and their families can watch WVU students’ talent in action during Mountaineer Idol at 8:30 p.m. in the Mountainlair ballrooms. Mountaineer Idol Gives Back will partner with WVU Children’s Hospital and Jessi’s Pals.

The mission of Jessi’s Pals is to provide every child at WVU Children’s Hospital with a stuffed animal. Each family is encouraged to bring at least one stuffed animal to donate to Jessi’s Pals. Chair of Jessi’s Pals, Jessica Lynch will be a celebrity judge for Mountaineer Idol that night.

At WVUp All Night, families can enjoy discounted movies, comedians, billiards, bowling and free food. They can also stop by the photo booth for a fun family photo. WVUp All Night is held Friday and Saturday night from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Mountainlair.

Throughout the weekend, WVU families can also take advantage of activities at the Student Recreation Center on the Evansdale Campus. Families will be invited to explore and use the recreation center with free access and group classes such as Zumba, yoga and spinning.

Saturday’s (Oct. 2) schedule includes numerous residence hall activities in which families and students are encouraged to meet with resident faculty leaders.

Each residence hall will be holding a breakfast. The events will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. To view the schedule and location of the breakfast, visit http://familyweekend.wvu.edu .

Families are invited to join the Mountaineer Parents Club for Picnic on the Plaza from noon to 2 p.m. Parents will have the opportunity to meet several top WVU administrators, the Mountaineer mascot and other WVU families. A Dell Inspiron 11z computer will be given away at the event. A ticket is required to attend the event. To purchase a ticket, visit http://familyweekend.wvu.edu .

The B-52’s will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyell B. Clay Theatre in the Creative Arts Center. Tickets can be ordered by calling the box office at 304-293-SHOW or at http://events.wvu.edu/uas/10-11//b52s/index.shtml .

On Sunday (Oct. 3), families can eat breakfast with some young alumni and get a unique look at the job search process during the Life 101 Seminar Series. Subjects that will be covered include networking, attire and etiquette, evaluating the job offer and benefits package and budgeting money. The breakfast and seminars will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information and to view a complete schedule of events, visit http://familyweekend.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

cd/09/27/10

CONTACT: Sabrina Cave, Mountaineer Parents Club
304-293-2506, Sabrina.Cave@mail.wvu.edu

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