ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Family Weekend, held from Oct. 4 to Oct. 6, united the families of the Fordham community from all over the country and the world.

The university hosted various events throughout the course of the weekend, including a show by comedian-magician Michael Kent, the Mimes and Mummers’ performance of Legally Blonde and “Maroon Mainstage,” a showcase of Fordham’s numerous performing arts groups.

Families also attended a football game against Lehigh University, in which Fordham defeated Lehigh 52-34.

Parents had the opportunity to participate in an undergraduate classroom experience, while siblings took part in a sleepover program.

During the latter, siblings had a chance to create their own ice cream sundaes and teddy bears, watch cartoons and even go on a haunted tour of the Rose Hill campus.

“It was so great having our family together again and seeing the other families together enjoying the beautiful weather and the amazing win by the undefeated Fordham football team,” Kelly Bennett, sister of Caitlin Bennett, FCRH ’14, said.

The Campus Activities Board (CAB), along with the Office of Student Leadership and Community Development, worked to ensure that the logistics of the Family Weekend events ran smoothly.

According to a letter written by CAB representatives to the Fordham community on the Fordham website, “[Family Weekend] provides the chance for students’ relatives to experience Fordham University firsthand and to interact with faculty, administrators, students and other Fordham parents. [Families] will also have time to explore a neighborhood that is rich with diversity and that Fordham students have come to love.”

“On behalf of the Office of Student Life and Community Development and the Campus Activities Board, we were thrilled with how all of the events went,” Colleen Biemer, FCRH ‘16, special events co-chairperson for CAB, said. “Family Weekend 2013 was a great success and we are very excited to plan our next event!”

In addition to the Family Weekend events, the Gabelli School of Business (GSB) and Fordham College Rose Hill (FCRH) Dean’s List ceremonies took place on Oct. 4 and Oct. 6, respectively, to recognize students’ academic achievements.

“The Dean’s List ceremony furnishes the college with a welcome opportunity to celebrate the achievements of some of our best students in the company of their families and friends,” William Gould, assistant dean for juniors at Fordham College Rose Hill, said.

Gould enjoyed the fact that the Dean’s List ceremony coincided with the end of Family Weekend.

“It also gives us and our students a chance to congratulate and thank their parents for all their support over the years,” Gould said. “This is why we moved the ceremony, which was traditionally held the first Sunday of November, to Family Weekend. I think it was a good decision.”

Students definitely enjoyed the ceremony and felt that holding it during Family Weekend was a fantastic idea.

“[The Dean’s List ceremony] was a great way to recognize the students’ hard work and efforts,” Alison Silverman, FCRH ’14, said. “By holding the event during Family Weekend, the university made it easier for parents to attend and share in the celebration.”