Yvonne Ho
Families got a taste of busy student life this weekend, as the campus welcomed undergraduates’ relatives for a suite of activities — ranging from the Furniture Study Tour at Yale West Campus to the Yale men’s soccer game against Harvard.
Dozens of cultural, academic and social events were held on campus from Friday to Sunday as parents basked in the crisp fall weather on the first weekend of October. Early in the docket of events, University President Peter Salovey and Yale College Dean Marvin Chun provided a “University Update” in Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona Hall on Saturday morning. They delivered a presentation to the standing room-only crowd and informed parents about Yale’s priorities and investments. President Salovey discussed Yale’s academic offerings and highlighted interdisciplinary opportunities for students.
Addressing the hundreds of family members from across the world, Salovey spoke about the importance of having a diverse student body. He emphasized that all members of the community should feel comfortable sharing their viewpoints regardless of the popularity of the opinion. He ended the speech on an inspiring note and said the University should be a place to “educate leaders who make the world better.”
Other events — ranging from sports games to student performances — followed the formal greeting from Salovey and Chun.
On Saturday afternoon, the Yale Bulldogs faced off against Fordham University for a well-attended football game at the Yale Bowl. A pre-game barbecue provided parents with the opportunity to meet other Yale families and grab a quick bite. The Bulldogs did not disappoint the visitors and defeated Fordham 48-24.
“Watching the football game with friends and family was one of the best parts of parents weekend,” said Michael Sanchez ’23, who attended the game with his family.
After the game, the residential colleges hosted family receptions. Many student performance groups showcased their talent and introduced family members to their craft. An all-male singing group called the Baker’s Dozen held a fully-packed performance Saturday night in William L. Harkness Hall. The audience tossed shoes, belts, keys and even wallets on the stage in appreciation.
In an interview with the News, Aria Norcross ’23 said the group gave an exceptional performance and wowed the crowd.
“I’ve never seen anything like it and it was really fun to share the experience with my family,” Norcross said.
Students also said they enjoyed spending time with their loved ones and connecting their Yale and home families. After six weeks on campus, many students said they cherished the opportunity to catch up with relatives and introduce new friends to family.
“I loved showing my sister around the campus and just spending time with her,” said Alison Zerbib ’23.
Next year’s Family Weekend will take place from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11.
Niki Francis | niki.francis@yale.edu