As the first few weeks of the fall semester come to a close, the Sam Houston State University community is settling to college life once again. Returning students are returning to their daily routines, and new students have been familiarizing themselves with their new home.
Learning the ins and outs of a new town, new school and new residence not only concerns the new students, but also their families.
The entire SHSU student population will have a chance to display the campus to their loved ones during Family Weekend 2014.
The three-day event, sponsored by the Dean of Students office, allows students to show their friends and family what SHSU campus life is all about, according to Chelsea Smith, assistant Dean of Students for Parent Relations and Special Programs.
“I hope that [students] are able to just show off the campus and let their parents know that they’re here, they’re excited about being here and this is their university now,” she said. “The parents can be proud of the university and excited that they chose Sam Houston.”
Although Family Weekend 2014 is geared towards all students, newer students have the most to show to their families.
“We do try to get events for all students, but we definitely want our freshmen students to come out and let their parents see how they’ve been since they’ve gotten here, meet their professors, kind of engage in campus life and see how they’re adjusting to everything and settling in here at Sam Houston,” she said.
Student organizations were welcomed to reach out to visitors during several events, and the Dean of Students Office recruited groups at Passport to Sam during this summer’s orientations, according to Smith.
Events will take place throughout the weekend, starting with check-ins and campus tours tomorrow at 10 a.m. That night, music and entertainment will be provided as student groups and spirit organizations cheer on the football team at the Bearkat Pep Rally.
“This is our third year doing that pep rally,” Smith said. “It’s mainly for the parents, the family and the students coming in for that weekend, but we also invite our Greek life to come out for it and all of the student organizations on campus.”
Additional events throughout the weekend include Coffee with The Administrators, open houses for various colleges at the university, and the eleventh annual Classic Car Cruise-In.
Registered guests will receive a t-shirt, complimentary gift, catered lunch and admission to the tailgate and classic car show.
Family Weekend has been a long lasting tradition at SHSU, with origins as early as 1925.
Events will run from tomorrow through Sunday and a full schedule is available on the Dean of Students’ website.
For more information, contact the Dean of Students’ office at 936-294-1785 or doso@shsu.edu.