By Rachel Edelman
Daily Staff Reporter
Thousands of parents could be seen taking in the sights and sounds of Ann Arbor this weekend and squeezing in time to visit their sons and daughters as part of the annual Parents Weekend.
Highlights included a pep rally Friday night, a pre- and post-game tailgate party Saturday, a number of reserved parents' seats at the Iowa football game and a Paula Poundstone performance at Hill Auditorium Saturday night.
"It's given me the opportunity to look at the school through (my granddaughter's) eyes," said Phyllis Brown, grandmother of LSA first-year student Kristina Dunigan, who attended the LSA reception and the pep rally Friday. "So far, it's been really i
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| JOHN KRAFT/Daily Myrna Rouse and her daughter, LSA senior Ingrid Rouse, both of Rochester Hills, chow down during the Parents Weekend pre-game brunch in the indoor track building. |
Organizers reported that about 2,000 families participated in this year's Parents Weekend, making it the largest-ever. The Student Alumni Council sponsored the event.
Many parents and students expressed a desire to spend some quality time together, and to become better acquainted with the University.
"We're mostly going to hang out together, which we haven't really done in two years," said parent Rosemary Reilly. Her daughter, LSA first-year student Nora Broege, accompanied her on a Saturday tour of the University's Art Museum on State Street.
Of the many events planned for Parents Weekend, favorites included Saturday's football game, tailgate party and Paula Poundstone performance. Other activities included a parent/student "treasure hunt" romp through the streets of Ann Arbor and a 58 Greene a cappella concert Friday.
"The tailgate was awesome. The marching band was really great," said LSA junior Nicole Nelson. "The programs that they set up were all really cool."
Receptions and information sessions were held at individual schools as well, giving parents an opportunity to ask questions and become more familiar with academics at the University.
"I feel very welcome here. The LSA reception was informative," said Ellen Samuels. Samuels spent the weekend visiting her son, LSA first-year student Eric Samuels.
The weekend ended with a breakfast buffet and brunch on Sunday morning.
"It's been great. It's a good bonding experience," said Engineering senior Ellen Schwab.
Although the majority of parents participating were family members of first-year students, the weekend was a chance for other parents to visit their children as well.
"This is our fourth Parents Weekend," said Gregg Sindici, father of LSA senior Michael Sindici. "We're going to the game, and to dinner tonight. It's sad that this is our last time."
Some families decided not to take part in most of the weekend's planned activities, preferring to spend time together on their own.
"I liked doing my own things with my parents," said LSA sophomore Caryn Burtt.
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