Liz Calderon (right) with her parents during Family Weekend.
This past weekend, Doane’s Family Weekend featured a series of activities and games for alumni and their families. The festivities kicked off at 4 p.m. on Sept. 27, with “Tigers and Tea,” a tea party where families and alumni enjoyed tea and snacks while discussing the upcoming trip to London in May. The evening continued with a dinner hosted by Chef Shack, followed by a movie screening organized by the Bookless Book Club, both held in the Trobough Room. The night concluded with a Music Bingo in the dining hall at 7 p.m.
On Sept. 28, the festivities began with a tailgate in the Communications parking lot. Chef Shack’s brunch offered a variety of delicious options, including burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, corn on the cob and a barbecue grill. The tailgate featured several tents, including one by the APIO Club, which raised funds by selling a variety of bubble tea flavors. Alumni and their families enjoyed the classic tailgate atmosphere, kicking off a fun-filled day.
Activities continued throughout the day, starting with picking up shirts and goods at the Perry Campus Center at 9 a.m. followed by donuts and coffee with special guest Judy Kawamoto, VP of student affairs, at the dining hall. This continued with campus tours led by student ambassadors as well as a Jurassic-themed bounce house and a putt-putt golf added to the fun. Special guest Thomas the Tiger also made an appearance at the tailgate and lunch.
As the day progressed, a band, cheer and dance performance outside Fuhrer Field House energized the crowd before the Doane Tigers faced Northwestern in the football game at 1 p.m. More sports action followed with the Women’s Soccer match against Waldorf at 5 p.m., the volleyball game against Briar Cliff also at 5 p.m. and men’s soccer against Waldorf at 7 p.m. The day concluded with a free showing of “Jurassic Park” at the Crete Isis Theatre, sponsored by the Blue River Arts Council, and a late-night treat of “Pterodactyl Wings” on Brodie Hall Patio at 9:09 p.m., including another appearance of Thomas the Tiger
To conclude the weekend, on Sept. 28, Student Congress sponsored a family brunch at Perry’s Dining Hall.
“My favorite moment from the weekend was attending the girls’ volleyball game! They played great and it was nice to enjoy it alongside my mom,” sophomore Bryan Alvarado said, who was able to enjoy most of the activities with his mom who attended this weekend.
Families had the opportunity to reunite with their students, allowing them to share the unique aspects of college life and show their parents what has become their home away from home. Family Weekend experience was not just about the events; it was about students giving their families a glimpse into their college life. Students hope for future Family Weekends to continue to provide opportunities for connection, bonding and shared memories.
