Activities abound for SRU ‘Friends and Family Weekend’ Sept. 15-16
Slippery Rock University's Friends and Family Weekend, Sept. 15-16, will include a tailgate party before an SRU football game, a performance by the Modern Gentlemen, VillageFest and more.
Sept. 1, 2017
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Not long after students are settled in for the new academic year at Slippery Rock University, there's an opportunity to experience the campus life as it is intended and invite more people to join the fun. When the University hosts its annual "Friends and Family Weekend" Sept. 15-16, think of it like a house-warming party, only guests don't need to bring a gift. In fact, they might just win one.
"'Friends and Family Weekend' is an opportunity for students' friends and family to experience the campus when it's in its normal state, as opposed to move-in day when it's really busy," said David Wilmes, associate provost for student success. "Friends and family can reconnect with their student and see what's going on and what campus is like."
That doesn't mean the activities will be business as usual, but rather the campus and the surrounding community will be at their best. A variety of activities surround the weekend, including:
-Siblings Stay Over: Siblings of SRU students are invited to spend the weekend with their brother or sister in the residence halls and get a taste of college life for themselves. All visiting siblings must be registered prior to the event through SRU's Office of Residence Life.
-Performing Arts Series: The Modern Gentlemen will perform at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 15 in the University Union. The quartet, who have worked as background singers and choreographers for rock icon Frankie Valli, will bring their own high-energy dance moves to SRU while performing classic hits of pop, rock, doo-wop and of course, The Four Seasons.
-Football vs. Lock Haven: The Rock football team plays host to Lock Haven at 6 p.m., Sept. 16 at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Before the game, Philip Way, SRU interim president, will host a tailgate party at the Alumni Association Pavilion across from the stadium from 4-6 p.m. Free tickets to the tailgate party can be picked up at the Smith Student Center Welcome Desk. Football tickets can be purchased at the Smith Center Welcome Desk or at the front gate of the stadium.
-SRSGA Movie Series: The Slippery Rock Student Government Association will host three yet-to-be-determined movies in the Smith Student Center Theater at 4 and 8 p.m., Sept. 15 and at 8 p.m., Sept. 16.
-Baskets of Fun auction: The auction takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Smith Student Center lobby. Visitors can purchase tickets for chances to win a variety of donated gifts baskets. Drawings will occur at 2 p.m. Winners can pick up their baskets until 10 p.m., Sept. 16 or from 9 a.m. to noon, Sept. 17.
-"Rock and Recreate": SRU's Aebersold Student Recreation Center will have extended hours, as students' families and friends are invited to take part in informal recreational activities including: volleyball, basketball, pickleball, swimming or the climbing wall. All "Friends and Family" guests 18 and under must be accompanied by an SRU sibling, parent or guardian.
In addition to experiencing all the campus has to offer, there will be a bevy of activity in the Slippery Rock community with the 15th Annual VillageFest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Main Street. The event includes more than 100 craft and food vendors, live entertainment, kid's activities, games and more. The event attracts between 5,000-7,000 visitors each year.
"We teamed with the University and its 'Friends and Family Weekend' and it's benefitted both entities," said Tom McPherson, VillageFest coordinator and a retired SRU employee. "The purpose of VillageFest was to bring people to the downtown area of Slippery Rock after we renovated it 15 years ago. Then we joined with the University to combine the two things into a campus/community affair. It's just a great time. It's people meeting people. People who might live on the same street might not have seen each other in a while. It's like a big reunion for the community."
For more information about "Friends and Family Weekend," visit: www.sru.edu/family. For additional information about VillageFest, visit: www.facebook.com/SRVillageFest or call 724.794.2338.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu