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When an event is so popular that it becomes a quick sell-out, you know the excitement is going to be overflowing. And it was for this year's Parent & Family Weekend, which checked all the boxes for a great time - fun, laughter, joy and celebration.
More than 620 attendees of all ages traveled from cities as far away as Riverview, Florida; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Virginia Beach, Virginia, to attend the special event held Sept. 23-24. From parents who had not seen their students since move-in day to legacy families who have made BW their alma mater for several generations, the exuberant vibe of the weekend put it in a win column for familial and community engagement.
And while a pre-game tailgate food fest and a 35-31 football win headlined the all-campus extravaganza, myriad other activities showed the talent, breadth and engagement of the BW community - receptions, paint-and-sip and trivia night activities, academic showcase, parent resource fair, and performances by music theatre students and Africa->West, to name a few.
"Parents and families are an integral part of our BW community. This weekend was all about creating a welcoming and fun experience that would connect them to university resources and help them engage in broader ways, so they can grow in their knowledge and be more successful navigating the BW experience with their student," said Marc West, director of parent and family programs.
"I met so many wonderful people this past weekend. The YJ4L spirit and pride they have in their students and for Baldwin Wallace is heart-warming and reflective of the great community we have here at BW," noted West.
"The positive response indicated by our Friday night registration that filled so quickly tells us that family engagement is an essential and valued part of what we do at BW," West went on to say.
"This is the first year for me in this role and for doing Parent & Family Weekend. We will be offering many other wonderful events for families to participate in this year, including BW's Bold & Gold Homecoming Festival on Oct. 22, and we look forward to building on the activities for next year's Parent & Family Weekend," he added.
Throughout the year, BW offers theatre, concerts, speakers, cultural events, athletics, alumni events and more. Visit the website for a list of Baldwin Wallace events, many of which are free or a nominal cost.
