Family Weekend, which will be held October 17 – 19, is a weekend full of events for the whole family. It provides an opportunity for families to explore campus, meet faculty and staff, mingle with other Mason families, and enjoy the weekend with their student. Just in case you need a little bit more convincing to attend Family Weekend 2014, here are ten reasons you should register today!
- Take advantage of Mason’s facilities including the Corner Pocket and the Recreation and Athletic Center (RAC)
At the RAC, you and your family can attend workout classes and get a glimpse at some of the great ways Mason Recreation promotes healthy living. Once you have gotten your exercise in for the day you can head over to the Corner Pocket at the Hub. Show your competitive spirit and challenge your family to a variety of games, including billiards, table tennis, foosball, video games, air hockey, and more! - Celebrate being a Mason Patriot at Patriots Day
Enjoy rides, live music, outdoor activities, and more as you build your connection to the Mason community and prepare for Mason Madness. - Show your Mason spirit at Mason Madness
Mason Madness is our annual kick-off to a new basketball season. Wear your green and gold and head over to the Patriot Center for this huge pep rally and stay to cheer on the Patriots during the game! - Participate in our Mason on Location event and choose one of three bus tours to various locations in the metro DC area
–A bus tour of Washington, D.C., where you will visit some of the nation’s historic monuments and memorials.
–A tour of the Smithsonian – Mason School of Conservation, on which you will receive a tour of the facility, see the animals housed on campus, and hear about the School’s current research.
–A tour of Gunston Hall, George Mason’s home. Here you can see our namesake’s mansion and learn more about George Mason and his family. - Meet faculty members and learn more about their research and passions
You will have many opportunities to meet both faculty and staff throughout the weekend, but we have some special events that are designed to showcase some of our amazing faculty including the Craft Beer Boom Happy Hour with Dr. T. Mills Kelly, the Mason Observatory tour with Dr. Harold Geller, and our faculty spotlight with Mason’s own beekeeper, German Perilla. - Get a “taste” of the many resources and opportunities available to students and families at Taste of Mason
Meet staff and students from various offices and organizations around campus while enjoying samples of Mason’s dining options. - Enjoy a variety of fun events for family members of all ages
The Welcome Dinner is one of many of these fun events and is a great way to kick-off Family Weekend. Enjoy performances by our talented student groups while you dine with other Mason families. President Cabrera will also be in attendance to deliver opening remarks and present the 2014 Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year award. Tickets for this event are $20 for adults, Mason students, and faculty and staff, and $10 for children ages 3-12. Children 2 & under are free. - Give back to the Mason and Fairfax communities through our community service projects
Mason’s Leadership Education and Development Office is organizing several great service opportunities for students and family to serve the local community. - Meet and mingle with other Mason families
Every event provides the opportunity to meet and connect with parents and families of Mason students. We encourage students to make friends at Mason, so why can’t families meet each other, too? - And, of course, spend time with family, relax, and enjoy Mason!
We hope these ten reasons will secure your decision to attend Family Weekend 2014 this October. Remember to go to the Family Weekend webpage to register and to see a full list of events!
EmilyAnn Walrath
Graduate Intern
Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services