Marywood’s annual Alumni & Family weekend is scheduled from Friday, Sept. 27 to Sunday Sept. 29. The offices of Alumni Engagement and Student Engagement have joined together once again to create a memorable weekend for alumni and families alike.
Director of Alumni Engagement Megan Galko works closely with the honoree class each year leading up to Alumni Weekend.
“It’s really a special time for them to get together and kind of catch up. A lot of times the 50th reunion class hasn’t been back on campus, at least not as a group, so they’re seeing their friends for the first time in quite a while. It’s just a really fun weekend for them,” said Galko.
Keep reading to see what events to expect around campus.
For Alumni:
Cheers to 50 Years Reception (Sept. 27): Marywood invites the class of 1974 to meet in a VIP Lounge to catch up with fellow graduates, relive old memories and make new ones. The reception will be hosted in the Learning Commons from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday night. There is a registration fee of $35 per person.
NEPA Chapter Gatherings (Sept. 28): Alumni are invited to meet fellow graduates and chapter representatives from Northeastern Pennsylvania and learn how to get involved in local events. Starting at 2 p.m. in Nazareth Student Center, alumni also have the chance to win Marywood merchandise.
Nutrition and Dietetics Tour/Hands on Demonstration (Sept. 28): Join a tour of the newly-renovated Keith J. O’Neill Center for Healthy Families. Students from the nutrition and dietetics program will teach attendees how to prepare a seasonal dish in the Food Science Lab. The tour and demonstration will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and there is a registration fee of $5 per person.
For Families:
Free Money Game (Sept. 27): On Friday night, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., students and families have the opportunity to participate in a game show to win free money. The location is TBD, but keep an eye out because there will be multiple chances to win free money!
Goat Yoga (Sept. 28): On Saturday morning, attend one of Marywood’s most anticipated events: goat yoga. From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the Art Field, families can enjoy the mix of a therapeutic yet playful environment.
Festival of Fun (Sept. 28): Starting at 1 p.m., the Festival of Fun will host a variety of carnival-style games, stilt walkers, a balloon artist and more. Be sure to join in on the fun at the Insalaco Arena, Center for Athletics and Wellness for BINGO, too!
There are a multitude of events that both alumni and families are invited to attend:
Family Fun 5k Run (Sept. 28): At 9 a.m. on Saturday, runners of all ages and skill are invited to participate in a 5k starting at Nazareth Student Center. There is a registration fee of $25 per person and proceeds will go towards the Marywood Track & Field/Cross Country teams.
Boss of the Toss Cornhole Tournament (Sept. 28): Earn a chance to win gift certificates to the Marywood Gear Shop! Teams of two, whether that be a student and parents or two roommates, are invited to register to show off their bean bag toss skills. Registration is free, but on a first come/first served basis. The tournament starts on Saturday at 1 p.m. on the second floor of the Insalaco Arena.
Masterpiece and Mocktails (Sept. 28): Spend your Saturday afternoon unleashing your inner artist. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Liguori Room, Regina Hall, a professional instructor will guide attendees through custom paintings and nonalcoholic beverages. Painters of all skill levels are welcome and there is a registration fee of $5 per person.
Celebration of the Eucharist (Sept. 28): Alumni and families of all faiths are welcome to attend Marywood’s weekly Mass on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life.
Marywood works with the honoree class, so the class of ’74, explained Galko.
“I meet with them, really for a year in advance to kind of help make the events that are pertaining to them and what they want… At the Mass every year we do a listing of the deceased members of that class, so sometimes they like to be involved in the planning of that,” said Galko.
Campus Nature Tour (Sept. 29): To wrap up the weekend, Philanthropy Engagement Officer James Halbert will lead a nature tour around Marywood’s campus and through the grounds of the IHM Center. The 1.5-mile walk will start at the Fireplace Lounge in Nazareth Student Center at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday and is free for all to register.
“We just try to make it a fun weekend so everybody has something that they want to do, so that alumni are excited to come back, so that families are excited to come see their students and that it’s just a fun weekend for everyone,” said Galko.
Make sure to register from the full list of events on Marywood’s website and stay tuned for a list of local events off-campus.
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