Families Weekend well-attended despite Ike

By Juliana Serrano     10/2/08 7:00pm

Unwilling to let Hurricane Ike prevent them from seeing their children, almost 1,975 parents flocked to Rice for last week's Families Weekend. Student Association External Vice President Nicholas Muscara, who helped organize the event, said this number was consistent with turnout in previous years. Parents and students participated in a variety of activities, which included walking tours, coffee with President David Leebron, speeches, a football game and Baker Blues last weekend during Families Weekend. The number of participants was probably higher because 1,975 only reflects the number of parents and guests who registered over the weekend. Muscara, a Martel College sophomore, said the turnout was especially impressive considering that Families Weekend took place just two weeks after Hurricane Ike. There were concerns that factors such as high gas prices and lack of electricity in some parts of Houston would keep many parents from making the trip.

Muscara said he was impressed that none of these concerns were an issue during Families Weekend.

"This shows the resiliency of the students in getting everything back to normal," Muscara said.

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Director of Reunion Programs and Special Events Jennifer Harding said good planning by students was responsible for the smoothness of this year's Families Weekend.

"I think the students on the committee did an outstanding job," Harding said. "Everyone got involved. The colleges got involved and took care of their individual responsibilities within the framework of the weekend planning."

Muscara said there were no complaints, and the new activities that the SA added this year, such as performances by the Philharmonics and Spontaneous Combustion, were well-attended. Harding said about 1,200 people attended the barbecue and football game on Saturday.

Jones College freshman Rebba Moore said her parents particularly appreciated the variety of events taking place throughout the weekend.

"My parents really enjoyed the game and the barbecue," Moore said. "It was really good to have options. For example, we went to a lecture on Friday about the environment and the current presidential election."

Jocelyn Wright contributed to this article.

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