Photo courtesy: FAMU
Florida A&M University’s Parents and Family Weekend returns this weekend with the theme of “Rattler Rodeo.”
There are a range of events guests can experience, including old-school set Friday, tailgating, and the FAMU vs. Alabama State University football game.
Joshlyn Thomas, chair of the Parents and Family Weekend Committee, shares the purpose of the event.
“Overall, Parents and Family Weekend is an opportunity to connect families with their students,” Thomas said. “Essentially, they get a taste of the campus and all of what the university and community have to offer.”
The Efferson Student Union & Activities staff had not hosted this event since 2019.
Thomas said they’re looking forward to welcoming parents and families and know they’re excited to return and see the campus with a fresh set of eyes.
So far, there have been 200 people who have registered for the event.
Through the different activities, Thomas shared she hopes guests get the full FAMU experience.
“I hope our guests fully immerse themselves within our campus culture and maybe experience ‘A Day in the Life’ of a student, without the classes, of course,” Thomas said.
She continued sharing who the guests will have the opportunity to interact with.
“They will have an opportunity to interact with their students, the faculty, staff and administration, and campus partners,” Thomas said. “By the end of the weekend, they should be exhausted from such an exciting time!”
Ty-Azya Everett is in her final year at FAMU. She shares why she wants her family and friends to participate in this event.
“Everyone knows about welcome week, spring preview… so I want my friends and family to come join me and see what the vibe is about,” Everett said. “This is what we do; this is what we were before COVID.”
Everett said she’s most looking forward to the old-school set Friday.
“I think that’s what I’m most looking forward to because everybody knows FAMU is known for the set,” Everett said.
Everett also shared how excited she is to show her family what an HBCU football game looks like, specifically with the band.
“It’s one thing listening to a band on TV and actually sitting next to them and getting the energy of the stadium,” Everett said.
Aliya Everett is a junior transfer student.
Everett shares she’s never experienced the event and is most excited about making genuine connections and seeing how the university keeps students connected to their loved ones.
“I would like to just make genuine connections… and learn how my institution brings alumni and current students together,” Everett said.
The Parents and Family Committee has been working with Student Health Services and POM to ensure the event adheres to safety guidelines.
Guests will be encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing. Sanitation stations will be set up at each event, and the spaces that will be used will be sanitized before and after each program.