Chico State Family Weekend 2009

By Megan Parravano, Student Intern

For me, the events leading up to Family Weekend 2009 were filled with eagerness and excitement. This was my first big event as a student intern in the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations. The office staff worked diligently to create a weekend that would create a family atmosphere for parents to enjoy as they visited their students here in the Chico community.

Saturday kicked off with Parent Workshops, which presented information on campus organizations such as Study Abroad, Internship opportunities, and Adventure Outings. The barbecue, catered by Kinder's, was next on the agenda with chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, baked beans, macaroni salad, fresh fruit, a variety of cookies and drinks, and that unforgettable BBQ sauce. Students and parents made their way over to the tables on Kendall Hall Lawn, which were colored with red and white balloons. Student volunteers and staff added to the atmosphere and were available to talk to the students and parents about their unique experiences here at CSU, Chico.

Halfway through lunch, the crowd was addressed by Rick Ellison, the Vice President for University Advancement, Associated Students President Joseph Igbineweka, and President Paul Zingg. President Zingg highlighted some of the wonderful things taking place on our campus.

The barbecue also included the "Fare Square," an opportunity for students and families to learn about organizations and local businesses by picking up coupons or flyers and purchasing products and services. Many of the vendors lured people away from their seats with decorative displays, coupons, drawings for prizes, and products for sale.

The local businesses in attendance included Agua Azul Oasis, Chico Motorsports, Aaron's Sales and Lease, Robyn Marie's Shoe Closet, T. Tea Bar and Fusion Café, Maxine Bigler's Healthy Enterprises, and Tina Bratcher from Mary Kay. Campus organizations included Camp Adventure Youth Services, Community Legal Information Center (CLIC), and Women in Law Organization (WILO). The vendors who attended were only a small measure of what Chico and campus has to offer, and they represented our local community well.

"Overall this was the best [Family Weekend] that I have ever been affiliated with measured by attendance, events, volunteers involved and the level of enthusiasm," said Vice President of University Advancement, Rick Ellison.

To echo his appreciation, President Zingg added that this weekend was, "Altogether, a great celebration of our University."

The Office of Alumni and Parent Relations wishes to thank all of the parents who could make it for our Family Weekend 2009.