ParentNet

The first week of classes have come and gone along with the various fun activities of Welcome Week. From a comedian, to a country music concert, to the School Yard Olympics, this past week has been a great time for students to get more acquainted with the Michigan Tech campus and one another. Many students spent this beautiful 80 degree, Labor Day Weekend swimming, cliff jumping, hiking, and having bonfires at the beach. It was truly a great weekend to enjoy the last little bit of summer we are left with. Speaking of the end of summer, I was reminded this past weekend as I walked around campus of the beautiful fall scenery I soon have to look forward to. Believe it or not the colors of the fall are already beginning to show up around the Keweenaw Peninsula! Fall is truly my favorite season and I am convinced there is really no better place to experience it than Houghton, MI and the surrounding area.

This is a photo I took of the Portage Canal from outside the McNair Residence Hall last fall.

The great thing about Michigan Tech in the fall is that you too can have the opportunity to experience the beautiful fall colors and come visit your favorite student during Family Weekend! Family Weekend is a three-day long tradition in which you can have a great time with your special student and see what they have been up to here during their past month here at Michigan Tech. This year’s Family Weekend will take place from Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4.

Registration

For those of you interested in visiting your student and taking part in the great activities we have planned during Family Weekend, it is important to register. This way the COMPASS office, the office that is planning the weekend, can have all your necessary materials ready for you when you arrive on campus and check in. The Registration page is where you can sign up for the weekend and any events that you would be interested in participating in or attending.

Events

To begin the weekend of family fun, parents are invited to attend class on Friday with their student. Would you like to see just how funny that professor is, that your student always mentions on the phone? Or how about see some of the neat projects your student is working on in their labs? Well this is your opportunity to do just that, see what it’s like to be a student again and get to meet some of the faculty and staff.

A Family checking in at the Rozsa Lobby for Family Weekend last year.

Beginning at 4 p.m. Family Weekend officially gets underway with several activities. Attend the History of Winter Carnival Presentation to see just how Winter Carnival became a great Michigan Tech winter tradition, or challenge you and your family by trying out the High Ropes Challenge Course. 5 p.m. marks the start of the weekend long Photo Contest. This is a great opportunity to spend time as a family as you follow clues to several scenic sights and explore the beautiful Keweenaw. Other great events taking place on Friday night include the Bandarama showcase featuring the various Michigan Tech bands, a Parent Meet and Greet in the new art gallery, a Broomball Exhibition Game with Family Trials at the John J. MacInnes Ice Arena, a comedic performance, and a family movie showing.

Saturday, Family Weekend is in full swing with several trips and tours. Join the Outdoor Adventure Program and see beautiful views on a Hungarian Falls Hike or a Sturgeon River Paddling Trip. Take a tour of the Quincy Mine, the Keweenaw Brewing Company, or the A.E. Mineral Museum. Enjoy the beautiful fall colors on the Copper Country Boat Cruise, the Red Jacket Trolly Tour, or on the Chair Lift Color Tour. Some of the other events planned for Saturday evening include Glow Bowling with Blizzard at Michigan Tech’s very own bowling alley, a Michigan Tech Hockey Game held in MacInnes Ice Arena, and the Complete Works of Shakespeare play in the Rozsa Center. Sunday, October 4 will conclude another wonderful Family Weekend with the Keweenaw Brunch held in the Memorial Union Ballroom. The brunch is a great opportunity to do some final catching up with your student and to enjoy a nice meal together.

As you can see Family Weekend 2009 has something to offer every family and student. I encourage you to make the trip, it is a great time to come visit your student, Michigan Tech’s campus, and see the beautiful fall colors. If you have any questions or comments about Family weekend you can comment on this post or contact the COMPASS office at (906) 487-3558 (open 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. during the week) or email them at compass@mtu.edu.