Erinn Finley
Contributing Writer
[email protected]
Murray State is preparing for Family Weekend this week, which will be back in-person.
Last year, Murray State was unable to have any sort of in-person gathering for Family Weekend, so this year staff are looking to reconnect with families. The Family Weekend planning committee began talking about Family Weekend in early spring, said Peggy Whaley, director of student engagement and success.
“We decided since last year was so unusual and we couldn’t get together,” Whaley said. “We really just wanted to have this chance for families and students and our staff and faculty and administrators to just come and visit and relax and enjoy campus and enjoy Murray State.”
Whaley said because of this attitude, the committee decided not to have any keynote speakers, firework shows or any big events of that nature. They decided the goal of Family Weekend this year should be to reconnect. This weekend will give families a chance to see where their students live and participate in some community events.
Sophomore secondary English education major Madeline Oxendine said she’s excited for the chance to experience the Murray State community and Family Weekend in general. She said since she started college when the COVID-19 restrictions were stricter, this year feels more like her freshman year.
“I feel like this is my first real year at college,” Oxendine said. “I almost feel like I’m more homesick this year than I was last year because it feels more real this year.”
Oxendine said she feels excited for Family Weekend this year because virtual interactions took value out of events like Family Weekend and even classes themselves.
She said her family is looking forward particularly to events such as the football game and tailgating. It’s an opportunity for her family to meet her friends, some for the first time, and experience the community.
Whaley said one of the big events every year is the picnic lunch. This lunch will be on the Great Lawn between Alexander Hall and the Science Complex. She said the family lunch will have food from Sodexo dining, and there will also be a bounce house, lawn games and a photo booth. Racer One will also be at the lunch.
Whaley said another event they are really excited for is the recognition of Outstanding Family Members. This will occur during halftime of the football game. The outstanding family members will be invited onto the field, and then the Outstanding Family Member for 2021 will be announced.
Alexis Reid, a freshman communication disorders major, said her family is excited for the football game since her dad loves football. She also said she is glad the weekend is in person and glad that they had Family Weekend in general.
“I think it’s a good event to have because I have been wanting to show my parents around the University. And I haven’t been really able to ‘cause on move-in weekend it was just hectic and they had to just come and then leave,” Reid said.
Some other events for Family Weekend include a 40th anniversary celebration for the Curris Center, movie nights, a 5K and a band performance in Curris.
There will be some precautions necessary because of the COVID-19 risks. Masks will be required indoors and hand sanitizer will be available at the outdoor events, such as the picnic lunch.
Family Weekend will be from Friday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 3. There will be football tickets and welcome bags available for families. Students can pick these up at the CFSB ticket office every afternoon starting on Tuesday, Sept. 28 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more event and scheduling information, please visit murraystate.edu/familyweekend.
