More than 600 friends and family members of current Fords came to campus this past weekend to celebrate a return to an in-person Family and Friends Weekend—the most ever! Those friends and family members came from 30 different states across the U.S. and from as far aways as Australia, China, India, Korea, and Thailand to visit their students and see campus–for some, for the first time!
With a jam-packed schedule over Halloween weekend, there was plenty for everyone to do including panels, workshops, and tours of everything from the Haverfarm and the Arboretum to the new music building. One highlight was a book talk about The Days of Afrekete, Professor Asali Solomon’s new novel (that Vulture just listed as one of the best of the year), between the author and President Wendy Raymond in the College’s new Jaharis Recital Hall. Other notable events included the Center for Career and Professional Advising’s panel on the internship process—which was so well attended they had to host a second session—the Dean’s Office’s panel on available student resources, an interactive bookbinding workshop in the library, stargazing in the observatory, the annual a cappella and chamber music concert, and a talk by this semester’s Friend in Residence Johnny Perez, director of U.S. Prisons Program National Religious Campaign Against Torture.
For the first-years and sophomores, whose parents had likely never been to campus (apart from, perhaps, Move-In Day), there were special receptions for each class with the College’s president. There were other chances for parents to meet faculty and staff, such as a coffee reception—complete with local apple cider donuts!—on VCAM’s porch on Saturday. And the president, her beloved dog Peanut, and the Haverford Black Squirrel were seen at many different events across campus.
It was also a big weekend for Haverford Athletics. Though the cross country teams weren’t on campus for the Centennial Conference Championships, the men managed to win their 24th championship and the women placed third. And campus family and friends were able to watch the men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, volleyball, and men’s squash teams play against rival Swarthmore on their home fields and courts. Though women’s soccer, volleyball, and men’s squash were victorious, all of the teams had something to celebrate—their seniors, many of whom were playing their final conference match or home game.
