Unseasonably warm weather awaited a crowd of more than 700 family members, friends, and alums who descended on Haverford’s campus for the College’s annual Friends and Family Weekend. Across a busy weekend of learning and connection, guests were treated to an opportunity to explore Haverford’s vibrant community through the eyes of their students.
While sporting new spirit wear from the recently revamped Bookstore, guests took in a broad slate of programming, including photos with the black squirrel, panels on student mental health, internships and summer experiences, stargazing at Strawbridge Observatory, and much more. Athletics received its share of the spotlight with a panel that provided student-athletes a chance to share their experiences with intercollegiate athletics and an overview of the College’s Athletics Action Plan. Soccer and field hockey matches against rival Swarthmore followed.
Families and friends were also treated to tours of the College’s sustainability initiatives and two photography exhibitions that explore the legacy of O. Winston Link and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Student-curated exhibitions in Lutnick Library engaged them in topics ranging from the design of Barclay Hall and Haverford’s bygone traditions to 19th-century mental health care. Rich Thau ’87, who has been dubbed the “election whisperer,” also hosted a talk that provided his insight on the predilections of swing voters in the 2024 presidential election.
At the Skate House, President Wendy Raymond and members of the Coleman family gathered to remember Haverford’s ninth president, John “Jack” Coleman and the 50th anniversary of his groundbreaking book Blue-Collar Journal: A College President’s Sabbatical. In it, Coleman recounted his experiences going incognito to work as a trash collector, street sweeper, short-order cook, dishwasher, and many other roles. Through the book, Coleman gave legitimacy, through his words and actions, to experiential learning in the context of a liberal arts education. The legacy of the book is a forthcoming feature in the fall issue of Haverford magazine.
Friends and Family Weekend photos by Patrick Montero, Holden Blanco ’17, and Paola Nogueras.