Parent contest

Students show their gratitude

The Parent and Family Connections Office is providing one student an opportunity to spend the weekend in Lynchburg with his or her family at no cost. From Aug. 25 through Sept. 20, the Outstanding Parent Essay Contest is open for all students to enter.

The Outstanding Parent Essay Contest has been a part of Liberty’s culture for six years and continues to welcome families from throughout the nation.

According to Theresa Dunbar, director of the Parent and Family Connections Office, the Outstanding Parent Essay Contest originated in an effort to recognize and honor the contribution that Liberty University parents make toward their students.

Students who are interested in the competition will be required to submit an essay entry describing how their parent or guardian has supported and encouraged them.
Essay entries should consist of 250-500 words. The winner will be notified Sept. 29.

The winner will receive a $75 gift card to the Liberty University Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 100 additional meal points and a free, three-night stay at the Wingate by Wyndham for their parents/guardians during Fall Family Weekend, Oct. 24-26. The student and their parent/guardian will attend the Fall Family Dinner as the honored guests where they will be presented with a special plaque.

The winner of the Outstanding Parent Award must be able to attend Fall Family Weekend, Oct. 24-26, and must also be present for the award presentation at the Fall Family Dinner and to be recognized at the home football game on Saturday againstGardner-Webb.

“We promote the contest in hall meetings, on the splash page, posters on halls … and a mass email letter inviting students to participate,” Dunbar said.
Dunbar highlighted oppurtunities Liberty provides for families.

“Offering events like the Family Weekend helps families feel connected to their student and to the university,” Dunbar said. “It provides the students an opportunity to reconnect with their families and to make great memories together while here at Liberty.”

Dunbar also spoke of the importance of involving parents with students.

“We recognize that this generation of parents and family members are more involved with their children and like to stay connected to them even once they go away to college,” Dunbar said. “This is our 13th year to sponsor a weekend event for parents and families, and we have seen the numbers increase each year. Parents want to be included, as they are investing financially into their student’s education just as they have invested so much of their values
and beliefs into them for the past 18 plus years.”

The Parent and Family Connections Office also encourages younger siblings ages 10 and up of the same gender to stay overnight simply to add to their on campus experience.

“(Younger siblings often) are inspired to attend Liberty when it’s time for them to seek their college education,” Dunbar said. “…obviously we love keeping it in the Liberty family.”

The office encourages students to participate in the contest as well as invite their families to Family Weekend.

“We want to encourage unity throughout the Liberty family by offering different events through which families can get to know each other and the campus,” Dunbar said. “From a theatre production night to a dinner to the football game to a book signing with Newt Gingrich, there is sure to be something for everyone.”

For more information on the outstanding Parent Essay Contest, visit liberty.edu/admissions/parents.