Celebrating family
Family Weekend and essay contest give students a chance to thank parents
Parents often sacrifice so their children can attend college, and for the seventh year in a row, students have the opportunity to publicly thank their parents by submitting an essay detailing these sacrifices in the “Outstanding Parent of the Year” contest.
Spirit — Families showed Liberty pride during family weekend last year. Photo credit: Courtney Russo
“It is an opportunity for parents to be honored and students to say thank you,” Theresa Dunbar, director of Parent and Family Connections, who hosts the event, said.
While there is no annual theme for the contest, there are three points students should address in their essays, according to the Parent and Family Connections website. The points include how parents have encouraged and supported their students’ education at Liberty, how they have provided opportunities or made sacrifices for their students or the benefit of others, or something that makes their parents unique. The essay must contain 250-500 words and must be submitted by midnight Sept. 4.
In addition to the essay requirements, an undergraduate student must be in good standing with the university in order to nominate one or both parents. Essays will then be judged by a panel of three to five faculty/staff members, with only the students’ identification numbers provided so there is no bias. Judging will take place Sept. 4-8. The winner will be notified by the Parent and Family Connections Office between Sept. 8-9 to determine if parents can attend the ceremony. Attendance is required in order to win.
According to Dunbar, the contest winner will receive $100 in Flames Cash and $250 Barnes and Noble book dollars. Their parent(s) will receive a free three-night stay at the Fairfield Inn and Suites, a photo clock to commemorate the event and additional prizes courtesy of the campus bookstore. The winner will be announced during the Family Welcome Reception, which officially kicks off Family Weekend, Sept. 18. Best-selling author Karen Kingsbury will be on hand to assist with the presentation of the award.
Now in its 14th year, Family Weekend is an event designed to help families feel connected to their student(s) and Liberty.
“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. “Parents remain involved as they continue to invest financially and emotionally into their student’s education just as they have invested their values and beliefs into their children for the past 18 plus years. Offering this opportunity helps them feel connected to their student and to the university.”
Family Weekend will encompass a variety of activities designed to introduce families to Liberty’s campus Sept. 18-20. According to the schedule on the Parent and Family Connections website, families will have the opportunity to attend classes and Convocation with their student(s) on Friday, a book signing with Korie and Sadie Robinson of “Duck Dynasty” fame, a football game against the University of Montana Grizzlies and/or Tenth Avenue North’s “All the Earth is Holy Ground” Tour concert. Alluvion Stage Company’s production of “Sister Act” will also be showing through the weekend.
Dunbar encouraged siblings 14 and older to stay in the residence halls.
“This allows them the opportunity to experience campus life,” Dunbar said. “Usually they are aspiring to attend Liberty when it’s time for them to pursue their college education. We love keeping it in the Liberty family.”
According to Dunbar, the weekend is a method for recruitment and retention.
“If the parents and families are encouraged to come visit their students while they’re here, we’re hoping it will increase the opportunity for the students to be successful so they finish all four years at Liberty,” Dunbar said.
Dunbar estimates that she currently has 2,200 guests registered for the weekend visiting approximately 500 students. With registration open until Sept. 17, she expects the number to increase to more than 3,000.
To register for Family Weekend or to view a complete schedule of activities, visit liberty.edu/parents.
MAURER is a feature reporter.