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Villanova
celebrates annual Parents' Weekend
By Elizabeth Solly '05
On Sept. 17, parents and family members descended upon the Villanova
University campus to celebrate the annual Parents’ Weekend. The two-day
event featured a variety of activities focused on allowing parents a glimpse
into their students’ collegiate experiences as well as fostering family
bonding.
The highlight of the weekend was the debate between
former Democratic presidential hopeful Howard Dean and former United States
Secretary of Education William Bennett, representing the Republican
perspective. More than 3,000 students, parents, faculty and staff attended
the event, which was held in the Pavilion and moderated by Frank Pryor,
University political science instructor. The speakers focused on issues
central to the upcoming presidential election, including the war in Iraq,
the national debt, and healthcare reform. Parents and students alike
commended the debaters for the level of civility they maintained, even while
examining highly controversial topics.
Another highlight of the weekend, less political but
no less competitive, was the Villanova football game against James Madison
University. Heavy winds and rain, courtesy of Hurricane Ivan, reduced
stadium attendance and drove many families to the King of Prussia Mall or
Philadelphia museums for dryer forms of entertainment.
For upperclassmen, Parents’ Weekend offered a chance
for family members to participate in important collegiate rites of passage.
Friday evening the Junior Ring Ceremony was held in the Pavilion, and Sunday
morning the Senior Breakfast took place at the elegant Drexelbrook Catering
Facility in Drexel Hill.
For families of all students, singer-songwriter
Bryan Masters gave a concert in the Connelly Center’s Belle Air Terrace.
There were also various informative workshops held on campus throughout the
weekend, including Career Services forums and musical presentations. The
festivities concluded with a special Sunday morning Parents’ Weekend Liturgy
in the Pavilion. |
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