The Charger Blog
Students recently welcomed their parents, families, and friends to the University to celebrate Family Day, an annual and fun event that creates community and connection while fostering Charger Pride.
September 23, 2022
Angela Carter 鈥24 and Natalie Carter 鈥24 were excited to spend a recent Saturday with their parents on campus. Their parents had made the trip from Philadelphia to spend Family Day with their twin daughters and to enjoy the many activities offered as part of the event.
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to see my parents because I don鈥檛 get to go home often,鈥 said Natalie, an exercise science major. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to have them here and for them to get to see the campus.鈥
鈥淚 am excited to show them my dorm,鈥 added Angela, a business management major who lives in Celentano Hall. 鈥淚 want them to meet my roommates.鈥
Their parents were also excited to spend time with them on campus. Their father, Al Carter, was excited to watch the team play, and their mother, Alicia Green-Carter, appreciated getting to see the University.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great to catch up with my daughters,鈥 said Carter. 鈥淲e鈥檝e walked around a bit and checked out the bookstore. It鈥檚 great to be here.鈥
鈥淭he campus is beautiful,鈥 added Green-Carter. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very inviting and engaging, and it鈥檚 great to be here post-COVID.鈥
An annual event that enables students鈥 parents, guardians, families, and friends to visit them and explore the campus, Family Day aims to build a sense of community and gives students an opportunity to share with their loved ones the many opportunities and resources the University has to offer.
鈥淣ever forget that your parents, guardians, and family members 鈥 and those who are like family 鈥 are there for you when you need some extra support,鈥 wrote Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., in an email to students following Family Day, where he interacted with attendees. 鈥淭hey are the ones who helped you get where you are today, and they will always be your biggest fans.鈥
Families made memories together on campus, taking photos with Charlie, at the Charger statue, inside a balloon photo frame, and at a photo booth. Students and their families played lawn games together, enjoyed the interactive inflatables set up in the Bixler Quad, and created intention bracelets 鈥 a fun activity that enabled them to take with them a wearable souvenir of Family Day. That was something the Pickow family was excited to do together.
Ashley Pickow 鈥26 just started her first year as a Charger, and she was excited to get to see her parents again and show them the campus.
鈥淚 love my parents, and I missed them,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 was excited to show them the quad where I sit under a tree and have a coffee. I like seeing everyone here with their families. Everyone is really excited, and there鈥檚 a lot going on.鈥
Her parents came from Long Island to take part in Family Day. They enjoyed seeing their daughter and the many activities offered on campus.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited to be here,鈥 said Kelly Pickow, Ashley鈥檚 mother. 鈥淲e missed Ashley. There are so many cool events, and we were especially excited to check out the crafts and the escape room.鈥
Families cheered on the Chargers as they faced on the gridiron, winning 54-26. That evening, the team also faced American International, tying 0-0.
Family Day was an opportunity for families to tour residence halls and visit the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion, which hosted an open house. The University community made sure families felt welcome, and many staff members and students 鈥 including Prudhviraj Boddu 鈥24 M.S. 鈥 were on campus to welcome them with a smile.
鈥淚 was looking forward to helping out at Family Day and to getting to be a part of it,鈥 said Boddu, a candidate in the University鈥檚 graduate program in data science. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to be here, and I鈥檓 meeting so many new people. I was also really looking forward to the football game, and it was my first one.鈥
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