Family and Alumni Sports Weekend 2007 More
By Jill Warner, Communications Intern
Bethany College hosted family weekend Sept. 29 through Oct. 1. If participation is an indication, the weekend was a success.
Roxie Sjogren, Bethany coordinator of student activities, was pleased. “I was floored by the number of parents that showed up,” Sjogren said. While not all families registered for the weekend, those that did accounted for more than 200 visitors on campus.
Sjogren also is the main coordinator of family weekend.
“This is a great opportunity for parents to see how students are doing on campus and to see what’s going on,” she said.
Sjogren predicts that Family Weekend attendance will continue to climb as Bethany students increasingly stay on-campus during weekends.
Visiting families were invited to participate in fun events, including old-tyme portraiture, freaky snapshots, a roving balloon artist, lunch on campus and athletic events. Families arriving on Friday were able to attend classes, chapel and athletic practices.
Among those who registered, the farthest visitors traveled 10 hours to campus. Some visitors were from Colorado and Texas, with the majority being from Kansas. One family traveled just 15 minutes from Salina, Kan., to support their daughter. “We have always been involved in our kids’ lives,” said Michelle Compton, mother of sophomore Megan Compton. The Comptons had lunch with their daughter, participated in the photos and went to the football game.
Other families came to support their student-athletes. Bethany hosted home football and soccer games on Saturday. Senior football player Larry Harris had his own cheering section of family members. Among those that attended were his parents and three of his cousins. “I get to see my son play. That’s what’s important to me,” said Monica Harris.
At least one family had the added bonus of a birthday celebration during Family Weekend. “We came for the festivities, Megan’s birthday, and to watch women’s soccer,” said Brad Zeigel, father of sophomore soccer player Megan Zeigel. This was the Zeigel’s first family weekend experience.
Along with Sjogren, the Student Activities Board and athletic department sponsors the weekend.
More information, contact Roxie Sjogren at sjogrenr@bethanylb.edu or (785) 227-3311, ext. 8158.
