More than 3,000 visitors expected for Parents’ Weekend
Stanford expects to welcome more than 3,000 visitors for Parents’ Weekend on Feb. 26 and 27. Parents who have not yet registered can do so on site at the Arrillaga Alumni Center.
This year’s Parents’ Weekend will feature special programs to introduce the new Stanford Arts District, according to Elaine Enos, executive director of Stanford’s Office of Special Events and Protocol, which oversees the popular event. The Arts District includes the Cantor Arts Center, the Anderson Collection at Stanford University, the Bing Concert Hall and the new McMurtry Building for the Department of Art & Art History.
On Thursday, Feb. 25, for instance, the Cantor and Anderson Collection will be open late just for parents and students and will feature student performances. On Friday from 3 to 5 p.m., parents can stop by the Bing Concert Hall for a cappella performances. On Saturday, Parents’ Weekend attendees can purchase discounted tickets for a performance by jazz musician Kurt Elling.
Among the most popular events during Parents’ Weekend are the Back to School Classes taught by Stanford faculty members. The classes, which will be offered in three sessions on Saturday, are designed to give parents a glimpse into the educational experiences of their sons and daughters.
Classes this year will address subjects ranging from X-ray lasers to racial identity to global warming. Among the professors offering classes are Ge Wang, assistant professor of music and founder of the popular music-making app Smule; and physicist Persis Drell, dean of the School of Engineering.
Among the featured courses is “Careers for Humanities and Arts Majors,” which will be led by Richard Saller, dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. During the panel discussion, parents can learn about career pathways for students majoring in the humanities and arts.
Also offered will be classes led by Stanford administrators who focus on such areas as student well-being and career services.
On both Friday and Saturday, parents will be able to choose among an abundance of tours. Offered, for example, will be tours of Stanford Stadium, home of the Rose Bowl champion Stanford Cardinal football team; the Anderson Collection, which houses 121 modern and contemporary American paintings and sculptures; and Stanford Dining, where parents can learn more about the diverse eating and cooking programs from university chefs.
Family members will be welcomed to Parents’ Weekend by Provost John Etchemendy on Friday morning. President John Hennessy will offer an always-popular question-and-answer session for parents on Friday afternoon. Following the provost’s welcome, parents can meet with university officials to discuss the challenges and experiences of each student class: freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.
The weekend’s events will wrap up on Saturday afternoon with the Parents’ Club’s Entertainment Extravaganza! The event features a selection of student performance groups.
Parents are encouraged to plan to walk to and from most of the events and to pack umbrellas. February is often rainy in Northern California.
For more about Parents’ Weekend, visit the website.
