Parents, students join in Family Day events

Qwion Booker, a freshman open preference major, licked his spoon, finishing off the rest of his ice cream before talking about all the things he and his mom did during this Saturday's Family Day.

Booker and his family played basketball at the arena, went to the Terre Haute Street Fair and ended the day at the Ice Cream Social in the Commons.

"The Street Fair was my favorite; we went on a carriage ride, listened to music, and looked at all of the arts and crafts," Booker said.

The food was notable also; he couldn't seem to stop describing all the appetizing treats at the fair.

"There were turkey legs, elephant ears, steak, lemon shake ups; it was all so delicious," Booker said.

There were many other events during the day that families could participate in. Joey Compton, a freshman pre-veterinary major, and his brother Robert Compton, also a freshman pre-veterinary major took their parents tailgating before the football game. "Tailgating was a lot of fun, the food was delicious, and everyone was having a good time," Joey Compton said.

"We're in the band, so it was sort of nerve racking to play at our first game in front of our parents," Robert Compton said.

After the game the family toured the campus, including the newly renovated Rhoads Hall lounge.

"We checked out the new lounge and our parents were able to talk with Dr. Bierly [University Honors Program director]," Joey Compton said.

Freda Luers, associate director of Student Activities and Organizations, helped coordinate the day.

"The purpose of Family Day is to have a place for families to relax and provide opportunities for them to spend time with their students as well as ask questions and get to know the campus," Luers said.

Santana Graham, a school psychology graduate student, had a different kind of family day this year, because her sister Marty Langlois, a sophomore psychology and criminology and criminal justice major, was also on campus to show their family around.

Graham's family took pictures by the fountain and visited the residence halls, but spent the day off campus.

"We actually left campus to go to Fairbanks Park and have a picnic," Graham said.

"It was just a really nice and relaxing day spending time with my family," Langlois said.

( Brittany Parrett is a freshman business management major. She can be reached at sascamed@isugw.indstate.edu.)