Families, Students to Reunite for Day of University Activities, Fun, Food

On Saturday, organizers are expecting more than 1,600 parents and siblings to participate in a full day of on-campus activities during Family Day.

“Family Day is a good time for families to see what their student’s life looks like after a month or so of being in class,” said Annie Cassin, program coordinator for New Student Programs. “The students have had a few weeks to work out their own schedules, get used to campus life and get involved in University activities. This is a time for them to reconnect with their families.”

Online registration is closed, but family members can still register at 11 a.m. Saturday in the lobby of the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building. Registration is $25, with free admission for students and children 11 and younger.

Registration includes a Family Day T-shirt, a catered lunch, games and activities for all ages, a volunteer project and admission to a UT Dallas women’s volleyball match against Mary Hardin-Baylor that evening.

At 11:30 a.m., a welcome program in the ATEC lecture hall will feature greetings from University President Richard Benson; Dr. Amanda Smith, dean of students; Akshitha Padigela, Student Government president; and Dr. Conrad Capili BS'08, 2016 Undergraduate Alumni Achievement Award recipient.

Students will perform a variety of music and dance selections, plus scenes from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in an arts showcase at 3 p.m. in the University Theatre. At 7:30 p.m., guest artists will join the UTDance Ensemble to perform ballet, flamenco and other dances from around the world.

The Student Wellness Center and Recreational Sports will sponsor family friendly activities, and both Residential Life and Fraternity and Sorority Life will host an open house. Living Learning Communities will host a tea as they do throughout the semester. Both the Activity Center and Recreation Center West will be open for use by students and their families.

During the Office of Student Volunteerism's Scarves for the Homeless guests can help decorate fabric that will be made into scarves. The service project organizers hope to donate 100 winter scarves to the Samaritan Inn, a homeless shelter in McKinney.

Guests also are encouraged to bring wrapping paper and new or gently used gift bags for the October donation drive benefiting The Birthday Party Project, a nonprofit in Addison that hosts birthday parties for homeless children.