Starting Saturday, Nov. 10-12, The University of Memphis will host parents' weekend, which will include many activities designed for both parents and students.
The weekend will begin Saturday morning at 8 a.m., with a 5k run/walk. Proceeds will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. On-site registration will be from 7:15 - 7:45 a.m. at the South Campus. The cost is $20, and the public is invited to participate.
Becky Terry, administrative assistant of Student Affairs, said only 140 people, including parents, siblings and students will be attending parents' weekend, due to the event's late start this year. She said last year 514 people attended.
She said normally, parents' weekend is around the first of October, and tends to coincide with the fair.
"This year, it's two weeks before Thanksgiving and (that) may be the reason for the lower attendance," she said.
Other activities include a reception at the home of The University's interim president, Dr. Ralph Faudree, as well as a tailgate lunch on the Alumni Mall prior to the U of M vs. Cincinnati football game. A farewell brunch is set for Sunday morning at the Richardson Towers Cafe.
Another feature of the weekend is a "Parent of the Year" award. This year's recipients are Barbara and George Mayo. They were nominated by their daughter, Morgan, a senior. Students nominate their parents and write an essay.
Mayo said she and her husband attend parents weekend every year and feel it is important to let their daughter know they are interested in her education and her school.
"It's an incredible feeling for kids to think their parents are great," Mayo said of her daughter's essay.
"I got the call from my daughter telling me we had been chosen this year," she said. "I was in the checkout lane at Seessel's."
Leslie Hunt, a student at U of M, said this is the second year her parents have come for parents' weekend.
Hunt is helping to organize the 5k run/walk and is in charge of catering.
"My parents have always been a big part of my life," she said.
She also said parents' weekend is a lot of fun, and she looks forward to spending some time with her parents during the event.
