The Article below was published in Vol. 135, Issue 5 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on February 7, 2020
Jovana Jovanovska ’23
Staff Writer
Every year, Lake Forest College welcomes families on campus to visit their students and experience life at the college. This year’s Family Weekend was held the weekend of Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1. Families had an opportunity to participate in various activities, including a virtual reality demonstration, college classes, discussions with staff and alumni, athletic events and more. Also, the bookstore offered a family discount of 20 percent on apparel or gift cards for both days.
During registration on Friday, Stentor staff spoke with parent Mimi Osborne of Louisiana. Although Osborne visited campus when she moved her daughter, Katie Osborne ‘23, into her dorm, the rest of her daughter’s family had not seen the campus prior to Family Weekend. Osborne’s daughter is a freshman and studies photography, videography, and environmental studies.
On Friday afternoon, families could choose to attend the Art Exhibit “States of Democracy” in Durand Art Institute curated by Assistant Professor of Art David Sanchez Burr, a virtual reality demonstration in the Donnelley and Lee Library, or attend classes taught by Lake Forest College professors in art, mathematics, philosophy, or economics.
In the evening, there were men’s and women’s basketball games. During the men’s basketball game, Stentor staff spoke with Beverly and Dave Klug of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, parents of Zak Klug ’23. The Klugs came to Family Weekend to support their son’s basketball game, however, the men’s team lost the game against Illinois College, 87-76.
Saturday morning gave an opportunity for parents to attend the “Coffee With the Deans” event to learn about the support and resources available for their students. Additional events included a Q&A with Colleen Monks, interim director of the Career Advancement Center, and a panel discussion with the Alumni Council. During Saturday morning’s events, Stentor staff met Maureen and Keith Wheeler of Midfield, Massachusetts. The Wheelers attended Family Weekend to visit their son, Nicholas Wheeler ’21.
Throughout the rest of the day, most of the activities were happening at the Sports and Recreation Center on South Campus. Families could choose to attend a handball game, a swim meet, a tennis meet, or men’s and women’s basketball games. For senior swim team member Ani Karagianis ’20, it was bittersweet to compete in one of the last swim meets of her college career with her parents in attendance. “[My parents] have been my support system for all these years,” she said. “I owe my successes and triumphs to them and their continued support.”
Jovana Jovanovska can be reached at jovanovskaj@mx.lakeforest.edu
