Held annually, Family Weekend invites students’ families to campus to experience what life is like as a Miami Hurricane student. This year’s schedule included mock classes led by University faculty, interest sessions about various campus resources, an outdoor pep rally and barbeque, multiple Hurricanes sporting events, and much more.
Families chose to attend the weekend not only to take advantage of the scheduled programming but also to spend precious time with their students, a sentiment shared by President Julio Frenk as he welcomed families to the pep rally.
“Being together is a gift,” he said. “And it is something we will never again take for granted."
Kathy and Marc Lamantia traveled to Coral Gables from Long Island to be with their son, Christian, a first-year student. They said that knowing he successfully settled in on campus brought them comfort and joy.
“We miss him and wanted to be here for his first year on campus,” Kathy Lamantia said. “To see him so happy and well-adjusted lets us know he made the right choice in the University of Miami.”
Especially for students who began their time at the University fully remote last semester due to the pandemic, both students and families enjoyed their time together on campus.
Don Ogden, a lifelong ’Canes fan, remembers wearing a University of Miami t-shirt when he brought his daughter, Morgan, now a second-year student, home from the hospital. To the Ogden family, this year’s Family Weekend held a special meaning.
“With Morgan starting her first year at Miami remotely after a somewhat depressing ending to her senior year of high school, this weekend means a ton to us. To see her on campus with her new friends, getting involved, and moving forward with her life is so rewarding.”
In addition to the on-campus festivities, families were encouraged to explore the county's popular hotspots like Wynwood and Miami Beach. Many families also donned their orange and green to watch the ’Canes football team defeat Connecticut State University at Hard Rock Stadium.
“Family Weekend aims to provide families with a taste of life as a student,” said Mike Baumhardt, director of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement, whose team coordinates the weekend. “No matter how families chose to enjoy the time with their students this weekend, we were thrilled to be a part of this special moment in their lives.”
