Family Weekend Kicks-Off Friday

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For more than a decade the University of Arkansas Family Weekend has united thousands of Razorback parents, students, alumni and guests on campus for a weekend of university traditions and Razorback pride. Family Weekend will be held Sept. 16-18, and this year's event is the largest in history with more than 2,000 people participating.

Among the many events scheduled for the weekend is the recognition of the Associated Student Government’s Honorary Family during halftime of the University of Arkansas-Troy football game Saturday. ASG has been recognizing a University of Arkansas family since 1998, not based on monetary contributions to the university, but rather on the support the family provides students to be successful during their years on campus.

This year’s Honorary Family is the Baker family from Fayetteville. University of Arkansas senior Preston Baker is a transportation and logistics major in the Walton College of Business, and a director on the Student Alumni Board. The Baker family includes Preston’s father, Terry Baker, who is a University of Arkansas alumnus, his mother, Susie Baker, a Texas A&M alumna, and Preston’s four brothers Brandon, Peyton, Cameron and Carson. Brandon is currently in medical school at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago. Peyton is a sophomore majoring in biology and English, an Honors College Fellow and a member of Phi Delta Theta. Cameron is a freshman Silas Hunt Scholar studying international relations. They are both in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Carson is a sophomore at Fayetteville High School. The family will be recognized during the halftime show of this Saturday’s game against Troy.

The following is the Family Weekend schedule of events:

Friday, Sept. 16

6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Work Out With Your Student: University Recreation is offering two guest passes, day lockers and towel service for families during Family weekend. Family members must be accompanied by their student. Engage in group fitness classes, swim in the Natatorium, boulder in the Outdoor Connections Center, play racquetball or basketball, or workout in the Donna Axum Fitness Center where UREC will have personal trainers on hand to give tips. They will also have a few extra staff members around to give tours. For more information, contact Samantha Fehr at 575-7382 or sfehr@uark.edu.  

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

University Recreation Family Weekend Cookout: After getting some exercise in and working up a sweat, join the University Recreation staff at the Family Weekend Cookout and get some nourishment! Family members must be accompanied by their student. It’s free, but if you could, please RSVP to sfehr@uark.edu if you plan on coming so they can adequately prepare.

3-11 p.m.

Registration and Check-In

Arkansas Union Connections Lounge

6-8 p.m.

Parent Partnership Association Wine and Cheese Reception

Inn at Carnall Hall

9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Friday Night Live – Casino Night

Pomfret Hall Great Room

Saturday, Sept. 17

3 p.m.

Registration and Check-In

Arkansas Union Connections Lounge

3-6 p.m.

Tailgate Party

Arkansas Union Mall

6:30 p.m.

Arkansas Razorbacks v. Troy Trojans

Donald W. Reyonlds Razorback Stadium

Sunday, Sept. 18

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Family Weekend Sunday Brunch in the Northwest Quad Dining Hall: Join staff from the Division of Student Affairs as we dine to the sounds of the University of Arkansas Jazz Ensemble.