Saint Anselm College’s Family Weekend will take place this weekend from Friday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, Oct. 23.  Kick-off for the long standing tradition will be held in the Dana Center on Friday night, with check in and Parents Program information.  Also a feature of Friday night, The Anselmian Abbey Players will premiere their 2016 Family Weekend Show, Seize the Day, at 8 p.m.  The show is written, directed, choreographed, and produced entirely by students.

As sophomore Caitlin D’Amato explains, “My favorite part of Family Weekend is the show on Friday night.  It really represents what life here is like and gives the families an insight into it.  The whole point of Family Weekend is for students to show their families their life here and this show really represents that more than anything else.”

Saturday’s events begin with a mass at 8:30 a.m. in the Abbey Church, giving students and families alike a chance to explore the beautiful stained glass windows and to get to know the monastic community.

Starting at 9 a.m., the Family Weekend Committee will host a table in the Dana Center for families to pick up pre-order tickets, t-shirts, and Fun Run information. Senior Amanda Richards particularly enjoys the fun run, stating, “I love showing my parents around the campus.  Walking on the cross-country trails and showing them the beauty of our home is something I look forward to every year.  Especially now, when the fall foliage is at its peak.”

The Chapel Art Center’s fall exhibition The Silent Heart: Modern Illuminations by Anne Connell will be on display from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  At 10:15 a.m., Saint Anselm’s a cappella group, Hint of Lime, will perform on the Campus Green. Right after the musical performance, Abbot Mark Cooper will be hosting a Family Reception on the campus green.  Students and families are invited to enjoy light refreshments while visiting with members of the monastic community, faculty, administrators, and other student representatives.

At noon, the Hawks’ football team will take on Pace University at Grappone Stadium.  From 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., students and families can enjoy a variety of activities on the Campus Green, including games and novelties.  Sullivan Arena will open at 1 p.m. for open skate until 3 p.m.  At 1:30 p.m., the Classics Society will host an archaeological dig in the Ozone; equipment will be provided for this exciting excursion.

At 4:30 p.m., the Abbey church will host another family mass, and at 5 p.m. the field hockey team will challenge Southern Connecticut State University.

Later in the evening, Saint Anselm alumnus Rob Surette ’93 will host an art show, demonstrating his incredible ability to paint six foot murals in mere minutes.  Surette will also be giving away at least one piece if his artwork to someone in attendance. This event begins at 8:30 in the Dana Center.

Closing out Family Weekend, students and families can enjoy a delicious 8^th in the nation brunch in Davison Hall from 9:30 to 1:30.  A mass will be conducted at 11:00 at the Abbey Church.

Although the Family Weekend Committee events conclude with the brunch, as senior Johanna Materazzo puts it, “I’m from California, so it’s never been possible for my family to come for Family Weekend until this year. My family just moved to Massachusetts, so I’m really looking forward to showing them the campus and all the exciting things we do here. Sunday will be a great day to relax and show them all the little things about the school that I love.”

For more information and a complete list of events, visit anselm.edu/schedule.