Elon University is hosting its annual Family Weekend celebrations from Sept. 27 to 29, bringing parents and siblings to campus to reunite with their students.
Elon departments and organizations such as Parent Engagement and Student Union Board are involved in planning for this year. SUB Vice President of Events and junior Josh Tobin declined Elon News Network's request for interview, but sent a statement to Elon News Network stating SUB is approaching family weekend event planning differently this year.
Here is a comprehensive calendar of all family weekend events.
*Registration Required
Friday, Sept. 27:
Registration and Check-In
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | McKinnon Hall
Check in to get the full Family Weekend schedule, tickets for pre-registered events, Family Weekend t-shirts and other information.
Elon Experiences + Office Hours
Noon to 3 p.m.
Learn more about Elon Experiences and other opportunities available for students. Participating offices include:
- Student Professional Development Center on the first floor of Moseley Center
- Kernodle Center for Civic Life in Moseley Center 232
- Global Education Center in Global Commons 360
- Undergraduate research in Powell 108H
- Center for Leadership in Moseley Center 230
- Office of Student Involvement in Moseley Center 205
- Center for Race, Ethnicity, & Diversity Education in Moseley Center 221
- Student government in Moseley Center 201
- Gender & LGBTQIA Center in Moseley Center 209
- Maker Hub at 130 N. Williamson Ave.
Phoenix Family Book Club
2 to 2:45 p.m. | Global Commons 103
Discuss Elon’s 2024 Common Reading Book, “The Intersectional Environmentalist” by Leah Thomas.
*Fall Convocation with Arthur C. Brooks
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Alumni Gym
Arthur C. Brooks — Parker Gilbert Montgomery professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, professor of management practice at the Harvard Business School, columnist at The Atlantic and author of 13 books — will speak on human happiness. Tickets are $15 per person. Students can use their Phoenix Card for one complimentary ticket.
Loy Farm & EcoVillage Open House
5 to 6 p.m. | Loy Farm
Learn about the sustainability initiatives at Loy Farm and the EcoVillage Living Learning Community. The farm is located at 2635 W. Front St., which is a short walk, bike ride or drive from the main campus.
*Downtown Burlington Bike Tour
5 to 8 p.m. | Meet at ELOA OFfice (Room 106) in the Koury Athletic Center
The Elon Outdoors staff ride down the Greenway to downtown Burlington. The total mileage is approximately nine miles, and bikes and helmets are provided.
Phoenix 4th Friday
5:30 to 9 p.m. | Downtown Burlington
The local community will celebrate the university’s partnership with Alamance County with food trucks, games, activities and live music from Elon student band Thistle Ridge.
Dancing in the Landscape
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Center for the Arts Plaza
This performance is a site-specific dance featuring original choreography from faculty, guest artists and students.
Elon Wind Ensemble Concert
5:30 to 6:15 p.m. | McCrary Theatre
“Through a Child’s Eyes” is the first concert of the academic year and will feature a wide variety of music, specifically written to be reminiscent of youth.
Music Department Faculty Concert
7:30 p.m. | Whiteley Auditorium
Faculty artists will perform a mixed program for voice, piano, percussion, wind, brass and strings.
SUBCinema
8 p.m. | Turner Theatre
The Student Union Board is hosting a screening of “The Lego Batman Movie” with popcorn, candy and soda.
Casino Night
9 p.m. to midnight | Moseley Student center
Casino dealers will host games including blackjack, roulette, craps, poker and more with house money.
Saturday, Sept. 28:
Registration and Check-In
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | McKinnon Hall
Check in to get the full Family Weekend schedule, tickets for pre-registered events, Family Weekend t-shirts and other information.
*Coffee with the President
8:30 to 9:30 a.m. | Young Commons
President Connie Book will join families for coffee and a continental breakfast.
University Update
9:30 to 10 a.m. | Alumni Gym
President Connie Book will welcome families and provide an update to the university.
Academic Connections
10 a.m. to noon | Meeting locations in student check-in guide
Parents can have informal conversations with student’s professors to learn more about classes at Elon. Meeting locations are in the student check-in guide.
History of Elon
10:15 to 11 a.m. | Great Hall in Global Commons
Retired Barry Bradbery ’75, who served as associate dean of admissions and special assistant to the president, will go through Elon’s history through the years. There is a ride available for grandparents who will be attending the Elon campus Story Tour.
Oak Originals at the Marketplace
10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Beside Lake Mary Nell
Elon student entrepreneurs will be selling their creative ventures.
*For Grandparents: Elon Campus Story Tour
11 to 11:45 a.m. | Elon Express bus stop at Inman Admissions Welcome Center
Grandparents get an insider’s view of the university. Buses will leave from and return to the Elon Express bus stop at Inman Admissions Welcome Center and will make another drop-off at the Schar Center for those who are joining the Phoenix Fan Fest.
*Phoenix Fan Fest
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Schar Center
Elon fans can enjoy food, lawn games, musical entertainment, giveaways and more before the game.
Acorn Talks
11:15 a.m. to noon
Faculty and staff will talk about a variety of topics in different locations that can be found at https://www.elon.edu/u/parents/family-weekend/2024-acorn-talks-schedule/
Dancing in the Landscape
Noon to 1 p.m. | Center for the Arts Plaza
This performance is a site-specific dance featuring original choreography from faculty, guest artists and students.
*Football Game
2 p.m. | Rhodes Stadium
The Phoenix play against the University of Richmond. Tickets are available through the Family Weekend registration site and will be sent digitally. Students can use their Phoenix Cards for a complimentary ticket in the student section
*ROCKapella
6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. | Alumni Gym
Elon’s a cappella groups will be performing.
Instant Laughter Improv
7:30 p.m. | Yeager Recital Hall
Elon’s comic improv team will perform scenes and sketches based on audience suggestions. Admission is $15 and will be collected at the door.
SUBCinema
8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. | Turner Theatre
The Student Union Board is hosting a screening of “The Lego Batman Movie” with popcorn, candy and soda.
Night on the Commons
10 p.m. to 2 a.m. | Young Commons
The entire family can enjoy fun events such as blacklight mini-golf and glow ax throwing.
Sunday, Sept. 29:
Family Hospitality Suite
9 a.m. to noon | Martin Alumni Center
Parents can pick up t-shirts, get information about campus and other things they may need before leaving campus.
Women’s Soccer Game
1 p.m. | Rudd Field
The Phoenix play against the Hampton Pirates.