Lindenwood will be hosting its ninth annual Family Day on Sept. 17 and will include events from previous years as well as new events to expose families to the campus experience, including an open house at the Library and Academic Resource Center.

Carynn Smith, the director of student involvement and the chair of family day, said that the event will provide a variety of activities for everyone of all ages.

“It’s, for the most part, all day,” Smith said. “I do believe that we have some campus tours lined up starting at 10 a.m., and then there’s another session at 12 p.m., but it ends at the football game. The football game starts at 6 p.m. and then (Family Day ends) whenever that game is over.”

The following events will be included in Saturday’s schedule according to Lindenwood’s Website:

• Business and Departmental Expo, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Evan’s Atrium

  • Families will get to meet local businesses and receive discounts on services

• Honor’s College Reception, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., McCluer Lounge

  • Student’s enrolled in Honor’s College and their families will be able to meet with the faculty and learn about the program

• Library and Academic Resources (LARC) Open House (New), 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

  • Students and their families can visit support offices and meet with Lindenwood Staff

• Lion’s Corner (formerly known as the International Festival), 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Evan’s Commons Rec Center

  • Carnival-themed event with prizes, giveaways, and other attractions

• Football Tailgating, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Football Game against Keiser University, 6 p.m., with fireworks following the game

• Chapel Service, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m., Sibley Chapel

  • Non-denominational worship service for students and families 

Smith said the Library and Academic Resource Center (LARC) Open House is a new event. She mentioned that the director of student support services, Jeremy Keye, was one of the staff members who made the LARC Open House possible.

“It’s going be an opportunity for people to see who we are and to visit with staff if they weren’t able to come in at the beginning of the school year so they can actually see us, have conversations, and we want to be a face for people to know where to go to,” Keye said.

Keye said that several departments in the LARC will be open during the open house, including the Center for Engaged Learning, First-Year Programs, the SASS Department, and the Writing Center. 

“It just gives you the opportunity to visit the different departments, meet with staff, and see where their students can receive different services and support from our staff,” Keye said.

Keye said that the event’s creation was a “spontaneous” idea by other faculty members, but he believes that it can be impactful for those on campus during the day. 

Smith said that there are several goals of hosting Family Day. The event aims to thank both Lindenwood students and families while providing the families the chance to see what Lindenwood has to offer.

“It’s a thank you to the parents, as well as a ‘hey let’s give you a pat on the back, let’s allow you to let your hair down a bit and relax with the people that mean the most to you,’” Smith said. “We know our students, this is the first couple of weeks of school, and everyone has returned. This isn’t a COVID year, which it’s been a while since we said that, but there are still some anxieties, there’s still some homesickness and things like that, so this is an opportunity for families to come back and really give the students a pat on the back.”

Smith chairs the event but said she works closely with several campus partners to make the event happen, with the Athletics Department coordinating the tailgate and football game and Student Academic and Support Services and First-Year Programs helping to coordinate the LARC Open House.

Families were able to purchase ticket packages for $15 each online. Smith said that each person who purchases the package receives a football game ticket, t-shirt, and ice cream voucher, with the ability to add on a meal voucher for $25.