Donning pins which read "Proud Penn Parent," eager parents bustled around campus this weekend, hoping to get a feel for college life.
From crafts fairs to campus tours to speeches from administrators, the University worked to make Family Weekend 2002 inclusive and memorable.
College freshman Juliet Perrachon's parents went to a brunch at Houston Hall, hosted by College of Arts and Sciences Dean Richard Beeman and Freshmen Dean Lorraine Sterritt.
"My parents didn't think the food was so great for the money they paid," Perrachon said. "But it was well organized."
College freshman Jennifer Klein also attended the brunch with her parents, but got a different impression.
"It was a little disorganized," she said. "We had to wait for a table."
Mollie Epstein took her parents to the brunch, and though she said her family is "anti-social," the College freshman said she still enjoyed the "opportunity to meet other freshmen and their parents."
Wharton freshman Bibi Schweitzer brought her parents to the meeting with Vice Dean Thomas Dunfee.
"My parents were so impressed by everything," Schweitzer said. "They met three of my professors."
Kate Schweitzer, Bibi's mother, said she found the meeting and reception worthwhile.
The event "was so well organized and gave us a good picture of the challenges the students will be facing this year."
The Schweitzers were excited to meet their daughter's professors, and more impressed that they knew who she was.
Eli Schlam and his parents took advantage of the Barnes Foundation tour, an area art museum.
The College sophomore and his parents enjoyed the exhibits and were impressed at Penn's efforts to offer such a culturally enriching event.
Karen Schlam, his mother, said, 'There was some confusion about [where to meet] but other than that, it was a wonderful tour."
Attending the University-organized functions didn't seem to be a top priority, though, especially among upperclassmen.
College sophomore Karen Jablonski gave her parents a personalized tour of select facilities.
"I took them to the new gym, Huntsman Hall and the Quad to see all the renovations," Jablonski said.
College freshman Alexis Knopp took her parents to the football game and introduced them to her hallmates
And College senior Dan Borden and his four roommates invited their parents to dinner on Saturday night, continuing a tradition started last year.
"We had a wonderful time," Dan's mother Marian Borden said. "And the discussion was whether the kids will go to graduate school in the same town so that we can meet up next year."
Students were happy to have their parents visit them -- and though many say they are not homesick, found the weekend to be a good "break."
Epstein said seeing her parents gave her "a little more sanity."
Lewis agreed, "I am happy my parents came... it was very good to see them."
And according to some parents, Penn did a fantastic job organizing the weekend.
Schlam and her husband spent some of the day Saturday exploring the campus and were particularly impressed by Huntsman Hall and the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center.
"When we walked into the gym, the director walked right up to us and gave us a tour through all the different facilities," Schlam said.
"One thing that really distinguishes Penn from the other schools is that they are so inclusive of parents," Schweitzer said, "They really seem to want to include the parents in making it a better place.
Schweitzer added that she noticed a "strong ethic of educating this generation... which should be the focus of every campus."
