Binghamton University celebrates Family Weekend
Bearcat families come together to celebrate the largest Family Weekend since 2018
The campus was buzzing Oct. 6–8, as students invited their families to join the Binghamton University community in celebration of Family Weekend 2023. Students welcomed their families to campus with several fun activities, games and events designed to provide a snapshot of the robust campus culture, the community’s academic excellence and the energy of Binghamton’s vibrant campus.
Residential life communities hosted family-friendly events such as the Newing College Family Fun Bonfire, the College-in-the-Woods Fall Fest and the Apartments Community Duck Hunt. Bearcat families had the chance to party with Binghamton Late Nite at the Late Nite Carnival on Saturday evening or enjoy a more low-key weekend with guided tours of the Nature Preserve on Saturday and Sunday.
The University also welcomed keynote speaker Julie Lythcott-Haims to address students and their families, discussing her two books, Your Turn: How to be an Adult, and How to Raise an Adult. Lythcott-Haims is a New York Times bestselling author of books on human development, a TED speaker, a former Stanford dean and a lawyer. She holds degrees from Stanford University (BA), Harvard Law (JD) and California College of the Arts (MFA). Lythcott-Haims serves on numerous nonprofit boards whose work focuses on equity, education, youth, wellness and the arts.
“I look forward to Family Weekend every year,” said Director of Parent and Family Programs Betsy Staff. “As always, the excitement and energy was wonderful to witness, and we were thrilled to see so many families come out to support their Bearcats.”
This year’s Family Weekend celebration marked the highest attendance rate of visiting families since 2018, with nearly 5,000 registrations. The energy was palpable as several Family Weekend festivities sold out at maximum capacity, including the Binghamton Music Department’s Family Weekend concert, the Absolutely A Cappella concert and HYPROV, a hypnosis and improv comedy show featuring comedian Jeff Hiller. More than 2,000 people attended Baxter’s Lunch and Spirit Celebration in the Events Center on Saturday as well.
“Family Weekend was a rewarding, amazing experience,” said Assistant Director of Parent and Family Programs John Kiereck. “All the planning, preparing and teamwork that went into this event and then getting to see our Bearcat families enjoying time spent with their students made it all worthwhile. We can’t wait for Family Weekend 2024!”
Binghamton University Parent and Family Programs will hold Family Weekend 2024 on Sept. 20–22, 2024. For more information, visit the Parent and Family Programs website or sign up for the Parent Connect newsletter.