Dave Ehrlich/Staff PhotographerAfter reviewing responses from the 2002 and 2003 Family Weekend evaluations, plan’s for this year’s activities were altered in order to meet the requests of students and their family members. “Every year we try to make Family Weekend different because it’s like a disservice to the families and students to have the same events every year,” said Director of Student Activities, Jason Bozzone.
This year’s Fall Honors Convocation recognized students who made the Dean’s list last semester, along with other outstanding achievements. Eight new members were inducted into the Honor Society. Academic Achievement Awards for Athletes is to be awarded to the team whose grade-point average improved the most over the course of the school year. The recipient of this award was the men’s tennis team, whose GPA went from a 2.5 to a 3.0. Also at the Honors Convocation, senior Amanda Brown, was selected as the recipient of the newly established Academic Honesty Award.
A reception with President Iadarola and Cabinet members offered students and family members an opportunity to discuses campus issues. The forum was held in the Dixon Center’s Presidential Hospitality Suite which was filled with refreshments and offered a welcoming atmosphere. Blue prints of future plans, including the S.E.T. building, for Cabrini were hung on the walls.
“The college is efficient, and doing their best. They are aware that the growth of the population is growing faster than they can build for,” said parent a present at the discussion. The topic of residential housing was touched upon. Cabrini will see change within the next year and a half. A long-term plan would include replacing the houses on Residential Blvd. and building a more modern, more efficient dorm to house more students.
At the President’s reception residents also expressed their frustration with parking on campus. Iadorola commented that parking is “challenging.” An ideal solution that was brought up by cabinet members is to build a parking garage. Several members discussed the idea of the location of the parking garage to possibly be in the already existing Dixon Center lot.
Despite cloudy skies, a fun-filled Cav Fest took place on the Commons during the afternoon. This year, the fest included a bungee challenge, airbrush face painting, laser tag and a train ride that gave families a tour of the campus.
A King African vulture, an 8-foot albino Burmese python, tarantulas, an African Grey, a porcupine and many more, made the Exotic Animal Show a huge success. The full audience was informed about the history and nature of these exotics and all attendees were able to handle or touch the animals after the show. The show-stealer was Mr. Adam Monk, an amusing 32-year-old monkey, who led the laughs up to returning comedian, Lynn Trefzger’s performance.
Saturday night, Oct. 2, was full of new options for Family Weekend. Sticking with the theme, “The Best of Philly,” busses offered two trips to choose from. Student Activities sold $5 tickets to the Phillies baseball game, and reserved 100 tickets for The Spirit of Philadelphia dinner cruise.
The Spirit of Philadelphia dinner cruise sold out in record time. Jason Bazzone worked out a great deal of $30 per person. This cost included transportation, buffet dinner and open bar with a selection beer and wine.
Freshman Nicole Morgan was pleased with this discounted price. Ironically, her family had planned on going on the cruise without knowing that Cabrini had reserved tickets. “When we tried to get tickets to go for my mom’s birthday the same weekend of Family Weekend and it was $68 for the public,” said Morgan. She was luckily able to go with Bozzone’s group by being on the waiting list. “We didn’t know we were going until the night before,” said Morgan.
The one glitch in the planning of Family Weekend was the late notice of information via the mail. Families received a brochure only one week prior to the events. With help of the suggestions forms given out at the end of each event Cabrini hope to make next year’s family weekend even more successful than this.
Posted to the web by Paul Nasella
