On Saturday, Oct. 6, students won’t be traveling home for the weekend; instead, their families will come to campus for Drury’s annual Family Day.

Panther Run

Family Day kicks off at 7 a.m. on Saturday with the eighth annual Panther Run to benefit Care To Learn, an organization that helps local students meet health, hunger and hygiene needs.

Runners can still register for 15K, 10K and 5K races. Those who prefer a slower pace can register for the 5K Teacher Appreciation Walk. Prices are $50 for the 15K and 10K, $40 for the 5K and $30 for the walk. 

Family Day fun

Check in at the Findlay Center Student (FSC) will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Students and their families can sign up for step-by-step painting classes or make blankets for Newborns in Need, while DUkes performs a selection of songs.

Senior Jessi Cook is co-president of DUkes and will play on Saturday.

“I love when I get to perform, especially to parents because they are always so excited,” said Cook.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., students and their families will enjoy a Family Day lunch at the Commons with Drury’s Jazz Band. After lunch, families can compete in bubble soccer on Sunderland field from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Are sports not your family’s cup of tea? Drury’s Residence Life Association will also host trivia in the FSC from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Senior Erin Benedict is from Oklahoma. While she enjoys seeing her parents on Family Day, Benedict also appreciates spending quality time with her siblings.

“My parents always try to come and then a couple siblings out of the five will, too. It’s so great being able to show them around campus and show them what Drury has to offer,” said Benedict.

Photo via Jessi Cook.

Games on the Green

Later in the afternoon, there will be games, live music, pumpkin painting, a photo booth and even a balloon artist on Kellogg Greenspace. The American Chemical Society will serve liquid nitrogen ice cream, and the International Student Association will have a calligraphy booth. Families can play a variety of yard games, such as ladder golf and a bean bag toss, while enjoying popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones.

A visit to the President’s House for happy hour, hors d’oeuvres and conversation will finish out the day from 3:30 to 4 p.m.

For seniors, like Cook and Benedict, this will be their final Family Day, and many of their families won’t be back on campus until graduation.

“I love getting to see my mom and showing her around campus. It’s bittersweet because my cousin is coming for the first time this year, but it’s also the last time I’ll be doing Family Day as a student,” said Cook.

The Cooks and Benedicts have participated in Family Day for the last four years. Their campus traditions will come to an end on Saturday. However, new traditions will begin for many freshmen as they and their loved ones experience Family Day for the first time.

Article by Taylor Stanton.