Every fall, the parents of University of South Carolina students invade campus for Parents Weekend. This annual event gives parents the chance to see how their student lives and thrives during his or her time on campus, as well as allowing them to see the university through the eyes of a student. Throughout this last weekend, parents could pick and choose from more than 85 different activities.
Whether parents wanted to attend a University 101 class on campus, work out at Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center doing vinyasa yoga, dine poolside at the Carolina Beach Bash, meet President Harris Pastides or attend the football game, they did not leave Columbia disappointed — even with the inclement weather in the capital city.
Parents in the past have referred to one particular event as a must-do of Parents Weekend: President's Welcome Reception Friday afternoon.
President Pastides and his wife Patricia Moore-Pastides opened up their home on the historic Horseshoe to students and parents to snack on hors d’oeuvres as well as to mingle with other parents and the president himself. When asked to rate the reception on a 1-10 scale, Jackie Harris, mother of second-year nursing student Haley Harris, responded with no hesitation.
“Oh goodness, 10,” Harris said. “It’s just amazing that he [President Pastides] opens up his home on a rainy afternoon like this, especially at such a big university.”
Other must-do events on Friday included the Carolina Beach Bash,where parents and students got to enjoy authentic Southern cuisine while hanging out by the pool at Strom. Attendees could also play a game of corn hole and take pictures in the photo booth. Cocky even made an appearance.
Saturday’s events began at 7:30 a.m. with the Parents Weekend 5K. Participants could run or walk the course, and those preregistered who crossed the finish line were guaranteed a Parents Weekend 5K T-shirt. After the run, it was time for the big event: the Parents Weekend Tailgate Party.
Despite the damp and cold weather, parents and their students were up early to secure entry to the tailgate party. Admittance to the official tailgating section was limited to those with official Parents Weekend name tags. Those who weren't registered made their own tailgating sections around the perimeters of the old football practice field.
At noon parents and students alike filed into Williams-Brice Stadium to watch the Gamecocks defeat the UCF Golden Knights 31-14.
On Sunday morning, after many parents had brunch on campus (there was even a brunch offered at the Top of Carolina), parents began to say goodbye to their students and bring the fun-filled weekend to an end — while, of course, looking forward to Parents Weekend 2016.
“It is just so upbeat, friendly, and welcoming … and that’s why my son wanted to come to South Carolina,” said Anne Lepczyk, member of Parents Advisory Council and mother of third-year history student Andrew Lepczyk. “When he toured the school, he felt at home here, and that’s kind of the feeling that I get when I’m here too. It’s just a great experience.”
Nathaniel Simmons-Thorne contributed to reporting on this piece.