Family Weekend
Family Weekend 2023
Friday, October 6 - Sunday, October, in connection with Homecoming!
We could not be more excited to share this weekend with you and your student!
This weekend is dedicated to all Titan family members and provides students with a chance to express their gratitude to those who have impacted their educational and life journey. Each family is an important addition to the Titan Family and we are happy to have you!
During Family Weekend, families will have the chance to participate in a range of events, activities, and programs. Throughout the weekend, we hope you will share your experiences on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the hashtag #TitanFamily.
If you have any questions, please email us at getinvolved@iwu.edu. You can also call the Office of Student Involvement at 309-556-3555 to ask any questions.
Registration
Registration for Family Weekend can be found here. Registration for Family Weekend is on the same site as Homecoming registration since these two events are happening concurrently and many of the events and activities for Homecoming are open to our family members.
Schedule of Events
Friday, October 6
Parent Advisory Council Meeting
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Memorial Center, Henning Room
The Parent Advisory Council plays a vital role in overseeing student life and focusing on what matters most to the students of Illinois Wesleyan. All parents of current IWU students are invited to attend.
Family Weekend Check-In
12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. | Hansen Student Center
Head to the Hansen Student Center to pick up all of your registration information. Here you will receive your Family Weekend packet & receive more information about the weekend festivities!
Back to College Class #1: Fetal and Early Childhood Brain Growth and Development with 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner, Dr. Roger Sheldon '64
1:00 p.m.-1:50 p.m. | Ames Library, Beckman Auditorium
Did you know that the "achievement gap" is already underway before a child reaches kindergarten? Dr. Sheldon will discuss the new brain science leading to a better understanding of much of our society's educational, social and psychic pathology and why we must move our focus and some of our funding to the earliest possible age.
Engaged Learning Expo
1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. | Ames Library, First Floor
IWU Titans make important contributions to the community through research, creative achievements, and service learning. This poster presentation showcases work by students from the Office of Diversity & Inclusion Summer Enrichment Program and the Robert S. and Nell B. Eckley Summer Scholars and Artists Program.
The Petrick Idea Center Panel
3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Listen to industry leaders in health and software technology. logistics and web commerce share stories and lessons learned through their ventures. As well as, how they leveraged their IWU education, experience, and professional networks to build and manage their companies.
President's Reception
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. | Memorial Center, Joslin Atrium
All Titan family members are invited to this special gathering to kick off Homecoming & Family Weekend.
CAB Pizza Taste
6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. | Outside Tucci Stadium
This event brings in several local pizza chains from the Bloomington/Normal area. Students and families are welcome to try a sample from each participating restaurant and vote for their favorite!
Women's Volleyball Game
7:30 p.m. | Shirk Center Arena
Watch the Titan Women's Volleyball team take on Washington University at 7:30 p.m. in the Shirk Center Arena.
TGOE Fest
8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. | Tucci Stadium
Join friends, family, and alumni in Tucci Stadium for an evening of fun, activities, recognizing some outstanding students, and celebrating our Titan Pride! There is a special surprise planned for 8:45 p.m. this evening!
Saturday, October 7
Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market
7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Downtown Bloomington (200 N. Main Street)
Head to downtown Bloomington and take part in their weekly Farmers' Market. The Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market is a producer-only market offering a wide array of farm products — including vegetables, fruits, cheeses, pork, beef, free-range poultry and eggs, flowers, plants, herbs, and more grown and produced by the individual selling these items!
Family Weekend Check-In
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Hansen Student Center
Head to the Hansen Student Center to pick up all of your registration information. Here you will receive your Family Weekend packet & receive more information about the weekend festivities!
Back to College Class #2: DEIB in the Workplace with 2021 Robert M. Montgomery Outstanding Young Alumni Award Winner Luis Cabrales-Vasquez '15
8:30 a.m.-9:20 a.m. | Ames Library, Beckman Auditorium
Learn more about the tools that can be used in the workplace to get a base understanding of where an organization is in the DEIB space and what can be done to bridge the gap of inequities to drive diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Homecoming Museum
8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Memorial Center, Nell Eckley Lounge
Come learn more about the rich history of IWU and check out IWU memorabilia.
Pancake & Sausage Breakfast
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. | Eckley Quad
Join friends, family, and current students under the tent for our annual Homecoming/Family Weekend breakfast.
CAB Color Run/Walk
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. | Ames Library Plaza
Wear white and get ready to get colorful! The CAB Color Run/Walk will take you through IWU's beautiful campus while adding a whole lot of color to your day. Try for a personal best or walk at your own pace, all are welcome!
Back to College Class #3: Recovering Our Narratives, Sharing Our Stories with 2022 Loyalty Award Winner Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, PhD.
9:30 a.m.-10:20 a.m. | Ames Library, Beckman Auditorium
How do we find our way back in the aftermath of a pandemic? In this session, we will discuss how we might recover our true narrative and reclaim our sense of belonging, while risking exploring our imperfections, fears and failures. There is power in our stories and we are meant to explore our hopes and possibilities together.
Women's Volleyball Game
10:30 a.m. | Shirk Center Arena
Watch the Titan Women's Volleyball team take on Heidelberg University at 10:30 a.m. in the Shirk Center Arena.
First Year Family & Parent Panel
11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m. | Center for Natural Sciences 101
Featuring Kevin Carey, Associate Dean of Students, the Student Senate President & Vice President, and Karla-Carney Hall, Vice President of Students Affairs and Dean of Students, this panel will discuss what your student may be experiencing and processing with their academic and co-curricular opportunities thus far!
Pep Band Performance
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Shirk Center Parking Lot
As part of Titan Tailgate in the Shirk Center parking lot, listen to the ever popular Titan Pep Band, under the direction of Ed Risinger.
Titan Tailgate
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | Shirk Center Parking Lot
Join alumni, family, and friends to celebrate before the Titans take on Carroll University. For more information regarding tailgating policies, click here.
Men's Football Game
1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. | Tucci Stadium
Cheer on your Titans as they play host to Carroll University. During halftime, we will recognize Alumni Award Winners and Athletic Milestone Celebrations.
Women's Volleyball Game
1:30 p.m. | Shirk Center
Watch the Titan Women's Volleyball team take on University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at 1:30 p.m. in the Shirk Center Arena.
Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI) Open House
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. | Multicultural Center House & Hansen Student Center
Reminisce at the Multicultural Center (MC House), open for visiting, and then join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for refreshments in their new space on the second floor of Hansen Student Center.
Club Tommy
6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. | Hansen Student Center
All IWU alumni, family, friends, faculty, staff and guests are welcome to enjoy a DJ, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. “Club Tommy” is the perfect place to meet up with friends and classmates before heading out for the rest of your evening. Registration fee is $15.00 a person.
Sunday, October 8
Chapel Service & Collegiate Choir Performance
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Evelyn Chapel
Join us for a campus service with a performance by the university co-choir in our beautiful Evelyn Chapel filled with light.
Family Brunch
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Memorial Center, Bertholf Commons
Join us in Bertholf Commons for brunch with the family as you prepare to return home and reflect on a great Family Weekend! Cost for brunch is $9.62 a person.