USC’s family weekend is taking place from October 5 - 8, bringing in much excitement among students and parents alike. Festivities started on Thursday; here are some of the events that already happened.
ABC Concert
Ready for a throwback Thursday? On Thursday, families attended the ABC Concert at the McCarthy Quad hosted by USC Visions and Voices. The concert was an ode to the 80s with plenty of food and festivities for all Trojan family and friends.
USC President’s Address
On Friday, USC’s President Carol Folt welcomed families and friends to the university and shared her experiences with education and leadership.
USC Annenberg’s Media Center Tour
The Media Center hosted a tour from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. on Friday, where visitors got an in-depth look at the student-run media platforms as well as the facility that is integral to building students’ multimedia skills.
The weekend is still heating up, with plenty of events ahead. For students who haven’t yet hosted their family or don’t know where to take them, here is a guide to USC’s upcoming events!
Glow-in-the-Dark Fun Run/Walk
Get ready to explore the campus while glowing in the dark! From 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Trojan family and friends can roam around campus after picking up some glow in the dark paint and lightsticks.
Kick Off
Kick off for the USC Arizona football game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. However, students and their families should be ready to party long before that, as the family weekend tailgate starts at 4 p.m. and goes on until the game. Taking place on campus at Alumni Park, a variety of tailgates will be taking place off and on-campus which includes food, drinks and games.
Explore the exhibit: Kara Walker Cut to the Quick
At the USC Fisher Museum of Art on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., Kara Walker’s exhibition is on display and dedicated to spreading awareness on the painful history of slavery, sexism, imperialism, and etc, Take yourself on a self-guided tour to challenge history and hierarchy of contemporary art while reflecting on the powerful images.
Tommy Trojan
While visiting theAlumni Park, be sure to get a family picture with Tommy Trojan. The statue has stood in place for almost 100 years, and is a symbol of the university’s fighting spirit. Located at the center of campus, Tommy Trojan serves as an iconic landmark and representation of USC.
Trojan Family Weekend Pickleball Tournament
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the David X. Marks Tennis Stadium, USC will be hosting a pickleball tournament. Students need to register and pay for the intramural sports fee of $25 for the semester or $40 for the entire year through myrecsports.usc.edu, while parents are completely free. Additionally, winners get free USC swag!
The Trojan Family weekend is more than just events, entertainment and speakers. It’s also an opportunity for students to spend time with their loved ones and bond after months of being away from each other.
“When you’re so busy here, you don’t have time to inform your parents of everything you’re doing,”said Brea Monsavaic, a sophomore environmental engineering major. “So when they’re here with you, you actually get to take them through your day.”
Parents additionally feel excited about the upcoming events, especially to show some Trojan spirit at the tailgates.
“We have several invitations from different tailgates… it’s another opportunity to meet other parents and really immerse ourselves in the Trojan family,” says Tracy Wilson, a USC parent of a freshman at the Kaufman School of Dance. On Saturday, they will be attending the USC tailgate, the Kaufman tailgate and the Panhellenic Society tailgate.
Apart from the main university celebrations, individual schools and clubs are hosting events for students and their families. Examples of specialized events include panels, dean’s receptions, performances, and more. In addition, campus tours as well as library tours are planned occurring throughout the weekend. For a list of activities, visit the schedule on the university’s website.