Lil Sibs Weekend 2007
It was something like the gate of an airport terminal at Anderson University on the weekend of February 9-11 as family members arrived on campus and enjoyed long-awaited hugs. In the midst of the cold of February, the warmth of reuniting spread across campus. The annual Lil Sib’s Weekend 2007 brought together more than brothers and sisters. It also brought students’ families from across the country for much anticipated reunions. Even before Christmas, the Campus Activities Board was hard at work preparing for the weekend. In addition to planning activities for the visiting families, they sent out invitation cards for students to give to their little siblings. Junior Andy Hill gave his card to his little sister Makena on Christmas. His parents decided to come along as well. His was just one of more than a hundred families that made the trek to the AU campus this year for Lil Sib’s weekend.
The special weekend is sponsored by CAB, and was organized this year by junior Michael James and senior Sara Ferguson. Lil Sib’s weekend is traditionally the first weekend of February, and always holds many activities for families. CAB itself hosted one event on campus: the Wings N Things dinner at the Marketplace. Over 250 people crowded the cafeteria in the Olt Student Center to enjoy the food, music, and chance to win door prizes. James attended the dinner with his younger sister Mikeesha. “The goal of Lil Sib’s weekend is to let… little sibs see college life and enjoy activities [students] typically do on a weekend,” James said.
Many of the campus’s social clubs also host events, such as Novus Dux’s Midnight Skate at Roll Arena, Dativus’ Cheap Thrills comedy show, and Agathos’ Encore. Hill’s family made the two hour trek from Sidney, OH and arrived on Friday for dinner. On Saturday, Andy took Makena to Contemporary Encore, a variety show where students showcase their singing talent. This year’s theme was contemporary music; students performed songs from all different genres, from country to R&B. The brother and sister had different tastes: Andy enjoyed Jen Helvring’s performance of Christina Aguilera’s “Hurt,” while Makena preferred Matt Ulrich’s rendition of Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most.”
Various spots across campus also saw families enjoying reunions. On Saturday, the Bennett Natatorium held an open swim. Mocha Joe’s was open for games all day. And the Kardatzke Wellness Center hosted a “Runner’s Forum” for Track and Field.
The weekend offered more than just activities, but an opportunity for students to spend quality time with their families. For some, the trek was long, but even those who traveled hours to visit noted the trip was better than a phone call. The students see this as an opportunity to share their experience with their families, especially the younger siblings for whom they are role models. Hill explained that he enjoyed sharing his college life with his sister for the first time. At any given moment during the weekend, the campus was filled with a spirit of reunion and love.
