Across the country, university fan bases refer to themselves as communities or nations. At the U of I we call it the Vandal Family.

We’ll welcome several hundred new members to the Vandal Family this weekend for Parents and Family Weekend. For some it will be their first time at the U of I and their first chance to see what their students are experiencing in Moscow.

Cailyn Black is the Parent and Family Weekend chair for the Student Alumni Relations Board (SARB). The senior from Twin Falls didn’t always feel like a part of the Vandal Family, but a visit from her mother when she was a freshman helped change that.

“My mom came to town and really helped me find things to do,” Cailyn said. “As a freshman, it’s sometimes hard to get out of your dorm and explore. I saw parts of Moscow that I didn’t know existed before.”

Cailyn’s exploration led to campus involvement, research opportunities and a great network of friends. She’s now an ambassador for the College of Science, and she’s a part of the Asian American Pacific Islander Association in addition to her duties with SARB. Cailyn is on track to graduate with a degree in molecular biology and biotechnology in the spring and is eyeing medical school.

This weekend, students and their families have a variety of events and activities to choose from, starting with a beer tasting and then the Third Eye Blind concert Friday night. On Saturday there is a Parents & Projects activity at Moscow Building Supply, where participants can build a birdhouse. There is also a cornhole tournament during the Vandal Tailgate, leading up to Vandal football at 1 p.m. and then a Game Day Dinner at ICCU Arena Saturday evening. The events are designed for fun and bonding but also to showcase the community.

“The weekend shows what exactly everyone is investing in – emotionally and financially,” said Marie Duncan, director of alumni programs and operations. “We know that students who come to the U of I are bettering not just themselves but their whole families. This weekend also shows them that we want the college experience to be a family affair. We don’t call ourselves a nation, we call ourselves the Vandal family.”

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