| This weekend, more than 1,000 Vandal family members will join their U of I students in Moscow for Parent and Family Weekend. The schedule is jam-packed with events and activities but for U of I freshman Brielle Sorensen, it’s the simple things that make this a special weekend. “I really just anticipate giving my mom a hug,” she said. “Those are few and far between when you’re in college, so there will be lots of mama hugs. And I love just sharing the Vandal Family with her, singing the fight song and sharing those traditions. Brielle’s mother, Jodi Pavkov, knows those traditions well. She earned her degree in education at the U of I and now serves on the Alumni Board of Directors. The value of the Vandal experience is not lost on Pavkov, but for many families, campus visits can change perspectives and offer insights into the transformative power of higher education. “I think it’s important for families to visit because it creates buy-in when they can come and be a part of that education for a weekend,” said Marie Duncan, who works with the Student Alumni Relations Board to organize the weekend’s events. “Over one third of our students are first-generation college students and these weekends are pivotal to exposing families to higher education. These students are advancing themselves and their families in a lot of cases. The festivities begin tonight, highlighted by Alpha Gamma Delta’s Mr. Idaho pageant. On Saturday, events fill the day starting with Morning Mimosa Yoga. In the afternoon, Phi Delta Theta hosts the Turtle Derby, a tradition that goes back more than 40 years on the U of I campus. The Turtle Derby is a fundraiser for the Live Like Lou Foundation. The Parent and Family Weekend Dinner is Saturday evening at ICCU Arena. In addition to the traditional events, parents and families can get a taste of U of I research and academics. The Plant and Soil Science Club is hosting two sessions of Parents and Plants – a chance for students and families to create their own potted plant basket. The Research Tours feature U of I faculty and students discussing their work with unearthed mammoth bones. There are concerts each day in the University Auditorium and tours of the U of I Arboretum and the Vandal Brand Meats facility. Check out the full lineup of activities for Parent and Family Weekend. The Vandal family came through in a big way earlier this week, raising more than $728,000 dollars on Vandal Giving Day. That’s an 8% increase over 2021 and a new record for Vandal Giving Day. In just 24 hours, U of I supporters made more than 1,394 gifts and raised money for scholarships, student success programs, Vandal athletics, extension programs and research initiatives. We appreciate the incredible generosity of our U of I community. | 
