Video feature: Princeton Freshman Parents Weekend

By Evelyn Tu on Oct. 27, 2011, noon
Freshman Parents Weekend index

"The family members are so delighted to see how exciting the students' lives are here at the University," said Dean of the College Valerie Smith in a video about Freshman Parents Weekend. "They get to see where their students work and live and socialize."

Video stills by Evelyn Tu

After Shelley Slaughter delivered her 17-year-old daughter, Ebony Slaughter-Johnson, to Princeton in early September, it was the first time they had spent more than a week apart. Six weeks later, they were happily reunited at Freshman Parents Weekend.

"I really enjoy showing my mom around campus and having her meet my roommates and my hallmates," Slaughter-Johnson said in "Princeton Freshman Parents Weekend," a video highlighting the events. "It's definitely a bonding experience for both of us."

"She is maturing in just a phenomenal way," Slaughter said of her daughter.

Each October, the University's faculty and staff members and students throw an elaborate welcome party for hundreds of parents and other family members of Princeton freshmen. This year's events took place Oct. 14-16.

The program included informational lectures and panel discussions; tours of campus, the University Art Museum and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory; receptions in each of the six residential colleges; student performances; exhibitions; and athletic competitions.

Related Stories

At Freshman Families Weekend, families share in the Princeton experience .

Princeton University celebrated Freshman Families Weekend on Oct. 13-15 with lively discussions and opportunities for students to share their new Princeton home with family members.

Alumni celebrate 100 years of Jewish life at Princeton .

A century after small Friday night dinners marked the earliest expressions of Jewish life on campus, Princeton University alumni spanning eight decades returned to campus for a three-day conference, " L'Chaim! To Life: Celebrating 100 Years of Jewish Life at Princeton."

Princeton alumni celebrate and reconnect at Reunions 2016 .

Princeton University alumni are arriving on campus by plane, train, car, foot and even float — P-rade float that is — for Reunions 2016. Approximately 25,000 alumni and friends are expected to attend the celebration Thursday, May 26, through Sunday, May 29.

Princeton students and refugee youths come together through Religious Life program .

What could be a better welcome to America than carving pumpkins? That's what Matt Weiner, Princeton University's associate dean of religious life, and Patrick Barry, director of refugee and immigration services for Catholic Charities in Camden, New Jersey, were thinking when they brought 25 refugee youths to carve pumpkins with Princeton students one sunny Saturday in October. The refugees were mainly from Syria and Myanmar, and the Princeton students were from the Class of 2019.

Reunions 2023: Celebrating the past, living in the moments .

About 25,000 alumni and guests returned to campus for their annual celebration and immutable display of Tiger spirit. 

Adventure and service greet new students and faculty .

Princeton organizes numerous orientation events that help freshmen become familiar with one another, the University and the community they'll live in for the next four years. From Sept. 2 until the first day of classes on Sept. 16, incoming students move in to campus, rough it with Outdoor Action, work on social issues in off-campus locations with Community Action, meet with faculty including President Christopher L. Eisgruber, and enjoy parties, cookouts and games on campus.

Video feature: University welcomes Class of 2017 .

The start of college is an exciting time full of new experiences and opportunities for freshmen. Before classes began Sept. 11, the members of the Class of 2017 were welcomed to the Princeton University community in a number of ways. This video shows some of the events and activities offered to freshmen.