Parents Enjoy Weekend Activities

Baylor parents came from near and far to attend the annual Parents Weekend Oct. 9-10. Although many parents came from Dallas or Austin and had only a short drive, others had to catch planes or drive long distances to make the trip to Waco.
Among them were Barney and Page Harris of Atlanta, the parents of senior Elizabeth Harris. The Harris', who have visited their daughter at Parents Weekend for the past three years, say they enjoy the opportunity to visit because it gives them a rare opportunity to see their daughter.
"Because we live so far away, Elizabeth never comes home," Page Harris said. "It's the one opportunity we have to see her except for holidays."
Highlights from the weekend included an Open Bear Pit where visitors viewed the Baylor Mascots, Judge Bill "Billy" Boyd and Judge Virginia "Ginny" Crump at 2 p.m., Oct. 9 at the Steve Hudson Memorial Bear Plaza.
Dr. Robert G. Packard, professor of physics and Dr. J William Petty, professor of finance, insurance and real estate spoke to parents to demonstrate what students experience in the classroom at 4 p.m. Friday in the Bill Daniel Student Center.
Robert L. Reid, Professor Emeritus and Master Teacher, told the history of Baylor University at 5 p.m. Friday in the Barfield Drawing room of the student center.
Coming to Baylor for Parents Weekend has become a tradition for the Harris family, although their activities during the weekend have changed from year to year.
"When I was a freshman, I didn't really know very much about Baylor and Waco, so I couldn't entertain my parents as well as I did this weekend," Elizabeth Harris said. "This is the first time that I took them to some events including the pep rally Friday afternoon."
Other prominent Parents Weekend events included the student talent showcase "After Dark" at 7 and 10 p.m. Friday in Waco Hall. The evening also included a dessert party at 9 p.m. in Burleson Quadrangle with entertainment provided by the Ed Burleson band.
Elizabeth Harris' roommates, seniors Jennifer Paschal from Oklahoma City, Okla., and Renee Beaver from Albuquerque, N.M., also had their parents in from outside Texas for the weekend.
"Our parents have known each other since our freshman year, so it was fun to have them all for the weekend," Elizabeth Harris said. "We live in a house now instead of the dorm, so we were able to have a cookout for all our parents before the game."
The Harris family also includes high school senior Kathryn Harris who is considering following her sister to Baylor.
"We like to bring Kathryn to Baylor so that she can get a taste of college life," Page Harris said.
Saturday morning began with a parent/faculty coffee at 8:30 a.m. at Founder's Mall, which gave parents an opportunity to meet their students' professors and Baylor administrators.
Dinner on the Grounds was held at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Gov. Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village. President Robert B. Sloan gave a keynote address about the Baylor family.
The best part of the weekend for the Harris family, and for many others in attendance, was the football game, in which the Bears defeated the University of Kansas Jayhawks, 31-24.
"Parents Weekend is always a lot more fun when the football team wins," Elizabeth said.