Kathy and David Gage from Burlington, Vt., check the schedule of events Friday in the SUB for MSU Parent/Family Fall Weekend. Their son, Alex Gage, is a freshman in University Studies. MSU photo by Erin Raley.

A full range of educational and entertaining activities are set for family members of students attending Montana State University during the university's annual Parent/Family Fall Weekend set this weekend, Oct. 15-17.

"There are so many exciting things happening at Montana State University," said Julie Kipfer, director of marketing at MSU and coordinator of the weekend. "The weekend offers parents a chance to immerse themselves into college life. They ll have the chance to see some of our best faculty in action and experience the fun of a river raft trip or Bobcat football game. We want to give parents a taste of all MSU has to offer."

Highlights of the weekend include the "Favorite Faculty Lectures." Neil Cornish, award winning physicist and MSU physics professor, will present "From the Big Bang to Black Holes," a lecture about his work mapping the universe, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 in room 339 Leon Johnson Hall. Robert Rydell, head of the MSU History Department, will lecture on "Where in the World were Lewis and Clark in 1904? Reflections on the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair" at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, also in room 339 of Leon Johnson Hall.

A tour of the renovated Renne Library, launches Friday's activities. Carina Beck, director of MSU Career Services, will talk about career opportunities that await MSU students before and after graduation in a presentation scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15 in SUB 275/276. A panel discussion follows with key MSU officials, led by Cathy Conover, director of the MSU Office of Communications and Public Affairs, at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15 in SUB 275/276. Families are encouraged to visit the open houses, hosted by each of the colleges on campus. In addition to college receptions, residence halls as well as fraternities and sororities have scheduled open houses.

The second annual Parent/Family Advisory Board silent auction will feature items from throughout the country, including artwork, sporting goods and a Maine lobster dinner. Proceeds will be used to fund student scholarships. The items will be on display Friday, Oct. 15 in the SUB Southwest Lounge and available to the highest bid during the organization's silent auction. Bids close at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15.

"Rocky Mountain Rendezvous," a buffet dinner featuring traditional Montana fare, is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15 and features music by "Saddlebags."

Visiting families can take in a Parent/Family tailgate and enjoy a football game as the Bobcats play Big Sky rival Portland State at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 at Bobcat Stadium. The game is preceded by the Parent/Family tailgate beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the north side of stadium, near Kagy Ave. Others can follow the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition through the Missouri Headwaters area, paddling on the Jefferson, Madison, Gallatin and Missouri Rivers. A Yellowstone River rafting trip is also scheduled Sunday at 11 a.m.

Jon Reep, star of the Dodge hemi commercials, will perform at 8 p.m. in the SUB Ballrooms.

A farewell breakfast hosted by MSU President Geoff and Patricia Gamble is set Sunday at Bozeman's GranTree Inn.

Reservations are required in advance for most events.

"We appreciate the effort that families make to attend Fall Weekend," Kipfer said. "We have registered families from as far away as Alaska, Maine and Georgia. However, we still have plenty of room for Montana parents and urge them to join us."

For more information about Parent/Family weekend go to the Parent/Family Association Web site or contact Kipfer at (406) 994-4571.

Posted by Carol Schmidt, 10/15/04.