Family Weekend reached a new recording this weekend, with over 900 registered participants. 

Last year, a total of 780 people registered making over a 100-person increase. According to New Student Programs Director, Jeremicus Porter, they also prepared to admit participants who decided to come on Saturday. 

Over 1,200 participants were expected to come to help support  the Aggie Football team as they took on Chowan University. 

This year’s Family Weekend tailgate served as an attempt to encourage and get families and students involved around campus.

On Friday, Paul Robeson Theater and the Civil Rights Museum was open for visitation, for those who arrived early for the weekend festivities. 

In the past, Friday served as family day followed by a chancellor’s brunch on Sunday. However, due to high registration, the program changed arrangements.

Student organizations, cheerleaders, the Blue and Gold Marching Machine and a live band were involved in Family Weekend. 

The numerous performances gave families an opportunity to watch students perform in extracurricular activities and engage with administrators, faculty and staff. 

“It’s good to know that the school can come together and have events for the parents. It’s fun because I get to see my daughter and she’s in the band.” said parent, Regina Ruffin.

Many families come for this particular weekend to spend time with their student and to show Aggie Pride. “There are some students that are first generation.This is their opportunity to have their families come and say look this is what I’m involved in at A&T and this is what we do here at A&T because some families never come down to visit their child once they drop them off during the first week of school, so this gives them the opportunity to see the culture of our university first hand,” said Porter. 

The events also helped the university find parents who wanted to get involved in building the structure for a new organization, Aggie Parent Association. 

This will help establish a strong relationship with families, getting them actively involved with N.C. A&T. 

 “I love the energy. The fact that Aggie land has embraced families and especially for students that are far away. Luckily, I’m local and only a few hours away but I hear students are from Kansas and Maryland, so it’s a great opportunity for families to come in,” said Alumni Christopher Harris.

Originated out of the Office of Student Development, Family Weekend has been around for the last seven years, but not to the extent that it is now. 

Since New Student Programs             has taken over             Family Weekend, the numbers have expanded from the past two to three hundred-attendance rates. The general support of students has increased the attendance. “I am very excited. Our staff has worked very hard to ensure that this event goes great,”said Porter.

“I just want to again thank everyone that supported the event. We are looking forward to doing this event every year because that’s what Aggies do,” said Porter. 

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• Alexis Wainwright Register Reporter