In late September, parents of Riley Hayes ’27 made the long drive from Huntsville, Alabama, eager to walk beside their daughter through the campus she has called home for the past four years. Her parents joined other families in becoming part of the larger Marietta story, sharing traditions, conversations, and small moments that make Family Weekend feel like coming home.
Ronda Hayes, Riley’s mother, described Marietta College’s Family Weekend as an event that truly feels like a community gathering for everyone.
“It is fun to meet all the families, and Marietta really tries to make it special for everyone,” Ronda said. “From the first time we came here, we saw how close the professors were involved in the students’ lives and how the community was involved in the students' success not only academically but emotionally as well.”
This long-standing campus tradition invites families to step into their students’ lives at Marietta College, offering various activities that highlight Pioneer pride and capture the spirit of the campus community. Riley explained why the weekend means so much to her.
“My parents get to meet my friends, eat at my favorite restaurants, talk with my favorite professors, and join in the activities the College plans for the weekend,” Riley said.
Family Weekend kicked off with the Marietta College Marketplace, where the mall buzzed with food trucks, vendors, and arriving families. Just steps away, the grand opening of the Milone Center offered families a chance to learn about the academic and career resources available for their students.
As the evening settled, families gathered for a performance by comedian and magician Michael Kent. Laughter echoed through the Gathering Place as Kent blended humor with illusion, giving families a chance to relax together after a full day of exploring campus. Pioneer Activities Council (PAC) sponsored this event and President Adelynn Harrison ’29 shared how Family Weekend aligns with the organization’s goals for building campus community.
“PAC is here to make sure our students feel like Marietta is their home, and what is a better way to show the students we are on their side than bringing part of their home and their family here? I think that is a perfect way to show what PAC stands for,” Harrison said.
On Saturday morning, the fun continued during Coffee with the President, where President Kathleen Dougherty offered remarks about the latest happenings on campus. Afterward, families gathered at Don Drumm Stadium for the annual tailgate before the Pioneers took on Capital University. The tailgate quickly became a highlight of the weekend, with live music from pure-country and indie-rock duo Karli and James, and food from Parkhurst Dining. The excitement and Pioneer pride carried straight into the game, where Marietta secured a 32-10 victory.
Ronda noted that being involved in events like the tailgate and game served as another reminder of how Marietta involves families in their students’ lives. “The tailgate and the football game are fun and allow parents to participate in Marietta College traditions,” Ronda said.
After the game, families shifted gears with a presentation of “Oasis in Space,” which was shown in the Anderson Hancock Planetarium. The night ended with a PAC-sponsored Trivia Night where families competed against one another to show off their knowledge and win prizes.
Katie Stotsky, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Campus Involvement, had a major role in planning and organizing the events during Family Weekend. She noted the vision for the weekend was to give families a meaningful chance to discover the lives and experiences their students are building at Marietta College.
When asked what was most rewarding about planning Family Weekend, Stotsky described an email she received from a parent after the weekend concluded, thanking her and her team for such a wonderful weekend.
“What is rewarding for me is seeing families come here and make lasting memories with their students,” Stotsky said. “It has been about a month since students have seen their families, so it is good for them to come and experience what Marietta College is all about.”
This Marietta College tradition draws families into the heart of the campus, where students are forming friendships, discovering their passions, and building support networks that will carry them forward long after graduation.
Living twelve hours from home means Riley does not get to see her family often, so Family Weekend becomes an important aspect of college where she can reconnect with her loved ones and show them her college experience.
Riley said, “Family Weekend gives me the opportunity to show my parents the town I call my second home and gives them a glimpse into my daily life here. What makes the weekend meaningful is watching them experience Marietta as I have come to know and love it.”