College Welcomes Freshmen Parents

About 2,000 parents and family members attended classes and panel discussions, toured the University museums, or attended the ’09 Costume Catwalk during this year’s Freshman Parents’ Weekend.

Parents wore the ubiquitous crimson-colored “Harvard Parent ’09” badges as they came to see how their children were adapting to college life.

Craig M. Hallowell said the weekend reminded him of his college experience.

“This brings me back to my old college days and I am glad that I am not there again,” said Hallowell, who is the father of Adam N. Hallowell ’09.

Gerald F. Slattery Jr.—whose son Thomas E. Slattery ’09 is a visiting student who was displaced by Hurricane Katrina—emphasized how welcoming Harvard has been to his family.

“It has been a 100 percent wonderful experience for Tommy and for us,” Slattery said. “He has made friendships here that will endure after he returns home.”

Slattery added that his son had changed since coming to Harvard in September.

“I would be kidding if I said it heightened his political sensibilities,” he said. “His hair is longer and he is skinnier than he was before.”

Highlights of Friday’s schedule included a welcome speech by Dean of the College Benedict H. Gross ’71 and a panel discussion moderated by Dean of Freshman Thomas A. Dingman ’67 exploring the “myths and realities” of College life.

The panelists of students, coaches, and professors answered questions about time management, extracurricular activities, and opportunities for student activism.

Parents also heard from University President Lawrence H. Summers, who gave them advice to share with their children. He recommended that students take the initiative to meet the faculty, choose an exciting and inspirational program of study, and avoid being “fungible.”

But Summers also fielded some difficult questions.

One parent asked about the College’s constant request for donations, specifically referring to an opinion piece in the New York Times that questioned these practices at Yale.

“Why does Harvard solicit parents for money when the endowment is so large?” he asked.

Summers responded that potentially life-saving faculty research and students’ future contributions to society make Harvard a worthy cause.

On Saturday afternoon, parents were treated to the music of the Harvard University band while they ate at the Class of 2009 luncheon. The event was held at the Gordon Indoor Track and Tennis Facility so that parents could go to the Harvard stadium and watch the football team’s victory over Dartmouth.

Overall, parents and administrators said they were delighted by the weekend’s events.

“It has been a huge success. It is great for parents to see who is working with their sons and daughters,” Dingman said.

The events took place on Friday and Saturday and were sponsored by the Harvard College Parents’ Association.