Throughout the past year and a half, the Drury community has become adaptable to the ever-changing surroundings in society. With campus vaccination at 75%, Drury staff is promoting the return of a beloved campus event, Drury’s Family Day.

Jennifer Stewart, the Director of Orientation and New Student Programs, has collaborated with the Dean of Students office for the past six years to help organize this event. She describes the event as, “Family Day is a day that we get to celebrate our students and their families on campus. This year, Family Day occurs about five weeks into the school year. This is a perfect time for families to get to come and see our beautiful campus, spend time with their students, and enjoy fun, family-friendly activities.”

On September 25, beginning at 10 AM Drury Family Day 2021 is scheduled to the brim with exciting activities, as Stewart stated above. Beginning the day is check-in at the Findlay Student Center (FSC), a photo booth, performances by the Drury Marching Band and the option to sign up for other events throughout the day.

During this portion, there will also be a donation collection for Convoy of Hope to help those affected by Hurricane Ida. Some potential items to donate are gallon storage bags, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant (no aerosols please), combs, bars of soap, travel shampoo and hand Towels.

The entirety of the upcoming Saturday is packed with activities. Which Stewart, other staff and faculty are ecstatic for. In a poll conducted on a popular social networking site, 70% were excited about this event, and 30% were not. One student, in particular, is thrilled about Drury’s Family Day. Freshman, biochemistry major Mikayla Yarbough. She states, “I’m excited for my family to see where I’ve been living and going to class and practice, etc. for the past couple weeks!”

Yarbough’s feelings of excitement are similar to Stewart’s favorite part of Family Day. “Honestly, my favorite thing about Family Day is seeing students and their families reunite after being apart for several weeks. For some students, this may be the first time they have seen their families since they moved in so it can be a very special time for them.  I also love the painting class and games and activities in the afternoon that allow students and families to just spend time together.”

An anonymous student on the poll commented they are not excited about Family Day because, “it’s not something I’ve ever participated in. I’m a senior now, so I’m pretty used to being away from my family. And if I did want to spend time with my family I would rather do it on my own terms without a structure holding me back that Drury provides.”

In response to this Stewart responded, “We hope students of any class will take the opportunity to check out Family Day! Though we have a schedule and will offer several activities, we hope students and their families will make this day their own. For me, it is all about getting to spend time together, however they choose to do so. Those attending are welcome to stay the entire day and enjoy campus and the many activities available, or pick and choose what they would like to do. We are just excited to be able to host this event and welcome families to campus.“

Regarding COVID-19 safety protocol, Stewart provided some information for the event. The first registration is required for the event to attend, students can sign up at this provided link:  https://www.drury.edu/parents/familyday_rsvp/. Parents, guardians, or any family attending will not be required to show vaccination status or any negative COVID-19 test. However, “Masking will be required at indoor activities such as bingo and the painting classes and anytime social distancing is not possible.”

In a final statement, Stewart encourages many students to attend commenting, “It helps give families a little peace of mind to see how their student is doing and experience the place they are now calling home for the next few years.  We hope students and families enjoy all the activities planned and most importantly get in lots of hugs and encouragement for the rest of the semester!”

The schedule for Family Day:

10 – 11 a.m.

Check-In

• Photo Booth
• Performance by the Drury marching band
• Sign up for the campus legends fact vs. fiction tour
• Sign-up for painting class (limited spots available)
• Donation collection for Convoy of Hope to help those affected by Hurricane Ida

Location: Findlay Student Center (FSC)

10:30-11:15 a.m.

1st Campus Legends Fact vs. Fiction Tour

Location: FSC, Fountain Area

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

2nd Campus Legends Fact vs. Fiction Tour

Location: FSC, Fountain Area

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Lunch Available Drury’s Jazz Band Performs

Complimentary lunch for families who RSVP in advance.

Location: FSC Commons and Outdoors

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

1st Painting Class

(must be signed up during check-in)

Sponsored by SGA

Location: Hoblit Suite, Freeman Hall

12:30 – 2 p.m.

Trivia – Hosted by SUB

Compete in trivia to win prizes

Location: FSC Ballroom

1 – 3:30 p.m.

Inflatables / Activities

Students and families will have a blast inside these huge inflatables

Location: Sunderland Field

1– 2:30 p.m.

2nd Painting Class 2

(must be signed up during check-in)

Sponsored by SGA

Location: Hoblit Suite, Freeman Hall

2 – 3:30 p.m.

Music, Games, and Activities

• Succulent planter painting
• Balloon Artist
• Face Painting
• Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream
• International Calligraphy
• Kan Jam, Spikeball, Corn Hole, Ladder Golf
• Popcorn
• Cotton Candy

Location: Kellogg Field

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Happy Hour & Hors D’oeuvres

Please join Administrators and Academic Deans for casual conversation, food, and drinks.

Location:: O’Reilly Family Event Center Plaster Gallery Banquet Room

In the event of poor weather, activities will be moved inside the Findlay Student Center