Friday kicks off 2015 Moms’ Weekend
While the moms of University of Idaho students may be thrilled to see their child go off to college and chase their dreams, it can be a struggle letting go.
The Office of Alumni Relations believes the courage and support Vandal moms exhibit is deserving of celebration.
According to Jessica Greene, co-chairwoman of the student committee for Moms’ Weekend, dedicating a weekend to students’ moms is a great chance to show off the Moscow community.
“Moms’ Weekend is in place as a way for students to show their moms what their college life is like here in Moscow, both on campus and in the community,” Greene said. “It’s a way for moms to see what their kids have been up to and put them at ease — the University of Idaho and Moscow community are both trying to take good care of their kids, too.”
Moms’ Weekend will take place this weekend, with the university and community offering several events and activities for both moms and students to enjoy.
Preparation for Moms’ Weekend began at last year’s Moms’ Weekend, when decisions were made as to what events were going to be held. The designs and graphics were thought through and put together at the start of spring semester, said Jessica Gillespie, co-chairwoman of the student committee for Moms’ Weekend.
“It’s like in chunks. We’ll get a lot of things done and then I won’t think about Moms’ Weekend for a week, then I’ll be like ‘Oh my gosh, there’s so much more to do,'” she said.
This year’s Moms’ Weekend is expected to have more moms visit than in previous years due to small changes the committee made to make the event more appealing, Gillespie said, such as the Mom of Year Award process.
In previous years, Gillespie said the Mom of the Year Award was determined by an essay submission. But, Greene said the committee wasn’t receiving as many nominations as they wanted over the past few years, so this year they decided to do something different.
The University of Idaho Moms’ Weekend Facebook page created a contest to upload a picture of a student and their mom, including a brief paragraph about why their mom should win the Mom of the Year Award.
With the essay contest, the committee received roughly five entries annually, but with the Facebook page the committee received 17.
The Mom of the Year Award candidates were reduced to the top six by how many Facebook likes the pictures received, then the paragraphs are rated by judges to select a winner.
The winner of the Mom of the Year Award will receive a gift basket and be announced at a brunch held Saturday morning in the Pitman Center Ballroom.
With the many events being held this year to honor Vandal moms, Greene said she and the committee have had a chaotic week, tying up a lot of loose ends and connecting with businesses and groups.
“Moms’ Weekend is an awesome way to show your mom how great the campus and Moscow are as a whole,” Greene said. “We offer diverse events and promotions, so there is something that will appeal to both moms and students.”
Moms’ Weekend events
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Friday, April 17
1-5 p.m.: Official UI Class Ring Sale at the VandalStore plaza
3-5 p.m.: Information packet pickup outside the VandalStore
5-6 p.m.: Amazing Race Traditions Challenge at the VandalStore
5-8:30 p.m.: Bella Notte: An Italian Dinner at St. Augustine’s Catholic Center
6 p.m.: Exclusive Wine Makers’ Dinner at the Seasons Public House
6-8:30 p.m.: College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Moms’ Weekend Gala Wine and Cheese Tasting in the International Ballroom of the Bruce Pitman Center
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Saturday, April 18
9:30 a.m.: Brunch featuring UI’s Jazz Choir at the Pitman Center Ballroom
10 a.m.: Key for a Cure Fun Run at the Memorial Gym
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Official UI Class Ring Sales at the VandalStore plaza
10:30-11:30 a.m.: Greenthumb101 at the 6th Street Greenhouse
11 a.m.: Annual Phi Delta Theta Turtle Derby at the Phi Delta Theta Greek house at 804 Elm St.
1-2 p.m.: Greenthumb 201 at the 6th Street Greenhouse
6:30 p.m.: Dinner and entertainment with FRANGELA at the Pitman Center International Ballroom
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Jessica Blain can be reached at [email protected]