The Mountaineer Parents Club will kick off its annual summer send-offs on July 9 and continue through August 6, with 28 events scheduled throughout West Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois and Texas.
For the past two decades, parent volunteers have taken the lead in planning Summer Send-Off picnics to connect new and returning students and their families with other Mountaineers in their communities prior to the start of the fall semester. Parents, other family members, prospective students, alumni, and friends are invited to attend.
Representatives from the University are invited to attend the events to network and talk about life at WVU and answer questions. In addition, the WVU Bookstore donates a $200 textbook gift card to be given away at each event to one lucky student in attendance.
“Many first-year students will have already attended New Student Orientation, so a Summer Send-Off is the perfect time to continue forming new friendships with fellow Mountaineers,” said Sabrina Cave, assistant vice president for Parent Programs. “The informal gatherings take place across the country and are designed to ease the anxiety of leaving home, foster a sense of community, and to celebrate being part of the Mountaineer family.”
“It’s also a time for parents to build their own support system as families embark on this new journey together,” she added.
As the Mountaineer mascot, Troy Clemons attended several Send-Offs last summer and plans to attend again this year. “These gatherings foster success by connecting parents and family members with the WVU student experience,” Clemons said. “The opportunity for me to meet and greet students, parents, and fans up close and personal around our state and nation, is one of my personal highlights as the university’s mascot. I encourage the university community to join me.”
The Mountaineer Parents Club, which was started in 1995, is an organization designed to foster success by connecting parents and family members to the West Virginia University student experience. The Club it has more than 20,000 members.
For information on dates and locations for Summer Send-Offs, contact lisa.hanselman@mail.wvu.edu or visit the Mountaineer Parents Club website.