Norwich Parents' Weekend 2001

By Natasha Waggoner
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Parents from all parts of the country and some foreign countries were on campus last weekend to see their students attending the university and to enjoy a New England fall in Vermont, Oct. 12-14.

And, according to the director of the event, it was the best turnout and event in years.

"This was the biggest and best parent's weekend ever since I've been here, and I've been here for 33 years," said Dr. Chandler W. Stowell, Director of Student Activities-Intramurals and Recreational Sports.

Norwich President Richard Schneider agreed. "This parents' weekend was the best I've seen in 10 years. I think the students had a great time," Schneider said.

The tailgate party after the football game was a huge success, according to Col. Michael McKean, Vice President of Student Affairs.

"I was told parents leave every (year), and I wanted to know what I could do to keep them here," McKean said. "A parent at Abare Farm said do something like a barbeque, and the parents will stay."

The picnic was a last minute plan that was thought up by McKean, but to plan it was a team effort that included Chan Stowell, Karen McGrath, Dean Martha Mathis and McKean.

"The light bulb went on, so we all worked it, and the President himself approved it," McKean said. "Everyone wanted to try it, so we all started marketing it."

The picnic was such a hit that they had to stop selling tickets, because they were running out of food, Stowell said.

"What Sodexho did on Saturday was a miracle," Stowell said. "They were able to feed everyone there."

McKean said he was amazed that they were able to serve "breakfast the next morning, because at he end of the picnic all their freezers were empty."

The picnic solved the worry about where parents and students would eat dinner, and it gave them the opportunity to spend more time on campus and meet others.

"It gave people someplace to go to meet other families that weren't in the parents' association," McKean said. "It gave the students an opportunity to introduce other people to their parents."

According to Stowell, approximately 1,800 to 2,000 parents came. There were parents here from as close as Vermont and as far away as California and Germany.

"I don't remember ever having that many people on the upper parade ground, and the sports stands were absolutely packed," Schneider said.

Nancy Eichler, mother of rook Brian Eichler, from Los Angeles, Calif., said she was "very impressed" with the school, especially the corps and the commitment to academics.

"It's been a wonderful weekend; there was too much to do; we didn't have time to do it all," Eichler said.

Donna King, mother of junior cadet Bill King, from Melpleasant, S.C. was here for her third year.

"It's always been fun to come here, and it's the perfect time of year," King said. "I really like the tailgate party, and I thought the men's chorus was unbelievable."

John and Martha Hoff, parents of junior Justin Hoff from Grove City, Ohio, were also here for their third year.

"We think this year is a lot more organized," Hoff said. "We really liked all the demos, like Mountain Cold Weather and the jodi competition."

No one was really too worried about flying to Norwich, despite what happened with the terrorist attacks in New York.

"My husband flies for a living, so we just got on a plane and flew up," King said. "It's no big deal."

"I wasn't worried about flying. We can't stop our lives; we have to go on," Eichler said. "Whatever happens will happen."

"I want this place to be fun; we're going to have a good time on the weekends, and I think we're getting there," McKean said. "My highlight is the students, and I mean that very sincerely."

"I got the sense that more families needed to be together after the Sept.11 event," Schneider said. "There is a need in our country right now and a better appreciation for what is important, and I think family is really important."