Parent's Weekend 2000

by Jessica Bartlett
FOR THE POST

Many students will see their parents for the first time since their arrival at Ohio University this weekend during Parents' Weekend 2000.

"I'm excited to see my family because I kind of miss them, and it'll be nice to get off-campus and get some food other than cafeteria food - and some money," OU freshman Katie Cavanaugh said.

Gross National Product, a political satire group, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. Tickets "Gore More Years or Son of a Bush" cost $8 with an OU ID and $10 without one.

A 5-kilometer walk around campus will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Ping Center.

Movie buffs can check out **The Usual Suspects** at midnight on Friday or Saturday at the Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St. Tickets cost $3.

The Athens Irish Dancers will start stepping at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday in The Ridges Auditorium. Those interested in buying tickets can call 740-593-7207.

The Bobcats kick off against Akron at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Peden Stadium.

"I'm looking forward to seeing them (my parents), going to the football game, getting more Easy Mac and showing my Dad around campus because he hasn't seen it yet," freshman Mike McCarthy said.

The women's volleyball team will try to spike Kent State University at 7 p.m. on Friday and Eastern Michigan University at 7 p.m. on Saturday in The Convo.

Students and parents also can bond over syrup and butter at an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday at Christ the King Parish Center.

At Baker University Center, students can participate in cosmic bowling from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. They also can showcase their musical ability on Open Mic Night from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday.

And on Saturday, students can play games with their parents in the Recreation Room in Baker from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Folk artist Beth Wood will perform from 9 p.m. to midnight in the Front Room.

Scholarship recipients and donors will be commended at the Honors Convocation at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.

The main goal of the weekend is to involve parents in their students' lives at OU, said Anne Lombard, the director of student services.

"It's just to show parents that they're welcome here and that they have a place," she said.