Junior Parents Visit Cambridge for Weekend

About 1200 parents got a chance to take a walk in their children’s shoes at Junior Parents Weekend, as they took in classes, viewed performances, and devoured gooey ice cream sundaes.

The series of events took place on March 4-5 and was sponsored by the Harvard College Parents Association.

Parents, sporting “Harvard Parent ’06” badges, were able to experience House life and see how their offspring have grown since their Freshman Parents Weekend in October 2002.

“It’s a really excellent event,” said Anar D. Shah ’06, over monkey bread and hors d’ouevres at the Leverett Masters’ Open House on Friday. “For [our parents] to come into our domain is fun,”

Highlights from Friday’s schedule included a faculty welcome speech from Bass Professor of Government Michael J. Sandel, as well as a conversation with University President Lawrence H. Summers, where he addressed the controversy surrounding his leadership of the Harvard and discussed his plans for the future of the University.

Parents also had the opportunity to hear the Harvard Callbacks, Pitches, and Krokodiloes at a short concert in Sander’s Theater, visit House Receptions to meet their student’s House masters and tutors, and attend lectures given by professors.

Adams House tutor David L. Levy ’00 said that the weekend was “as much about the parents as the students” as he recalled his own experience and surveyed the crowd that feasted on fondue and bubble tea at the Adams Masters’ Open House.

At the Lowell open house, Ken F. Bartels ’73 said that he was enjoying the weekend as a way to see his son, Todd C. Bartels ’06.

“When we were in college, there were no parent’s weekends,” the elder Bartels said.

On Saturday morning, parents were treated to a showcase of Harvard’s performance groups, including the ’06 Steppers, the dance company Expressions, and the Harvard Ballet Company.

Other performances over the weekend included Glee Club Lite and a mock panel by the comedy troupe Immediate Gratification Players.

This reflected an active move to expand the opportunities for parents to experience the vast number of arts groups on campus, organizers said.

“We especially tried to expand the scope of musical talent showcased throughout the weekend,” wrote Co-Chair of Junior Parents Weekend Alissa M. Gordon in an e-mail.

The Harvard art museums and libraries gave tours of their facilities and popular campus organizations like the Phillips Brooks House Association and the Institute of Politics held open houses.

“It’s a great opportunity to see your child at Harvard,” said Wendy S. Barnet, mother of Jeffery H. Barnet ’06. “I’ve most enjoyed seeing the growth in Jeff.”

The younger Bartels concurred.

“I’m so glad I could share the experience with my parents,” he said.

Saturday afternoon featured a Class Reception and Ice Cream Bash in the Eliot House dining hall. The Fallen Angels, an all-female a cappella group, treated the crowd to hits like “Turn the Beat Around” while parents crowded around tables loaded with ice cream and toppings.

“It’s wonderful to meet friends and friend’s families,” said Pat M. Obst, mother of Cynthia L. Obst ’06 at the reception.

She added that she had particularly enjoyed the arts performances and the faculty lectures.

Paul R. Rosenberg, father of Talia J. Rosenberg ’06 said “it was nice of them to arrange sunshine” for the event, and complimented the “small-town feel” of the college, saying, “the attitude of the workers and students is welcoming.”