Faust and Noodles Greet Frosh Parents

Less than two months after dropping their kids off in the Yard, parents returned this weekend in full force to enjoy a partly cloudy Freshman Parents’ Weekend.

The College sponsored several events just for parents, including tours of Widener Library and a welcoming address by Dean of the College David Pilbeam on Friday afternoon.

In addition to these College-sponsored events, parents were invited to attend classes ranging from Historical Study B-64, “The Cuban Revolution, 1956-1971: A Self-Debate,” to Math 23a, “Linear Algebra and Real Analysis I.”

Matthew P. Zehnder ’11 said he spent most of his weekend showing his parents around campus.

“Parents’ Weekend is great,” Zehnder said. “It’s at the point of homesickness, two months in, and seeing your parents again is a boost.”

Zehnder and his family listened to a welcoming speech from University President Drew G. Faust, chowed down at Wagamama, and enjoyed a lecture by Beren Professor of Economics N. Gregory Mankiw.

Zehnder also appreciated his parents’ willingness to take him shopping over the weekend.

Laden with shopping bags, many freshmen could be spotted taking advantage of their parents’ generosity.

In a small-scale reenactment of move-in weekend, parents could be seen helping their offspring carry luggage, boxes, and other assorted items from a motley collection of rental cars just outside the Yard on Saturday afternoon.

Another student used the weekend as an opportunity to escape campus.

Cameron R. Anaya ’11, whose parents flew in from Washington, said that he and his family traveled to many different parts of Massachusetts.

“My parents didn’t want to sit through all of the lectures here because of my baby sister,” Anaya said.