During the weekend of Oct. 19, Tulane University celebrated Wave Weekend ‘23, a family-filled event packed with university-hosted activities and school spirit. 

Family weekend serves as more than a joyful student-parent reunion. Penny Wyatt, director of Family Programs and External Relations, said that the weekend’s purpose is for families to have a “fun weekend with their students but also learn about what is available to support and encourage their students to give them a distinctive university experience.” 

On Friday, Tulane offered an array of events designed to inform families about academic opportunities available to students. 

At Tulane to the Max!, a panel of two seniors and two underclassman students shared their internship, research and campus leadership experiences. Dean of Newcomb-Tulane College, Mollye Demosthenidy, moderated the event. She said it was designed so families could see how students have customized their path at Tulane and how their students could become involved.  

“What I hoped that the event showed is that there is not one right way to engage at Tulane,” Demosthenidy said. “You can write your own story and also just explore. It is encouraging to parents to hear what those experiences are like and ways that they can support their students.” 

Tulane also offered two presentations about study abroad opportunities from the Newcomb-Tulane College and the Freeman School of Business Study Abroad and Exchange programs. Todd LaRocca, parent of freshman student Lyle LaRocca, attended the Newcomb-Tulane College study abroad presentation. He said it was clear Tulane provides support to students interested in studying abroad. 

Tulane’s “support in helping students evaluate abroad programs ranges from faculty experts to former abroad student ambassadors,” LaRocca said. “My takeaway was that Tulane places a high priority on abroad programming with a strong conviction that study abroad complements and enhances a well-rounded Tulane experience.” 

Another resource for families was the Summer Opportunities Fair, which represented eight different departments and programs that students could get involved in. Wyatt said last year Tulane offered a presentation about summer opportunities, but this year wanted families to engage directly with departments. 

“We found that parents were more interested in speaking directly with program representatives that we changed it to a fair format,” Wyatt said. “We enhanced it by making it more user-friendly.”

Tulane also offered an a cappella concert, photo backdrops for family pictures, open houses for the fraternity and sorority programs and in the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility, a presentation about transitioning to off-campus living. 

Wave Weekend ‘23 concluded in an eventful game day on Saturday. Tailgate Village on Berger Family Lawn had tailgates for families, reunion and alumni tailgating, and multiple tailgates for different schools, centers and clubs. As kickoff approached, the Tulane Marching Band and dancers led families to transition from tailgating to Yulman Stadium. 

“The game was like a roller coaster ride! Up and down and a thrilling finish,” parent Tim Hohman said.