Planner - Event 'you dream about'

In the 12 years Diane Sides has coordinated Family Weekend activities at Southeast Missouri State University, only one weekend has been completely spoiled by rain.

Sides, director of university relations, said she was nervous when the stargazing event had to be canceled Friday night because of rain.

She remained hopeful, hopeful, that the weather would cooperate Saturday. And it did.

Saturday, the busiest day, had several events planned for students and their families, including the spotlight event of the weekend -- the football game and concert featuring The Association.

As the concert started, many students who had no idea who The Association was, watched as their parents sang along to songs, like "Never My Love," "Windy" and "Cherish."

Fred and Susan Vincel of Cape Girardeau attended the football game with their daughter, Crystal Morton, a freshman at Southeast.

"The Association was from our era," said Susan Vincel, a Southeast alumni from the 1970s.

The Vincels stayed for almost the entire concert but noticed a lot of the younger people in the crowd had dwindled by the end.

More families attend

"The football game and concert are definitely the highlight of the weekend," Sides said, "even if the students don't recognize the name of the group."

Although Sides didn't have an official count of how many families came to town, she said it appeared that a lot more families visited than in years past.

This, she said, was probably due to the fact that freshman enrollment was up significantly from years past.

Sides said the majority of families who come for Family Weekend have students who are freshman.

Besides the football game and concert, families took part in several other activities including campus tours, brunches, a theater production and Family Fun day at the recreation center.

Many families also dropped by the Southeast Bookstore to buy T-shirts, sweatshirts or other Southeast paraphernalia.

Sales in the bookstore were up 70 percent Saturday compared to normal business days.

"The weather cooperated, there was great attendance and the support of students, staff and organizations were great," Sides said.

"This was the kind of weekend you dream about," she said.

hkronmueller@semissourian.com

335-6611 ext. 128