Parents’ Weekend saw a campus-wide effort in order to coordinate all the activities that were on the visitors’ itineraries.

The main events included an evening with Brad Sherwood and Colin Mochrie from “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” on Friday night and the football game and tailgate on Saturday.

“We recognize that families are here to visit with students, so our philosophy is to try to provide them with things to do together that might be fun and reflect their Villanova experience,” says Director of Student Life Thomas Mogan. “We try to showcase the University with athletics, academics and student life.”

Rather than risk a lack of attendance at the comedy act because of it beginning shortly after the football game ended, the show itself was moved to Friday night. The attendance at “Whose Line” was at 3,000, down slightly from when the duo last performed on a Saturday night.

The football game’s attendance was up to 11,119, at which the team treated the visiting parents to the highest scoring game of the season. The Saturday night activity included the Junior Ring Ceremony that was moved from its usual spot on Friday night in order to increase the attendance of parents who could come. Information sessions about study abroad, off-campus housing and One Book Villanova were offered to parents and students. Other events during the weekend included performances of “The Zoo Story” in Vasey Theatre, a liturgy and performances by various choirs.

The Junior Ring Ceremony and the Senior Breakfast were added to the schedule in order to increase the attendance of upperclassmen’s parents, according to Mogan.

University President Rev. Peter Donohue, O.S.A., opened Saturday morning and informed parents of a new master plan that extends to 2030.

“I don’t want the University to get caught up in how we rank, but what we are known for,” he said. “The undergraduate program will always be our major focus. It is our bread and butter; it is what we do well.”

The Office of Student Development did most of the planning for Parents’ Weekend late in the spring semester last year in an attempt to properly coordinate all the activities.

“Planning is a year round process. We evaluate the programs and think about how we can improve each year.” Mogan said. “CAT coordinates the entertainment, campus ministry does the liturgy and Athletics does the football game.”