Family Weekend 2024
September 20-22
Shenandoah buzzes with excitement this weekend, and we hope our families will take this great opportunity to visit with their students and enjoy, together, so much of what makes this place so very special.
Book Your Hotel Near Campus for the Weekend!
Welcome Table
3-6 p.m. | Brandt Student Center
Stop by to gather information about Family Weekend activities and pick up your welcome gift!
Guided Walking Tour of Old Town
6-8 p.m. | Old Town Winchester
Join other families for a guided walking tour of Old Town Winchester! This is a unique opportunity to learn about the unique history of the city. Registration is required. For more information, contact us at mosaiccenter@su.edu
Women’s Volleyball vs. Randolph College
6 p.m. | Wilkins Athletics and Events Center
Cheer on the volleyball team as they take on Randolph College.
Comedian Danny Franzese
8-9 p.m. | Armstrong Concert Hall
Get hyped for an evening of non-stop laughter and excitement with the one and only Danny Franzese from Mean Girls! You know him as the iconic Damian from Mean Girls, and he’s graced the screen in indie cult favorites like Bully and I Spit On Your Grave. With recent appearances in Mark Gordon’s ABC series, Conviction, and the Freeform series Recovery Road, Danny is a powerhouse on screen and a riot with his hilarious stories about his mom and Hollywood. Get ready to laugh until it hurts! Free for students; guests and family $5 (cash only) a ticket. For more information, reach out to autumn.pryor@su.edu.
Reception & Open House
10 a.m.-noon | Brandt Student Center
Enjoy breakfast pastries and coffee while connecting with senior administrators, faculty, staff, and parent council members.
Women’s Volleyball vs. University of Lynchburg
11 a.m. | Wilkins Athletics and Events Center
Cheer on the volleyball team as they take on Lynchburg.
Pick-Your-Own Apples to Enjoy and Donate!
1 p.m. | Marker-Miller Farm Market & Orchards
Sign up to pick apples not only for yourself but also to donate to CCAP, a community organization that helps area residents in need. Sign-up required.
Tubing, Biking, and Hiking
1 p.m. | Shenandoah River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield
Enjoy an afternoon of biking, hiking, or tubing at the River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield. Sign up required.
Women’s Field Hockey vs. Salisbury
Noon | Aikens Stadium
Cheer on the field hockey team as they challenge Salisbury.
Women’s Soccer vs. Penn State Harrisburg
2 p.m. | Glo Fiber Field at Shentel Stadium
Cheer on the women’s soccer team as it takes on Penn State Harrisburg!
Fall Fest
3 – 5 p.m. | Pruitt Health and Life Sciences Building, Lawn
During this autumn tradition at Shenandoah, you’ll experience the joy of the fall season with games for all ages, an interactive petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, music, and more!
Vigil Mass & Reception
5 p.m. | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall
Come to Catholic Mass on campus to fulfill your Sunday obligation! A light reception will follow where you can meet with the Catholic Campus Ministry staff and learn about our dynamic program and upcoming events.
80’s Prom Theme Murder Mystery
5:15 – 6:45 p.m. | The Quad (rain location Smith Library)
Who killed the prom king? Students, families, and friends are invited to help solve this 80s-themed murder mystery. Guess who the murderer is to be entered into a raffle for fabulous SU swag items. Dressing up is not required, but welcomed. Bring your biggest hair, brightest clothes and boldest make-up.
Football vs. Rhodes College
7 p.m. | GloFiber Field at Shentel Stadium
Cheer on the Hornets as they take on Rhodes College! Shenandoah students are admitted free, while family members can purchase tickets online one week prior to the game!
Wind Ensemble Performance
7:30 p.m. | Armstrong Concert Hall
Kick off our season with an exhilarating evening of music featuring timeless wind ensemble repertoire under the direction of Tim Robblee. Experience the vibrant energy and evocative melodies of contemporary and classic compositions, including Up and Down by composer Molly Joyce, renowned for her unique blend of minimalism and rhythmic innovation; Deciduous by Viet Cuong, which captures the essence of nature’s cycles, with intricate harmonies and flowing melodies that evoke the changing seasons; and a suite of works by Percy Grainger, revered for his innovative arrangements and charming folk-inspired themes. Purchase tickets online.
Coffee Walk
9 a.m. | Meet at Brandt Student Center
If you’re a coffee fanatic this is perfect for you! Take a trip around the Winchester Green Trail and stop at local coffee shops along the way. The trip meets outside of the front entrance of the Brandt Student Center at 9 a.m. Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and money for coffee. We will be back at Brandt Student Center no later than 11 a.m.
Family Pilates Class
10 a.m. | Aikens Stadium
Top off your weekend of fun with a Pilates class for the entire family! Participants are encouraged to bring their own mat and water bottle.
University Chapel
11:30 a.m. | Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall
A dynamic worshiping community exists at Shenandoah University, and each Sunday during the academic year, students, university employees, their families and the Winchester community worship together, beginning at noon in Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall. Sunday Chapel combines ancient and emerging, diverse and unified, safe and challenging, artful and thoughtful, playful and profound elements. You are invited to join this special service during Family Weekend.
Cornhole Tournament
1 p.m. | Aikens Stadium
Put your cornhole playing skills to the test! Teams of two will compete in a format determined by the number of entries. Each person on the winning team will win $50 in gift cards and the second-place team members will receive $25 in gift cards. Sign up is required.
Shopping Discounts
Build your professional wardrobe during Family Weekend! Show your student ID and cash in on some great deals at retailers in the Winchester area over the weekend.
Loft (3115 Valley Avenue, Winchester, VA)
Additional 15% off (stackable)
Jos. A Bank (3031 Valley Avenue, Winchester, VA)
Discounted suiting running year-round
JCPenney (1850 Apple Blossom Drive, Winchester, VA)
Up to 45% off select career wear, shoes, and accessories
Career Closet (Cooley Hall 312, Main Campus)
Free gently used career clothing year-round
For more information, contact career@su.edu.
Local Information
You are encouraged to relax on campus or explore historic downtown Winchester and the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.
Shops, restaurants and entertainment in historic Old Town Winchester, featuring a pedestrian mall.
The legendary outdoor beauty of Skyline Drive.
Unique permanent and traveling exhibitions, gardens, and Virginia’s largest art park at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.
Make sure you plan to return to campus for Homecoming too!
If you have any questions, contact Student Affairs at tearley@su.edu.