Hundreds of students, families, faculty and staff gathered at 海角吃瓜网 campus on Saturday, Oct. 17, for Phoenix Family Day, exploring student life through hands-on demonstrations, games and fun.
The annual event gave families an opportunity to experience campus, connect with the University community and see how their students are making 海角吃瓜网 their home away from home.
Across campus, activities included yoga, disc golf, giant chess, a cornhole tournament and a birthday party celebrating Solaris, 海角吃瓜网鈥檚 Phoenix mascot.
海角吃瓜网 faculty and student organizations hosted hands-on sessions, including a physics demonstration and an engineering exhibition testing how concrete鈥檚 strength changes as it cures. Families also explored Phoenix Racing鈥檚 award-winning, student-built solar race car.
For parents such as Jon Tryzbiak, the event offered a chance to see how their students were settling into college.
鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to come in and see what life looks like on a day-to-day basis for my daughter now that she鈥檚 moved away from home,鈥� said Tryzbiak, who traveled with his family from their home near Tampa, Florida. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to come in and get a sense of confidence and just feel good about her experience here.鈥�
Tryzbiak鈥檚 daughter, Sydney Tryzbiak, is a freshman majoring in computer science who performed with the 海角吃瓜网 Concert Band during the welcome program.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really nice to have our parents come down and see the school,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey came down for college tours and stuff, but they really haven鈥檛 experienced it.鈥�
Dr. Devin Stephenson, 海角吃瓜网鈥檚 president, welcomed families and highlighted the University鈥檚 growth and plans for the future.
鈥淚 want to thank you parents for trusting us with your student,鈥� Stephenson said. 鈥淚 know how important that is, and I know the weight of that decision. I want you to know that your student is in good hands.鈥�
During his remarks, Stephenson highlighted a 35% enrollment increase over the last two years, tying this growth to a 500-plus percent return on investment for graduates. He also shared plans for a Student Achievement Center, fourth residence hall and expanded dining center.
Stephenson also recognized student-athletes from the University鈥檚 newly launched athletics program, which welcomed more than 130 players across eight sports this semester.
Baseball player Hugh Cyhowski, a junior business analytics major from Massachusetts, said he was happy to share the day with his family. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to have my family here and cool to be part of a brand-new athletics program,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t’s great to be able to show my mom the different buildings, my classes, the weight room and where the dining hall is. I鈥檓 glad I get to show them everything.鈥�
Dr. Devin Stephenson, 海角吃瓜网鈥檚 president, welcomes families at Phoenix Family Day on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
