Family Weekend

September 15th - 17th, 2023

Save the date for Family Weekend 2023! Family Weekends are designed to give parents and family members an opportunity to enjoy special events and activities happening throughout campus and to interact with members of the Alfred Community. View last year's schedule below to get an idea of what we will have in store this year. Schedule will be updated in August for 2023.

View Last Year's Schedule of Events:


Selfie Scavenger Hunt – Gather your family and capture some great memories, while visiting some of the most iconic spots on AU's campus! To participate, simply take family photos (selfie or otherwise) at 3 or more of our 5 highlighted photo locations, then post them on Facebook or Instagram with our hashtag, #AUFiatFamily, by 5pm on Sunday. 3 lucky students will win Alfred merch from the AU Bookstore, and you'll wind up with some photos of you and your student together. Locations:

  • Fiat Lux! sign
  • Equestrian Center
  • Out front of Scholes or Herrick Library
  • In the stands at the football game on Saturday
  • The Castle/Career Development Center

EnChroma Glasses Giveaway – AU Libraries will host an interactive EnChroma themed display in both Herrick Memorial Library and Samuel R. Scholes Library in honor of Colorblindness Awareness Month. Visitors can learn about colorblindness, the development of the color blindness corrective glasses, which were invented by Alfred University alumni Don McPherson, and try on one of the pairs from the libraries’ circulating collection. EnChroma has donated two pairs of EnChroma glasses to the Alfred University community give away in a free drawing. To enter the drawing to win a pair of EnChroma glasses, visit the EnChroma display in Herrick or Scholes Library (or both!) on Friday September 23rd or Saturday, September 24th during library hours.

8:30 am-4:30 pm - University Administrative Offices Open – Families are welcome to stop by for information. (If you wish to meet with someone, please call ahead to check availability and make an appointment.)

9:00 am-4:00 pm - AU Bookstore – Stop in to see what wonderful AU items you can find – there’s always something on sale. Location: 2nd floor, Powell Campus Center

9:00 am-5:00 pm - Equestrian Center Tours – Get an up close and in person look - Alfred University’s Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at the Maris Cuneo Equine Park. The spacious facility located on 400 acres is within a five-minute drive of campus and a must see. Location: 5174 Lake Road, Alfred Station, NY 14803

10:00 am-5:00 pm - Alfred Ceramic Art Museum – The Museum houses nearly 8,000 ceramic objects ranging from small pottery shards recovered from ancient civilizations to modern and contemporary ceramic art. The primary mission of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum is to collect, preserve, conserve, research, interpret and exhibit ceramic art for aesthetic and educational purposes. Location: 2 Pine Street, Alfred, NY 14802 – on the corner of Main and Pine Streets. On View: William Underhill: Casting a Legacy

Visit our Galleries:

11:00 am–4:00 pm - Cohen Gallery – The Cohen Gallery is an educational at center, an ever-evolving creative hub and gathering space for students, faculty, and the community. The gallery presents artwork by School of Art and Design faculty, staff, visiting artists, alumni and facilitates community-based projects. Students assist in all aspects of gallery management including curation, exhibition design and gallery sales. Location: 55 N Main Street, Alfred, NY 14802

BIPOC Residency Exhibition: Featuring work by 2022 BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Artists-in-Residence Adrian Aguilera, Tatiana Florival, Clare Hu and Jacoub Reyes. The program provided 4 artists with opportunities to dive deeply into their artistic research and practice, and creative endeavors.

11:00 am–4:00 pm - The Fosdick-Nelson Gallery – The gallery, housed in the School of Art & Design, is a vibrant learning center for the visual arts. Rotating exhibitions highlight established and emerging artists working in New York, the US, and abroad. Location: 3rd floor, Harder Hall – enter main entrance from Academic Alley, walk through, past the lobby. Gallery will be on the left.

On View: Frequency/Chronology by Luftwerk: Work by Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero

1:00 pm–5:00 pm - Turner Gallery – The Turner Gallery is a professional gallery space run and organized by students and features student exhibitions. Location: the McGee Pavilion in Harder Hall at the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University

On View: Hold My Body, Hold My Breath (Avery Smith) in the Main Space, Ana Alexander in the Catwalk gallery space

2:00 pm-6:00 pm - Family Weekend Information and Sign-In – Please stop by to sign in, pick up a printed weekend schedule, a button, campus maps and other materials and information. Location: 2nd floor, Powell Campus Center

2:00pm-4:00pm - Herrick Library Open House – Stop by Herrick Library for an Open House! Families, students, and alumni can stop by and check out Saxon Station, displays, and enjoy some refreshments. Location: Herrick Library

Evening Dining Options – Eat with your student (using Saxon Swipes or Dining Dollars) at one of our AU dining options (Starbucks and Powell Café) or visit the downtown area for a pay as you go option. Location: 3rd floor, Powell Campus Center or Main Street, Alfred, NY 14802

4:00 pm-5:00 pm - Tour of Brick and Connors (formerly Openhym) Residence Halls – Visit these residence halls to see our newest updates. Location: Meet at Registration, 2nd floor, Powell Campus Center

5:00 pm-6:30 pm - Village Tour – Tour begins at the King Alfred Statue in the Campus Quad Area. Join Justin Grigg, Alfred University’s Assistant Dean for Graduate & Continuing Studies, for a 90-minute walking tour of the Village of Alfred. In addition to his day job at AU, Justin, having resided in Alfred for almost 20 years, has held the position of Village Mayor and is a trained Landscape Architect. Learn all about the local history and knowledge of our “Magic Valley.” Location: King Alfred Statue in the Campus Quad

6:00 pm – 8:00 pmTie Dye with the Student Activities Board outside Powell Campus Center from 6-8pm or while supplies last. Location: Outside Powell Campus Center

6:00 pm - Presentation of International Sculpture Center Award to Coral Lambert and Sculpture Unveiling – Join us to celebrate this historic honor for Alfred’s own Coral Lambert. Location: In front of Binns-Merrill Hall on Academic Alley

7:00 pm-9:00 pm - Music in the Quad – Join us at our outdoor fire pit. Enjoy cider and donuts and enjoy the evening. Location: outside of Alumni Hall.

8:00 pm - Movie Night -Selena - Nevins Theatre - Poder Latinx welcomes all. Snacks will be provided

9:00-11:00 pm - Observatory Open House – If the sky is clear, this is your opportunity to view the autumn sky through the sophisticated instruments of the Stull Observatory; considered “one of the finest teaching observatories in the United States.” (Note: if the sky is cloudy the observatory will be closed.) Please visit the Stull Observatory Facebook page for more information.

Selfie Scavenger Hunt – Gather your family and capture some great memories, while visiting some of the most iconic spots on AU's campus! To participate, simply take family photos (selfie or otherwise) at 3 or more of our 5 highlighted photo locations, then post them on Facebook or Instagram with our hashtag, #AUFiatFamily, by 5pm on Sunday. 3 lucky students will win Alfred merch from the AU Bookstore, and you'll wind up with some photos of you and your student together. Locations:

  • Fiat Lux! sign
  • Equestrian Center
  • Out front of Scholes or Herrick Library
  • In the stands at the football game on Saturday
  • The Castle/Career Development Center

EnChroma Glasses Giveaway – AU Libraries will host an interactive EnChroma themed display in both Herrick Memorial Library and Samuel R. Scholes Library in honor of Colorblindness Awareness Month. Visitors can learn about colorblindness, the development of the color blindness corrective glasses, which were invented by Alfred University alumni Don McPherson, and try on one of the pairs from the libraries’ circulating collection. EnChroma has donated two pairs of EnChroma glasses to the Alfred University community give away in a free drawing. To enter the drawing to win a pair of EnChroma glasses, visit the EnChroma display in Herrick or Scholes Library (or both!) on Friday September 23rd or Saturday, September 24th during library hours.

9:00 am-9:45 am - Updates with Academic & Student Experience – Join us as we share with you updates from across campus from President Mark Zupan, Dr. Beth Ann Dobie, Provost and Chief Operating Officer, and Amy DeKay, Vice President for Student Experience. Light refreshments/coffee/tea will be served. Location: Knight Club, 2nd floor, Powell Campus Center.

9:00 am-12 noon - Family Weekend Information and Sign In – Please stop by to sign in, pick up a printed weekend schedule, a button, campus maps and other materials and information. Location: 2nd floor, Powell Campus Center

9:00 am-2:00 pm - AU Bookstore – Stop in to see what wonderful AU items you can find – there’s always something on sale! Location: 2nd floor, Powell Campus Center

9:00 am-11:00 am - Western Horse Show Competition I – Alfred University’s Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at the Maris Cuneo Equine Park - Enjoy one or both Western Horse Show Competitions hosted by Alfred University’s Equestrian Team. Competition 1 will be held at 9:00 am. Location: 5174 Lake Road, Alfred Station, NY 14803

9:00 am-2:00 pm: Book Signing - The Absentminded Stargazer and Other Tales of Alfred University - Alan Littell ’53 - Barnes & Noble Bookstore

9:45 am - Wall of Fame Touchscreen Directory Demonstration - Enjoy this hands-on, interactive demonstration of AU’s state-of-the-art Wall of Fame Touchscreen Directory. Installed in 2021, AU has made it easy for you to search for Hall of Fame members, view individual and team stats, rosters and so much more. It’s the easiest way to learn about AU’s athletic history. McLane Lobby (street level)

9:45 am-11:00 am - Prunty-Russo Media Lab Open House – Take a self-paced interactive tour of the Media Lab, get a photo with our green screen, and more! Location: 1st floor, Powell Campus Center

10:00 am - Alfred University’s Pregame Tailgate Party – Alfred University's Pregame Tailgate Party - Join the pregame party with Alfred University alumni, parents and friends prior to the big game. Enjoy traditional tailgate picnic in Galanis Family Arena, McLane Center. This event is complimentary. Cash bar beverages are available. Location: Galanis Arena, McLane Center.

10:00 am-5:00 pm - Alfred Ceramic Art Museum – The Museum houses nearly 8,000 ceramic objects ranging from small pottery shards recovered from ancient civilizations to modern and contemporary ceramic art. The primary mission of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum is to collect, preserve, conserve, research, interpret and exhibit ceramic art for aesthetic and educational purposes. Location: 2 Pine Street, Alfred, NY 14802 – on the northeast corner of Main and Pine Streets

On View: William Underhill: Casting a Legacy

12 noon–3:00 pm - Western Horse Show Competition II – Alfred University’s Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at the Maris Cuneo Equine Park. Enjoy the 2nd Western Horse Show Competition hosted by Alfred University’s Equestrian Team. The second competition is at 12:00 pm. Location: 5174 Lake Road, Alfred Station, NY 14803

12 noon - Alfred University Football vs Kalamazoo College – Cheer on your Alfred Saxons as they take on the Kalamazoo Hornets. Tickets available to purchase at the gate. Location: Yunevich Stadium, Clark Way

1:00 pm–3:00 pm - Cohen Gallery – The Cohen Gallery is an educational art center, an ever-evolving creative hub and gathering space for students, faculty, and the community. The gallery presents artwork by School of Art and Design faculty, staff, visiting artists, alumni and facilitates community-based projects. Students assist in all aspects of gallery management including curation, exhibition design and gallery sales. Location: 55 N Main Street, Alfred, NY 14802

BIPOC Residency Exhibition: Featuring work by 2022 BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Artists-in-Residence Adrian Aguilera, Tatiana Florival, Clare Hu and Jacoub Reyes. The program provided 4 artists with opportunities to dive deeply into their artistic research and practice, and creative endeavors.

1:00 pm–3:00 pm - The Fosdick-Nelson Gallery – Housed in the School of Art & Design, the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery is a vibrant learning center for the visual arts. Rotating exhibitions highlight established and emerging artists working in New York, the US, and abroad. Location: 3rd floor, Harder Hall – enter main entrance from Academic Alley, walk through, past the lobby. Gallery will be on the left.

On View: Frequency/Chronology by Luftwerk: Work by Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero

1:00 pm–5:00 pm - Turner Gallery – The Turner Gallery is a professional gallery space run and organized by students and features student exhibitions. Location: the McGee Pavilion in Harder Hall at the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University

On View: Hold My Body, Hold My Breath (Avery Smith) in the Main Space, Ana Alexander in the Catwalk gallery space

1:00 pm - Women’s Tennis vs Oswego State – If football isn’t your thing, enjoy the AU Saxons Women’s tennis match against the Oswego Lakers. Location: William T. Brown Tennis Courts, adjacent to the McClane Center and the Joyce Walton Family Center for Health and Wellness. Free admission

5:00 & 7:30 pm - Men’s Soccer vs St. John Fisher College – AU sports continue into the evening as your AU Men’s soccer teams take on the SJF Cardinals. Varsity at 5pm, JV at 7:30pm. Location: Merrill Field at Yunevich Stadium, Clark Way. Free admission

Evening Dining Options – Eat with your student (using Saxon Swipes or Dining Dollars) at one of our AU dining options (Starbucks and Powell Café) or visit the downtown area for a pay as you go option. Location: 3rd floor, Powell Campus Center or Main Street, Alfred, NY 14802

8:00 pm - Magician and Illusionist Joel Meyers – He's been seen on America’s Got Talent, FakeOff on TruTV, Masters of Illusion, and Penn & Teller Fool Us on the CW. He's been featured in Newsweek, Us Weekly, and People Magazine and has given private performances for celebrities from Brad Pitt to Jennifer Lopez. Combining sleight of hand and original routines with larger-than-life personality and crowd winning charm, Joel specializes in taking audiences on what NBC calls “A roller coaster ride!” He’s an illusionist and a mentalist, a master of the stage, and a magician. Location: Holmes Auditorium - Harder Hall

Selfie Scavenger Hunt – Gather your family and capture some great memories, while visiting some of the most iconic spots on AU's campus! To participate, simply take family photos (selfie or otherwise) at 3 or more of our 5 highlighted photo locations, then post them on Facebook or Instagram with our hashtag, #AUFiatFamily, by 5pm on Sunday. 3 lucky students will win Alfred merch from the AU Bookstore, and you'll wind up with some photos of you and your student together. Locations:

  • Fiat Lux! sign
  • Equestrian Center
  • Out front of Scholes or Herrick Library
  • In the stands at the football game on Saturday
  • The Castle/Career Development Center

Dining Options – Family members can enjoy a free brunch at Ade Dining Hall between the hours of 10:00 a.m.-2 p.m. (no need to use a swipe). Location: Ade Dining Hall

10:00 am-5:00 pm - Alfred Ceramic Art Museum – The Museum houses nearly 8,000 ceramic objects ranging from small pottery shards recovered from ancient civilizations to modern and contemporary ceramic art. The primary mission of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum is to collect, preserve, conserve, research, interpret and exhibit ceramic art for aesthetic and educational purposes. Location: 2 Pine Street, Alfred, NY 14802 – on the northeast corner of Main and Pine Streets

On View: William Underhill: Casting a Legacy

11:00 am–3:00 pm - Alfred Farmers Market – Don’t forget to stop by and pick-up some of the area’s freshest local produce. Location: Village Bandstand Area

1:00 pm–3:00 pm - Cohen Gallery – The Cohen Gallery is an educational art center, an ever-evolving creative hub and gathering space for students, faculty, and the community. The gallery presents artwork by School of Art and Design faculty, staff, visiting artists, alumni and facilitates community-based projects. Students assist in all aspects of gallery management including curation, exhibition design and gallery sales. Location: 55 N Main Street, Alfred, NY 14802

BIPOC Residency Exhibition: Featuring work by 2022 BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Artists-in-Residence Adrian Aguilera, Tatiana Florival, Clare Hu and Jacoub Reyes. The program provided 4 artists with opportunities to dive deeply into their artistic research and practice, and creative endeavors.

1:00 pm–3:00 pm - The Fosdick-Nelson Gallery – Housed in the School of Art & Design, the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery is a vibrant learning center for the visual arts. Rotating exhibitions highlight established and emerging artists working in New York, the US, and abroad. Location: 3rd floor, Harder Hall – enter main entrance from Academic Alley, walk through, past the lobby. Gallery will be on the left.

On View: Frequency/Chronology by Luftwerk: Work by Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero

1:00 pm–5:00 pm - Turner Gallery – The Turner Gallery is a professional gallery space run and organized by students and features student exhibitions. Location: the McGee Pavilion in Harder Hall at the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University

On View: Hold My Body, Hold My Breath (Avery Smith) in the Main Space, Ana Alexander in the Catwalk gallery space