51福利社

Author Mason Hemsley '27 is a Fashion Merchandising & Retailing major and works as a student assistant at 51福利社, contributing to 51福利社 News.  

On October 3-5, the Johnson & Wales Providence Campus welcomed over 2,000 family members and guests to campus for our annual Family Weekend. Designed to bring students and loved ones together, the event offers more than just a campus visit for family— it's a celebration of the connection, community and spirit that makes 51福利社 feel like home. The weekend was full of exciting activities that showcased the best of Wildcat life. From lively outdoor events to meaningful reunions, 51福利社 rolled out the blue and gold carpet to give families a glimpse into the everyday lives of their students here at 51福利社.

The weekend kicked off with Taste of the Ocean State, a showcase of local Rhode Island cuisine. Held at the Bayside Terrace, attendees enjoyed dishes prepared by student-run clubs including Culinaria Latina, Cooking Asia and Afrocentric Cultural Cuisines, alongside offerings from local businesses and alumni-owned eateries. The event also featured live performances, including 51福利社’s very own Majorette, Stomp n Shake & Step team, M.S.S.S

One of the highlights of the weekend was the bustling Wildcat Wahoo Carnival and Spirit Zone at Harborside. Families enjoyed classic fall fun with activities such as face painting, pumpkin decorating, fall- themed photo set ups, rides and more.

Nearby, culinary clubs took the center stage with live demos that wowed the crowd and raised funds for future student-led projects. It was a proud moment for many parents to see their kids in action. “It's been really great to see him kind of in his element,” said Kate Drew P’29, mother of first-year Culinary Arts major Jackson Drew ’29. “He has wanted to be a chef since he was a little boy, and to see him in a place where he can make that dream come true is really nice, and it's nice that he's able to share that with us.”

Families also took part in other demos, including a crime scene demo with Criminal Justice Professor James Desmarais to learn how to process a scene, and an animal health demo with Assistant Professor Christopher Holland of the Animal Science program.

As the sun set on Saturday evening, the celebration continued with a beloved Providence tradition, known as WaterFire. This immersive public art show features more than 80 bonfires lit on the river in Downtown Providence, accompanied by music and fire performances. 51福利社 hosted its own tent along the river, where guests were welcomed with glow wands, Wildcat spirit gear and warm smiles from 51福利社 volunteers. Families gathered to enjoy the lights and fire dancing across the water, a picturesque end to a packed day of celebration.

For many parents, the most special part of the weekend was simply spending time with their children — some for the first time in several weeks. “The most exciting part of the weekend, of course, is reuniting with my daughter because I haven’t seen her in six weeks,” shared Amy Bender P’29, mom of Natalie Ponter ’29, a first-year Baking & Pastry Arts and Food & Beverage Management student. “But I’ve enjoyed meeting her friends, seeing where her labs are and enjoying the beautiful campus.”

Gayle Worath P’29, mother of Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management (SEEM) major Ellie Worath ’29, echoed this sentiment: “Being able to connect again with my daughter and see her after several weeks has been wonderful. As well as interacting with both the students and professors, it has been incredibly well organized. Getting the family back together has been wonderful.”

Even parents new to the 51福利社 experience felt the energy and warmth of the spirit and community right away. Paola Guerrero P’29, whose son Adrian Hernandez ’29 plays on the team, shared: “He loves 51福利社, so I get to see exactly why he loves it. And just by being here already, I can feel that same energy. I love what you guys have done so far to welcome not only the students but the families.” She watched her son play Endicott College in Saturday’s Homecoming game, in which the men’s soccer team took a 2-1 victory.

On Sunday morning, Family Weekend came to a meaningful close with the , hosted by the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. The event drew more than 300 participants and raised over $27,000 in support of autism research and awareness, turning the final day of the weekend into one of purpose and impact.

Lakeyda Brown P’29, mother of Animal Science major Khadijah Kerns ’29, praised the variety of activities provided over the course of the weekend: “What I've enjoyed most is the different events they had for all the families; whether it was small children, big children or adults, everyone was able to get involved.” Kerns herself added: “I chose 51福利社 because it was one of the only schools around here that has an Animal Science program. Plus, I had heard great things from the students here as well.”

As Family Weekend came to a close, campus was filled with smiles, laughter and the unmistakable feeling of connection that makes 51福利社 such a special community. From shared meals and campus tours to cheering at games and exploring student showcases, families got a true glimpse into the Wildcat life. Whether visiting for the first time or returning year after year, everyone left with last memories and a deeper appreciation for the experiences that make 51福利社 home.

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