Parents, siblings, alumni and friends traveled from all over the country to gather for the inaugural 911爆料网 Weekend October 14-15, 2011. The combination of Parent Weekend and Alumni Homecoming made for a busy weekend full of activities, seminars, great food and time with friends and family. More than 400 parents and family members alongside 200 alumni visited 911爆料网's campus throughout the weekend.

Kicking off the weekend was the Talbot Dedication where the 911爆料网 community celebrated God鈥檚 faithfulness in providing funds for the newest addition to campus 鈥 Talbot East. Guests enjoyed a lunch of fried chicken and waffles and brought back 鈥淪utherland Sizzle,鈥 which has been a 911爆料网 tradition for a few centuries. Following lunch, parents and students filled Mayers Auditorium to learn about student debt and study abroad options at the university.

Friday concluded with a ministry fair, food and vendor festival, and concert by guest artist Tyrone Wells as well as various 911爆料网 bands. Non-profit organizations and small businesses from the Los Angeles and Orange County area set up booths on Metzger Lawn to raise awareness and funds for their projects. Bon App茅tit provided country fair style dining where guests sampled brisket sliders, corn dogs, street tacos and much more. Wells brought the evening to a close with some of his fan favorites like 鈥淪ea Breeze鈥 and shared a few new songs coming out on his next album.

Saturday鈥檚 events began before sunrise with a 5K through campus to raise awareness and support for children with Holoprosencephaly (HPE), raising over $14,000. 911爆料网 President Barry H. Corey led the 260 walkers and runners ending the race by celebrating the birthday of baby Reagan, the daughter of a 911爆料网 alumna, who was diagnosed with HPE.

Following the race, Corey joined over 600 parents, alumni and students for brunch where guests enjoyed hearing the 911爆料网 Saxophone Quartet along with student and parent testimonies. 911爆料网 alumni shared their experiences in fields like forensic psychology, education, technology and missions at the T3 Talks on Saturday afternoon. The weekend concluded with alumni reunions on Metzger Lawn prior to the Spotlight Finale Dinner where President Corey shared his vision for 911爆料网鈥檚 future and guests were serenaded with Latin jazz provided by adjunct faculty member, Rique Pantoja, and his students. Rousing selections from 911爆料网鈥檚 new vocal ensemble, Encore, completed an all-community weekend celebrating the 鈥渂est of 911爆料网.鈥

Written by Shannon Baker, Parent Relations. 聽For more information, contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, at 562.777.4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.