For the first night of Family Weekend, 145 Student Union was transformed into a hip coffeehouse. The mood was set with dimmed lights, candles and the cool, soulful beats of a live jazz band.
An array of succulent desserts such as cupcakes, cookies, pastries, cakes and, of course, coffee was served to students and their families. The event was catered by Campus Dining and Shops.
According to Jenn Hitchcock, Student Activities associate, the event attracted almost 500 students and family members.
The Carol McLaughlin Quartet, a local jazz band, performed at the coffeehouse event. McLaughlin, a UB alumnus, originally from Jamaica, has appeared in concert with American legends like Johnny Mathis and Sammy Davis, Jr. throughout his career. According to the band's Web site, the Quartet has performed at the Albright Knox Jazz series several times, among other venues and festivals. At UB, he studied classical performance on the flute and saxophone.
The multi-talented musician encouraged students and their families to let out their inner child and dance, even though that was not in the event's original itinerary.
"There's not much of a dance floor, but if you hear something that reminds you of your dancing days, go right at it," McLaughlin said.
According to McLaughlin, the band was slated to play at last year's Family Weekend but was left out in the cold by the October Storm.
In light of Family Weekend's cancellation last year due to the autumn surprise, students were eager to invite their families to UB again.
Katie Boyle, a sophomore psychology and sociology major, was disappointed by the timing of the storm last year but was glad to attend as many events as possible this year.
According to Cate Schrum, graduate assistant for Student Activities, this year's weather was certainly an upgrade, and the planned events were successful in generating excitement among students and their families.
For freshman students experiencing their first Family Weekend at UB, the events were a good chance to spend time with their parents.
"It's very nice to see my parents," said Kim Raffaele, a freshman undecided major.
Taylor Lintz, a freshman business major, had similar reasons for inviting her family to UB.
"I want to spend time with my dad and my mom," Lintz said.
Evan Ozmat, a freshman pharmacy major, enjoyed the elegant coffeehouse ambiance with his mother.
Evan and his mom thought that UB was successful in encouraging students and their families to participate in the diverse series of events organized by Student Life.
Cassie Hawkins, a freshman psychology major, agreed.
"I think it's really nice. There are a lot of different events and things to choose from," she said.
However, Hawkins said she would likely attend only Saturday's football game with her family, foregoing the weekend's remaining events such as a performance by Inpulse, a pop a capella group, and the Evening of Comedy.
According to Schrum, all of the Family Weekend events were popular and well received by students and their family members.
For Hawkins, the reason for attending the coffeehouse was simple: "It's better than the dining hall."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
