Programs for Parents

Parents Orientation Programs

Parents orientation programs at Houghton College parallel orientation programs for new first-year and transfer students. All new students and their parents are encouraged to participate in one of three Highlander Connection Days programs during the spring semester prior to enrollment and to attend the fall orientation weekend programs just prior to the start of the semester. The spring Highlander Connection Days and the fall orientation weekend programs assist parents as you:

  • Gain understanding of the policies, procedures and personnel available at Houghton;
  • Gain understanding of the College mission, vision, and culture;
  • Experience a sense of confirmation about the choice of Houghton as a place of meaningful purpose and growth for your son/daughter
  • Establish a deeper connection with the College as partners in the educational process.
  • Connect with other parents

Highlander Connection Days

On Highlander Connection Days, a separate track of sessions is available just for parents. While students are busy selecting courses, having photo ID cards made, and creating what will become lifelong friendships with peers and upper-class student orientation leaders, parents are engaged in sessions connecting them with administrators and other parents.

Feedback from incoming new students and their families suggests that participation in an HC Day goes a long way toward establishing confirmation in their choice of Houghton for this critical time of adventure and growth. Some of the specific sessions offered for parents are listed below.

Houghton Traditions of Today & Yesterday
This multi-media session, presented by Houghton alumni, provides a sampling of the people and events that have shaped the work of the College for more than 125 years.

Leaving Home: A Family Thing
A family systems therapeutic model forms the basis of this session, presented by the Director of Counseling Services, Michael Lastoria. The more adventurous among you may volunteer for a “family sculpt,” a series of theatrical tableaus demonstrating the changes that take place in the family as one of its members transitions to college.

Panel Q & A with Members of the Parents Council and Student Orientation Leaders
Whether you are an expert or a novice in the area of launching a child to college, this session gives you the opportunity to engage with other parents whose experiences may provide insight, support and encouragement. Upper-class student leaders add the additional benefit of sharing what their parents did or didn’t do that they found helpful as they made the transition to college.

First-Year Insights
This is an informal session with the VPs for Student Life and Academics, giving parents an opportunity to hear more about their vision and some of the programs that have been established at Houghton to realize student growth.

Fall Orientation Weekend

Curbside upon arrival, new students and families are welcomed to campus with throngs of well-wishers who descend on their vehicles for the purpose of hauling belongings into their new home-in-the-making. Once the initial settling in is mostly accomplished, during mid-afternoon, President Shirley A. Mullen shares her vision of collaborative partnership with the parents of her new students. Afterwards, new students and families participate in the New Student Dedication Service, a worship service of consecration and community dating back nearly 30 years. This Service culminates in a “Kodak moment,” as new students are led by the College piper around the quad and back to the steps of the chapel.

Family Weekend - October 7-9, 2011

Each fall, Houghton College families of current students visit their students for a weekend full of festivities. This year Family Weekend and Homecoming will be held at the same time. Family Weekend will include the following:

Friday, Oct. 7

  • Family Weekend/Homecoming Golf Scramble (with hole-in-one super prizes – get more information and register at http://community.houghton.edu/homecoming) (1:30 pm)
  • College Choir Concert (8 pm)
  • Alumni Coffeehouse (9 pm)
  • Celebration on the Quad (9 pm)

Saturday, Oct. 8

  • 5K Fun Run (open to all. Children welcome)
  • Pancake Breakfast
  • Q. & A. with President Mullen
  • Fall Festival (kid-friendly; inflatables; booths & games)
  • Tailgate Party & BBQ (kid-friendly; inflatables; communal atmosphere)
  • Athletic Events
  • Fireworks

Sunday, Oct. 9

  • Family Weekend Worship Service (9:30 am)
  • Family Weekend Breakfast Reception, hosted by President Mullen (following worship service)