Photo Gallery: Family Weekend Means Reconnecting, Fun, and Insight for Students and Parents Alike

Holy Cross welcomed families to campus for Family Weekend on Oct. 24–26. The activity-packed three days featured lectures, tours, athletics events, music and dance, brilliant autumn foliage, and even a few ghosts and goblins on the Hogan Courtyard.

For alumni who are parents of current students, the weekend offered an opportunity to wax nostalgic.

“The feel of the campus is still very familiar,” said Joe Cravero ’82, P17, who along with his wife, Carolyn, enjoyed the activities with their son, Joseph ’17.

Father and son were able to spend quality time together on a familiar stomping ground — Fitton Baseball Field. Joseph, following in dad’s footsteps, is a pitcher for the Crusaders’ baseball team. So it was no surprise to the family that the highlight of the weekend was the father-son baseball game organized by the coaching staff of the Holy Cross Baseball program.

“There was a tremendous showing of dads and it was quite poignant to see these men playing ball once again with their sons,” said Carolyn. “There was some good hitting and fielding and spirited play with the black vs. purple team.”

Even Coach DiCenzo’s 70-year-old dad suited up to hit the field.

Throughout the weekend, Cravero noticed significant upgrades made on campus and was particularly impressed with the art and music programs.

Reflecting on how fleeting a student’s time is on campus, Cravero hopes his son will take time to realize and appreciate this “special time” in his life.

For parents Laura Phillips Loeber and Chris Loeber, both members of the Class of 1991, the weekend was an opportunity to connect with their daughter, Campbell ’18, and to meet her new circle of friends.

“It was so great to put faces with the names we have been hearing over the last few weeks,” said Laura. “We feel like we have made fast friends with several of the parents and hope to reconnect at the HC vs. Lehigh game!”

The Loebers think Holy Cross has the same feel as when they were students — warm and familiar, but they were also impressed by how seamlessly the new buildings have integrated with the old.

“You can't tell where O'Kane ends and Smith Hall begins,” noted Laura.

Nothing has made the Loebers happier than knowing that Campbell is very happy on Mount St. James.

“She has called several times to tell us that Holy Cross is the ‘perfect’ school for her,” said Laura. “Her professors are challenging, but accessible; her RA's are friendly and dependable; and, she might be biased, but Hanselman is the best dorm.”