Families Weekend

September 26–28, 2025.

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8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Check-In

Bridge for Laboratory Sciences

Coffee, tea and other refreshments will be served.

9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Panel Discussions

Vogelstein Center for Drama & Film, Martel Theater

• 9:00–10:00 a.m.
  Academic Life: A Faculty Panel for Families
  The Dean of First-Year Students, Mary Ellen Czesak, hosts a discussion with faculty members about Vassar's three general academic requirements: the First-Year Writing Seminar (Nick DeLeeuw), Quantitative Analysis (Jen Herrera), and Foreign Language proficiency(Silke von der Emde). Q&A to follow.
   
• 10:15–11:15 a.m.
  Oh, The Places They'll Go: A Very Vassar Summer
  Learn more about how students spend their summer breaks and hear from a panel of students to discover what Vassar can do to support an unforgettable summer experience. Hosted and moderated by Stacy Bingham, Associate Dean of the College for Career Education.
   
• 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
  Conversation with the President and the Deans
  A Conversation with Elizabeth H. Bradley, President of the College, Carlos Alamo-Pastrana, Dean of the College, Marianne H. Begemann, Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources and Demetrius Eudell, Dean of the Faculty.

10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center

For current and ongoing exhibits please visit vassar.edu/theloeb

James W Palmer Gallery

College Center

Sean McCarty: Creature Features

A survey of twenty years of artist and educator Sean McCarthy’s work in drawing, painting, and comics, all featuring delicately drawn tragicomic monsters.

10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Haitian Art Event

Main Building / College Center, Multi-Purpose Room

10:30 a.m.

Highlights Tour

The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center

Highlights from the permanent collection. The collection of the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center charts the history of art from antiquity to the present and comprises over 21,000 works. (Hours of operation, daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)

12:00 p.m.–3:00p.m.

Sporting Events, On Campus

• 12:00 p.m., Women’s Volleyball v Russell Sage College, Kenyon Hall
• 12:30 p.m., Field Hockey v Vermont State University, Weinberg Turf Field
• 1:00 p.m., Women’s Soccer v Ithaca College, Prentiss Gordon Field

12:45–2:00 p.m.

Walking Tour of the Vassar Arboretum

Main Building

Photo credit: Karl Rabe

Wander through central campus to learn about the history of the Vassar Arboretum and information on some of the interesting trees in our 220 species collection, plus enticing bits of campus history. The tour includes visiting some of the most recently planted trees and learning about Vassar’s second oldest tradition: the class tree. The tour begins at the statue of Matthew Vassar, located at the south lawn of Main Building. Hosted by Mark Schlessman, Emeritus Professor of Biology and Laura Graceffa ‘87.

1:00–4:00 p.m.

Music on the Half

Chamber Music

The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center

Music on the Half featuring, each half hour, a selection of the college’s many different ensembles and soloists.

• 1:00 p.m.: Chamber Music
• 1:30 p.m.: Chamber Music
• 2:00 p.m.: Treble Choir
• 2:30 p.m.: Chamber Singers
• 3:00 p.m.: Vassar College Choir

2:00–4:00 p.m.

Fall Fest

Celebration of Vassar Student Music

Blodgett Courtyard

Vassar’s Student Music Union and Outing Club welcomes the start of the season with their annual jovial and engaging Fall Fest! Students and their families can enjoy live music, fall treats, fun activities, games, and competitions, and purchase some student creations.

Walking Tour of the Ecological Preserve

The Environmental Cooperative at the Vassar Barns, 50 Vassar Farm Lane

Join the Environmental Cooperative and Preserve staff for a guided hike through the Preserve’s North and Swain Trails (~1 mile), where visitors will learn how to identify native plant species. Following the hike, participants will gather at the Environmental Cooperative and make monoprints using the same plants; a fun and creative way to showcase a plant’s characteristics.

5:00–6:30 p.m.

Families Weekend Reception

Library Lawn Tent (Rain Location: Main Building, Villard Room)

You and your student are invited to join a very casual Vassar Families Weekend Reception. Featuring food by Twisted Soul and live music.

8:00 p.m.

Barefoot Fireflies Fire Show

Residential Quad

The Barefoot Fireflies is Vassar’s one and only circus and fire-arts club! The Fall Fire Show features juggling, dancing, spinning, and lots of flames! Come support Vassar students as they put on their first performance of the semester! For more information, visit pages.vassar.edu/barefoot-fireflies or email exec.barefootfireflies@gmail.com.

9:30 p.m.–11:59 p.m.

Late Night Pub Food Experience

Gordon Commons

The Vassar Dining team invites you and your student to enjoy a fun, flavorful evening of favorite pub-style bites—sliders, soft pretzels, pizza bagels, mozzarella sticks, parmesan truffle fries, fish & chip cones, charcuterie boards, hummus and crudité. Plus a Vassar student DJ will be spinning tunes all night long. Families are welcome to join in for just $9 per person (payable at the door—sorry, no cash), or by using one of the 4 guest swipes students receive each semester.

9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Families Weekend Brunch

Gordon Commons

The Vassar Dining team is hosting an all-you-care-to-eat brunch with traditional favorites from the omelet bar to quiche, frittatas and Monte Cristos. Plus a “frenched” steamship ham carved to order. A scrumptious bagel bar with a selection of shmears and a side of fresh juices, mimosas and Bloody Mary’s. $15 per person (payable at the door—sorry, no cash). $8 additional for a wristband to be able to drink alcohol including mimosas and Bloody Mary’s. Guest swipes are not an option for brunch.

10:00–11:15 a.m.

Walking Tour of the Vassar Arboretum

Main Building

Wander through central campus to learn about the history of the Vassar Arboretum and information on some of the interesting trees in our 220 species collection, plus enticing bits of campus history. The tour includes visiting some of the most recently planted trees and learning about Vassar’s second oldest tradition: the class tree. The tour begins at the statue of Matthew Vassar, located at the south lawn of Main Building. Hosted by Mark Schlessman, Emeritus Professor of Biology and Laura Graceffa ’87.

10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 

Haitian Art Event

Main Building / College Center, Multi-Purpose Room

(See Friday’s schedule for complete information)

10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center

For current and ongoing exhibits please visit vassar.edu/theloeb

James W Palmer Gallery

College Center

Sean McCarthy: Creature Features

A survey of twenty years of artist and educator Sean McCarthy’s work in drawing, painting, and comics, all featuring delicately drawn tragicomic monsters.

12:00 p.m.

Field Hockey vs Roger Williams University

Weinberg Turf Field

12:30–2:30 p.m.

Bagel Brunch Chabad

Jewish Community Chabad House
150 College Avenue

Gather for a traditional Jewish Sunday experience and a great opportunity to connect with others. Featuring yard activities, crafts and much more. Please fill out the Families Weekend Jewish Life RSVP Form by Sept. 19.

1:00 p.m.

Women’s Rugby vs Marist University

Poughkeepsie, NY

Highlights Tour

The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center

Highlights from the permanent collection. The collection of the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center charts the history of art from antiquity to the present and comprises over 21,000 works. (Hours of operation, daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)

1:30 p.m.

Roman Catholic Mass

Vassar Chapel

Hosted by the Vassar Catholic Community.

4:00 p.m.

Episcopal Church at Vassar College

Gathering Pratt House

Exciting offers and activities for Vassar families from our friends at Destination Dutchess (formerly Dutchess Tourism)

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Check-in Dates and Locations

Friday, September 26, 2025

• 10:00 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Place: College Center (North Atrium) / Main Building

Saturday, September 27, 2025

• 8:00 a.m.–Noon
• Place: Bridge for Laboratory Sciences

Campus Dining

vassar.cafebonappetit.com

Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center

September 26–28, 2025: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

James W. Palmer Gallery

September 26–28, 2025: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Athletic Events

Please note start times are subject to change. Please check vassarathletics.com for up to date information.

Vassar College Store

Located in the “Juliet” building at the corner of Raymond and Collegeview Avenues

• Friday and Saturday, September 26–27, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 28, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.