Centre News

Each year the Centre College Parents Association welcomes hundreds of visitors to campus for Family Weekend! This special event is a wonderful opportunity for families to experience Centre and to share time with students. Siblings, grandparents, favorite aunts—the whole family—are welcome!

Schedule of Events

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

HALL OF FAME CAFE. Sutcliffe, 2nd floor. Enjoy a specialty coffee, a soft drink, muffins, sandwiches and other delicious items.

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

AEGON Gallery in the Jones Visual Arts Center. “Tides & The Seasons” by featured artist Anne Seelbach ’66. Open to the public at no charge.

9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

CENTRE BOOKSTORE. No trip to Centre is complete without a visit to the bookstore, located downtown in the former Hub building at the corner of Main and Third streets. Enjoy coffee and snacks in the Hub Cafe located right next door.

11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

THE GREAT AMERICAN DOLLHOUSE MUSEUM. Located at 344 Swope Drive (just behind the Centre soccer field off Lexington Avenue). The museum is offering free admission for Centre families. The Great American Dollhouse Museum is a unique educational facility that exhibits American history in miniature. The 6,000 square foot museum contains over 200 dollhouses and thousands of related miniatures, presented in remarkable detail. The gift shop features a large selection of miniatures. (Several Centre faculty, staff, and Centre spouses are the creators of the museum.)

Noon - 5 p.m.

REGISTRATION. Downstairs Lobby of Old Centre. Parents please sign in. Pick up free football tickets as well as other tickets and information.

APPOINTMENTS WITH FACULTY AND ADVISORS. ATTEND CLASSES. Faculty and/or advisor appointments are a traditional part of Family Weekend and give families the opportunity to meet members of the faculty and administration. Parents are also encouraged to attend classes throughout the day.

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

DINING AT CAMPUS CENTER. Enjoy dinner in Cowan. No reservations necessary; pay at door.

6 p.m.

THE UGLY ONE. Weisiger Theatre, Norton Center for the Arts. DramaCentre presents the play The Ugly One. Described as a scintillating absurdist comedy about beauty, identity, and getting ahead in life, The Ugly One was written by Marius von Mayenburg, a German playwright and translator. His previous plays include Parasites, The Cold Child, and Fireface, which premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 2000. In the play, main character Lette thinks he is normal. When the extent of his ugliness is revealed he turns to a plastic surgeon for help. But after the bandages come off, Lette soon learns that there is such a thing as too beautiful. Mayenburg's 60-minute play squarely hits any number of targets: our society's obsession with external beauty, the brutality of capitalism, and the danger of treating defining organs like mechanical parts. The Ugly One is a scalpel-sharp comedy on beauty, identity and getting ahead in life. Directed by Rowen Haigh, Danville native and daughter of Centre drama professor Tony Haigh. Rowen is a professional director living and working in the Philadelphia theatre community. Tickets may be ordered after August 16th at he Norton Centre box office (859) 236-4692.

Note: The play contains mature themes. Unofficial rating, PG-13.

7 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY. Hendrix.

ACADEMIC SAMPLERS: "Mini versions" of classroom lectures and sessions on current topics for offer an excellent opportunity for parents. No reservations, no charge.

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

The Ecology and Developmental Biology of Cannibalistic Tadpoles. Crounse 302. Tadpoles of at least two species of spadefoot toads can transform from a "typical" tadpole into a cannibal that actively preys on other tadpoles. Cannibals show striking growth and behavior differences from non-cannibals, presumably due to differential gene expression, and can change the community composition of ponds, in which they are developing, because they selectively eat different species and distantly-related tadpoles of the same species. Led by Brian Storz, assistant professor of biology.

Ancient Theatres in Modern Turkey. Crounse 301. Theatre professor Anthony Haigh spent the summer exploring classical era theatres on Turkey's western coast and discovered a wonderful array of Greek and Roman Theatres. Some were little known and some were over-visited. Come and share the excitement of a relatively undiscovered part of our theatre's history. Led by Anthony R. Haigh, professor of theatre and co-director Centre-in-London.

How many guards does it take to guard a museum? Crounse 313. In 1973, two mathematicians were discussing museums and art galleries. They posed the question: What is the smallest number of guards that it will take to guard a museum so that every point of every wall can be seen by at least one guard? Lesley Wiglesworth, assistant professor of mathematics, answers this question.

7:30 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL. Mt. Union.

8 p.m.

FRANKIE VALLI. Norton Center for the Arts. Centre welcomes the original Jersey Boy to the Newlin Hall stage in his sixth decade of stardom. Valli continues to play dozens of concerts yearly and recently got rave reviews for his performance in the landmark television drama The Sopranos. With a total of 48 Billboard Hot 100 singles between 1956 and 1994, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were one of the few pre-Beatles American groups to survive the 1964 British invasion of the American pop scene. The Four Seasons have scored major international chartings in every decade since the 1950s and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Come hear favorites such as Dawn, Let's Hang On, and Working my Way Back to You as this versatile artist entertains for Family Weekend. For ticket information or to purchase tickets, call the Norton Center for the Arts box office at (859) 236-4692 after August 16th.

9:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

ADAM TRENT. International award winning magician Adam Trent is taking the magic world by storm, blending Vegas style magic with his dancing and singing for an astonishing, laughter-filled evening. Adam treats audiences to a new wave of modern magic, from expert sleight of hand close up magic projected on giant screens for all to see, to mind blowing Vegas style stage illusions. Click here to see more about Adam. No admission charge for this event which is sponsored by the Student Activities Council. Free snacks!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
9 a.m. - Noon

REGISTRATION. Campus Center. All football tickets, other tickets, campus maps and additional information will be available at the registration table.

9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

PRESIDENT'S BRUNCH. CAMPUS CENTER. Join President John Roush and his wife, Susie, for brunch at the new Campus Center. Reservations available by calling Amy Wilson at (859) 238-5208.

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Aegon Gallery in the Jones Visual Arts Center. “Tides & The Seasons” by featured artist Anne Seelbach ’66. Open to the public at no charge.

ACADEMIC SAMPLERS: "Mini versions" of classroom lectures and sessions on current topics offer an excellent opportunity for parents. No reservations, no charge.

9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Millennials on the Move: Into a World of Connection and Change. Olin 124. Updated information on "The Next Great Generation - The Millennials" will be discussed in the context of parenting college students who are preparing to face the complex and challenging world after Centre. Led by Kathy L. Miles, director of counseling services.

The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Mate Selection. Crounse 302. Join Dr. Beau Weston for an engaging dialogue about the dynamics of mate selection. Led by Beau Weston, Van Winkle Professor of Sociology.

Bon Jour, Buenos Dias, Konichiwa! Crounse 313. Several Centre faculty and students will discuss various travel opportunities for Centre students and will share their experiences. Led by Dr. Milton Reigelman, Cowan Professor of English and director of the Center for Global Citizenship.

10:30 a.m. - Noon

The Psychology of Adolescent Thinking: Big Dreams and Invincibility - We've All Been There. Crounse 315. This lecture will focus on cognitive development during adolescence and how the development of logical thinking does not cross all domains, particularly when adolescents think about themselves. This stage in cognitive development explains why so many people have had dreams of "hitting it big" and have performed risky behaviors. Led by Jan Wertz, associate professor of psychology.

Afghanistan's Endless War. Crounse 301. This discussion will provide a look at Afghanistan's history and culture, the impact of the Soviet invasion, the origins of the Taliban, and will include an update on the ongoing conflict today. Led by Michael F. Hamm, Ewing T. Boles Professor of History.

Stem Cells and Cloning: Just the Facts. Crounse 302. This class will be a lively discussion of embryonic and adult stem cells and the therapeutic potentials of these cells in a variety of different diseases. Discussion will also consider the science (vs. the science fiction) behind cloning. The link between stem cells and cloning will be discussed. Led by Stephen E. Asmus, Dowling Associate Professor of Biology.

The Virgin of Guadalupe: the 'mother' of all tricksters. Crounse 313. The patroness of Mexico is a rendition of Mary, the mother of Jesus, known as the Virgin of Guadalupe, but 'she' is so much more! Anthropologically, the Virgin of Guadalupe presents a vivid example of the evolution of a historic and contemporary icon, and also a dynamic representation of the ongoing processes of religious syncretism. Further, not only does the Virgin of Guadalupe demonstrate the successful blending of cultural traditions, but 'she' also enacts both the subtleties of specific indigenous resistance to colonial domination as 'she' simultaneously illustrates how some basic human needs appear to have universal cross-cultural solutions. Led by Phyllis Passariello, professor of anthropology.

9:45 a.m.

TOUR OF CAMPUS. Old Centre, 1st floor. The admission office is hosting tours of the campus for any interested siblings and friends. The tours are led by Centre students. Reservations for the tour are available by calling (800) 423-6236 no later than Monday, September 13th.

10 a.m.

VOLLEYBALL. La Grange.

10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

CENTRE BOOKSTORE. Last chance to shop for a Centre souvenir T-shirts, mugs, hats, and other gift items at the Centre bookstore located downtown at Third and Main Streets. Enjoy coffee, pastries and sandwiches in the Hub Cafe.

11 a.m.

MINI CONCERT. Newlin Hall. A popular tradition during Family Weekend, the Centre choral and instrumental ensembles will perform under the direction of the music faculty. No charge.

11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

THE GREAT AMERICAN DOLLHOUSE MUSEUM. Located at 344 Swope Drive (just behind the Centre soccer field off Lexington Avenue). The museum is offering free admission for Centre families. The Great American Dollhouse Museum is a unique educational facility that exhibits American history in miniature. The 6,000 square foot museum contains over 200 dollhouses and thousands of related miniatures, presented in remarkable detail. The gift shop features a large selection of miniatures. (Several Centre faculty, staff, and Centre spouses are the creators of the museum.)

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

OPEN HOUSE: Career Services.Old Carnegie, 1st floor. Career Services open house for the families of students. Parents and other family members are invited to stop by career services in Old Carnegie to see the facilities, meet the staff, and enjoy refreshments.

Noon - 6 p.m.

HALL OF FAME CAFE. Sutcliffe, 2nd floor. Enjoy a specialty coffee, a soft drink, muffins, sandwiches and other delicious items.

SATURDAY EVENING
5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

CHOWAN FAMILY CELEBRATION & CENTRETAINMENT. Families are invited to Chowan for food, fun, and music by several Centre favorites. Enjoy the music of several Centre groups, including:

Nathan Link, assistant professor of music, and his student group, Kentucky Ensemble will entertain.

Common Time, Centre's first contemporary a cappella ensemble, comprised of both music majors and other majors across many disciplines. This small, select group specializes in doo-wop and a cappella pop styles, adding a new edge to the music department and the Centre community under the leadership of Paul Adams '11.

Keith Dunn, associate dean and associate professor of chemistry, with vocals and guitar.

Reservations needed for dinner. Concert only is free. For reservations, call Amy Wilson at (859) 238-5208 after August 16th.

7:30 p.m.

FOOTBALL. DePauw.

8 p.m.

THE UGLY ONE. Weisiger Theatre, Norton Center for the Arts. DramaCentre presents the play The Ugly One. Described as a scintillating absurdist comedy about beauty, identity, and getting ahead in life, The Ugly One was written by Marius von Mayenburg, a German playwright and translator. His previous plays include Parasites, The Cold Child, and Fireface, which premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 2000. In the play, main character Lette thinks he is normal. When the extent of his ugliness is revealed he turns to a plastic surgeon for help. But after the bandages come off, Lette soon learns that there is such a thing as too beautiful. Mayenburg's 60-minute play squarely hits any number of targets: our society's obsession with external beauty, the brutality of capitalism, and the danger of treating defining organs like mechanical parts. Directed by Rowen Haigh, Danville native and daughter of Centre drama professor Tony Haigh. Rowen is a professional director living and working in the Philadelphia theatre community. Tickets may be ordered after August 16th at the Norton Center box office (859) 236-4692.