Family Weekend

Mercer Family Weekend

Family Weekend Collage

Thank you to all the wonderful families that attended Family Weekend 2024! We can't wait to see you all again next year! Go Bears!

Join us for Family Weekend 2025!  

Every year, Mercer University plans a weekend for families of our students to visit our beautiful campus and experience a day in the life of their student(s). Registration is recommended for the weekend. 

Mercer Family Weekend 2025 dates will be announced by May 2025. Enjoy family friendly events all weekend!  

Families will purchase one family weekend ticket per family. That is a total of $20, including taxes and fees for the ENTIRE FAMILY!

General Information about Family Weekend 2024: 
  • Registration included breakfast, tailgate activities, a discount card and the opportunity to purchase Family Weekend t-shirts for only $5.
  • We hosted a barbecue lunch on Black Field as part of tailgating for the football game. Tickets are $10 (including taxes and fees) per meal and are purchased online during registration. BBQ tickets added on-site will be $10 cash or check. 
  • Football tickets were purchased separately for the game Saturday. The link for single-game tickets will be released in August. Registered families will recieve a link with a discount code in August. Mercer students are given one ticket in the student section free of charge. If you would like to sit with your student, you should purchase a ticket for them.
  • $5 t-shirts were sold in person using cash or check on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Join us for Family Weekend 2024 Septebmer 20-22, 2024 

2024 Family Weekend Schedule of Events

Friday, September 20, 2024

Check-in and On-Site Registration from 4:00-7:00pm in the Campus Life Office

Check in to Family Weekend in the Campus Life Office, located in the first-floor breezeway of the Connell Student Center. Limited edition $5 Family Weekend shirts will be available for sale, and additional BBQ lunch tickets will be for those registered. Walk-up registrations will be accepted at this time.

Campus Academic Trek at 4:30 and 5:00 pm starting in Langdale Hall

Members of Mercer’s Peer Advisor Team will lead you on a 30-minute walking tour of the academic centerpieces of our campus. Stops include the newly renovated Academic Resource Center and Academic and Advising Services, the best “secret” study rooms/spaces, and other academic building highlights. See where your students should be spending their time! Tours depart from the tent at Langdale Hall at 4:30 and 5pm.

Live Hypnotist Show from 7:00-8:00pm pm in Toney Auditorium, Willingham

Come and be mesmerized by a live hypnotist for Mercer students and Family Weekend guests young and old!

Explore Mercer Village All Day 

You will receive a Very Important Family “V.I.F” card in your welcome bag for Family Weekend, and this card of exclusive discounts can be used all weekend at restaurants in Mercer Village and the surrounding area.

Check out the Mercer bookstore that is open from 9 am-6 pm on Friday, September 20!

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Check-in and On-Site Registration from 8:00am-12:30 pm at the Campus Life Office

Check in to Family Weekend in the Campus Life Office, located in the first-floor breezeway of the Connell Student Center. Limited edition $5 Family Weekend shirts will be available for sale, and additional BBQ lunch tickets will be for those registered. Walk-up registrations will be accepted at this time.

Breakfast and Welcome Program from 9:00-10:45 am at the Campus Life Office and College Street Commons

Enjoy a free breakfast for all registered families with a program featuring Mercer administration, Student Government leaders, resources about Macon, and more! The welcome program will occur from 9:30-10:00am.

Academic Check-Up from 10:00-10:30am in Godsey Science Center 103

The Office of Academic and Advising Services wants you to know what’s happening in the academic life of your freshbear! Review a checklist of typical occurrences and consider the progress your student is making as we continue to make tracks into the semester. Reminders of Mercer resources will be shared!

Thriving at Mercer from 10:40-11:10am in Godsey Science Center 103

Join the Office for Student Success to learn about campus resources to help your student thrive in semester one and beyond. Gain knowledge on services available to your student to get the most out of their four years, and truly thrive at Mercer.

Family Weekend Concert from 11:00-11:50am in the McCorkle Music Building

This program in the Fickling Recital Hall will feature many of the talented students of the Townsend School of Music. The concert, hosted by the Mercer Singers, will include a kaleidoscope of solo, duet, and quartet performances by vocal & instrumental musicians.

Preparing Mercerians to Succeed in Work and Life from 11:20-11:50am in Godsey Science Center 103

Preparing for life after graduation doesn’t have to be daunting. From Resumes to Internships, and Interviews to Networking, our team of career experts is ready to help your student connect their passion to their career. Join the Center for Career and Professional Development as we discuss the tools and resources available to all Mercercians as they embark on their journey to change the world.

Mercer On Mission Info Session from 12:00-12:30pm in Godsey Science Center 103

Don’t miss this chance to find out about the Mercer On Mission experiences that combines study abroad and service-learning to provide life-changing experiences for students. Mercer On Mission is Mercer’s unique international service-learning program that takes students around the globe to do high impact service projects that really do change the world. You student can be the next part of the 163 trips, 45 sites and 2,877 Mercer students and faculty that have participated in the program since 2007.

Majoring in Changing the World from 12:40-1:10pm in Godsey Science Center 103

Join the Center for Engaged Learning and the Office of Undergraduate Research to learn how curricular and co-curricular opportunities combine to teach each student what it means to Major in Changing the World. More than just a motto, Mercer experiences in and out of the classroom build confidence and provide direction to guide students on how to positively impact their local and global communities. Hear about how students develop transferable skills through a wide range of experiences that will develop them into future leaders.

BBQ Lunch from 1:00-4:00pm on Black Field

Those that purchase lunch tickets will redeem their vouchers and have lunch under the tent. Food service will end at 4pm.

Football Tailgate from 1:00-5:00pm on Black Field

Tailgate on the Black Field before the game! There will be free tailgate treats for families while supplies last. Live music from the Ford Concert Series, inflatables, Mercer giveaways, and tailgate games for the family! Those that purchase lunch tickets will redeem their vouchers and have lunch under the tent until 4:00pm. Free photobooth for families will also be available! See the Mercer cheerleaders and Toby the Bear at the tailgate after the Bear Walk which is at 3:30pm!

Family Weekend registration will continue on Black Field for the entirety of the tailgate.

Mercer Football vs. the Citadel at 6:00pm in Five Star Stadium

Mercer is challenging a fierce SOCON rival, the Citadel, in this Family Weekend game. Tickets are purchased separately for the football game through Mercer Athletics. Tickets will be available to purchase on August 5th. A special Family Weekend code will be sent to all registered families on August 5th by Campus Life staff via email. .

Explore Mercer Village All Day

You will receive a Very Important Family “V.I.F” card in your welcome bag for Family Weekend, and this card of exclusive discounts can be used all weekend at restaurants in Mercer Village.
Check out the Mercer bookstore that is open from 10 am-7pm on Saturday, September 21!

Sunday, September 22, 2024

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Explore Mercer Village All Day

You will receive a Very Important Family “V.I.F” card in your welcome bag for Family Weekend, and this card of exclusive discounts can be used all weekend at restaurants in Mercer Village and the surrounding neighborhood. 

Explore Macon All Day

Explore Macon with your students! Whether it be brunch in Downtown Macon, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Historic Fort Hawkins, or The Museum at Capricorn, there are many places to explore and enjoy Macon, “Where Soul Lives”.

Accommodations

Mercer has partnered with Campus Travel Management to get special rates in area hotels. See the hotel options and book your stay here.  

Get Directions

Macon has served as Mercer’s home since 1871, when the institution moved from its original campus in Penfield, Georgia. The beautiful, historic Macon campus houses the College of Liberal Arts, School of Medicine, School of Engineering, Stetson School of Business and Economics, Tift College of Education and Townsend School of Music, along with programs for working adults through the College of Continuing and Professional Studies. The Walter F. George School of Law is located one mile away on Coleman Hill overlooking downtown Macon. The city of 90,000 serves as the educational, medical, cultural and commercial hub of Central Georgia.