Family Weekend
Mercer Family Weekend
Thank you to all the wonderful families that attended Family Weekend 2023! We can't wait to see you all again next year! Go Bears!
Stay tuned for upcoming updates on Family Weekend 2024!
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 2024 will be announced in Spring/Summer 2024. Enjoy family friendly events all weekend! The schedule will be continually updated as events are added.
Please only purchase one family weekend ticket per family. That is a total of $20, including taxes and fees for the ENTIRE FAMILY!
- Registration includes breakfast, tailgate activities, a discount card and the opportunity to purchase Family Weekend t-shirts for only $5.
- This year we will host 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 can be purchased separately for the game Saturday. The link to tickets will be emailed once you register for Family Weekend. You will have home and visitor side options. Students are given one ticket in the student section. If you would like to sit with your student, please purchase a ticket for them.
- $5 t-shirts may be purchased in person using cash or check on a first-come, first-serve basis.
2023 Family Weekend Schedule of Events
Friday, September 29
Check-in and On-Site Registration from 4:00-7:30 pm in the Godsey Science Center Lobby
Check in to Family Weekend in the lobby of the Godsey Science 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 from 4:00-6:00 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, 4:30, 5, and 5:30 PM.
Cubstock from 6:00-8:00 pm in Mercer Village
Come and watch the talent of Mercer students in Mercer Village as your evening entertainment. There will be free refreshments available to those that attend.
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 29!
Saturday, September 30
Check-in and On-Site Registration from 8:00-11:30 am at the Godsey Science Center Quad and Patio
Check in to Family Weekend on the Quadrangle behind the Godsey Science 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. In case of rain, check-in will be in the Godsey Science Center Lobby.
Breakfast and Welcome Program from 9:00-10:00 am at the Godsey Science Center Quad and Patio
Enjoy a free breakfast for all registered families with a program featuring Mercer administration, Student Government leaders, resources from Visit Macon, and more!
Beach Volleyball Scrimmage from 9:00am-1:00pm at Bear Beach
Come cheer on your Mercer Beach Volleyball Team, Orange vs. Black Scrimmage at Bear Beach, next to the Baseball Field. You can also engage with their team fundraiser at the scrimmage or football tailgate to support the team and be entered to win amazing prizes!
Academic Check-Up from 10:00-10:30am in Godsey 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 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 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 103
Don’t miss this chance to find out about the Mercer On Mission experience. This 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. Here’s what our students say, “…the trip was honestly one of the most amazing and moving experiences of my life….”
Football Tailgate and BBQ Lunch from 12:30-3:00pm on Black Field
Tailgate on the Black Field before the game! Enjoy Free Kona shaved ice while supplies last. Live music from Chase Matthews, inflatables, Mercer giveaways, and tailgate games for the family! Those that purchase lunch tickets will redeem their vouchers and have lunch under the tent. 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 1:30pm!
Family Weekend registration and t-shirt sales will continue on Black Field for the entirety of the tailgate (while supplies last).
Mercer Football vs. VMI at 4:00pm in Five Star Stadium
Mercer is challenging a fierce SOCON rival, the Virginia Military College Keydets, in this Family Weekend game.
Tickets are purchased separately for the football game through Mercer Athletics.
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-8pm on Saturday, September 30!
Sunday, October 1
Mercer Women's Soccer vs. ETSU at 2:00pm in Betts Stadium
Cheer on Mercer Women’s Soccer during a conference game vs. Eastern Tennessee State University.
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. JAG’s pizza and Z Beans will be open on Sunday!
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.
Book with a special rate for Hilton Garden Inn by following this link.
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.
