Parents and families of Iowa State students will have the opportunity to experience college life this weekend at “Family Weekend 1998.”

The Family Weekend Committee, along with the ISU Alumni Association, ISU Parents Association and the Student Alumni Association, has put together a weekend of activities geared toward the ISU family.

ISU President Martin Jischke said Family Weekend will be an enjoyable experience.

“Family Weekend allows you to meet the people and see the faces that are shaping the students lives at ISU,” he said.

The weekend includes dessert at the Knoll, a hypnotist, the musical “Oliver,” a pre-game tailgate, casino night, an omelet breakfast and a jazz and blues concert.

Families also have the opportunity to go to the football game, take on-campus tours and experience an ISU class.

Tickets for the Cyclone Saturday football game against Texas Tech can be purchased through mail or in person at the Athletic Ticket Office in the Jacobson Athletic Building.

Each of the seven colleges also will have receptions.

“We tried to choose events that were successful in the past and go from there,” said Angie Genkinger, executive assistant of the Family Weekend Committee.

Genkinger said the committee of nine members has been planning for the weekend since its first meeting in February.

“There is a lot to do,” Genkinger said.

“We had to contact many people, contact all of the different colleges and contact all of the entertainment,” she said.

All of the hard work results in a successful Family Weekend that should appeal to all ages and interests, she said.

“I encourage all students to invite their families to come to ISU to participate in all of the exciting events that Family Weekend has to offer,” said Matt Schaefer, chairman of the committee.

Although the weekend is geared toward families, it is stressed that the activities are for everyone.

Students also are encouraged to attend events with or without their families.

“The ‘Casino Night’ in the Scheman Building should be a lot of fun for everyone, especially college students,” Schaefer said.

“There are lots of great prizes to be won, like a TV, VCR, autographed basketballs and free hotel stays,” he said.

Applications for next year’s Family Weekend Committee will be available starting Oct. 12 in Room 158 of the Memorial Union.