Family Weekend 2023
September 22-24, 2023
* Requires a ticket or pre-registration.
Friday, September 22nd
2:00-4:00pm: Inauguration Ceremony (SJU, Abbey & University Church)
All are welcome to attend this joyous ceremony featuring our monastic communities, students, faculty, staff, and trustees, as well as delegates from colleges and universities across the country. A formal installation of President Bruess will take place during the ceremony, after which he’ll give an inauguration address: “Together, We Flourish.”
4:00-5:00pm: Champagne Reception (SJU, Great Hall Patio)
Everyone is welcome immediately following the inauguration ceremony to raise a glass of bubbly, offering our well-wishes to newly installed president Dr. Brian Bruess!
5:00-7:30pm: Art-Rich Reception (CSB, Benedicta Arts Center)
All are welcome to enjoy our talented CSB+SJU artists and musicians who will be sprinkled throughout the beautiful Benedicta Arts Center. The reception begins in the gorgeous mid-century, award-winning courtyard of the BAC. Start here with an inauguration-inspired signature cocktail or mocktail, artful appetizers, and live music. Then take your beverage and go exploring, discovering multiple artists and musicians stationed throughout the building—each with a paired hors d'oeuvre to create a micro-experience which will awaken your ears, eyes, tastebuds, and imagination!
6:30-7:30pm: Showcasing the Arts at CSB + SJU (CSB, BAC Escher Auditorium)
The traditions of the visual and performing arts run deep and strong at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s. Come watch, listen and enjoy some of our best and brightest in this showcase featuring our talented students, faculty and resident artists. No ticket required. All are welcome!
6:30pm-9:30pm: Outdoor Concert & Food Trucks (CSB, Mall)
The celebration continues with multiple food trucks, lawn games, axe throwing, a cash bar, non-alcoholic beverage stations, and live music from fabulous, high-energy band: The Riverside Hitmen.
Saturday, September 23rd
9:00am-10:00am: Yoga with George (CSB, Renner House Front Yard)
Start your day with a slow-flow yoga session alongside Carol Bruess and certified therapy dog George! (Down-dogs for all.) Bring your yoga mat or a beach towel, your water bottle, and get prepared to feel refreshed, energized, and ready to yell loudly for a Johnnie football win. Class will be led by a CSB certified yoga instructor. No prior experience with yoga required.
10:00am: Center for Global Education - Study Abroad 101 (SJU, Alcuin Library, Reinhart Learning Commons 378)
10:30-12:15pm: Football Tailagate (SJU Athletic Fields Parking Lot - P2 on map)
All are welcome to join the festivities in this paid, reserved lot. Park elsewhere on the SJU campus or take the LINK from CSB and walk into the lot to join alums, parents, and friends. Pack light and carry in your tailgate fare and refreshments.
*1:00pm: SJU Football vs Bethel University (SJU, Clemens Stadium)
Conference rival Bethel University comes to town with dreams of taking the Johnnies’ MIAC title crown. There are few better places to be than Clemens Stadium on an autumn Saturday. Let’s make it loud!
Tickets: https://gojohnnies.com/sports/2018/8/6/sju-online-ticketing.aspx
2:30-4:30pm Family BINGO and Make-and-Take Arts & Crafts
Fun for all ages in the Haehn Campus Center at CSB. Make your own stuffed animal, create your own sign with "Letter Art," play BINGO and win fabulous prizes, and enjoy some light refreshments!
5:00pm-9:00pm: Student & Family Carnival (CSB, Fieldhouse)
We invite students, families, and guests to the 2023 Carnival! Enjoy an abundance of thrills, treats, smiles and laughter. We have new attractions added including a Mechanical Bull, Human Foosball, The Wrecking Ball, and Human Jousting in addition to concessions, carnival treats, photo booths and more. There will be carnival foods like mini donuts, cotton candy, caramel corn, shaved ice, ice cream, pizza, hot dogs, etc. It will be fun for the whole community!
The Inauguration Carnival is being moved indoors to the CSB Fieldhouse, so no worries about the weather outside, the fun will continue indoors!
Sunday, September 24th
10:30am: Sunday Mass with Monsatic Communities (Abbey Church, SJU & Sacred Heart Chapel, CSB)
*2:30pm-4:30pm: Intro to Fishing & Fishing Tournament (SJU, Lake Sag)
Join President Bruess for his favorite hobby: fishing! During this catch-and-release tournament you’ll learn some of the president’s fishing tips, as well as have a chance to win prizes in multiple categories, including: smallest catch, biggest catch, and most caught. Sign-up here
4:30pm-5:30pm: Fish Fry (SJU, Luke Hall Picnic Area)
6:00pm: Community Mass (CSB, Sacred Heart Chapel)
Join us for an indoor sensory-friendly mass at the Sacred Heart Chapel. After mass, we will serve cookies and lemonade in the chapel’s Gathering Place. All are welcome!
9:00pm: Community Mass (SJU, Abbey Church Front Lawn)
Join the campus community for an outdoor Mass under the stars to end the weekend. Tell your friends and bring a blanket! If the weather is unfavorable, we will move inside the Abbey Church.
Saturday and Sunday Campus Dining Options:
- Saint Ben’s dining hours
- Saint John’s dining hours
- Purchase Football tickets: SJU’s Online Ticketing - Saint John’s University Athletics (gojohnnies.com)
- Parents should purchase tickets separately.
- CSB and SJU students and staff should enter their Banner ID# in the promo code area at checkout and they will receive a free ticket.
