Family Weekend

2 – 5 p.m. | Check-in — Dante Quad

Come by the check-in table to receive a schedule of events, map, coupons and SMC swag!

Friday Schedule:

• 10 a.m. – 12 noon | Fair Trade Friday (Location: SMC Mission & Ministry Center)
  • Come for a free cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and learn how supporting Fair Trade aligns with our Saint Mary's mission and values.

• 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | "Works in Progress" Music Recital (Location: SMC Chapel)
  • Student "Works-in-Progress" music recital in the Chapel on Oct. 3, 1:30-2:30pm. Please join us for a FREE student recital of vocal and instrumental Music students’ beautiful works in progress. Everyone is welcome, no tickets necessary.

• 4 – 6 p.m. | International Film Festival Opening Night (Location: LeFevre Theatre)
  • Movie Screening: Decision to Leave — a Korean neo-noir romantic mystery film, followed by a discussion focusing on relationships and cultural differences in how we interpret them. A K-thriller you can't miss! Read more here. 

• 3 – 6 p.m. | Library Escape Room (Location: SMC Library)
  • Put your problem-solving skills to the test in our fast-paced Escape the Library experience! Work together as a family to solve clues, unlock puzzles, and race against the clock to escape. Designed for all ages, this fun and interactive escape room takes place in the SMC Library. Can you crack the code before time runs out?
  • Each game lasts 30 minutes and 10 attendees at a time can be accommodated. RSVP here for this event.

• 6 – 8 p.m. | Oktoberfest (Location: SMC Pub)
  • All students and their families are welcome to attend Oktoberfest in the SMC Pub. Enjoy complimentary light appetizers with drinks and additional food available for purchase! 

The Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center will be open from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.  Daily waiver form at the front desk required for each visit,, ages 18 and over only. No guest fee for the weekend!

8:30 – 11 a.m. | Check-in — Dante Quad

Come by the check-in table to receive a schedule of events, map, coupons and SMC swag.

Saturday Schedule

Open throughout the day:

• The Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center will be open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.  Daily waiver form at the front desk required for each visit, ages 18 and over only. No guest fee for the weekend!
• The SMC Bookstore will be open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• The SMC Museum will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

SESSIONS:

9 – 10 a.m.

• Help SMC Grow: How Families Can Get Involved (Location: Admissions Office: Brother Jerome West Presentation Room)
  • Sponsored by the SMC Admissions Office, kick off your morning with donuts and a chat with our Admissions team. Learn about ways families can help support the SMC Mission and help get the word out to others about our wonderful SMC Community. BROC- Bring your own coffee or swing by Cafe Louis to get a cup of coffee before you come to the session.
• First Generation Family Breakfast (Location: Soda Center/Lafayette Room)
  • Sponsored by the Academic Success office, first-generation families are invited for coffee and and breakfast to meet the support teams of the High Potential Office and other support resources
    • RSVP Here

10 – 11 a.m. | CHOOSE A SESSION:

• Meet the School of Economics and Business (SEBA) Deans (Location: Dante Hall, Room 115)
  • Meet the SEBA Deans to learn about how your students can thrive in business: Includes discussions of business trends, events and speakers for 2025-26, and new initiatives with Dean Don Gibson and Associate Dean Berna
• Art as Resistance Workshop (Location: SMC Museum Patio)
  • "Art as Resistance" is a hands-on workshop connecting artistic endeavors with Penelope from The Odyssey. We will offer weaving, screen-printing, crocheting, and other expressions of art from the past to the present in conjunction with a discussion of Penelope's role in the classic text.
• SMC Health, Nursing, and PreMed Program (Location: Dante 116)
  • From classroom to community, Saint Mary’s is preparing health professionals who change lives. Come explore our programs, including the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
• University Credit Union (UCU) Presentation (UCU Hub/Dryden Hall)
  • Hear from a UCU Representative to learn tips and tricks about how your student can learn about saving, spending and how to build credit

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Rec Center Activities

• 10:00 am-11:00 am  - Yoga (Location: Rec Center - Group X Room)
  • No fee to attend, but guests will be asked to sign a waiver, ages 18 and over only. Wear comfortable clothing.
  • 11 a.m. – 12 noon
• 11:00 am-12:00 noon - Sound Meditation (Location: Rec Center - Group X Room)
  • Try something new, enjoy a sound wellness "bath" at the Rec Center. No fee to attend but guests aged 18 and over will be asked to sign a waiver. Wear comfortable clothing.

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11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | President's Reception (Location: Boschetto Family Grove — lawn outside of Brosseau Hall)

• Parents Only: Parents are invited to meet with President Thompson for light appetizers and a chance to hear updates about SMC and the upcoming year.

COME AND GO EVENTS — Stop by these events as you have time and interest!

• 12:30 – 1 p.m. | Cultural Club Showcase (Ferroggiaro Quad)
• 12:30 – 3 p.m. | SMC Resource Fair (Dante/Library Quad)
  • Various departments will be tabling to share information, including the Students with Disabilities Office, Counseling Center, Study Abroad, Advancement Office, Club Sports, Tutoring, University Credit Union and InterCultural Center
• 12:30 – 3 p.m. | Community Service Event with the Town of Moraga (Dante 118)
  • Come by to write letters to Veterans and assemble eyeglasses for those in need
  • RSVP here to attend this event.
• 12:30 – 1 p.m. | Fencing Demonstration by Professor Carl Thelen (DeLaSalle Lawn)
• 2 – 3:30 p.m. | Student Research Project Poster Session (Brousseau Hall Atrium)

SPORTS GAME

1 p.m. | SMC Women's Volleyball Game (UCU Pavilion)

• FREE ADMISSION! Reserve tickets here or get them at the door on Game Day!

1 – 1:45 p.m. | Choose a session:

• Professional Branding strategy for students and parents (Location: Dante 116)
  • Steve Hernandez from the SEBA Career Center, open to all students and families
• America’s “Founding Phrases”: What Do They Mean Today? (Location: Dante 117)
  • Professor Steve Woolpert from the Political Science Department will lead an informal discussion about the significance of passages from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Gettysburg Address, and the Pledge of Allegiance—iconic texts that have shaped what it means to be an American. 

2 – 2:45 p.m. | Choose a session:

• Echoes of Yosemite Exhibit (Location: SMC Museum)
  • Join the Museum of Art and the California Art Club (CAC) for a 45 minute artist(s)-led tour of the Echoes of Yosemite exhibition.  CAC guides include Richard Lindenberg, Rebecca Arguello, Paul Kratter, Kim Lordier, and Bill Cone. These artists contributed to the contemporary images of Yosemite National Park, which will be on view at SMCMoA through December 14, 2025.  About California Art Club: Founded in 1909, the California Art Club is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization built on the foundation of promoting and supporting contemporary-traditional fine art. As one of the oldest, largest and most active art organizations in the country, the CAC is committed to keeping traditional art alive and believe that our unique outreach programs will continue to attract new generations of artists and patrons alike
• Get in the Game: Understanding Rugby at SMC (Location: Dante 116)
  • Coach Tim O'Brien and several players from our national championship rugby team will teach us about the game of rugby, how it's played, some interesting rules and how SMC came to become a powerhouse in college rugby.
• Creativity and Innovation (Location: Dante 117)
  • A faculty-led session on Creativity and Innovation. Through design-thinking and other exercises, participants will learn techniques for generating creative ideas and applications of concepts to business, entrepreneurship and product or service development.

3 – 4 p.m. | The Intriguing History of Saint Mary's College (Location: Dryden Hall)

• Brother David Caretti, FSC will lead a presentation that will give you a historical overview of Saint Mary’s College. Get ready to be surprised!

4 p.m. | Women's Club Soccer Game vs. University of Nevada (Location: Turf Field)

• Come cheer on our club soccer team at this game sponsored by the SMC Against Cancer Club. Free T-shirts for students, with T-shirts for sale for non-students, at this Pink Out Game. 

4 – 5 p.m. | Happy Hour in the Pub

• Cool down after a long and fun day! Free appetizers. Drinks available for purchase.

5 – 7 p.m. | Game Night for the whole family! (Location: 1928 Pub)

• Bring the family for game night fun in the Pub

Sunday Schedule

Open throughout the day:

• The Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center will be open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Daily waiver form at the front desk required for each visit, ages 18 and over only, no guest fee this weekend
• The SMC Bookstore will be open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• The SMC Museum will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

EVENTS:

11 a.m. – 12 noon | Family Mass (Location: SMC Chapel)

1 – 3 p.m. | The Town FC Soccer game (Location: SMC Stadium)

• Families can buy tickets here: $13 each, kids under 18 free