9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Registration
Check in for Family and Friends Weekend in the Higgins University Center to receive your exclusive gift item and meal pass.
Location: Grace Conference Room, Higgins University Center
9:00 a.m.–10 p.m. Mobile Scavenger HuntExplore the campus, visit the art in the park, solve Clarkie trivia and win a shopping spree to the campus store! Who’s ready for the Clarkie hunt? Download the app (Apple or Android) and enter EVENT CODE Clark2024 to join the fun. Game begins at 9 a.m. Winners will be emailed Saturday evening. Good Luck!
Location: Various campus Locations
9:00 a.m. Women’s Rowing
Cheer for the Cougars as they race in the Wormtown Chase. Great views from the Kenneth Burns Memorial Bridge
Location: Donahue Rowing Center, 237 N Quinsigamond Ave, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
9:30–10:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
Start your day with complimentary coffee, tea, pastries, and fresh fruit, and mingle with other Clark families.
Location: Tilton Hall, Higgins University Center
10 a.m.–2 p.m. CLARKxCOLLAB Pop-Up
Each fall, Clark partners with a local artist to launch a locally designed, limited-series apparel line. This is a project intended to build new community relationships, support local artists with business opportunities and learning resources, and offer designs that resonate with our student culture. This year’s artist WavvzNewAge will be selling their custom Clark apparel during Family and Friends Weekend. Read more about this year’s designer.
Location: Campus Green (rain location in the University Center)
10:30 a.m. Welcome by President David B. Fithian ’87, followed by Q & A with Associate Provost and Dean of Students Kamala Kiem and Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs John Magee
President Fithian welcomes parents, families, and friends to Worcester and learns about the vision and priorities for Clark
Location: Tilton Hall, Higgins University Center
11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. FALL FEST
11:15 a.m. Nature Walk in the Hadwen Arboretum
Clark has its very own Arboretum, a beautiful forest that’s only 1 mile (or a 20-minute walk) from campus. Join us for a short (30-35 minute) exploration of the arboretum, led by Professor John Rogan and the Arboretum Advocates of Clark. Bus transportation will be available both ways. Families have the option to walk back to campus. Walkers are encouraged to bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Location: Meet at Atwood Plaza
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Fall Fun
Enjoy fall treats, family photos, caricatures, pumpkin painting, and more. There is something for everyone at our celebration of the season.
Location: Red Square Lawn, Campus Green
Rain Location: Tilton Hall, Higgins University Center
Noon–2 p.m. Barbecue Lunch
Harvest Table Culinary welcomes students and their families to the all-you-care-to-eat buffet-style barbecue. Advanced registration is required through purchasing a weekend meal pass. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase on campus. Family and Friends weekend pass, student meal plans, cash, and credit cards are accepted.
- Adults: $20.00
- Kids 10 and under: $9.50
Location: The Table at Higgins, University Center
12:30–2 p.m. Athletics open house social
Meet the staff from Athletics and cheer for the Men’s Soccer team.
Location: Granger Athletic Fields, 97 Beaver Street
1:00 p.m. Men’s Soccer Game
Follow the paw prints to the soccer field for kettle corn and festivities. Cheer for the Cougars as the team takes on Anna Maria College.
Location: Granger Athletic Fields, 97 Beaver Street
1–4 p.m. Art in the Park, Worcester
Stroll through the campus and University Park to view sculptures from this year’s juried exhibition of public art. Check out the map and audio tour by the artists.
Location: Various Campus Locations
2–4 p.m. Music Program Ensemble Concert
The Clark University Concert Band and Jazz Workshop will showcase an exciting variety of music during their Family Weekend concert. This concert is free and open to the public. You can also watch the event via the livestream!
Location: Daniels Theater, Atwood Hall
2:30–3:20 p.m. Career Journey of Your College Student
When should your student start thinking about careers and how can you support them? Learn about career resources available at Clark, our recommended four-year career development timeline, and tips to help your student at each new phase of their journey.
Location: S120, Arthur M. Sackler Sciences Center
3–5:00 p.m. Vintage Clark
Visit Clark’s archives and go back in time. Peruse old photos, uniforms, and memorabilia from our unique history.
Location: Academic Commons, Goddard Library
3:30 –4:30 p.m. Faculty Research Highlight – American Primary Elections
Robert Boatright, professor of Political Science, discusses his new book “Reform and Retrenchment: A Century of Efforts to Fix Primary Elections.” Learn about how American primary elections have changed over the past century, and why they may not be as democratic a way to choose party nominees as people expected them to be when they were created.
Location: Fireside Lounge, Dana Commons, 2nd Floor
3:30–5:00 p.m. Affinity Open House
Join us in an open and welcoming space for family members, students, friends, and allies. Meet student leaders of our various student organizations, including, but not limited to, South Asian Student Association (SASA), Asian Student Union (ASU), and Latin American Student Organization (LASO), and staff from Clark’s Office of Identity, Student Engagement, and Access (ISEA). Find out about new programs, support services, and social gatherings for Clark’s community..
Location: Academic Commons, Goddard Library
5:30 p.m. Dinner in the City, Experience Worcester
Experience the vibrant restaurant scene of Wootown.
8 p.m. Big Prize Bingo and Dessert Reception
Join other Clark families and try your luck at Clark’s version of bingo. Hosted by Student Leadership and Programming.
Location: Higgins Main Dining Room, Higgins University Center