JWU’s annual Homecoming & Family Weekend is a reminder that here, community is important — and our community isn’t just made up of faculty, staff, alumni and current students. Every single person involved in getting a student to JWU is part of the Wildcat community. The mom who helped their student fill out the FAFSA, the dad who did extensive research on schools, the grandma who contributed money for tuition or the younger sibling who is now inspired to go to college, too.  

We welcome them all to campus each year for a weekend of activities, food and fun. At the Providence Campus, families participated in immersive class demos from the Animal Science, Criminal Justice and culinary programs. They also painted pumpkins and enjoyed live music in the Spirit Zone, rode carnival rides at Wildcat Wahoo, took a historical walking tour of Providence, sampled food from around the state and so much more. 

At the Charlotte Campus, families kicked off the weekend with a tailgate party, learned how to sharpen their knife skills and experiment with spices in interactive courses, enjoyed a picnic and wine tastings, took a comedy bus tour around Charlotte, did yoga with goats and many other activities. 

But beyond the food and fun, the most important part of the Homecoming & Family Weekend was seeing families immerse themselves in their students’ environment and reconnect with them after being apart for their first six weeks of college. 

“This was the best format for a parent’s weekend ever,” said Julie and Ben Levine P’30, parents of Culinary Nutrition major Jaden Levine ’30. “We have loved that we can do and try what Jaden does every day and learn from the same instructors, in the same kitchens, with the same equipment. Jaden has been great about sharing what he’s learned these past few weeks over FaceTime. He’s shown us knife skills and shared lots of French cooking words that were unfamiliar to us, which has been so cool. It’s opened a whole new world for us.” 

For Keesha Carter, aunt to Food & Beverage Industry Management major Wonderful Jackson ’28, it was exciting to see her niece in action and learn more about the type of work she is doing in classes during the Spice & Flavor course. “As an aunt, it’s nice to see where Wonderful lives and cooks. And I can tell from the start it gave her good vibes.” 

“Our favorite part has just been getting to explore the campus since it’s the first time that I’ve been here,” says Vicki Lenz P’30, mother of Baking & Pastry Arts major Ireland Lenz ’30. “I’m seeing the city of Providence and just enjoying all the things they have to offer. It’s been awesome. She’s made some wonderful friends already in the short six weeks or so that she’s been here. It’s a safe environment, and she’s loving school, so it’s great!” 

Exploring the cities that surround each JWU campus puts many parents a little more at ease about their students living away from home. “We love JWU, and we love Providence,” says Sheila Taridona P’30, whose daughter Delia Taridona ’30 is studying Hospitality Management. “I think Delia is really thriving here, and we’re having a lot of fun visiting. It’s also such a great foodie city, which is a little extra fun.” The Taridona family also enjoyed the Wildcat Wahoo carnival and the alumni volleyball game. 

Meanwhile, the Diamond family tried their hand at cake decorating during the Cake Creations session. “They needed to add a fourth category for us: most screwed up cake,” joked Daniel Diamond P’30, father of Culinary Arts student Kaitlyn Diamond ’30. “But it’s been fun hanging out with everyone and meeting my daughter’s friends and their parents. I’m jealous — I want to go back to college!” 

JWU alumni returning to their alma mater for the weekend felt the same, especially those honored at the Distinguished Alumni Awards at the Providence Campus. “At JWU, I discovered a love for travel, food and even my husband — you could say JWU really did lead me to the great loves of my life,” Karolina Guilcapi ’06 shared as she accepted the Alumni Service Award. 

Overall, it was a successful weekend of bringing the entire JWU community together. “I love the campus, and I love how JWU welcomes the family and helps us understand what the process is for our students, what they are going through and what they’re doing,” says Yatnna Rodriguez P’30, mother of Food & Beverage Industry Management major Louis Reinhardt ’30. “It’s very open and welcoming!”