Family Weekend

October 6, 7 & 8, 2023

Register today for Family Weekend! Family Weekends are designed to give parents and family members an opportunity to enjoy special events and activities happening throughout campus and to interact with members of the Alfred Community.

View this year’s schedule below. Please register for the weekend if you plan to attend. Note that we have three (3) events this year that also require pre-registration to give us headcount. Please only register for the events you will attend.

Register Here!


8:30 am - 4:30 pm – University Administrative Offices Open – Families and alumni are welcome to stop by for information. (If you wish to meet with someone, please call ahead to check availability and make an appointment.)

9:00 am - 4:00 pm – AU Bookstore – Stop in to see what wonderful AU items you can find – there’s always something on sale. Location: 2nd floor, Powell Campus Center

10:00 am - 5:00 pm – Alfred Ceramic Art Museum – The Museum houses nearly 8,000 ceramic objects ranging from small pottery shards recovered from ancient civilizations to modern and contemporary ceramic art. The primary mission of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum is to collect, preserve, conserve, research, interpret and exhibit ceramic art for aesthetic and educational purposes. Location: 2 Pine Street, Alfred, NY – on the corner of Main and Pine Streets On View: Work by Reuben Nakian and Ashley Lyon

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm – The Fosdick-Nelson Gallery – The gallery, housed in the School of Art & Design, is a vibrant learning center for the visual arts. Rotating exhibitions highlight established and emerging artists working in New York, the US, and abroad. Location: 3rd floor, Harder Hall – enter main entrance from Academic Alley, walk through, past the lobby. Gallery will be on the left. On View: Andy Brady: Steward of Precision

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm – Turner Gallery – The Turner Gallery is a professional gallery space run and organized by students and features student exhibitions. Location: the McGee Pavilion in Harder Hall at the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm – Family Weekend Information and Sign-In – Please stop by to sign in, pick up a printed weekend schedule, Alfred University Family Association swag, and other information. Location: 2nd floor, Powell Campus Center

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm – Tour the Steinheim Castle – Tour one of our most striking campus buildings and visit the Steinheim Castle for an introduction to its fascinating history! Featured prominently in the University’s logo, this unique structure has stood guard over campus since 1876. University Archivist Laurie Lounsberry Meehan AU’91 will be on hand to answer questions, point out interesting features, and take you back in time. Historic photos and artifacts will be on display and light refreshments provided.

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm – Alumni Featured Speaker: Scott Vanderhoef '71: How the New York State Government REALLY Works – Scott Vanderhoef, ‘71, majored in history and went on to serve in Governor Nelson Rockefeller’s office where he specialized in some of New York’s early efforts involving environmental regulation. For nearly two decades, he was the county executive of Rockland County and ran as the Republican candidate for Lieutenant-Governor in year 2006 when he and his running mate collected over 1.2 million votes. He is currently an executive director of the non-profit Habitat for Humanity and will offer candid insights about the way that government in New York State really functions. This is complimentary and open to the public. Location: Olin Room 310

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Food Trucks – Purchase dinner from local food trucks. The Kettle Corn truck will be passing out free bags to the first 100 customers! Location: The Village Bandstand – on the corner of Main Street and Saxon Drive

5:00 pm – Tie Dye – Join the Student Activities Board and tie dye either a tote bag or a shirt (one item per person please). Location: The Village Bandstand – on the corner of Main Street and Saxon Drive

7:00 pm – Women’s Volleyball vs Hartwick College – Cheer on your AU Women’s Volleyball Team as they take on Hartwick College. Location: Terry S. Galanis Arena, McLane Center

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Opening Reception. The Robert C. Turner Gallery is a student-run, student envisioned, professional gallery space. The multi-level exhibition space features student exhibitions, pop-up shops and programming including artist talks, panels, live music and more. Location: Turner Gallery

9:00 - 11:00 pm – Stull Observatory Open House – If the sky is clear, this is your opportunity to view the autumn sky through the sophisticated instruments of the Stull Observatory; considered “one of the finest teaching observatories in the United States.” (Note: if the sky is cloudy the observatory will be closed.) Please visit the Stull Observatory website for more information.

9:00 am - 11:00 am – Family Weekend Information and Sign In – Please stop by to sign in, pick up a printed weekend schedule, Alfred University Family Association swag, and other information. Location: 2nd floor, Powell Campus Center

10:00 am - 11:00 am – Alfred University Family Association Reception – Come meet other AUFA members, grab some coffee and a light breakfast, and hear from Alfred University Dean of Student Experience, Thomas Orrange and Jessica Doner, Director of the Career Design Center. This is also your chance to get your FREE AUFA swag! Location: Fasano House – corner of West Pine and N. Main Street. Registration required for this event.

10:00 am - 2:00 pm – Tour the Terra Cotta Building – Tour the unique Terra Cotta Building on Main Street, across from the post office. Built in 1892 by the Celadon Terra Cotta Company, the building showcases the artistic work of the company and served as its office. Historic photos will be on display to illustrate the history of the two terra cotta companies in Alfred that produced most of the beautiful tile roofs in the village. Learn about the current effort to save this heritage and interesting history!

10:00 am - 4:00 pm – AU Bookstore – Stop in to see what wonderful AU items you can find – there’s always something on sale! Location: 2nd floor, Powell Campus Center

10:00 am - 4:00 pm – Alfred Ceramic Art Museum – The Museum houses nearly 8,000 ceramic objects ranging from small pottery shards recovered from ancient civilizations to modern and contemporary ceramic art. The primary mission of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum is to collect, preserve, conserve, research, interpret and exhibit ceramic art for aesthetic and educational purposes. Location: 2 Pine Street, Alfred, NY – on the northeast corner of Main and Pine Streets. On View: Work by Reuben Nakian and Ashley Lyon

11:00 am - 1:00 pm – Family Photo Opportunity – Bring your family (given or chosen) to have a photo taken by our photographers. Fun props available! Location: Fiat Lux Sign (Rain Location: Alumni Hall Lobby)

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm – Alfred University’s Pregame Tailgate Party – Join Alfred University alumni, family, and friends for the 2023 Homecoming pre-game party. Enjoy a traditional tailgate picnic and get into the Saxon spirit just before the big game. This event is complimentary. Cash bar beverages are available. Game tickets are not included. Location: AU Tennis Courts. Registration required for this event.

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm – The Fosdick-Nelson Gallery – House in the School of Art & Design, the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery is a vibrant learning center for the visual arts. Rotating exhibitions highlight established and emerging artists working in New York, the US, and abroad. Location: 3rd floor, Harder Hall – enter main entrance from Academic Alley, walk through, past the lobby. Gallery will be on the left. On View: Andy Brady: Steward of Precision

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm – Turner Gallery – The Turner Gallery is a professional gallery space run and organized by students and features student exhibitions. Location: the McGee Pavilion in Harder Hall at the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University

1:00 pm – ACAM Exhibition Tour – Join Bill Giese, Operations Director, for a tour of ACAM’s current exhibitions. Tour will last 1 hour and requires registration. Location: Alfred Ceramic Art Museum. Registration required for this event.

1:00 pm – Women’s Volleyball vs Russell Sage College – Cheer on your AU Women’s Volleyball Team as they take on Russell Sage College on Senior Day. Location: Terry S. Galanis Arena, McLane Center

2:00 pm – Alfred University Football vs SUNY Morrisville – Cheer on your Alfred Saxons as they take on SUNY Morrisville for Homecoming. Tickets are available to purchase at the gate. Location: Yunevich Stadium, Clark Way

Evening Dining Options – Eat with your student (using Saxon Swipes or Dining Dollars) at one of our AU dining options (Ade Hall and Powell Café) or visit the downtown area for a pay as you go option. Location: 3rd floor, Powell Campus Center or Main Street, Alfred, NY

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm – Alfred Lions Club Chicken Barbecue – Join the Lions Club for dinner. Eat-In and Carry-Out will be available for purchase. Location: Church Center, corner of Main Street and Church Street

7:30 pm – Comedian Eric O’Shea – Warning! Thanks to a little A.D.D and lack of segues, this family friendly show gets RANDOMLY WILD! From surviving family, to surviving all 24 hours of the day, to the original stories, to celebrity impressions (including Elmo), Eric’s UNIQUE humor, expressions, and high-energy show is unlike anything you’ve ever heard! Location: Holmes Auditorium, Harder Hall

Dining Options – Family members can enjoy a free brunch at Ade Dining Hall between the hours of 10:00 a.m.-2 p.m. (no need to use a swipe). Location: Ade Dining Hall

10:00 am - 4:00 pm – Alfred Ceramic Art Museum – The Museum houses nearly 8,000 ceramic objects ranging from small pottery shards recovered from ancient civilizations to modern and contemporary ceramic art. The primary mission of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum is to collect, preserve, conserve, research, interpret and exhibit ceramic art for aesthetic and educational purposes. Location: 2 Pine Street, Alfred, NY – on the northeast corner of Main and Pine Streets
On View: Work by Reuben Nakian and Ashley Lyon

11:00 am - 3:00 pm – Alfred Farmers Market – Don’t forget to stop by and pick up some of the area’s freshest local produce. Location: Village Bandstand Area

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm – The Fosdick-Nelson Gallery – Housed in the School of Art & Design, the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery is a vibrant learning center for the visual arts. Rotating exhibitions highlight established and emerging artists working in New York, the US, and abroad. Location: 3rd floor, Harder Hall – enter main entrance from Academic Alley, walk through, past the lobby. Gallery will be on the left. On View: Andy Brady: Steward of Precision

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm – Turner Gallery – The Turner Gallery is a professional gallery space run and organized by students and features student exhibitions. Location: McGee Pavilion in Harder Hall at the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University

Lodging Options

Community Lodging

Looking for a place to stay? Stay on campus at The Saxon Inn! It has the comfort and style of a small luxury hotel. Or, there are many...