Tradition will reign supreme on the campus of Lubbock Christian University this weekend as Family Weekend and a plethora of activities to go with it take place. The weekend is a golden opportunity for parents, siblings and other guests to visit the campus, catch up on what their respective LCU student is involved in at the university and, in general, enjoy a fun and active weekend. The weekend of events kicks off on Friday with the senior art exhibition on display. Senior Tabitha Sportsman’s works, entitled “Latch Key Lament” may be viewed in the Ling Center for Academic Achievement galleries on Friday (9:00 am – 8:00 pm), Saturday (10:00 am – 6:00 pm) and Sunday (Noon – 5:00 pm). Friday also offers other opportunities to venture into different genres of campus activity. Visitors may wish to take part in the University Battle of the Blood Drive, a contest held in conjunction with Wayland Baptist University that runs from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm in the SUB. Chap Connect is also on tap Friday (begins at 4:30 pm in the Baker Conference Center) and the highlight of that will be a guest speaking appearance by noted education expert, Dr. Lisa Ramirez, who is the author of “Dulcified: Sweetened by the Education of Life.” “(Dr. Ramirez) is a living example of the difference that can be made in, around and through education,” said Dr. Cathy Box of the appearance of Dr. Ramirez. “While she did not attend LCU, it is evident that there were some teachers along the way that made a real difference and altered the course of her future.” Wrapping up Friday’s events is the opening performance of LCU Theatre’s presentation of “The Music Man” at 7:30 pm in the McDonald Moody Auditorium. Dr. Laurie Doyle, Associate Professor Fine Arts and director of the musical, says that patrons will find plenty of fun and inspiring moments in the performance. “The Music Man is an extremely entertaining musical, with famous songs such as ‘Seventy-Six Trombones’ and ‘Goodnight My Someone,’” said Dr. Doyle. “The cast and crew have worked very hard, and the music is just lovely. Audience members of all ages will enjoy watching ‘Harold Hill’ try to swindle a small Iowa town into starting a boys’ band, but instead finds himself falling in love with the local librarian.” Tickets for “The Music Man,” which will also be staged at 7:30 pm on Saturday and during a matinee performance at 2:00 pm on Sunday, are available at the box office or by calling 806-720-7429. A vast array of activities are set for Saturday, including the traditional morning events that include the Pancake Breakfast (9:00 am – 10:00 am) in the LCU Cafeteria and the Sampler, an opportunity to be a part of LCU Chapel and to enjoy the student performance groups in the McDonald Moody Auditorium (10:00 am). For those wishing to get some souvenir shopping taken care of, then the Chap Store (bookstore) will be open from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. More food is on tap during the day, as the annual LCU Aggies Club bar-b-que will take place beginning at 11:15 am on the Campus Mall Area. The fantastic lunch prepared by the Aggies club members will be served and there will be door prizes given away, including a $2000 tuition drawing at the conclusion of the lunch. The cost for the meal is $8 per adult and $4 for kids 12-and-under. LCU athletic fans can catch a glimpse of the outstanding men’s and women’s soccer squads as they entertain John Brown University on the LCU pitch. The Lady Chaps play at 11:00 am and the men’s game will follow at 1:00 pm. In conjunction with the soccer action there will be a tailgate event, “Runna to the Waka,” taking place to help support the teams. Two classic events that will also be taking place on Saturday are the Alpha Chi National Honor Society Induction ceremony (2:30 pm), followed by the LCU Ring Ceremony (5:00 pm), both taking place in the Baker Conference Center. “If you haven’t been to the Ring Ceremony, you should think about going,” says Dr. Susan Blassingame, Dean of the Hancock College of Liberal Arts and Education. “It’s a very poignant event. Many of our students are first generation, and they invite their extended families to attend. It is so touching to see these students walk back to their families with their rings and see their parents, grandparents, children gather around excitedly to see the rings. The scene will touch even the most hardened of hearts, and it reminds all of us why we are here, working diligently.” On Sunday, in addition to the aforementioned events, there will be a couple of activities sure to strike a chord with just about everyone in some way. At 1:00 pm the “Picnic on the Grounds” will take place near the Ling Center for Academic Achievement. This event is a fundraiser to benefit LCU students who are involved in the arts. The picnic will include a catered lunch on the lawn, games for the family and live entertainment. A cost of $10 per ticket will be required. Finally, on Sunday, also at 1:00 pm, there will be a First Generation College Student Reception that will take place in the Rotunda of the Cardwell Welcome Center. Family Weekend promises to be a blast for all who come out to enjoy it. Students will be eager to see their families as well as show them around LCU and the Lubbock community. For more information about LCU’s Family Weekend, please go to <link http: www.lcu.edu>www.lcu.edu/familyweekend/family-weekend-schedule-2012.