01/30/12 ema

HAYS, Kan. -- Fort Hays State University students will have the opportunity to share campus with their families during the university's Family Weekend, Feb. 9 to 11, celebrating family, friends and fun with various events throughout the weekend.

On Friday, Feb. 10, from 2 to 3 p.m., the Sternberg Museum of Natural History will conduct a behind-the-scenes research tour of the museum's zoology specimens. A hands-on interactive experience with live animals will be available from 12 to 1 p.m. and 3 to 3:30 p.m. From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the exhibits. The Sternberg will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $4 with a Family Weekend brochure.

Students and families can support Tiger wrestling against Colorado Mesa University on Thursday, Feb. 9, and against Western State College on Friday, Feb. 10, both at 7 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Dr. Irena Ravitskaya, assistant professor of music at FHSU, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Ravitskaya has performed widely over the past 15 years with an extensive repertoire that embraces masterpieces from the baroque to modern.

A Family Weekend brochure will get vistors a 10-percent discount at Starbucks in the Memorial Union from 8 to10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the University Bookstore will offer a 10-percent discount with the Family Weekend brochure.

A traditional Chinese buffet will celebrate the Chinese Lantern Festival at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, in the Memorial Union's Fort Hays Ballroom. The meal will include dumpling, soup, egg roll and more. Tickets are available by contacting the Student Service Center at 785-628-5306.

Families can enjoy music, arts and dance with the MAD Talent Show at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $3 at the door, which will open at 7 p.m. Proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County.

The Parents Recognition Brunch will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb 11, in the Fort Hays Ballroom. Parents of current FHSU students are invited. Dr. Edward H. Hammond, president, will recognize alumni who have students currently enrolled at FHSU during a short program at 11 a.m.

Parents must RSVP by Wednesday, Feb. 1, by going to www.fhsu.edu/familyweekend.

Students and their families can also join Tiger fans to support FHSU Tiger basketball against Central Missouri State on Saturday. The women's game begins at 2 p.m. and the men's at 4 p.m.

Little siblings of current students are invited to stay for a weekend full of good food, fabulous events and fun beginning with a movie and sundae bar on Friday, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. in McMindes Hall.