family day '04

Visiting Families Peek intothe Lives ofTheir Students

The Ortu family arrived inLynchburg from East Hanover,NJ,after hall meeting Thursday night.They were just a few of the 2,000 family membersparents,grandparents,aunts,uncles and siblings - that made the trip back to campus tosee theirstudents during Family Weekend.

The Ortu's came to see their Freshman daughter, Peggy Ortu, and participate in Family Day 2004 While their plans were dampened with the onslaught of rain from Hurricane Ivan,their enthusiasm was not. Even though they were held up inDeMoss as LUPD patrolcarscircledcampus warning ofan impending tornado, the Ortu family was undaunted when they finally made it back totheirdaughter's residence hallon Campus East

The Ortu's joined their daughter for Friday convocation and then toured the aviation department. The Ortu sisters,Tracy age 10 and Toni age 14, accompanied theirbigsistertoher classeson Friday, with Tracy even taking notes forher sisterin GNED.

Saturday the sun came out and Mr Ortu joined 1,000 parents at the Meet and GreetwithDr Falwell, which he saidwas "verynicelydone." Saturday evening the entirefamilyjoined Peggy and her friends, along with thousands ofFlames fans,atthe footballgame atWilliams Stadium.

Peggy Ortu'ssistersmade themselves athome inher dorm room,camping out on the floor overnight and hanging out with theirolder sister. Many familiescame tosee theirchildren, finding out how they live, what campus life was likeand meeting theirfriends. For Mr.and Mrs. Ortu, the latterwas the highlightofthe trip.Mr.Ortu explained,"Itwas a pleasure tomeet Peggy'sfriends. It's very comforting to know thatshe'ssurrounded by nice people - godly people."

Family Day was more than meeting the Chancellor of the school or relaxing in a dorm room with younger brothersor sisters; it was a time forfamilies, likethe Ortu's,tobe assured that theirstudent was ingood hands atLiberty University. • Bg RacMPomeE