An airplane ride away, Teres Olson couldn’t wait to get some one-on-one time with her daughter Beverly, a Biola sophomore majoring in elementary education. After all, being from the small, rural town of Kerrville, Texas, Beverly can’t exactly come home every weekend to visit.

Olson was just one mother among many parents last weekend who were united once again with their student for the university’s annual Parent Weekend.

“[Biola] is a diamond in the middle of desert,” she said. “It is something supernatural and special.”

Beverly said she enjoyed the time with her mother, especially being able to pray with her about school.

“I feel like when you go away from college, you miss your parents and it’s nice to have them here to share the experience with her,” she said.

More than 500 parents, grandparents and siblings of Biola students participated in Parent Weekend, according to Colleen Heykoop of the office of parent relations. The office has two full-time staff members, four student workers and 20 Biola parents who make up the Parent Council, she said.

Heykoop said that Parent Weekend exists to provide parents with an opportunity to spend time with their kids at their student’s “home away from home.” She said this event is especially important for first year students, as homesickness usually sets in during mid-October.

“One of the purposes of the office of parent relations is to provide meaningful opportunities for parents to connect with their student and with Biola,” said Heykoop. “Parent Weekend gives parents an opportunity to enter their student’s world without feeling like they are intruding.”

After registration on the first day, parents got the chance to visit classrooms and professors, attend chapel and enjoy a fiesta-themed lunch on Metzger Lawn, which featured performances from members of Biola’s Unidos club. Following the dinner was the Torrey Honors Institute’s annual Convocation, which welcomes new Torrey students. A round-robin tennis tournament and a Shane & Shane concert were also held that night.

The second day parents got to watch intramural sports and Biola’s men’s and women’s soccer matches against Concordia University. Parents also had an opportunity to have brunch with President Corey, who shared his plans for the university.

The Conservatory of Music’s annual Prism Concert at Crowell Hall was also held during Parent Weekend. The concert featured the Conservatory’s symphonic winds, symphony orchestra, King’s Men singing group, jazz ensemble, and Biola Chorale.

Freshman Kaitlyn Ficher had her parents and grandma visit from Poway, Calif., which is near San Diego. Her grandmother, Betty Stone, is from Palm Springs.

The family went to the Parent Weekend banquet dinner, gave her grandma a tour of the campus and attended the Prism concert, where Ficher performed as a member of the women’s ensemble.

“I think it’s great that Kaitlyn is going to Biola,” said Stone. “She’s having an awesome experience.”