As apple butter cooked and an auctioneer rhythmically chanted on Heth lawn at the folk arts festival, in nearby Young Hall, Professors Tod Burke and Stephen Owen hosted parents for an interactive class about criminal justice, asking the attendees to make life-and-death decisions based on presented scenarios.

"This is a really great opportunity for parents to come to the university and see what a class here is like," said alumnus Chris Rehak, who now serves as Commonwealth's attorney for the City of Radford.

Also in Young, College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Dean Katherine Hawkins talked to parents about preparing students to "get a good job in today's challenging economy." Professors Joe Jones and Margaret Hrezo presented a lecture on liberal education in a democratic society.

At Pridemore Playhouse, visitors were treated to a backstage tour by RU theatre faculty and majors. Participants went behind the scenes of the weekend's performances of "Spinning into Butter," Rebecca Gilman's popular play about prejudice and political correctness.

Tours also were offered for the Performance Hall in the Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts, the Museum of the Sciences, the RU greenhouse and planetarium.

Family, students and alumni also had opportunities to attend open houses and receptions offered by the School of Nursing, the Department of Interior Design & Fashion, the College of Science and Technology, the College of Business and Economics, and the College of Education and Human Development.

Emily Blunt, a sophomore media studies major from Mechanicsville, enjoyed the day with her parents, Ken and Susan, and sisters Laura and Katie.

"It's great having them here. I miss them," Emily said. Laura and Katie are in high school, she said, "and they're looking at colleges. I have to say, Radford is pretty great. I feel like I can be myself here."

For those interested in athletics, plenty of Highlanders displayed their sporting prowess. Men's and Women's Soccer and Volleyball all were in action. Five sports stars from the past were honored at the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon.

Following Women's Soccer 3-0 triumph over Charleston Southern at Patrick D. Cupp Stadium, hundreds flocked to the stadium parking lot for the Greek Life Alumni Social and Highlander Fan Zone BBQ. As '80s music played inside the tent, alumni, friends and parents gathered for a festive meal.

Tom Blassey '83 attended the social and talked about his role as both parent and alumnus. "It gives us a chance to come back and always have that connection," said Blassey, whose son, Cole, and daughter, Chandler, are a senior and sophomore, respectively. "It gives us even more spirit to come back and compare what we used to do with what they do."

About 100 alumni from Phi Kappa Sigma attended the social and gathered to celebrate the RU chapter's 30th year. The group also presented an $11,000 check to President Kyle to establish the Greek Leadership Training Fund, which will be used to provide Greek members at RU opportunities to learn leadership skills.

"To start something like this is a wonderful statement," Kyle said to members of the fraternity as she accepted the check. "We hope that you'll stay involved and that you'll come back frequently and help us mentor our students."

See more photos of Family Weekend and Alumni Homecoming on the RU Facebook page, and check out the video.