By mid-morning, Stevens comes alive with a kind of warmth you can feel from the top of Castle Point. Families make their way up the hill, clutching coffee cups and cameras, as students lead them through familiar shortcuts and favorite spots. The sound of conversation carries over the Hudson, blending with the music and laughter from Palmer Lawn. For one weekend each fall, Stevens becomes more than a university — it becomes a shared home.
The day begins in the University Center Complex, where families check in, meet deans, and hear from President Nariman Farvardin about the university’s growth and the years ahead. But what makes Family Day memorable isn’t any single event. It’s how the entire campus opens up — from the lawns filled with games and music to the open houses and exhibits that let visitors see what their students have been building, studying, and creating. Parents tour labs, paint pumpkins with their kids, browse the bookstore for Stevens gear, or simply sit outside enjoying the skyline view. Around every corner, there’s a mix of energy and ease — part festival, part reunion.
Just beyond campus, Hoboken extends the celebration. Families spill onto Washington Street for brunch or pastries, explore the waterfront, and watch ferries move across the river. For those looking to venture further, the PATH station a few blocks away offers a quick ride into Manhattan, where students often take their families to visit museums, grab dinner in Chelsea, or simply walk through the city lights together. Family Day isn’t confined to campus boundaries; it’s an invitation to explore the community that surrounds Stevens and the city that helps define it.
Still, beyond the tours, the food, and the games, Family Day carries a deeper meaning. It’s a reflection of Stevens’ commitment to inclusivity — the idea that everyone, no matter their background, belongs here. For many students, their families traveled far to see where they now live and learn. Others might not have family visiting at all, instead spending the day with close friends or roommates who’ve become like family in their own right. Faculty and staff join the festivities too, bridging the gap between classroom and community. The result is a day that feels larger than any single household — a celebration of connection in all its forms.
For first-generation students, Family Day can be mighty. It’s a moment to show parents the world they’ve worked toward, walking them through labs or pointing out favorite study spots. For international students, it’s often a time of mixed emotions — homesickness softened by the sense of community that fills campus. Stevens recognizes that “family” means different things to everyone, and Family Day honors that diversity openly. Whether you’re sharing a meal with relatives, friends, or mentors, the spirit remains the same: this is a place where everyone can find belonging.
As the afternoon turns to evening and the last events wind down, the campus begins to quiet. The Hudson River glows under the city lights, students linger with their families on the Howe steps, and the red tents on Palmer Lawn slowly come down. The day may end, but the feeling it brings —that Stevens is a home for all— lingers long after. Family Day reminds everyone that while each student’s story begins in a different place, here, they all find common ground.
