Parents Wave Goodbye to the Class of 2026

While there were significant changes to Orientation Week this year, one thing remains the same: The emotion of parents saying farewell to their children. This year, Duke helped the Class of 2026 both celebrate with their parents and handle the emotions of the departure with a Family Farewell Celebration on West Campus Saturday.

Following move-in, the families made their way to Abele Quad that evening for an early dinner, then moved to Wallace Wade Stadium, where the students picked up their own personalized Duke football jersey.

Next it was to Cameron Indoor Stadium where cheerleaders, coaches and academic leaders welcomed the students and their families. New football and basketball coaches Mike Elko and Jon Scheyer introduced themselves to the community in rousing form, and vice provosts Mary Pat McMahon and Gary Bennett also spoke.

President Vincent Price shared some final thoughts for the parents.

“Now is the time to let them go, to let them grow and let them know that we have confidence in them,” Price said.

At the end, the parents said their goodbyes, and the students completed their evenings with their first meetings with their experiential orientation teams. The next morning the students’ Duke experience officially began.

Photos by Jacob Whatley. Video by Jackson Rivers