Springfield, Ohio – Recognizing the important role that families play in each student’s success and the success of the university, Wittenberg is gearing up to welcome hundreds of parents, siblings and friends to campus for its annual Family Weekend, Sept. 19-21.

Open to all Wittenberg students and their families, events for the weekend include the Senior Brunch, art exhibitions, history tours, athletics events, music and theatre performances, informational sessions, stargazing, and open classroom sessions.

All members of the Wittenberg and Springfield communities can also take part in a special highlight of Family Weekend this year: the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, hosted by Wittenberg’s Gamma Omega chapter of Sigma Kappa, Sept. 20.

Through philanthropic support of the Alzheimer’s Association, Sigma Kappa has become one of the nation’s leading contributors to Alzheimer’s disease prevention, research and treatment efforts.

“I am excited that the Alzheimer’s Association is partnering with Wittenberg and our Sigma Kappa chapter to host the Walk on campus during Family Weekend,” said Carol Nickoson, director of fraternity and sorority life. “The Sigma Kappa Sorority supports Alzheimer’s research on a national and local level, and I am proud to see the chapter engaging with this collaborative program right here on our campus where they can engage members of the Wittenberg community in this important cause.”

Alzheimer’s disease is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and it currently affects more than 5 million people in the United States. According to the most recent reports from the Alzheimer’s Association, that number is estimated to reach nearly 14 million by 2050. No effective treatment for Alzheimer’s has been found.

Registration for the Walk begins at 9 a.m. at the Benham-Pence Student Center. Wittenberg’s new Director of Athletics and Recreation Gary Williams will kick off the 10 a.m. welcome ceremony. The walk will begin at 10:15 a.m. There is no registration fee for the Walk, but walkers are asked to make a personal donation and commit to raising funds in the fight against Alzheimer’s. All funds raised further the care, support, and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.

To register for Family Weekend or view the complete schedule of events, visit the Family Weekend website.

To register for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit the Walk website.