Family weekend represents a special time, mostly for freshmen, but special nonetheless. Parents and young siblings flood the campus to check up on their collegiate children, brothers and sisters. Although we finally have a football team worth showing off now, it’s not the only thing worth showing off this weekend. Here are a few other ways to keep your family busy.

Friday: Jerry Greenfield lecture, 7 p.m. in OEC auditorium

Every year during family weekend, St. Thomas welcomes a speaker to campus to entertain, impress and share knowledge with its guests. This Friday, entrepreneur Jerry Greenfield is scheduled to talk about his successful enterprises and fun-filled flavors.

Don’t know who that is? Don’t be embarrassed. Most people don’t recognize Greenfield on first mention.

Better known for his company’s name, Greenfield co-founded Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream with his partner Ben Cohen in 1978. The duo has since made their frozen treats to into a $300 million empire, all while promoting social responsibility and creative management.

The event, sponsored by the university lectures committee, is free and runs from 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturday: Fall Art Tour, 5 p.m. in OEC lobby

Something to also get excited about is the Fall Art Tour Saturday night. The tour incorporates galleries at nine colleges and universities in the metro area. St. Thomas’ OEC gallery will feature “Shiny is My Favorite Color,” a collection of nine artists’ mixed-media pieces.

While the gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, a reception is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the OEC lobby. During those hours, two shuttles will be making stops at each of the campuses involved. All events are free.

Check back to TommieMedia.com Saturday for complete coverage of the Fall Art Tour.

Saturday: Tonic Sol Fa concert, 8 p.m. in OEC auditorium

A staple for family weekend activities, Tonic Sol Fa brings its a capella show to OEC auditorium Saturday. The New York Times described the performance, which consists of four singers and a tambourine, as “a vocal kaleidoscope-unique to the human voice.”

The Minnesota-based group got its start about 12 years ago and has independently released six albums, totaling more than 1 million copies sold. The group’s all-vocal shows feature impromptu performances with the help of audience members and original tunes. Hopefully they cover Shai’s “If I Ever Fall in Love” as well.

Tonic Sol Fa is currently on tour in the Midwest. Saturday’s show from 8 to 10 p.m. is open to the public.

Grant Goerke can be reached at gdgoerke@stthomas.edu