Mountaineer Parents Club leaders from around the country will gather Saturday (April 4) at West Virginia University for a day of discussion, education and Mountaineer spirit.

More than 70 people are expected to participate in 2009 Parents Club University activities, ranging from a panel presentation on various WVU topics to a roundtable discussion about local club ideas.

It is going to be a great day on campus with Parents Club officers,said Sabrina Cave, executive director of the Mountaineer Parents Club.This is a wonderful time for them to exchange ideas with other parents, learn more about WVU and get energized about their local clubs.

The daylong event begin at 8:30 a.m. and wraps up around 4 p.m. An expert panel discussionfrom 9:30-11 a.m. in the Mountainlair Blue Ballroomwill feature University officials, including Russ Dean, senior associate provost of academic affairs; Ron Justice, Morgantown mayor; Eric Rosie, assistant director of parking and transportation; Jason Zuccari, student body president; Bob Roberts, director of the University Police Department; Kaye Widney, director of financial aid and scholarships; and Cathy Yura, interim assistant vice president for student health and wellness.

Parents will also have the opportunity to participate in aPower Houra series of 15-minute presentations about student employment, undergraduate academic advising, on and off-campus housing and the Universitys sustainability effortsfrom 2:45-3:45 p.m. in Room G20 of Ming Hsieh Hall; join a roundtable discussion; shop at the WVU Bookstore ; and tour the Wise Library on the Downtown Campus.

For more information, visit http://parentsclub.wvu.edu/ .

* WVU s Parents Club keeping families informed, connected*

With more than 20,000 members, 66 local clubs, 19 state clubs and one international chair, the Mountaineer Parents Clubconnects parents and other family members to the WVU student experience. Membership is free to parents of current and future students.

The club publishes a newsletter, sends Parent Electronic News updates, organizes special events and offers the toll-free Mountaineer Parents Club Parent Helpline (1-800-WVU-0096).

Local clubs design programs to support student activities, plan Summer Send-offs for students and parents, host WVU speakers and represent the Mountaineer Parents Club at college nights at area high schools.

To find the club closest to you, go to http://parentsclub.wvu.edu/directories .