President Gamble greets an MSU family at last year's PFA weekend event. Involving Parents of MSU Students Through PFA by Julie Kipfer The Parent/Family Association (PFA), founded in 1992 during former MSU President Michael P. Malone's tenure, was designed to give parents a voice in their students' education. Fund raising, communication and special events are the association's key focus areas. Making more money available for student scholarships is the PFA board's main priority. Each spring a "phonathon" is held to raise money for student causes, which include supporting student organizations such as student activities, and the leadership institute and Museum of the Rockies. Parents continue to show their support through active participation in these fund-raising efforts. One of PFA's major accomplishments was a successful fund-raising campaign to sponsor a group study room in the Renne Library in honor of President Malone. The Michael P. Malone study room, located on the third floor of the newly renovated library, is furnished with a meeting table and chairs that provide students a place to work on group projects. In addition to fund raising, each fall the Parent/Family Association presents its showcase event, the annual parent/family weekend. This three-day program, featuring faculty lectures, information sessions and activities including a football game and rafting trip, welcomes more than 750 people to the MSU campus and community. In 2003 board members held a silent auction with such diverse items as a Maine lobster dinner for four, a weekend stay at a Bozeman vacation home, and a student survival kit. All items were donated by parents, and the inaugural auction raised more than $2000 for student scholarships. None of this success could be possible without the participation of board members from across the nation who donate their time throughout the year to plan the weekend and support fund-raising efforts. Former board members Tom and Jean Olson, '71, from Colstrip, watched two sons, Eric, '99, and Bryan, '03, and one daughter, Jenny, '97, graduate from MSU. "The Parent/Family Association is a great organization for parents," Jean said. She appreciated the opportunity to visit with the university president and find out what new and exciting things were happening at MSU. Jim and Share Williams of Rhode Island found the experience so rewarding that they returned for parent's weekend after their son graduated. For more information about the Montana State University Parent/Family Association, call 406-994-4571, e-mail publicaffairs@montana.edu or visit the PFA Web site at www.montana.edu/pfa.