Aug. 21, 2012
New students will arrive at The Catholic University of America for Orientation 2012 on Thursday, Aug. 23. Returning students will begin moving in on Saturday, Aug. 25. Mass of the Holy Spirit The University community will gather to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit at 12:10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Great Upper Church.Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington and Chancellor of CUA, will serve as the main celebrant and homilist. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, will also attend the Mass. John Garvey, President of Catholic University, will address the congregation following Communion.This traditional opening Mass of the academic year regularly draws heavy attendance by students, faculty and staff. It will be televised live by the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Following the Mass, CUA will hold its sixth annual University Picnic on the CUA Mall. Members of the University community will have the opportunity to meet and welcome the papal nuncio to campus. Classes will be cancelled between 12:10 and 3 p.m. New Program The National Catholic School of Social Service will begin offering a new master's in social work specialization in clinical social work with military, veterans, and their families. The program is a 61-hour specialization that will include three new courses: Theory on Practice with Military Veterans and their Families; Policy and Macro Issues on Social Work with Military and Veterans; and Military Culture.
Largest Solar Installation in D.C. Catholic University once again has the largest solar panel installation in Washington, D.C. The addition of 1,180 new solar panels this summer brings the total number on campus to 2,617. The panels generate about 830,000 kilowatt-hours of clean electricity (no carbon dioxide produced) or about 1.8 percent of the University's annual electrical requirements. Events As part of the city-wide, year-long commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the D.C. Compensated Emancipation Act (which ended slavery in the District and compensated the city's slave owners for freeing their slaves) and in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Brookland, the School of Arts and Sciences is sponsoring two events: "The Changing Faces of Brookland," Sept. 11, and "The African-American Catholic Experience in Washington DC," Sept. 19. Academic conferences this fall include:• " International Religious Freedom: An Imperative for Peace and the Common Good ," Sept. 12 (by invitation only)
• " Reform and Renewal: Vatican II After Fifty Years ," Sept. 26-29
• " Christians and Business: Facing the Challenge ," Oct. 22 and 23
• "Elsa Morante and the Italian Arts," Oct. 25-27 MEDIA: To arrange interviews or to attend events referenced above, contact Katie Lee or Mary McCarthy Hines in the Office of Public Affairs at 202-319-5600.
TV crews seeking B-roll footage of new students on campus can get video by attending CUA's new student Orientation, to be held Thursday, Aug. 23, through Sunday, Aug. 26. CUA admissions, housing, student life, and Orientation staff are available to comment for back-to-school stories. To arrange interviews or other coverage, call Katie Lee or Mary McCarthy Hines at 202-319-5600.