Aug. 17, 2010
New students will arrive at The Catholic University of America for orientation on Thursday, Aug. 26. They will begin their first year at Catholic University along with new university president, John H. Garvey.
Garvey's presidency was announced this summer. He will be inaugurated as the 15th president of CUA on Nov. 18 in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
This fall, Catholic University is welcoming its largest freshman class in history, more than 1,000 students. For four out of the last five years, CUA has achieved record enrollment.
Students are coming from across the United States and abroad; have attended both public and private high schools; and have taken on impressive leadership roles and contributed numerous hours of community service. CUA saw a 23 percent increase in freshman applications this year, and with an increase in yield, was able to enroll more than the expected goal of 850 freshmen.
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. 26 , through Sunday, Aug. 29 . Parents and new students will attend educational sessions, mixers, skits and other events designed to help them make the high school-to-college transition. Families also will help students move into their residence halls during this time.
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 at 202-319-5600.
Photo/Video Opportunities
| CUA New Student Orientation: | Aug. 26-Aug. 29 |
| Students Move into Residence Halls: | Aug. 26 (new students) Aug. 28-29 (returning students) |
| CUA First Day of Classes: | Aug. 30 |
Details of back-to-school news at CUA follow:
New Programs Since 2008, more than 10 new graduate degrees, certificates and specializations have been introduced, most of them geared toward working professionals. These degrees have been created after carefully studying the market trends and desired career paths in the greater D.C. area and beyond.
New programs being introduced this fall include a Master of Science in Business Administration, Master of Science in Nuclear Environmental Protection, Master of Science in Materials Science, Master of Science in Biotechnology, and certificate, bachelor's and master's programs in Health Information Technology.
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, Sept. 2, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Great Upper Church.
Most Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, archbishop of Washington and chancellor of CUA, will be the main celebrant of the Mass and will deliver the homily. CUA President John H. Garvey will address the congregation following Communion.
This traditional opening Mass of the academic year regularly draws heavy attendance by students, faculty and staff. Following the Mass, CUA will hold its fifth annual University Picnic on the CUA Mall. Classes will be cancelled between 12:10 and 3 p.m.The Mass will be aired live on EWTN-TV.
Theological College Theological College welcomes 33 new seminarians, who begin their formation this month. These men represent the largest first-year seminarian class at Theological College in more than 20 years. They will be joined by 42 others who return this fall to continue their formation and academic studies in theology and philosophy at The Catholic University of America. More than 30 dioceses will be represented in the seminary community for the academic year of 2010-2011.
Presidential Inauguration On Nov. 18, 2010, The Catholic University of America will inaugurate its 15th president, John H. Garvey, in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica.
Garvey is the third lay president of the university. He and his wife, Jeanne Walter Garvey, will reside on campus in Nugent Hall. Each of their five children received a Catholic education from kindergarten through college.
Garvey is a legal scholar specializing in first amendment rights and Church-State relations.
MEDIA: For additional information, to arrange interviews or to attend the events referenced above, contact Katie Lee or Mary McCarthy in the Office of Public Affairs at 202-319-5600.