Aug. 18, 2011
University Celebrates 125th Year with Commitment to 125,000 Hours of Community Service
New students will arrive at The Catholic University of America for orientation on Thursday, Aug. 25. Freshmen will move into separate residence halls this fall as part of a change to Catholic University's housing policy. Eventually, all students living on campus will be housed in single-sex residence halls.
CUA saw a record number of applications for the freshman class again this year, receiving more than 6,600 for the 850 available seats in the incoming class. The average test scores and grade point averages of incoming freshmen are both higher than in previous years.
Catholic University President John Garvey and his wife Jeanne will help new students move in on Aug. 25 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Centennial Village residence halls.
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. 25 , through Sunday, Aug. 28 . Families will help new students move into their residence halls on Thursday. Parents and new students will attend educational sessions, mixers, skits, and other events designed to help them make the high school-to-college transition.
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.
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Details of other back-to-school news at CUA follow:
Grand Opening of Outdoor Basketball Court President Garvey will join students in celebrating the grand opening of CUA's outdoor basketball court on Monday, Aug. 29, at 4 p.m. Garvey will compete with students in a game of "knock out," followed by a three-on-three tournament for students. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. The court has been built at the initiative of President Garvey.
125,000 Hours of Service for the 125th Anniversary President Garvey will announce the University's Cardinal Service Commitment - performing 125,000 hours of community service - at the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Thursday, Sept. 1. The service project is one of a number of initiatives that are being undertaken to celebrate the University's 125th anniversary, which occurs on April 10, 2012.
Following Mass, students, faculty, and staff will be invited to sign up for service opportunities at the University picnic. (See more information on the Mass and picnic below.)
University students, faculty, staff, and alumni have been invited to log their hours of service on the anniversary website, www.cua.edu/125/service-project/report-hours.cfm . Reporting of service hours began on May 15, 2011 and will continue through April 10, 2012.
Upcoming events that are part of the Cardinal Service Commitment include an Alumni Day of Service on Saturday, Aug. 20 , at the Capital Area Food Bank in Northeast D.C., and the 9/11 Day of Service on Saturday, Sept. 10 . Catholic university is joining with HandsOn Greater D.C. Cares for the 9/11 Day of Service. Volunteers will assist at organizations throughout the city.
In addition to the service commitment, the University will celebrate its 125th year with lectures, concerts, conferences, and other events. As they are scheduled, events will be listed at www.cua.edu/125/ .
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. 1 , 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. President Garvey 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 fifth annual University Picnic on the CUA Mall. Classes will be cancelled between 12:10 and 3 p.m.
New Program This fall, the University introduces a new Master of Arts in Integral Economic Development Management. This program is the first in the country to create and implement an integrated perspective to measure and evaluate development programs, taking into account the social dimension of every person. To encourage sustainable progress, the IEDM program will take an approach that seeks to strengthen the civil and social institutions involved, while maintaining an integrated view of the person in society. Catholic University has introduced more than 10 new graduate degrees, certificates, and specializations since 2008.
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.