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Students Arrive! Over 330 New, 270 Returning
September 12, 2008
The excitement level on Ave Maria’s campus on the first day of class was at an all-time high, literally. Students were met with full accreditation, a sports program, new faculty, new amenities and a full calendar of events. In addition to approximately 270 returning students, more than 330 new students attended classes for the first time at AMU. The incoming class represents more than a 75 percent increase in new students from the fall 2007-2008 academic year.
These new students for the current 2008-2009 academic year have increased AMU’s total undergraduate enrollment at the Florida campus by nearly 50 percent, resulting in an undergraduate student body of more than 600. This is the largest student body AMU has had since opening in 2003. AMU now has students from all 50 states and nearly 30 countries.
The “O-Team” welcomed more than 330 new students to AMU.
Collectively, the university’s total enrollment – including its campuses in Florida and Nicaragua, as well as the Institute for Pastoral Theology (IPT) program (a masters degree program which offers weekend courses in numerous cities in the U.S.) – is more than 1,100.
Additionally, the university is beginning this year as a fully accredited member of the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE).
“Everyone is very excited to begin the new school year with such momentum,” said Ave Maria University Chancellor, Thomas S. Monaghan. “Enrollment is very strong, we have a number of distinguished new faculty members on staff, we recently dedicated a fourth dorm and a fifth dorm will soon be under construction.
“This year also brings another first for AMU, as we will be competing in varsity athletics through membership in the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). All of these developments continue to help us as we strive to fulfill our mission of providing a first-class liberal arts education in the Catholic moral and intellectual tradition,” Monaghan said.
In addition to the university’s existing faculty, seven new professors will help AMU provide that quality education. AMU will welcome new faculty members Dr. John Colman, Politics; Dr. John Jaroma, Mathematics; Dr. Thomas Scheck, Classics and Theology; Dr. Michael Waldstein, Theology; Prof. Ladislav Sallai, Chemistry; Prof. Mark McCullough, Literature; and Prof. Joseph Yarbrough, Classics and Early Christian Literature.
Ave Maria University President, Nicholas J. Healy, Jr., noted his enthusiasm about the new professors joining the university.
“The credentials of these new faculty members, and all of our faculty members, is really quite remarkable,” Healy said. “Our number one goal is to provide a quality education that helps our students develop into intellectual and moral leaders in the greater professional community. As we embark on a new school year, our entire faculty is poised and eager to do just this.”
When students are not in the classroom this year, they will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather and cooling off by taking a swim in AMU’s new outdoor swimming pool. The pool and cabana complex will provide a means for relaxation and fun for students, as they enjoy the Florida sun.
However, relaxing swims are just one of the many activities students will be able to participate in this year. Dan Dentino, vice president of student affairs, and his entire staff in the Student Life Office have developed an extensive schedule of activities for students to participate in this year.
“We’ve tried to create a complete program for our students to help broaden their cultural, spiritual, intellectual and moral lives,” Dentino said. “Some of this year’s events include an alumni speaker series, a student retreat program, a number of formal and semi-formal dances, a student-led musical production, job fairs, Christian rock concerts and even a program that gives our students the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with President Healy and share some pizza.”
Classes began on Monday, August 25, and the annual opening Mass was held at noon the same day. The official academic convocation took place on August 29, at 4:30 p.m. Senator Rick Santorum, United States Senator from Pennsylvania (1995-2007) and Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference (2001-2006), delivered the convocation address. †
