The last freshman class of the first 100 years

The freshman class of 2011 posed for a group photo on Move-In Weekend.

As the fall semester opened this year, I welcomed 373 new freshmen to campus at our opening convocation. They were special, I said, because they are the last freshman class of our first 100 years. Of course, that also means that the seniors this year will be the last graduating class before our Centennial, and that makes them special, too.

The students in our entering class represent a 7.5 percent increase from last year, and contribute to a total enrollment of 1,372. This positive trend is a welcome affirmation that Saint Mary's University is relevant and attractive, and that the undergraduate program is in strong shape heading into our second century. Please read on for more good news.