Undergraduate Admissions

Sunday, Aug. 23 – More than 720 new Gannon students officially began college life today when the University hosted its annual Welcome Mass and Convocation.

Convocation is an academic ceremony designed to officially welcome the new students. The students also were reassured they will be well taken care of during their years at Gannon.

As part of the ceremony, held in the Hammermill Center, Gannon faculty and staff presented to the new students pins with the seal and motto of Gannon University.

“The pin and the pledge are reminders that you are now official members of this caring Gannon University community,” Gannon University President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., said to the students. “They are also reminders that we will do everything possible to help you excel in your class work and to help develop you personally, spiritually, intellectually, and socially.

“We are very confident that in a few years you will follow in the footsteps of many of our more than 31,500 successful Gannon and Villa Maria College alumni as you prepare to become future leaders in your chosen fields of study, in your communities, in your churches, and in the world.”

During the ceremony, Dr. Garibaldi noted that spirituality is a common thread among the new students:

• Nearly one-fifth hope to deepen their faith or spiritual life at Gannon.

• Many are members, or their families are members, of a church or a parish (nearly 72 percent as indicated by the students).

• Nearly two-thirds of the students, 64.5 percent, said they attended church services while in high school. Dr. Garibaldi encouraged the students to continue to attending religious services at Gannon and/or at one of the many churches near campus.

• More than one-third of the students (34.3 percent) said they were involved with campus ministry, a youth group or other church group while in high school.

Gannon University appealed to the new students for a number of reasons, Dr. Garibaldi noted:

• Almost one-third (32.4 percent) said that they chose Gannon because of the University’s strong liberal arts curriculum.

• Almost one-half (47.1 percent) said they chose Gannon because of the variety of leadership opportunities the University offers.

• Approximately three-fourths (74.3 percent) said they plan to be involved in community service.

“Clearly you are going to be an exciting class, and I have no doubt that you will be very involved at Gannon – in the classroom, in extracurricular activities, and in community service,” Dr. Garibaldi said.

Other interesting information about the Gannon University Class of 2013:

• The class includes 26 valedictorians and 11 salutatorians.

• 158 students, or 24 percent, were members of the National Honor Society.

• 52 students, with an average SAT score of 1,210, will be members of the Gannon University Honors Program.

• The students hail from 18 states, the Virgin Islands and nine countries. The 18 states are: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the Virgin Islands. Our international first-year students come from Canada; Cameroon; India; Japan; Nigeria; the Peoples Republic of China; Saudi Arabia; South Africa; and the United Kingdom.

• This year’s 84 transfer students hail from eight states – California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. The international transfer students come from eight countries: Canada; England; India; Nepal; the Peoples Republic of China; Saudi Arabia; South Korea; and Turkey.

• More than 100 students will participate in one of Gannon’s 18 NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic teams.