Under the Arch     August 8, 2005     Volume VI, Number 39

 

LARGEST FRESHMAN CLASS IN SEVEN YEARS TO ATTEND CONVOCATION 

        Gannon University will welcome its largest freshman class in seven years when the school holds its 18th annual Welcome Mass and Convocation on Sunday, Aug. 21.

As of Aug. 8, the incoming class numbered 640 new freshmen, which is more than eight percent ahead of the goal of 590 set by the Office of Admissions. The students represent Gannon’s largest number of incoming freshmen since the fall 1998 semester (611).

Convocation traditionally is held the Sunday before the start of fall semester classes. Classes begin Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Convocation is an academic ceremony designed to help new students and their families make a long and lasting connection with Gannon University. William Eilola, dean of enrollment, and the Office of Admissions, which recruited the new students, will formally turn them over to the school’s faculty, staff, and administrators.

The ceremony is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Hammermill Center, Peach Street and South Park Row. It will be preceded by an optional mass at 2:15 p.m. in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, 512 Peach Street.

The day’s events will conclude with a reception.

New students also will participate in Preview GU from Aug. 21-23. Preview GU is a series of activities also designed to help students become acclimated to campus. Activities include a workshop on information technology, an Honors Program orientation, a Clubs and Organizations fair, and the annual freshman class photo.

 

 

OUR FOLKS

Please remember all in your prayers as regretfully we announce the deaths of:

  • Stephen J. Palagyi, father of Virginia Arp, Director of the Gannon Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

 

OUR EVENTS

  • Friday-Saturday, August 12-13 – Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra: The orchestra will perform its 22nd annual Music in the Air Summer Concert Series. The concerts will begin at 8 p.m. on the patio at Villa Maria Academy, 2405 West Eighth Street. For more information call ext. 7755 or 5467.

  • Sunday, August 21 – Welcome Mass and Convocation: The 18th annual ceremony is designed to welcome to campus new students and their families. The mass will be held at 2:15 p.m. in the Chapel and the Convocation at 3:30 p.m. in Hammermill Center.

  • Tuesday, August 23 – Freshman Class Photo/Pep Rally: Scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Gannon University Field. Following the photo, a Spirit Rally will be held to introduce the fall sports teams and coaches.

  • Friday, August 26 – Gannon Faculty and Staff Community Meeting: Scheduled for 3 p.m. in the Yehl Room. Meeting agenda will be forthcoming.

  • “Our Events” is intended to serve as a random sample of campus events. For a more complete listing, refer to Eventcal.

 

THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE

Friday, August 12 – Executive Committee Meeting, Gannon University Board of Trustees. Monday, August 15 – Breakfast with Gannon resident assistants. Thursday, August 18 – 2005 Saint Vincent Roundtable Discussions; Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting. Friday, August 19 – New Faculty Mentoring Program Workshop. Sunday, August 21 – move-in day; Welcome Mass; New Student Convocation.

 

 

CURRENT BIRTHDAYS

Joshua Jacobsen. Michele Potter. Joanne Bucceri. Bridget Hammar. Ivelisse Torres. Catherine Marsters. Sarah Stager. Mary Beth Danowski. Gery Nietupski. Maxine Blakeslee. Larry Kessler. Beverly Pochatko. Pamela Vogt. Marianne Fisher. Catherine Carlson. Richard Mentz. Cindy Benovic. Cheryl McCafferty. Tony Martin. Doug King. Gail Tatalone. Anju Jolly. Jan Friedman. Ben Pettinato. Michael Bova. Ronald Swift. Mehmet Cultu. Lori Bly. Diane Madara. Carolan Bailey. Jodie Dacus. Sally McLaughlin. David Barker. Peter Genco. Sister E. Claire Hudert. Melinda Holliday. Kathleen Olson. Colleen Connolly. Jason Willow. Leigh Sturm. Mark Allen. Suzanne Kitts. Lisa Lindquist. John Cybulski Jr. Donald Lee. Lynda Benak. Elaine Harrison. Steve Moore. MaryAnne Kozak. Michael DeSanctis. Michele Roth-Kauffman. Kimberly Hajec.

 

 

HEARD ON CAMPUS

  • Special thanks to Gannon colleagues for their continued assistance with media interview requests. Ali Schneider, director of the Health Services Office, and John DeAngelo, head sports trainer, did an interview with David Bruce of the Erie Times-News on MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a bacteria.

  • Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the next Gannon Faculty and Staff Community Meeting, to be held at 3 p.m. in the Yehl Room on Friday, Aug. 26.

  • Gannon President Antoine M. Garibaldi has received an early renewal of his contract that extends him in his position as Gannon president through May 2009, according to Erie Bishop Donald W. Trautman, Chairperson of Gannon’s Board of Trustees. “Dr. Garibaldi’s original five-year contract would have taken him through May 2006, but in 2004, based on his first three years of exceptional leadership and sustained superior performance, the Board voted on a five-year early renewal covering the period May 2004-May 2009,” Bishop Trautman said. Garibaldi’s tenure to date has been marked by growth and progress in all key areas, including improved quality of academic programs, increased undergraduate and graduate enrollment, sound fiscal management and fundraising, enhanced educational technologies, campus upgrades to improve student quality of life, and extensive community and regional involvement. Gannon also has moved up several places into Tier One status in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges 2005.” Additionally, Garibaldi was instrumental in securing Gannon’s largest grant ever in the fall of 2004 – $1.8 million from the U.S. Department of Education.