Open House Greets New Class of 2016 Perspective Students

Amanda Pellegrino, Tower Staff
November 18, 2011
Filed under News

The Catholic University welcomed perspective students and their families on Sunday for the second Open House of the semester. About 262 families attended the campus festivities, a typical number for the November Open House.

The event began with an optional mass at the Basilica on Sunday morning. After being greeted by Christine Mica, Dean of University Admissions during the Opening Session, students were able to hear about a well-rounded life at the university. Father Jude DeAngelo, Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry, talked about campus life and campus ministry. Todd Lidh, Clinical Assistant Professor of English and Coordinator of the First Year Experience, informed those attending about the First Year Experience, leaving many perspective students yearning to take one of his classes. Dan Esseg, Lead Cardinal Ambassador, told the students about his experience at the university, and Amanda Good, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, spoke about the admission process.

 Students and their parents were then invited to join their peers who were interested in the same field of study at academic sessions for various schools in the university, including Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Music, Nursing, Philosophy and Social Work.

Arts and Sciences, the largest undergraduate school at the university, was also the most popular academic session. After listening to Lawrence R. Poos, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences speak, attendees were divided into different academic areas such as Education, Economics, Psychology, Media Studies, Politics, and Business, where representatives spoke about their departments to those interested.

Throughout the day, Cardinal Ambassadors led high school students and their families on tours around campus, showing off Mullen Library, the Edward J. Pryzbyla Center and Camalier Hall, where the residence hall “showroom” is located.

“We did hear from several families that they really loved their visit and were impressed by how nice and helpful everyone was on campus,” Mica said.

Not only did high school seniors who had already applied to CUA attend Sunday’s events, but there were also a fair number of seniors who had not yet applied and juniors who were just starting their college searches. Compared to this Open House, admissions is expecting a much higher attendance list for the next Open House on Sunday, January 22 because of application deadlines.

The Open House is “such a great way to meet the future students and families of CUA,” said Mica, “and this past Sunday’s event was no exception. It was a success.”