Notre Dame College once again is welcoming its more than 300 new students with a series of academic and social experiences to aid in their transition to higher education.
This year, the College also is greeting first-year students and transfers with personalized notes from 60 faculty and staff during Notre Dame’s official Welcome Week 2019 from Thursday, August 22, to Sunday, August 25. The handwritten messages, coordinated by the Notre Dame Mission and Campus Ministry offices, will connect with each student by their individual interests and provide an immediate mentoring contact.
Notre Dame has experienced overall gains in its fall to spring semester retention rates for first-year students who participate in the Welcome Week introduction to the hallmark personal touch and values-based curriculum at the College.
The College’s formal reception for first-year, traditional-aged, on-campus undergraduates and transfer students in 2019 starts on Thursday, August 22, with an orientation session at 8:15 a.m. in the Administration Building. Notre Dame’s customary Academic Opening Convocation ceremony is at 5 p.m. in Regina Auditorium, followed by an all-campus picnic from 6-8 p.m. on the College Commons. An information session for commuter students and residence hall move-in take place between orientation and convocation. Parents and families, as well as College faculty and staff, are invited to all events.
The first day of fall semester on-campus and online term I classes for the 2019-2020 academic year is Monday, August 26.
In addition to Academic Opening Convocation, the traditional ceremony considered the official beginning of students’ academic careers at the College, highlights of Notre Dame’s new student experience this year include a Cleveland Indians game against the Kansas City Royals Friday, August 23, at 7 p.m. in Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, a Notre Dame Falcon Activities Board fun event featuring color powder battles Saturday, August 24, at 7 p.m. on the College Commons and a Falcon Fest picnic from 2-5 p.m. on the residence hall quad.
Welcome Week 2019 also features student success and academic curriculum sessions on Friday, a service project and student organization involvement fair on Saturday and affinity group meetings on Sunday.
The new student experience for the Class of 2023 concludes with Sunday evening Mass at 8 p.m. in Regina Chapel.
Based in higher education best practices, Notre Dame’s Welcome Week experience engages undergraduates in the academic and social culture of the College immediately upon their arrival to campus to aid in the transition, persistence and completion of new undergraduates. Research indicates the first three weeks of a first-year student’s experience are the most critical in their transition and success.
July 2019
About Notre Dame College
For almost a century, Notre Dame College has educated a diverse population in the liberal arts for personal, professional and global responsibility. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the College has grown strategically to keep pace with the rapidly changing needs of students and the dramatic changes in higher education. But it has never lost sight of its emphasis on teaching students not only how to make a good living but also how to live a good life.
Today, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. Notre Dame College offers NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic programs for men and women and is located in a picturesque residential neighborhood just 25 minutes from the heart of Cleveland. Hallmarks of the Notre Dame experience include stimulating academics, personalized attention of dedicated faculty and staff, and small class sizes.
Notre Dame College is located at 4545 College Road in South Euclid. For further information contact Brian Johnston, chief communications officer, at 216.373.5252 or bjohnston@ndc.edu.