Welcome Back!

An email message sent to the campus community on August 26, 2024:

Dear Assumption Community,

Welcome to the beginning of a new academic year—a year in which, together, we’ll pursue truth in the company of friends. That endeavor is the heart of our mission of Catholic liberal education. It occurs in the classroom, in faculty offices, in late-night conversations in the residence halls, over meals, and on the field, court, ice, and many other places. I hope it will be a year of joy, challenge, and meaning for all of you. 

As we begin this year, Assumption is proud to welcome the most ethnically and racially diverse class in our history. More than 20% of incoming students identify as Hispanic or Latino and more than 13% identify as Black or African American. They hail from 14 states as well as the countries of Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, the Netherlands, and Sweden. And these new students bring outstanding academic credentials, boasting an average GPA over 3.5. In fact, more than 20% of the class earned a high school GPA over 4.0. This class will enhance our community in countless ways. Welcome to our newest Greyhounds. With that welcome comes a renewed responsibility to ensure every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. 

This summer marked the formation of implementation teams for each vision of Thrive, our ten-year strategic plan. These teams are dedicated to turning our collective vision into reality, and they will begin their work in earnest this September. The initiatives they will drive forward are designed to ensure that Assumption continues to grow and thrive as a beacon of Catholic liberal education. 

A key vision in Thrive is the development of distinctive new programs. We have a start on that as we begin this year with new programs in place and on the horizon. We welcomed our first cohort of students into the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing in June. We are starting to recruit students for a new Accelerated Cyber Security program, which will launch in 2025. And we will hear from ARC-PA in October about our Physician Assistant program’s provisional accreditation application. Earlier this month we formalized a partnership with WPI to launch accelerated master’s programs, which will begin this year with an innovative program in neuroscience. 

Over the summer, we took significant steps to enhance the experience on campus. In response to community feedback, we have completely overhauled Taylor Dining Hall. With our new partnership with Aramark, we are excited to offer a wider variety of dining options, more unique meal choices, and flexible meal plans. Your feedback was instrumental in driving these improvements, and we look forward to hearing your continued input on the campus experience. 

As we embark on the new academic year, I am filled with optimism for what we will achieve together. I encourage each of you to fully engage in the Assumption experience—embrace the opportunities ahead, challenge yourself, and challenge the University. Remember, we are here to learn from one another, to challenge one another, and to pursue truth in the company of friends. This is the essence of an Assumption education, and it is what makes our community truly unique. 

Thank you for your commitment to our shared mission of Catholic liberal education. Together, we will make this year one of our best yet. 

Sincerely,

Greg Weiner, Ph.D.
President