Welcome – We’re so glad you’re here!
Welcome to new students, faculty and staff, and welcome back to all returning community members of the University of St. Thomas to the 2008-2009 academic year!
As in previous years, the university will inaugurate the academic year with Welcome Week events to launch the year and get (re)acquainted with friends and colleagues.
This year’s complete UST Welcome Brochure can be found here (pdf file).
This year’s events provide many opportunities for the university community to join together in welcoming our newest community members.
March Through the Arches
9 a.m. – Tuesday, Sept. 2
Welcome the University of St. Thomas' newest students to campus. New first-year students, transfer students and international students will gather on the Summit Avenue side of the arches at 9 a.m. After a welcome from Father Dennis Dease, university president, they will walk through the arches and into Schoenecker Arena for the New Student Convocation. As students walk through the arches, they are applauded by faculty, staff and students. Returning members of the community also are invited to gather at the arches to say “Welcome!”
President’s Convocation
1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2
O’Shaughnessy Educational Center Auditorium
Dease welcomes new faculty and staff and gives his “State of the University” address.
Opening Mass and Reception
11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7
Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas
Dease will be presider and homilist for this Mass. A reception follows on the chapel grounds (rain site: Murray-Herrick Campus Center, second-floor atrium).
Interfaith Blessing for the New School Year and Picnic
11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9
Lower and upper quads, St. Paul campus
Rain site: Schoenecker Arena and Coughlan Field House
Community members of all faiths are invited to meet on the lower quad to ask for blessings on the new school year and to celebrate afterward with a picnic and music on the upper quad.
Interfaith Blessing for the New School Year and Picnic
Noon Thursday, Sept. 11
Terrence Murphy Hall atrium, Minneapolis campus
Minneapolis students, faculty and staff will gather to ask for blessings on the new school year and celebrate with a picnic lunch following.
It is a tradition that university offices close (if possible) on both campuses during the Interfaith Blessing for the New School Year and Picnic so that all faculty, staff and students can attend.
Offices are asked to make arrangements to close and encourage everyone to attend. If you are able to close you are encouraged to post signs on Monday, Sept. 8, and keep them up through the celebration so that visitors will understand your absence.
