Welcome to York University

WELCOME TO YORK UNIVERSITY A NEW NAME, A NEW LOOK, CAMPUS VIEW

SAME MISSION, STRONG HERITAGE

Eight new reasons to celebrate York University: (l-r) Walace Onditi – Arlington, TX, Alani Giron – Port Richey, FL, Samantha Cook – Plattsmouth, NE, Wagner Simoes – Limoeiro, Brazil, Abigail Zaiger – Exira, IA, Andrew Bennett – Hawthorne, NJ, Alexis Gibbons – Omaha, NE, Tyrik King – Liberal, KS

There is an undeniable charge of excitement in the air. Major renovation projects have wrapped up, new banners and signs dot the campus landscape, faculty, staff, and administration have settled into new offices, athletic teams are sporting a new design, and best of all… students are excited to be enrolled in a university! While it is difficult to compete with the enthusiasm and anticipation of the opening days of college life and what they offer students as they step on campus and move into their residence halls, there was definitely something different about this year. New beginnings, new friends, new schedules, new home, a new name! Welcome to York University!

For those who have years, decades connected to this campus, transitioning to University isn’t a “flip-the-switch” type of mindset. But to the typical arriving freshman or transfer student, who doesn’t have family history with this place, it has always been YU… even typing the letters YU still seems a bit awkward. I don’t think I’m alone in wanting this excitement to continue and to never dissipate. It's fresh, fun and sets the entire academic year on its ear and makes you wonder, “What’s next?”

For the time being, we’re just taking one day at a time, making the most of each new chapter from move-in day and new student orientation to senior capstone projects and graduation. The first day of the academic year included an 8 am class in the reenvisioned Hulitt Hall, opening chapel—now known as “The Well,” and the lifelong friendships that are in their infancy. They are all being written on a clean slate of University firsts and will be historical in their own right. Each student has their own lens through which they are viewing their York experience. The entire faculty are individually and prayerfully embracing their roles in transforming lives. Administration and members of the staff are busy juggling schedules to make room for important conversations.

Thanks to our rich heritage, loyal supporters, and a faithful, loving God, the York University tapestry is in good hands. And although the reveal is impossible to foresee, it will include threads of each and every person who has touched and is being touched by this anointed place. n

photos by Eryn Conyers and Steddon Sikes

YU CONTINUES STRONG ENROLLMENT

by Tim Bruner

"EVERY STUDENT THAT ARRIVES ON THE YU CAMPUS GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH GOD TRANSFORM HIS OR HER LIFE THROUGH A CHRIST-CENTERED MISSION." — PRESIDENT SAM SMITH

t (Top) Felipe

Venegas, senior from Santiago, Chile, greets new students on the way to their first class.

(Middle Left) YU freshmen Anna

Heldt, Malia Alvarez,

and Leila Reyes pose for a First-Day photo outside McGehee Hall.

(Middle Right)

Associate professor of psychology Jeff Hill teaches the first class in newly renovated Hulitt Hall.

(Bottom) There's nothing like a hometown parade to show pride in your University.

u At the opening Block

Party, Darby Wright,

Kenna Tarnowski,

Bruce Johnson, and

Graham Marks can't wait to begin the year. York University's fall enrollment reflects the third highest student count in school history with 600 students registered and taking classes. This year's student body count is approximately 100 more than the enrollment of four years ago.

The university's residential, undergraduate student count in the low 400s is fairly flat from previous years, but the number of incoming new students is up by 10 percent, portending growth for future years. The overall shift in student count is due in part to fewer graduate-level students with a record number of degrees awarded in the preceding semester, 220, by far a record for its history with the previous high at 136. "I'm very excited about the new and returning students we have at York University this year," President Sam Smith said after the numbers were shared. "Our recruiters, faculty, coaches and staff spent the past year inviting students to join us as the first class at York University. These students accepted that invitation, and I can tell already that they are here to make a difference."

While operating in one of the most difficult economic climates higher education has ever faced there are several notable positive indicators aside from this year’s increase of new incoming freshmen. The persistence rate for first-year students—referring to the student retention rate for the freshman class of last year—is up 2 percent higher than the rolling average of the previous five years. Another notable statistic references the number of students enrolling in STEM-related major fields of study, which are science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Those fields of study typically include students who plan to extend their studies to masters and doctoral levels. The number of York students currently enrolled for courses of study in STEM-related majors is an impressive 33 percent higher than the previous five-year rolling average. "Every student that arrives on the YU campus gives us an opportunity to watch God transform his or her life through a Christ-centered mission," President Smith added. "We are blessed in getting to witness these miracles on earth as student lives are blessed and transformed, both in person and online, with dual enrollment high school students, residential undergraduates and graduate students. We as a staff and faculty are humbled by the honor we share in watching firsthand changes in the spirits of these amazing students. We could not be more blessed." n