CAmpus nEws Assumption’s rome campus, villino Dufault, is at full capacity this semester.
The following is an abbreviated version of President Francesco Cesareo’s remarks to faculty and staff at the Fall Convocation.
Holding strong to who we are “We begin a new academic year from a position of strength, one that will allow for the continued growth and advancement of Assumption College. Again, The Princeton Review has recognized Assumption as one of the “Best 380 Colleges” in the nation. U.S. News & World Report recognized Assumption as one of the “Best Regional Universities.” We are known as a robust institution of faith and learning, and we are celebrated for it. The size and accomplishments of our first-year class mirrors the strong figures of the Class of 2018, our financial balance sheet remains strong; and, in this second year of implementation of the strategic plan, the College community is developing innovative plans to favorably position Assumption in this highly competitive marketplace. New academic programs have been offered for students and excitement is building on campus as we move forward with plans to construct a new, state-of-the-art learning center. But it is not enough to merely focus our gaze inward; our mission and responsibility to the world demands as such. Questions of values and character, as well as the increasing threats to religious freedom and the intolerance toward individuals and institutions that defend deeply held religious convictions that do not accept current social trends swirl in the national discourse and affect all of our lives, reinforcing the importance of a Catholic and Assumptionist education in today’s world. Amidst these challenges, Assumption College holds strong to its beliefs, to its tradition, to its values—and we reaffirm our commitment to the vision of Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon. We will continue to embrace a world view that marries both faith and reason, an ethos defined by
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Assumption College Magazine
Fall 2015
truth, logic, compassion and love. We will continue to enlighten and inspire the young men and women who will become the future leaders of the world and in doing so, lead us all to a better place. We will continue to “Light the way.” In the past year, Assumption’s faculty produced 122 publications including 66 journal articles, 13 books, 19 book reviews, 22 essays and book chapters and two online articles. These are impressive numbers for a school of our size—but it is no surprise to those of us who know how diligent and dedicated our faculty truly are. They continue to excel in guiding students on their academic journey as they seek to identify their gifts and talents, and discover their passion, both here in Worcester and 4,000 miles away at our Rome campus. In spring 2013, when the College opened its Rome campus, we welcomed seven students to the inaugural class. Now Villino Dufault is at full capacity this semester with students taking advantage of this unique program—a program that offers a singular, life-changing experience. Back in Worcester, a number of new academic offerings have been, or are being, developed in the areas of behavior analysis, Autism research, actuarial science and school counseling. Not only will these programs provide students with strong employment opportunities, but they also enable our students to use their gifts to make a difference in the lives of others. Last year, Assumption reported the highest number of first-year applications on record with 4,768; the final number of freshmen is 570. Equally important, the first-year class has the highest grade point average on record with 3.47 and the second highest SAT scores at 1,119.