»¨½·Ö±²¥

About 235 Freshmen, 65 Transfers Enroll for Fall Semester

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—The »¨½·Ö±²¥ welcomed one of its largest incoming classes with two matriculation ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Sept. 1 in Annunciation Chapel on the university's main campus in Leavenworth, 4100 South 4th Street.

About 235 new freshmen and 65 new transfer students – an incoming class of 300 – participated in the traditional ceremonies. USM hosted two sessions – for only the second time in university history – due to the size of the incoming class. Besides holding multiple ceremonies, USM took several precautions to help protect the health and safety of attendees.

Following a greeting from USM President Sister Diane Steele, students lit candles at the altar and then formed a circle of light around the chapel. The candlelight symbolized the potential of students and the university's mission being carried out into the world.

"This day, our students become Saint Marians," Steele said. "They join a family that is celebrating over 90 years of educating students and stretches over 32 countries across the globe. The »¨½·Ö±²¥ family is a proud family. Proud of the excellent liberal arts education we share and proud of the strong bonds of community and faith that unite us."

USM is one of only a handful of American universities with a formal matriculation ceremony. The higher education tradition dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. USM began holding its version in the 1980s.

The matriculation ceremonies followed the start of fall classes on Aug. 31.

 

The »¨½·Ö±²¥ is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit  for more information.