The College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE), opened its 109th academic year with nearly 700 new students enrolled in both its Women’s College and School of Graduate and Continuing Studies.

 

The CSE Women’s College is among the first in the Morris County area to begin letting students onto its campus. While some students start class as early as Monday, August 13, for its inaugural doctoral program in Educational Leadership, the rest begin on Monday, August 27.

 

CSE Women’s College Students Make Big Move

 

Nearly 200 first-year Women’s College students turned out at CSE Orientation, held Wednesday – Friday, August 22 – 24, 2007.  This year’s Women’s College class numbers more than 160 and nearly 40 transfer students. Members of the incoming class hail from China, Georgia, Japan, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Africa, Texas, Vietnam, and Virginia.

 

Not even the bad weather on Wednesday could dampen the enthusiasm of new students entering the College. With packages stuffed with their belongings in hand, first year Women’s College students Chelsea Bonetti of Raritan, N.J., and Kristi Giranda of Bridgewater, N.J., were all smiles as they walked up the three flights of stairs that led to their new home-away-from-home in Founders Hall, which recently has been refurbished. 

 

Kristi, a declared Gerontology major, instinctively knew that CSE was the right place for her. “The comfortable and friendly environment was a huge influence on my decision to apply,” she said. “The College is small enough to be flexible, yet large enough to offer a wide variety of choices.”

 

 

 

(l - r) Double the excitement: first year CSE Women’s College twins Nicole and Rebecca Nelson of East Hanover, N.J. check in at Orientation, Wednesday, August 22. (Photo by Courtney Smolen) 

 

Also enrolling this year are twin sisters Nicole and Rebecca Nelson of East Hanover, N.J. Both are transferring to CSE from County College of Morris in Randolph, N.J. While both are declared Education majors at the College, Nicole, whose minor is in Art, is particularly excited about the opening of the College’s new Annunciation Center, a three-story facility dedicated to the arts and humanities.

 

“I was so excited to hear about the opening of the College’s new fine arts center,” exclaims Nicole. “I can’t wait to see what the studios look like and begin crafting my skill as an artist.”

 

First year CSE students will be kept busy with a variety of activities during the three-day orientation event. Some events include students helping assemble 250 “Back to School” kits for K-8 grade students attending St. Rose of Lima in Newark, New Jersey, as part of their community service project. Kits included basic school supplies and a letter from CSE students encouraging kids to stay in school.

 

 Incoming first year Women’s College students participate in an ice-breaking excercise at CSE Orientation, Wednesday, August 22. (Photo by Courtney Smolen)

 

Other activities consisted of meeting Sister Francis Raftery, president of CSE, and the student life staff; sailing on the “Spirit of New Jersey” boat cruise; ice-breakers, and attending several seminars about life at the College.

 

School Breaks Record Enrollment for Fall 2007

 

Once again, the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies (School) at CSE expects to start the 2007-08 academic year with record-breaking enrollment.

 

“As the School begins its seventh year, its faculty and staff continues to ensure that the changing needs and goals of adult students in the 21st century are met,” said Michael Szarek, director of Enrollment Management for the School.

 

The School welcomed approximately 500 adult students, including students enrolled in the CSE new doctoral program in Educational Leadership, and two master programs – M.S. in Nursing and a M.A. in Forensic Psychology and Counseling. The new students from the Graduate, Continuing Studies, and Center for Theological and Spiritual Development will be taking more than 8,000 credits this fall. Overall, the School has approximately 1,400 adult students enrolled for the fall 2007 semester.