Newcomers: Katrice Dickson and Caroline Hummell

meet two of our freshmen, Caroline Hummell and Katrice Dickson....

Katrice from Hagerstown, Md.
My name is Katrice Dickson and I am a freshman at Mount St. Mary’s University. Coach Whit and the rest of the staff recruited me for the women’s basketball team around my junior year in high school. The recruiting process was somewhat stressful, but after visiting the Mount and experiencing the atmosphere here, it made my decision easy. I am from Hagerstown, Maryland, which is only 45 minutes from campus. Being within about 5 hours of home was one of the attributes I was seeking in a college so that I could have my family and friends support me every now and again. Being so close to home was only one of the many things I loved here! Everyone is extremely nice! From my teammates to other students to the professors, you’ll never go a day without being smiled at 10 times at least. When I came on my official visit, I could feel the positive energy.

I’ve been playing basketball since I was around 7 years old. I started playing at the YMCA. I was involved in summer leagues, played in middle school, participated in AAU and played in high school. Basketball has pretty much been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I also have played soccer since I was 4 years old, but basketball has just always been my passion. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead of me on this new journey at Mount St. Mary’s :)

Caroline from Brights Grove, Ontario
     Eh! Hello there! My name is Caroline Hummell, and I am a freshman here at Mount St. Mary’s. I am a forward/center and I am number 32. I’m originally from Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA, and I’m a proud canuck. Ever since I was little, I’ve dreamt of playing basketball in America at the division 1 level. Throughout the recruiting process, The Mount remained at the top of my list. When I was on my official, I fell in love with the school almost instantaneously. The campus is so beautiful and I feel very safe on it. In regards to basketball, I love the way the team plays and the team truly makes me feel like I’m part of a family. That was extremely important to me since I was planning on going far away from home. Being a serious student, I also wanted to go to a school that was well known for their academics. The Mount has a wonderful biopsychology program that caught my eye right away, and their connections with big medical schools (like John Hopkins) is another bonus.

     I’m forever thankful to have been blessed with the amazing opportunity to represent this fantastic school and I can’t wait for big things to come!

Mount Happenings: Opening Mass & Convocation

On Monday, the 2014-15 academic year officially kicked-off at The Mount with our annual Opening Mass & Convocation. The gathering served as a chance for faculty and staff on campus to show support for the students, as they embark upon a new year of challenges and learning.

The day begins as faculty and seniors stroll across campus, entering the Knott Area together.

The ceremony began with a full Mass, during which university chaplain the Rev. Brian P. Nolan encouraged students to represent the university with virtues of faith, hope and love. At Mount St. Mary's, a Catholic university, students of all faiths are welcome, but more than three-fourths of this year's freshmen are Catholic.

TOO CUTE! Teammates (L to R) Stacey, Caroline, Katrice, Kalifa, Jody, Kaitlyn, Kayla, Alexis, Sarafina and Jayla sit together.

 

Following the Mass, university president Thomas Powell led a convocation, welcoming the students to a new academic year and honoring several seniors and juniors who "serve as an example to all of us of the good work our students do."

Our president Dr. Thomas Powell leads the Convocation.

The university then inducted the new student government association, the new seminary students and freshmen. This year's freshman class is the second-largest in school history. The senior class was honored as well, and each student received a senior pin.

The faculty process into the arena.

Mount Move-in Day

More than 500 Mount St. Mary's freshmen converged on the campus last week and unloaded their belongings Friday to begin their first semester as college residents.

Freshmen roommates Katrice (left) and Jess.

The class is the second-largest in the history of the university. This class also sets two Mount admissions records with the largest number of applications (6,200) and highest share of domestic minority students (33 percent) in university history.

Seniors Jackie and Jenn moving-in to their dorm room for the last time!

The freshmen come from 308 high schools and represent 26 states (53 percent from Maryland), plus the District of Columbia. The most popular intended majors are business, biology and education.

ROOMIES! (L to R) Stacey, Caroline and Kalifa pose in their news digs.

On move-in day, students, parents and grandparents were greeted with big smiles by several faculty and rugby team members and Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets who helped carry the students' personal property into their rooms.