Students Return to a Full Slate of Welcome Week Activities

The University of the Incarnate Word is buzzing with activity as the 2024-25 academic year is now fully underway. It all started when the University welcomed 1,125 students to resident housing on the Broadway campus last week. Family, friends and volunteers were on hand as students got settled into their new home for the school year in one of the twelve UIW residence halls. The UIW Alumni Association even held a cookout complete with sausage wraps and snow cones to make both new and returning Cardinals feel welcome.

"This is my favorite time of year," says Dr. Thomas M. Evans, UIW president. "Cardinals are back in the Nest and embarking on new journeys. Our undergraduate and graduate students have filled our Broadway campus and our health professions students, many of whom have been back for weeks, are hard at work in their programs. We are also working hard to make sure that they all feel welcome and embraced by our community. Ultimately, we want students to feel like UIW is a second home where they are fully supported. The energy on all of our campuses is contagious!"

On Sunday, Aug. 25, UIW's annual Welcome Mass was hosted in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word. The newest generation of Cardinals and their loved ones joined in the University's tradition of prayerfully invoking the aid of the Holy Spirit on their efforts as they begin the new academic year.

"Prayer prepares us to receive the action of the Spirit. Prayer gives means to Mission and a meaningful Mission fosters prayer. At every new beginning, we ask God to bless us, empower us to be faithful to listening to the Word and making the Word visible and tangible in the world," explained Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI, vice president for Mission and Ministry.

The University also held its 20th Annual Pinning Ceremony on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 22 in the McDermott Convocation Center. This event is a special opportunity for first-year students and their families to celebrate their arrival at UIW. During the ceremony, each student received a gold University lapel pin to symbolize their commitment to academic excellence and connection to the UIW family. Approximately 400 incoming students took part in the ceremony as a crowd of almost 1,000 looked on.

"The Pinning Ceremony is a wonderful tradition as it symbolizes the beginning of a journey for our first-year students," says Eric Booth, dean of Campus Life. "This was the 20th year we have held the Pinning Ceremony on campus, and it serves, for many students, as one of the most memorable traditions they participate in. We love that everyone's family and friends get to attend and share the moment with their Cardinal. I am very grateful to the Campus Engagement team who continue to make this event possible."

Other campus events that were hosted throughout the week included Red the Cardinal's Fruteria, a Greek Life and Club Sports Luau, the First Year Engagement BBQ, a Student Organization Fair, a Build-A-Cardinal plushie making event and more!

Welcome week will culminate with the first football game of the season as the UIW Cardinals take on Northern Colorado at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium on the UIW Broadway campus.