For the 100 or so students moving into the dorms of Lourdes University on Thursday, the cooler weather helped while they were unpacking their lives into their home away from home for the upcoming academic year.
“I can’t wait to get started studying to be a nurse,” freshman Karlee Maier of Maumee said. “I want to get my bachelor of science in nursing. Meeting new people will also be fun.”
Callie Zake, director of undergraduate admissions and financial aid, said the university had an enrollment of 1,110 for the 2023-24 academic year.
“We have over 150 incoming students this year,” Ms. Zake said. “Classes start Monday, so we don't have a final number yet. Sixty percent of our undergrads are Ohio residents, and the rest are out of state and international students.”
Ashley Benson, vice president for student affairs, said she and the rest of the administrators were excited to see students moving back onto campus.
“It really is an exciting time,” Ms. Benson said. “There is a different energy and excitement around here when the students come back. To have them here and to watch them go after their dreams is just really special.”
Ms. Benson said the incoming freshmen are from California, Texas, the east coast as well as from Michigan, Indiana and all over Ohio.
“For many this opens doors to new opportunities and connections that they may never have had before,” she said. “Lourdes’ strength is in our size. We are small enough that we know our students on a personal level. We can help them navigate the good and the not so good times. We are committed to helping our students.”
Ms. Benson said Lourdes is the legacy of the Sisters of St. Francis. The Franciscan tradition is intimately tied to service.
“On Friday, our students will be in the community working with 24 different social service organizations,” she said. ”It is important that the students give back and to help build that community connection.”
The nuns are also involved with students, Ms. Benson said.
“Students can choose to do art, cook and pray with the sisters,” she explained. “It is like the nuns are the resident grandmas, which is very beneficial.”
Austin Alloy, a freshman from Wilmington, Ohio, will be working toward his bachelor of science in biology degree with a concentration in the prephysician assistant program.
The young man said he came because of the university’s academic reputation.
“I heard about the program here and that it is top notch,” Mr. Alloy said. “I also have a bowling scholarship here, so it is a great match. The people here seem very nice and welcoming.”
Ms. Maier said she was also swayed to become a Gray Wolf because of the academics.
“The Lourdes nursing program is insanely good,” Ms. Maier said. “The graduation rate for the state tests is almost 100 percent. It is the best program I could find.”
Nursing graduates take the NCLEX, a standardized exam by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. For the 2023-24 academic year, Lourdes’ BSN NCLEX pass rate was an impressive 94.59 percent.
Ms. Maier said she was excited to start the nursing program and to meet new people.
“I work at Sunshine Communities as an aide,” she said. “I love my job taking care of people with developmental disabilities. My brother has Down syndrome, so I understand the needs he has. Nursing is a great way to keep doing what I love to do and continue to help people.”
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