College life for the University of Dallas' freshman class of nearly 380 students officially began today as new students moved into on-campus housing. The Class of 2022 is one of the university’s largest entering classes in its more than 60-year history.

More than 100 volunteers arrived on campus this morning, including UD alumnus and National Alumni Board member Danny Milligan, BA ’91, whose wife (Kathy, BA ’91) is also an alumna, along with more than 65 student orientation leaders who were on hand to help unload vehicles and move boxes. “As of now I have moved 16 fridges, and the record I hear is 19,” said orientation leader Joe Griesbauer, BA ’19.  

“The first day on campus is all about making sure students feel at home. We want them to feel they truly belong here at UD,” said Executive Director of Student Affairs Seth Oldham. “Faculty and staff from all over the university have supported our new students and their families today. To have a smiling face that might also be a classmate, a professor, or someone who can help you find a job when you graduate can make a fun and busy day into a great day.”

“Our theme for UD’s freshman orientation this year is thrive,” added Oldham. “We hope by our support and outpouring of love for each student, our newest Crusaders will come to thrive in our city on the hill. We want our students to learn to strive through difficulty, so they can thrive on campus, in clubs, in ministry and in the classroom — no matter who they are or where they’re from.”

Members of the Class of 2022 hail from 38 states, 232 cities and 6 countries, with 44 percent of freshmen from outside of Texas. Eighty percent of students identify as Catholic; the class as a whole boasts an average SAT score of 1233. There are 13 students named Mary or Maria, 9 named John and 5 named Thomas.

“None of this could have happened without our orientation leaders, resident assistants and Campus Activities Board [CAB] leaders, not to mention our volunteers — including alumni, trustees, faculty and staff,” said Oldham. “Their energy level is infectious, and they’re some of the best UD has to offer. When meeting these orientation leaders, new students automatically have new friends who can help them navigate their UD journey.”

Undergraduate classes for the 2018-19 school year start on Wednesday, Aug. 22.