CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (Aug. 30, 2023) —Thomas More University welcomed new and returning Saints with an official convocation ceremony the morning of Aug. 30, 2023. The incoming class of 403 students marks a four percent increase over last year and is the second largest first-year class in five years. The new Saints represent 18 states and nine countries in addition to the U.S., as residential numbers continue to climb with 472 students living on campus, a new record.

The 2023 incoming class is also notable for its academic achievement. The class holds an average GPA of 3.625 keeping pace with last year’s students. One National Merit Finalist is among the group, as the Monsignor Cleves University Honors Program welcomes 30 new students to its ranks. Holding strong as the region’s premier Catholic University, the University registered 41 students from the Diocese of Covington and 39 from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, accounting for 20.4% of incoming students.

Thomas More’s academic convocation celebrated the start of the new academic year as classes were paused for faculty, staff, and students to come together and pray for success in learning and personal growth. “As world events continue to evolve and influence our lives, it serves as a reminder of why a Catholic Liberal Arts Education is so important,” said Thomas More University President Joseph L. Chillo, LP.D., to the incoming class. “The ability to think critically, to be effective communicators, to be ethical and servant leaders, and to have a positive impact upon others and your communities is so needed today, and it will be needed well beyond your years here at Thomas More.”

The convocation keynote was presented by Laura Koehl ’80, Ed.D., executive director of SND National Sponsorship and Network Office (NSNO). Koehl serves on the Thomas More University Board of Trustees. “Thomas More is a mission driving University, from the decision making of the board and University leadership, to the ongoing professional dedication of each and every faculty member,” said Koehl to the student body. “Each of you are called to embrace this mission as well…one grounded in a rich intellectual tradition and committed to academic excellence. The Catholic intellectual tradition honors and celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.”

A draw for potential students is seen in the on-going physical changes on campus and the many new initiatives supporting student success that have taken place since the launch of the 2021-26 Strategic Plan – Lighting the Way, and the corresponding Second Century Campaign – It’s time for More. The University’s newest academic building stands tall with a projected completion date of Spring 2024. Thomas More also launched several new academic programs and a new core curriculum, the Second Century Core. The overall wellbeing of Thomas More students remains a focus as the University launched Saints Essentials for academic year 2023-2024. Saints Essentials is a health and wellness initiative that covers a multitude of benefits to meet students’ social, academic, spiritual, and physical needs all within the price of tuition. The University’s athletic programs have also seen change, now competing as year two provisional members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II after four years in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

For more information about Thomas More University, visit www.thomasmore.edu.

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About Thomas More University

For 100 years, Thomas More has created a university for the student who wants to Be More, Do More, Seek More, Win More, Achieve More, and Create More. Since its founding in 1921, Thomas More has provided a mission-driven, liberal arts education that is based in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Students learn to harness the power of human reason to solve problems and discover truth, which allows them to begin the journey to become the person they were created to be. Entering into the second century, it’s time for More. Serving more than 2,000 students, Thomas More aspires to be the premier Catholic university in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, build upon its excellent return on investment (ranked #1 among private universities/colleges in Kentucky by MSN Money in 2021 and ranked #2 for long term gain in Kentucky by a 2022 Georgetown University study) and share with this generation the transformative power of the Thomas More experience. To find out more, visit thomasmore.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lyna Kelley, director of communications and PR, [email protected], 859.344.3309