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Dateline: 8/24/2007

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY NEWS RELEASE
Dale Goodwin, Director
Peter Tormey, Associate Director

GU Welcomes Largest Freshman Class Ever

Gonzaga University freshmen will bid adieu to their parents this weekend, move into their new homes in the residence halls and become a part of Gonzaga history as members of the university’s largest freshman class ever, and the first to top 1,000.

The Class of 2011 is expected to top 1,000 students.
Gonzaga's freshman class is expected to top 1,000 students for the first time.
Classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 28 at Gonzaga where the 1,000-and-some freshmen will be joined by approximately 200 transfer students and more than 3,000returning students to account for what is expected to be a record total undergraduate enrollment of 4 ,300(approximate) students. The previous record freshman class of 986 students enrolled in fall 2005. University officials will not know the precise number of freshmen — or the total undergraduate figure — until Monday, Sept. 10, the 10 th day of school.

Returning students will welcome freshmen and transfers with a flurry of activities in Orientation 2007, which begins today (Aug. 24) as students move in. After dinner (Friday) will be activity night (8-10 p.m.), before the Fred Meyer store at 400 S. Thor St. opens its doors exclusively to GU students, faculty, staff and families (11 p.m.-1 a.m.).

Saturday highlights include a continental breakfast social (8-11 a.m.), and a students-only all-campus dinner on the Foley Field (5-7 p.m.) while parents attend a social in the McCarthey Athletic Center (6:30-8 p.m.). Crowning the night will be Gonzaga’s traditional students-only Welcome Night Party (8 p.m.-midnight).

Sunday’s schedule includes the President’s Reception Breakfast (10 a.m.-noon), and a welcome Mass (1 p.m.). Students and parents will say goodbye (2-3 p.m.) before students take a Lake Coeur d’Alene boat cruise (6-11 p.m.). Those not cruising may take in one of two showings (7 & 9:30 p.m.) of the students’ comedy improv show “GUTS” (Gonzaga University Theatre Sports). Also Sunday, returning students will move in to their campus residences, including 220 juniors, seniors and graduate students in the new Kennedy Apartments at Boone Avenue and Pearl Street. The original complex burned down March 13, 2006. Fire investigators determined the fire had been intentionally set; the case remains unsolved. Already, phase II of the Kennedy project is under way at Boone and Ruby. Phase II, to be completed in August 2008, will house 195 students.

Monday brings the Academic Convocation (9:30 a.m.), freshmen class picture (5 p.m.), a comedy sketch and outdoor movie (10 p.m.-midnight). For more information, contact student activities at (509) 323-6123. For enrollment questions, contact GU Public Relations Director Dale Goodwin at (509) 323-6133.