Just like that, Waynesburg University’s 2025-2026 academic year is underway.

“I really love the buzz on campus at the beginning of the semester,” Douglas G. Lee, President of Waynesburg University, said. “I’m noticing it even more this year.”

Lee spoke on some of the changes that occurred on campus over the summer, as well as some upcoming plans. 

“We’ve added air conditioning and done renovations to Burns Hall. We’ve also remodeled the inside of East Hall and the first floor of Hanna Hall,” Lee said. “We’re building a parking lot up in that direction in preparation for the three-story dorm that will be in the place of Ray Hall, which will probably be happening at the beginning of next year.”

The Benedum Dining Hall was also renovated over the summer. Students themselves played a role in the updates.  

“We interviewed the students and shared concepts, so this is sort of the product of that collegiality,” Lee said about the changes. 

Lee also offered some advice to the student body.

“Never give up,” Lee said. “You can change your plans, but keep moving forward. You live a life of achievement and satisfaction.”

New students moved into their residence halls on Thursday, Aug. 21, followed by a multitude of events during “Welcome Days,” such as Matriculation, a Waynesburg tradition welcoming students to campus, and a day of service where new students served at various locations, according to a press release from the Waynesburg University website. Returning students moved in on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23-24. 

Pat Bristor, the associate dean of students and director of student engagement, shared some events that the Student Activities Board has planned for this school year.

“We’re going to do a laser tag arena in the gym at the end of September,” Bristor said. “We’re looking at doing block parties and bringing in performers as well.”

Bristor is most looking forward to the ideas of new students.

“We’re most excited to pick the brains of the new students to come up with ideas to meet the needs of the students,” Bristor said. “With 76 percent of the incoming class being athletes, we’re looking at what we can do to meet the needs of athletes.”

SAB installed an evaluation for student attendees of each event last year, which will remain this year as a way of receiving feedback.

The Pathways Center, now located on the ground floor of Eberly Library, underwent significant changes last semester. Sarah Bell, the director of the Pathways Center, elaborated on those. 

“The Pathways Center started existing in 2019. The people on this team have worked without a centralized location for years,” Bell said. “We are incredibly grateful and love the space.”

This will be the Pathways Center’s first full academic year at fully operational status. 

“We moved a week prior to last spring semester starting and it was a little chaotic,” Bell said. “But, we all did manage to get moved into our offices prior to the semester starting and finished putting on the final touches during the spring semester.”

Bell also confirmed that the Pathways Center will be hosting the Criminal Justice Job & Internship Fair again. 

“We have a great partnership with that academic department,” Bell said. “It’s a super well-attended event.”

The fall 2025 semester will conclude after finals week on Friday, Dec. 12.