After 113 days between commencement and the first day of classes, Waynesburg University’s academic year began on Monday, Aug. 24. 

A day earlier, the class of 2030 participated in Matriculation, a tradition to celebrate and welcome new students to campus. Prior to that, new students moved in on Thursday, Aug. 20 while returnees moved in on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23. 

“I’ve felt a very positive vibe since the students began to arrive,” Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee said. “I’ve heard great things about the freshman class, how engaged they are, and how enthusiastic everyone is.”

This is the university’s first semester with the academic prioritization program results in place, which were announced last February. In total, 20 academic programs were phased out, 17 were redesigned and five paused enrollment. 

“It was a difficult time,” Lee said. “We have people here completely committed to the mission of the university, continuing to make it a strong institution. That was at all levels: the faculty, the department chairs, the staff, the students. Everyone seems to have that understanding that difficult decisions in these moments are necessary.”

Lee also said that the way Waynesburg was able to come through the process was something he’s never seen before. 

“How everyone came through that was remarkable and rare. I haven’t seen that at other places, but there is no place like Waynesburg University.”

Over the summer, advancements were made to the new dormitory that will sit where Ray Hall once sat. According to Lee, construction crews will begin work on the bottom floor next week. The dorm will hold 60 people, which is the same number that Ray Hall held, despite this new dorm being three stories high to Ray Hall’s one. 

Speaking of the number 60, that is the amount of cars that the new parking lot behind West Hall can hold. 

“It’s for students to use, and it’s being used right now,” Lee said. “We’re going to pave it in the spring.”

As far as activities go, 245 students attended Bingo on Aug. 25, 30 people went to movie night last Friday, and 38 people went to Kennywood last Saturday, according to Director of Student Engagement Pat Bristor. 

Bristor talked about what other events the Student Activities Board (SAB) is planning this school year. 

“The Steelers game on September 27th, we still have tickets for,” Bristor said. “We are doing a Pirates game on the 18th with tickets still available, and we also still have tickets for ‘The Lion King’ on September 22nd.”

Tomorrow, SAB is doing a free trip to the Washington Wild Things game for “College Colors Night.” 

One thing SAB is looking to change this school year is to receive more feedback from students. According to Bristor, only a small percentage of the 245 bingo attendees filled out the feedback form for the event. 

“We have to pause, let people fill out the feedback form, and go from there,” Bristor said. “Students’ ideas could let us know prizes that they’d want to see in the future, or even other themes and events.”

For more SAB events as the semester continues, students can visit their myConnect page. 

The 2026 fall semester comes to an end on Friday, Dec. 11.