New school year begins

The 2011-12 academic year at Oklahoma City University officially opened with the matriculation convocation in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium on the morning of Aug. 17. University President Robert Henry welcomed the freshman class, along with families and friends, in this opening worship service.

This event was part of a full week of hospitality activities, including a picnic, orientation in individual schools, and pep rally.

The Wimberly School of Religion greeted a dozen new students at an ice cream social and introduced them to members of the faculty and staff. The Wesley Center hosted a movie night, with free promotional T-shirts. The week culminated in a Welcome Worship Service on Sunday afternoon, led by United Methodist clergy Margaret Ball, Jennifer Long, and Rodney Newman.

Classes began Aug. 22.

This fall, 351 freshmen enrolled at OCU. They represent 33 states and five countries. The class includes three National Merit Scholars, five State Regents Scholars, 21 valedictorians and salutatorians, and eight United Methodist clergy dependents. Their composite ACT average is 25.42, and GPA average is 3.55.

"This year’s freshmen class appears to be our most academically talented class," said Eduardo Prieto, OCU’s vice president of enrollment services.