Mount Saint Mary College Welcomes Freshmen, Returning and New Students

NEWBURGH – A beautiful Hudson Valley day provided the backdrop for hundreds of students moving into Mount Saint Mary College on Sunday, August 26.

Returning students, more than 100 transfers, and nearly 400 freshmen ascended to the Mount from as far away as California.

Helping to move students into their residence halls was Mount president Dr. Jason N. Adsit and his family. The Adsits enjoyed rolling up their sleeves and embracing the Mount’s culture of service, Dr. Adsit explained.

“We want the students to know that the Mount is a close, caring community right from the first day they arrive,” Dr. Adsit explained. “We’re all here to help, in big and small ways.”
A great work ethic and a wonderful family life are close to Dr. Adsit’s heart. He and his wife, Heather, have five children – three boys and two girls – ranging in age from 4 to 10 years old.

Beginning their college careers together on Sunday were the Romaniello triplets of Waterbury, Conn. After attending the same private school through eighth grade, the young women each chose a different high school – and all of them were in the top 10 of their respective classes.

On Sunday, their parents, Glorie and Todd, helped to move them into their shared room in the Mount’s Sakac Hall.

Ashley and Haley selected Mount Saint Mary College for its prestigious Nursing program, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

“I always loved helping people, I’ve always been hands-on, and I know that nurses do a lot with their education,” said Haley. “It’s a great match for me.”

Mount Nursing students enjoy state-of-the-art simulation labs and clinical relationships with more than 40 area hospitals. The Mount’s passionate faculty are dedicated to the success of both their undergraduate and graduate students.

Ashley, who was the valedictorian of Wilby High School, had received a full scholarship to another college. However, she turned it down, she explained, in favor of the Mount’s small class sizes and tightknit, family atmosphere.

“I like the environment, the community, and the opportunities I could get here for nursing,” she explained. “And I really like the supportive connections I’ve been making.”

The third triplet, Jessica, is an English major on the Adolescence Education track. She said that the decision to attend the Mount was easy.

“It might sound a little cheesy, but teachers really do change the world,” said Jessica. “I was planning on going to another college, but when I came with Haley to [the Mount’s] Accepted Students Day, I fell in love with the campus and how nice the people here are. The class sizes are nice too – I’d much rather be at the Mount than in a lecture hall with so many other students.”

Though all born within the span of less than an hour, only two of the triplets share a birthday. Ashley, the oldest, and Haley were both Valentine’s Day babies. But thanks to a delay of only a minute or two, Jessica celebrates her birthday on February 15. Their little brother, Alex, is eight years old.

In addition to Nursing and Education, many Mount freshmen are majoring in Business. These programs include Accounting, Business Management and Administration, Finance, Marketing, and Sports Management. The college also offers comprehensive areas of study in Psychology, English, Math, Sociology, History, Biology, Chemistry, and more.

On Monday, August 27, about 2,400 students began or resumed bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at the Mount, ranked a Top-Tier Regional University by U.S. News & World Report. The students’ futures are looking bright: A recent study found 95 percent of the Mount’s 2017 graduates were employed six months after graduation. In addition, more than 75 percent of 2017 Mount bachelor’s grads and more than 96 percent of 2017 Mount master’s grads who are employed full-time make $40,000 a year and up.