Mount Saint Mary Welcomes Entering Students

NEWBURGH – While an overcast summer morning provided some much-appreciated shade, Mount Saint Mary College welcomed hundreds of students to campus on Sunday, August 28.

With new friends and academic adventure awaiting them, the students – including upperclassmen, transfer students, and those just starting their college careers – were excited to be on campus.

Isis Jimenz, an English major from the Bronx, was one of the first to move into Sakac Hall this semester. It’s been a long time coming, she explained: she wanted to be a Mount student from the first time she visited the college, approximately six years ago.

“I’ve been dreaming about the Mount since I was in middle school and had my first tour,” Jimenz explained. “Now it’s time to prove to myself that I can do it and take on adulthood on my own.”

Freshman Justin Ribera, a Nursing major from Absecon, N.J., comes from a long line of nurses. He hopes to make his family proud with future academic and professional accomplishments. Mount Nursing students enjoy state-of-the-art simulation labs and clinical relationships with top area hospitals. The Mount’s passionate faculty are dedicated to the success of both their undergraduate and graduate students.

Ribera, who will be playing on the college’s basketball team, added that he selected the Mount for its friendly atmosphere: “I felt welcomed here,” he said. “I didn’t want to be just a number.”

Like Ribera, Mia Basso of Huntington, N.Y., who is on the college’s Adolescent Education track, is carrying on a family tradition: She’s looking forward to a career in teaching, like her Mount alumni family members.

“I’ve heard great things about the Mount’s education program,” Basso said, “and the location is beautiful. I’m excited!”

Basso’s roommate, Dana Donnelly of Eldred, N.Y., is also on the college’s Teacher Education track.

“I like the tight-knit community here,” said Donnelly, adding that she is “looking forward to a quality education.” She will also be playing on the Mount’s softball team.

Many Mount first-year students – like Danny Mack of Ramsey, N.J. – are majoring in Business. Mack said he was thrilled to begin his college career and join the college’s baseball team. His teammate, Robert Tansey of Belmore, N.Y., is also a Business major. “I really like the culture here,” said Tansey.

Mount Business programs include Accounting, Business Management and Administration, Finance, Marketing, and Sports Management. The college also offers comprehensive areas of study in Math, Information Technology, Sociology, History, and more.