Wheeling Jesuit University (WJU) welcomed about 300 new students to campus Thursday.

Thursday members of the campus community welcomed the incoming freshman class and helped them move into the residence halls in what has become an annual tradition at Wheeling Jesuit.

“We are excited for the new academic year to begin and are pleased to welcome this new class of Cardinals to campus. We have a great group of students that make up the class of 2017 and I wish them much success as they begin their college careers at Wheeling Jesuit,'” said Rev. Jim Fleming, S.J., WJU president.

Two-thirds of the class hails from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia and the remaining one-third from 17 other states. Additionally, students from 10 countries are part of this year's incoming class.

The class sports a cumulative grade point average of 3.4, an average SAT score of 1013 and average ACT score of 22. Of the 300 students, 27 were in the top 10 of their high school class and 34 were in the top 20.

“Again this year, Wheeling Jesuit has attracted students who excelled academically in high school and who we expect to have great success in the classrooms at our University,” Fleming added.

Thirty-six percent of the class received the University's Community Connection Grant (CCG), which is available to students who have graduated from one of the 70-area high schools or three local community colleges that are located within 50 miles of the campus.

Nearly 50 percent of the class was recruited to play on one of the 20 varsity athletic teams as well.

Two student-athletes from the class have made an impression on the staff for their commitment to serving others - a hallmark of Jesuit education.

Lacrosse defenseman Seth Miller and Kylie Frizell, a shooting guard on the women's basketball team, chose Wheeling Jesuit for its academics, in addition to having the opportunity to serve others.

Miller, a Las Vegas native and Loyola Academy of Chicago graduate, said helping others is what means the most to him. “I want to become a professional firefighter, it's what I've always wanted to do. It's a way in which I can help those around me and keep them safe.”

He said the nursing program at Wheeling Jesuit will afford him the opportunity pursue his dream, as well as give him other options once he graduates. “Wheeling Jesuit's nursing program has a great reputation. The nursing program is a key reason why I chose WJU and I know I can use my degree in variety of ways, in addition to firefighting.”

Frizell, a Smithville, Ohio native, knows helping others is what she plans to do once she graduates. With plans to major in Spanish and business, Frizell plans to parlay her degree into a business that will help those in need. “I'm not sure exactly what that business will be, but it will involve helping others.”

“I love God and love helping people. I just want to be a servant. I'm very blessed and I want to share that with others,” she said. “Wheeling Jesuit felt like home when I visited and I got a calling that this was the place for me.”

The class will begin its first week at Wheeling Jesuit learning the importance of service. All new students will participate in community service from 1:30 to 4 p.m., Saturday Aug. 24. Students will work at the following local agencies and churches:

Laughlin Memorial Chapel
East Wheeling Community Gardens
The Children's Museum
Appalachian Outreach, Inc.
Marshall County Animal Shelter
The Welty Home
Holy Family
Faith in Action Caregivers
Mount St. Joseph
Sandscrest Boy Scout Camp
Oglebay's Schrader Center
Free Wheelchair Mission
Vineyard Hill Project