ALLIANCE, Ohio — Although celebrated in a nontraditional way compared to the past 174 years, a sense of normalcy was returned to the Alliance community as students were welcomed back to the University of Mount Union’s campus this past weekend. 

The incoming first-year class is typically greeted through the signing of the Matriculation Book during the annual Matriculation Convocation. Yet due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event, like many other public events typically held on campus, have been canceled for the fall. Thus, students will hear remarks from new Mount Union President Dr. Thomas Botzman and sign the Book in their respective first-year seminar courses.

The Class of 2024 is made up of nearly 600 students from across the country, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia. 

The incoming class also features international students who hail from Australia, Ghana, Japan, Nigeria, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. 

“This year will be filled with all things new. Some will be challenging and at times it may seem overwhelming, but I assure you, it is nothing you can’t handle,” said Dr. Jeffrey Breese, vice president for academic affairs and provost at Mount Union in a letter to students.

The campus has reopened following the institution’s implementation of its Fall 2020 Responsible Reopening plan, in accordance with the Responsible Restart Ohio plan implemented by Governor Mike DeWine. Both residential and commuter students began classes on August 24 and the semester will run through November 24 for undergraduate students.