DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) – The academic year is returning, as about 600 first-year students moved on to the St. Norbert College campus this week.
“So much excitement you can see it in their eyes and feels in the energy it’s going really, really smooth this is an important day for families and we’re so happy to welcome them into the college community,” said President Brian Bruess.
That’s the second-largest incoming class in school history. But guidelines on campus, even for the move-in process, still aren’t quite back to ‘normal’.
“Loosening things up a little bit, but still make sure that students are safe. So we’re requiring a negative test upon entry, there will be some surveillance testing for those not vaccinated, and we’re strongly recommending vaccination at this time,” Bruess told WTAQ News. “We are one of few schools that was able to begin in person and remain in person through the whole year. So we learned a lot from that, and one of things we’ve learned is that we can do this well and be safe about it.”
That means while there will be in-person classes, masks will be required in all campus buildings at least to start the year.
“The new students as well as our returning students have been through so much this last 20 months, and they want to be here so bad. That they’re willing to make sacrifices, and that’s what allowed us to be together last year,” Bruess said. “Nobody likes to wear a mask, but everybody understands that this is something that’s a small sacrifice to keep people safe. That’s also part of our mission, to care for one another. So it’s an act of love for other people when you w ear a mask.”
Most of the students have had virtual classes in high school, and are prepared to finally return to a full classroom. Even if that means masking up for lectures.
“I’m pretty excited to get back in an actual classroom. I’m from Illinois, so we were shut down the whole year,” said Aidan Trusky. “It’s a lot nicer. Zoom classes aren’t all that excited, they’re boring. But being in-person, it’s a lot easier to learn.”
“I understand why we’re wearing them. I’m vaccinated, so I wouldn’t care if people didn’t wear them – but I know other people aren’t, so I’ll wear it anyways. You have to do what you have to do,” said Natalie Zuzick of Sussex. “High school wasn’t the best time, so I know college is going to be a better experience. So I’m excited, a little nervous, but I know everything will be okay eventually.”
“Obviously it’s easier to learn when you’re in a classroom instead of online, because that can be tough sometimes. I guess a was a little lazier when I was at home doing homework and stuff, so if I’m in class, I’ll study hard and work hard. So it’s going to help out,” said Blake Julian of Iron Mountain, Michigan.
Julian will also be playing hard. He’s joining the Knights’ baseball team, which means he’ll see even more testing than a typical student.
“It’s a new level of baseball. I’m excited for it, I’ll try my hardest, and we’ll see how it goes,” Julian said.
“We’ll also be doing some additional testing for athletes to comply with the NCAA. We’ll have a indoor mask requirement. But otherwise, the co-curricular experience and the academic experience should be as close to normal as we can make it while also being safe,” Bruess added.
The past year and a half has been rough on the students as they worked to get into college, but parent John Tauer from St. Paul, Minnesota is confident that his son’s class can handle anything thrown at them.
“This generation oftentimes gets somewhat of a bad rap. I think they’ve been so resilient and adaptable through all of this,” Tauer told WTAQ News. “They’ve demonstrated a lot of times for adults, about patience and working together and just the fact that you have to roll with the punches in life. I’m thrilled that things seem to be looking up, but we know there are still going to be obstacles this year and I think they’re ready for it.”
As for facts about the incoming class, Bruess was more than prepared to share.
“[These kids were] volunteering, music, 480 of 600 of them were high school athletes – it’s just a great class all around, and I’d say one of the most impressive classes I’ve ever welcomed to campus,” Bruess said.
The class of 2025 includes 25 valedictorians with an overall average GPA of 3.55. They also have a 16.7% student of color rate, representing 24 states and eight countries.
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