Largest freshman class in 14 years participates in PTV

August 25, 2023
Two photos of students outdoors, on the left two students push carts past the Shiple Hall sign and on the right, three students wearing red University of Detroit Mercy t-shirts pose and smile in front of a colorful brick wall.

Students from Detroit Mercy's largest freshman class on the McNichols Campus in 14 years participated in Prologues, Transitions and Viewpoints (PTV) during the final part of freshman orientation, Tuesday through Friday, Aug. 22-25.

With numbers yet to be finalized, 561 students are entering their freshman year when classes begin Monday, Aug. 28.

"This is the largest number of freshmen on our McNichols Campus in 14 years, selected from the largest applicant pool in our history," said Debbie Stieffel, vice present for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. "Our new undergraduate students will be coming from 14 states and 16 countries and are very academically talented."

Many Titans moved into Shiple Hall on move-in day, Tuesday, with student-athletes, student leaders, staff and others lending a hand to the freshmen and their families. The day included First-Year Convocation at the Student Fitness Center, which formally marks the beginning of the college experience for students and their families.

Students engaged with fellow peers through ice-breaker activities during the week, including karaoke and a Playfair group exercise that encourage dancing, laughing, talking and much more.

Wednesday and Thursday groups of students got their first taste of Detroit Mercy's mission by serving in the community. They spent the morning at social service agencies in the neighborhoods and parks near the McNichols Campus, connecting with their new neighbors, city and classmates. Projects included gardening, yard work and clean-up, clearing brush, picking apples, among other assigned duties.

The week on the McNichols Campus helped the new Titans adjust to their new surroundings and classmates.

More numbers on Detroit Mercy's Class of 2027:

  • 61% are women; 39% are men
  • 82% of students are from Michigan
  • 260 will be the first in their family to earn a bachelor's degree
  • 191 are the first in their family to attend college
  • 51 are international students
  • 40 new students in the University Honors Program
  • 18 students are valedictorians or salutatorians
  • 23% were in the top 10% of their high school graduating class
  • 10 veterans or dependents of veterans
  • 49 students have parents or grandparents who are alumni
Video of move-in day into Shiple Hall on the McNichols Campus.
Video of Detroit Mercy students participating in community service projects in neighborhoods and parks near the McNichols Campus.
Three students smile wearing University of Detroit Mercy t-shirts, with two of them carrying a bucket of apples outdoors. Other students are pictured behind them and a colorful brick wall is next to them.
Two students smile as they bring belongings up a staircase of Shiple Hall.
Two students carrying drinks and other belongings outdoors smile as they talk to one another on the McNichols Campus.
President Taylor waves to a student inside of Shiple Hall on move-in day.
Four students wearing red University of Detroit Mercy t-shirts smile for a photo while sitting indoors. Other students are pictured behind them.
A dozen Detroit Mercy students wearing University of Detroit Mercy t-shirts pose for a photo while participating in community service.
Four student leaders pose for a photo with President Taylor, with others behind outdoors on the McNichols Campus.
Students walk, carry and push carts outdoors on the sidewalk towards Shiple Hall, with many other people and cars in the background.
Nearly two dozen students and President Taylor stand inside of the Engineering Building, with a We Call Detroit Home mantra on the wall behind them.
A father blesses a room with two people standing inside of it. One wears a red Detroit Mercy t-shirt. Across the hallway others can be seen in a dorm room of Shiple Hall.
Tommy Titan points to a sign on a window inside of the Student Union that reads, Welcome Back Titans.
Three students wearing red University of Detroit Mercy t-shirts smile for a photo during a sunny day outdoors on the McNichols Campus.