Caldwell University Hosted Its First Open House of the Season on October 5

Caldwell, NJ – It was sunny skies and lots of smiles for Caldwell University’s first Open House of the fall season! Hundreds of guests joined us to take tours, learn about our majors, meet with current Cougars, and enjoy lunch with the entire campus community.

The event kicked off with an a capella rendition of our National Anthem sung by current Biology major, Diyar Ertas. Anthony Grosso, the University’s Director of Admissions, led the heartfelt invocation before introducing Caldwell’s Vice President for Enrollment Management and Communications, Jorge Rodriguez.

Caldwell University President, Jeffrey Senese, Ph.D., took time to speak with students and their families about the importance of a college education, but he emphasized that the true value of that education is something that students find at Caldwell.

“We are now in the fourth Industrial revolution,” he began. “But this one is about artificial intelligence and augmented reality that’s all going to be driven by people with education.”

Dr. Senese went on to emphasize that student success is the priority at Caldwell, and that’s wherein lies our true value. “We respect who you are, where you are, as students,” he said, “and we will help you get better.”

New Vice President for Academic Affairs, George Abaunza, took his talk into the crowd where he spoke about some secrets to success.

“Each of us must find our own meaning and purpose in life,” he stated. “And this is what we are about at Caldwell University. We are grounded.”

The star of the Welcome Session, however, was current junior, Sports Management major, and women’s basketball team member, Marissa Sorvillo, who talked about choosing Caldwell University because she wanted to push herself outside of her comfort zone, which had always been her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.

“I felt excited and at ease as soon as I set foot on this campus,” she said of her first visit. “Not only the school, but also the surrounding area. In a way, it was a home away from home.”

“I therefore started my journey here and never looked back.”

A picture-perfect autumn day was the ideal backdrop for the Academics Fair in the Newman Center Plaza that followed the welcome. Students also took campus tours, saw inside residence halls, attended breakout sessions, and started conversations with other seniors and their families.

But the day was more than just informative! Following the academics fair and breakout sessions, guests were invited to have lunch with the entire Caldwell University community as the DJ set the perfect tone with upbeat music and a positive attitude. Caldwell University’s final Open House of 2024 will be Saturday, November 23. Students can register online at caldwell.edu/openhouse2025.