Fall 2024 Hilltop Highlights
Fall '24 proved to be another outstanding semester. Numerous accomplishments and milestones at St. Edward's University were driven by exceptional academic excellence, vibrant school spirit and Hilltoppers’ unwavering passion for discovering solutions that create a better world.
Introducing the Class of 2028
The St. Edward’s community welcomed an academically strong and diverse incoming Fall 2024 freshman class of students joining the university from 19 states and 13 countries. 76% of the new cohort are students of color, 8.2% are international or American students who are living abroad and more than 44% identify as first-generation college students. Additionally, 1 in 5 members of this freshman class are student-athletes who are now proudly part of our award-winning athletic programs.
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Traditions and Togetherness
To start their journey on the hilltop, our new students took part in cherished campus traditions at Anchors weekend. During the Medallion Ceremony, students received medallions bearing the university seal, which is kept throughout their time at St. Edward’s and worn again when they graduate. Following the Medallion Ceremony, new students embarked on their path toward excellence by entering through the iconic Main Building Red Doors during their initial Legacy Walk; students will participate in a final Legacy Walk through the heart of campus before exiting the Red Doors after graduation.
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Anchors festivities continued with a high-spirited pep rally, lively Block Party and a playful foam party!
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Celebrating Blue and Gold Pride
The essence of our unmatched school spirit was evident throughout campus during remarkable Fall events. For the first time in our university’s history, the Homecoming parade took place in front of Main Building, where students, alumni, faculty, staff and families came together to celebrate what makes the hilltop so special! Furthermore, Homecoming 2024 commemorated the 50th anniversary of Women’s Basketball and Volleyball at St. Edward’s.
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Another first-ever Fall event was held in November: The White Coat Ceremony. This milestone celebration honored the inaugural cohort of Nursing students at St. Edward’s — symbolizing the beginning of their journey entering clinical patient care and tackling issues of justice and equity within healthcare. During the ceremony, 10 Nursing students received their white coats and took a Pledge of Dedication to provide compassionate care and devote themselves to the well-being of all patients.
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At the start of December, the 44th annual Festival of Lights sparked the Christmas spirit, bringing our community together to embrace the holiday season. Hilltoppers and loved ones illuminated campus with their candles and spread joy through music, and celebrated the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge during Las Posadas.
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A Heartfelt Send-Off
Our extraordinary semester concluded with a celebration of our Fall graduates at December Commencement. Students, faculty, staff, families and friends came together to commemorate nearly 240 students who received their well-earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Congratulations to our December Class of 2024!
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More Fall Standout Highlights
St. Edward’s advanced to 5th place in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Universities in the West category. In addition to its ascension to the overall 5th place ranking, for the first time, St. Edward’s earned 2nd place for Undergraduate Teaching Programs in the West. This category recognizes institutions whose faculty and administrators excel in delivering exceptional methods of instruction to undergraduate students.
St. Edward’s was again named a Fulbright HSI Leader for a fourth year by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The university joined only 51 hispanic-serving institutions to receive this designation for 2024.
