Faculty, clad in academic regalia proceeded across campus to Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel, beginning at 9:10 a.m., in the annual Honoring the Professoriate Celebration. President Father James Shea rang the school bell to call faculty to join the processional at Casey Center, Harold Miller Science Center, Welder Library, east door; Gary Tharaldson School of Business,and the Benedictine Center for Servant Leadership. The program continued in the Chapel, with prayer honoring the professoriate and recognizing faculty promoted in rank and who have earned doctoral degrees during the past academic year.

"{On this}, the first day of classes, the University of Mary is a place of energy, excitement and anticipation," says Father James Shea, president. "As the university community continues to affirm the commitment to service and leadership it demonstrated during the these past months of the flood, we look forward to both a challenging and rewarding year ahead. With new academic initiatives, strong enrollment, growing national interest in our campus in Rome, and another year of outstanding Marauders athletics and cultural events, there is no question this will be another banner year for America's Leadership University."

The University of Mary begins classes at 1 p.m., today, as a smoke-free campus. (It will transition into a completely tobacco free campus by Jan. 1, 2012).