DSU welcomes freshmen, expands offerings for new academic year

DSU welcomes freshmen, expands offerings for new academic year

Dixie State University welcomed its newest freshman class during a Freshman Friday assembly this week ahead of the official start of the 2018-19 academic year on Aug. 20. At the event, incoming Freshman learned from DSU students, faculty and staff about university traditions, the available campus and community services, and were treated to an entertaining show, along with the chance to win prizes and enjoy a free dinner and concert. "Freshman Friday is the perfect jump start to your Dixie State experience,” DSU’s Student Body President Cajun Syrett said. “It’s a great way for freshmen to meet one another and get a head start in feeling comfortable on campus.” This new class of Trailblazers, as well as the entire Dixie State student body, will have the opportunity to study a wider array of fields, as the university is offering four new programs starting this semester — bringing Dixie State’s offerings up to 43 distinctive baccalaureate majors. Opening a new chapter in Dixie State history, the university will open its first graduate degree, a Master of Accountancy, this fall semester. The program will fill students’ professional accounting educational needs by teaching them the conceptual, technical, analytical and communicative skills required for working as tax and accounting professionals. A newly offered Bachelor of Music in performance program will provide students with the formal training and credentials necessary to prepare them for careers in the music industry. The program will require students to work through a set of core music courses including theory, ear training and musicology training and include specific tracks in strings, winds and percussion, voice and piano. Students will perform in public recitals and music ensembles of varied sizes and purposes including a unique requirement to participate in an electro-acoustic, early music or new music ensemble. Across campus, the new Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering will meet a high student demand for it. “We were originally hoping for at least 24 students, but already we’ve had 105 students join the program.” DSU President Richard B. Williams said. Housed in the renamed College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, the program will expand the capabilities of students interested in mathematics and science by providing unique hands-on education and preparation for pursuing advanced degrees or careers in engineering, science or computer science disciplines. The program will offer students the option to choose an area of emphasis to provide depth in topics that interest them, such as design and manufacturing, mechatronics, thermofluid sciences and solid mechanics. Also accepting students for the first time during the Fall 2018 semester, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will add a traditional baccalaureate program track to Dixie State’s offerings, which already include an associate degree nursing program and a post-licensure RN-to-Baccalaureate in Nursing track. The new program will prepare students to meet the complex demands of caring for patients in today’s healthcare system, work in interdisciplinary teams and be primarily responsible for direct patient care and care coordination. Additionally, the new degree program will build on the partnership between Dixie State and Dixie Regional Medical Center, who employs the majority of DSU nursing graduates. Two additional baccalaureate majors await momentary approval — a Bachelor of Science in design and a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology-biochemistry.