No Sleepy Summer at Catholic University

Despite quiet corridors and uncrowded sidewalks on campus this summer, Catholic University is far from deserted.

CUA students teach children how to swim in one of several summer enrichment programs.

In addition to the 2,480 students enrolled for summer session classes and workshops, the campus will host approximately 50 groups from around the United States and abroad, providing them with accommodations and meeting space. Meanwhile, prospective students and their parents are visiting for admissions office tours running twice daily, while younger children and teens can be found taking advantage of various performance and sports camps held on campus. 

Outside conference groups account for much of the activity on campus in the summer months, with more than 10,000 people expected at various times for conferences, meetings and lodging in the residence halls.  For Brian Hallahan, director of conferences and summer programs, the weeks between graduation and the start of fall semester are the busiest time of year.

Summer programs and conferences bring in additional revenue, enhance CUA’s reputation and introduce Catholic University to national and international audiences, Mr. Hallahan said.

“Summer conferences advance the educational mission of the university, make use of its facilities during a period when they are not used for academics and generate revenue that supports the university’s general fund,” he said, adding that last year’s summer conferences and programs generated a net revenue of almost $1 million.

Students interested in architecture gather at CUA for special workshops.

Helping organize conferences and summer programs also provides a pre-professional training opportunity for Mr. Hallahan’s 33-student staff, he said.

“The student staff continues to impress me and our clients with their professionalism and love for CUA,” Mr. Hallahan said. “Because of them we have many groups who return year after year.  It’s rewarding to know that our customer service is a selling point in a competitive meeting market.  The new residence halls and Pryzbyla center will enable us to expand our market and expose CUA to an even greater audience.”

Among high-profile groups coming to campus is the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program orientation, held at CUA this summer for the second consecutive year. From Sunday, July 29, through Friday, Aug. 3, hundreds of American teachers and their foreign counterparts will meet here before trading teaching assignments. 

To follow is a selection of visiting groups, programs and events on the summer roster at CUA. Many of them are open to CUA students, employees and their children.