EARTH continues to expand its reach with the arrival of the 2013-2016 entering class

Today, EARTH University inaugurated its 24th class year, welcoming 311 returning students, and 108 new students who comprise the 2013-2016 class. This new class of first-year students is the most diverse in the University’s history, representing 28 nations, including for the first time: Ethiopia, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

During the annual inaugural ceremony on Monday morning, the entering class, along with eight study- abroad students from Canada, France, Norway and the United States, carried flags of their home countries into a crowded Emory L. Cocke Auditorium.


Honored guests—including Esther Barazzone and Patrick Awuah, presidents of Chatham University in the United States and Aseshi University in Ghana, respectively—board members, faculty, staff and students in attendance heard speeches from Jean Romé Malou (‘16, Senegal); student council representative Ibukun Timothy Ayankojo (’14, Nigeria); José Zaglul, EARTH president; and Pedro León, Secretary of the EARTH University Board of Directors.

The two student speakers echoed each other in referring to EARTH not just as a University, but also as an intercontinental family defined by respect, support, love, values and a common mission.

President Zaglul began his address by dedicating the ceremony to the memory of Martin Gatins, a long-time donor, supporter and friend of EARTH, who passed away in 2012.

Later Dr. Zaglul reminded students: “We will measure your success as EARTH alumni not by how much money you make but instead by how much you give of yourself to society. This is the only thing we ask of you: change the world.”