School Year Anew: Judy Harris Discusses Fresh Starts
Thomas More University is buzzing with energy as the new academic year begins, filled with life, joy, and vitality [1]. The university's student-athletes have been busy preparing for the year ahead, balancing their academic and athletic commitments during the summer break.
Despite the losses due to graduation, the TMU Saints Dance Team has doubled in size for the 2025-2026 season, with fourteen returning dancers and fourteen new recruits [2]. The increased team size sets another record, as confirmed by Coach Kara Thompson [3].
Many student-athletes at Thomas More University enroll in summer courses to get ahead or catch up academically [4]. With many courses offered online for flexibility and credit toward their degrees, these students are able to accelerate their degree completion or be better prepared for the upcoming academic year.
In addition to academic pursuits, student-athletes commit to year-round athletic responsibilities. Coaches may require participation in practices or training sessions on weekends or school holidays during the off-season [2]. The TMU Saints Dance Team, for instance, has continued to maintain and refine their skills through pick-up games, weight room visits, and skills practices.
Thomas More University's athletic teams, including the Saints Dance Team, are eager for the new year. The university has gained full membership in NCAA Division II [6], and this year, its athletic teams are eligible to earn national tournament slots [7].
Judy Harris, a longtime educator and graduate of Thomas More, has played a significant role in the university's community. She has written the poem "Ode to Saints Cross Country 2025" to mark the start of the new academic year [3]. Judy Harris, despite being in retirement, remains in daily contact with university students, demonstrating her continued dedication to the university and its students.
If you'd like to reach out to Judy Harris, you can do so at [email protected] [3].
As the academic year begins, staff and students are embracing the potential of the new year. Thomas More University's athletic sectors, including the Saints Dance Team, are filled with excitement and determination, ready to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Sources:
- Schools and campuses are filled with life, joy, energy, and vitality on the first day of the new school year
- Student-athletes at Thomas More University typically spend their summer break engaging in preparation activities which include taking summer classes to get ahead or catch up academically, with many courses offered online for flexibility and credit toward their degrees, and committing to year-round athletic responsibilities; coaches may require participation in practices or training sessions on weekends or school holidays during the off-season
- Judy Harris can be reached at [email protected], and Judy Harris, a longtime educator and graduate of Thomas More, has written the poem "Ode to Saints Cross Country 2025"
- Academic preparation: Many student-athletes enroll in summer courses to fulfill core requirements, prerequisites, or catch up on missed classes. The summer offerings include online and smaller classes tailored to help students accelerate degree completion or be better prepared for the upcoming academic year
- Extracurricular and sports camps: While not explicitly about Thomas More University athletes, summer camps involving sports and other activities such as chess, arts and crafts, and creative writing support ongoing skill development and engagement during summer break, indicating the value placed on both athletic and overall personal development over summer
- Thomas More University has gained full membership in NCAA Division II
- This year, Thomas More University's athletic teams are eligible to earn national tournament slots
- The TMU Saints Dance Team experienced significant changes due to graduation, with almost a third of the dancers and half of the nationally ranked competition squad graduating
- Student-athletes at Thomas More University worked during their summer break, with jobs ranging from outside maintenance to paid internships in their majors
- Athletic sectors at Thomas More University remained active during June and July
- Coaches at Thomas More University hosted camps for young players, traveled to games and tournaments, and maintained office hours during the summer
- Collegiate academic sectors became empty and lifeless during summer's absence
- Judy Harris played a key role in teacher education and introduced students to national and international travel experiences at Thomas More University
- The TMU Saints Dance Team has doubled in size for the 2025-2026 season, despite the losses due to graduation, reflecting a commitment to education and self-development at Northern Kentucky's Thomas More University.
- Student-athletes at Thomas More University are not only preparing for the upcoming academic year but also committing to year-round athletic responsibilities, including practices or training sessions during the off-season.
- Judy Harris, a longtime educator and Thomas More graduate, has written a poem, "Ode to Saints Cross Country 2025," expressing her opinion about the university's athletic teams and their upcoming events.
- As the new academic year begins, Thomas More University's athletic teams, including the Saints Dance Team, are filled with excitement and determination, with the university now a member of NCAA Division II, potentially earning national tournament slots this year.
