President: "I think we’re going to have a terrific year!'
What promises to be Wilmington College’s largest-ever class of new students arrived Thursday (Aug. 16) to move in and begin a three-day orientation program before starting classes on Monday.
PICTURED: Incoming freshman Margaret Westerbeck (CENTER) of Cincinnati is all smiles as members of the College's Move-In Crew handle carrying her belongings into her new home in Pickett Hall. A WC tradition, members of fraternities, sororities, athletic teams and other organizations each year volunteer to assist new students with their move onto the campus.
The College anticipates breaking all-time records for both total entering freshmen, with more than 400, and new students, which represents a combination of freshmen and transfer students totaling 475. Enrollment numbers will not become official until the count in early September.
The extraordinarily large group of incoming freshmen at WC includes more than 50 from Clinton County, which constitutes at least a modern-day record. The College stands to break its all-time record of 383 freshmen, which goes back to 1946 and the massive influx of students on the GI Bill following World War II. WC tied that figure four years ago, in addition to breaking the record for new students with 437 in 2014.
President Jim Reynolds told faculty and staff Wednesday the College is on a “positive trajectory” and this potentially record enrollment provides a great opportunity to continue “changing family trees” through the distinct hands-on learning and other educational opportunities offered at th College.
“It’s a privilege to do the work we do and be a part of a community like Wilmington College,” he said. “I’m grateful for the things our faculty and staff do in making a difference in the lives of our students. I think we’re going to have a terrific year!”
Following an at times soggy move-in Thursday morning, new students began their orientation activities with O-Town at which local businesses and organizations provided a glimpse into the goods and services they can provide for students.
Some of the highlights of the three-day orientation include information sessions highlighting a campus culture that’s safe and mutually respectful, getting involved in organizations and activities, and making smarts decisions; Playfair, a popular exercise in team-building and meeting peers; group discussions of the summer reading project, The Naked Roommate; and the New Student Convocation, which culminates with WC’s newest students signing the Campus Rock.
Also, the new students will engage in community service projects and a downtown walkabout Saturday.
While student-athletes in fall sports have already arrived, all other upperclassmen will return to campus this weekend for Monday’s start of classes.
