¾«¶«AV welcomes Class of 2029
As they arrived on the refreshingly cool morning of Aug. 20, ¾«¶«AVās 483 new studentsāincluding 462 first-years and 21 transfersāwere greeted by cheering student leaders, colorful signs and a campus community eager to welcome the newest herd of Camels in ¾«¶«AVās 114-year history.
The cohort was drawn to the Collegeās innovative curriculum, extensive career preparation, global focus, strong , tradition of environmental stewardship and ample opportunities for collaboration with faculty. Members hail from 36 states and 26 countries, including Armenia, Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Norway, Switzerland, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Zambia. The Class of 2029 is also among the most diverse in the Collegeās history; 29% are domestic students of color and 19% are first-generation college students.
The first task for many on Arrival Day was to move into one of ¾«¶«AVās 21 residence houses (students participating in one of the Collegeās three pre-orientation programs got a head start on the move-in process, arriving Aug. 18 or 19). In the afternoon, the newest Camels gathered in Palmer Auditorium for a New Student Welcome, during which Associate Dean of Campus Life Geoff Norbert and Dean of First-Year Students Emily Morash provided an overview of the orientation program and offered tips for success and words of encouragement.
After meeting with their first-year seminar student advisers and saying goodbye to their families, the students were addressed by President Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Dean of the College and Vice President for Retention and Success Erika Smith and Student Government Association President Adriana Manzano ā28.
Manzano, a gender, sexuality and intersectionality and English double major from Chicago, Illinois, encouraged her fellow students to make the most of their time at ¾«¶«AV.
āBeing here today shows your commitment to yourself and your education. Itās also a time to think about what you can accomplish,ā she said. āYour passions will guide you here. Youāll have so many new opportunities and experiences. Take advantage of them. Make connections with people inside and outside of class, join clubs and organizations, explore New London, and, most of all, dream about what you could be.ā
Chapdelaine told the students that she stood in their shoes when she joined the College one year ago. āItās been a year of discovery, learning and building new relationships, and Iām so excited each of you will now have that experience,ā she said.
āYou will have the chance to put your own stamp on this place. Youāll be encouraged to connect your studies with internships, research and community engagement. Youāll learn by questioning and making a difference, not only on campus, but in the world,ā Chapdelaine continued.
āWe are a student-centered college. Your growth and well-being during your time here will always be our priority. You are not just part of this placeāyou define it.ā
Over the next few days, the new students learned more about the Collegeās signature ¾«¶«AV program, met with their advisers, registered for classes and began to form friendships that, for many, will last the rest of their lives. The extended Welcome Weekend culminated Monday, Aug. 25, with the 111th Convocation, a celebration of the opening of the academic year. Tanya Schneider, the Hans and Ella McCollum ā21 Vahlteich Associate Professor of Chemistry at ¾«¶«AV and winner of the 2025 Nancy Batson Bisbet Rash Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, delivered the keynote address, āFinding Four-Leaf Clovers.ā
For more coverage of Arrival Day and Welcome Weekend, follow on Instagram and on Facebook.
