Augustana College is poised for a larger influx of students on move-in day Friday, Sept. 1, boosted, in part, by one of the largest, most diverse classes in the college’s long history.
With the Class of 2027, the 163-year-old liberal arts college expects to welcome 800 first-year, transfer and exchange students from 30 states and 35 countries to the Rock Island campus.
In all, the college said it received an unprecedented 8,200 applications from first-year and transfer students across the globe for the 2023-2024 school year. The enrolled first-year class includes 584 domestic (U.S.) and 192 international students. The first day of classes for all students is Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Those who move in Friday will join the college’s international students, student-athletes and students who are taking part in Augustana’s PACE Multicultural Mentorship Program and arrived at Augustana earlier in the month to begin activities.
President to aid move-in
More than 240 faculty, staff and returning students will be on hand to help students on move-in day including Augustana President Andrea Talentino.
“Welcoming students to the new school year and watching their Augustana story begin is an incredible opportunity,” Ms. Talentino said in an Augustana news release. “Move-in day gets the campus buzzing with activity, and it really is the start of Augustana students, faculty and staff coming together to create a great experience.”
Following move-in, first-year and transfer students will start a Welcome Week schedule packed with activities for students to get to know each other and Augustana’s campus, the college said.
The first-year class includes 316 student-athletes and 116 students who received art or music scholarships. Top intended majors for the Class of 2027 include computer science, business administration and psychology.
All Augustana students receive financial aid, and the Class of 2027 is the first to benefit from Augustana Possible, an innovative financial aid program for high-achieving students from families with lower incomes.
Fueled by the Gerber Grand Challenge in Philanthropy matching opportunity, 183 first-year students received Augustana Possible grants.
This also marks the first year of Augustana’s Brenda Barnes Leadership Academy, with 29 first-year students selected for the program designed to uplift future female leaders.
Executive Vice President Kent Barnds said programs like Augustana Possible and the Brenda Barnes Leadership Academy open doors to even more students to find their purpose and path at Augustana.
“Augustana’s ability to offer transformative experiences for high-achieving and deserving students lays the foundation for the students of today to continue the great tradition of Augustana students becoming great leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
Class of 2023* at a glance:
- 800 New first-year, transfer and exchange students.
- 30 U.S. states represented.
- 148 Domestic students of color.
- 192 International students from 35 countries.
- 24 Native or first languages spoken.
- 316 NCAA Division III student-athletes.
- 116 Fine arts scholarships recipients.
- Top majors: Computer science, business administration, psychology.
*As of Aug. 25, 2012.
Source: Augustana College
