Class of 2023 Builds on Student-Body Strengths

August 24, 2019

First-Year Seminar meetings before the start of the semester offer immediate opportunities for classroom discussion.

First Year Seminar meetings before the start of the semester offer immediate opportunities for classroom discussion.

Students learned the alma mater, "Albion, Dear Albion," during the Matriculation Ceremony in Goodrich Chapel.

After stating their names from the stage, all new students received a keepsake Matriculation coin from President Mauri Ditzler.

A team of students, faculty and staff were ready to welcome and move in Albion's newest students on August 23.

It was a beautiful Friday morning for a move-in.

Students settling into their new home in Wesley Residence Hall

Organized activities throughout the weekend enable first-year and transfer students to build community right away.

Jeremy K,irby, professor of philosophy, introduces his First-Year Seminar, titled Science, Truth and Other Enigmas.

By Jake Weber

Watch the Matriculation Ceremony

“Consistency” could be one word to describe Albion’s incoming Class of 2023, which moved in August 23 in advance of the start of fall semester August 26. According to Director of Admission Mandy Dubiel, the 419 first-year students and 27 transfer students match the qualities that positively distinguish Albion’s current student body.

Class of 2023 students signed their names into the College history during their First-Year Seminar meetings.

The Class of 2023’s geographic diversity includes students from 30 states—from Massachusetts and New Jersey to Washington state and Alaska, plus continued significant enrollments from California, Texas and Florida. The class also includes students from six countries outside the U.S., and more than 44 percent identify as students of color.

Along with this continued reach beyond Michigan and the Great Lakes region, Albion has intensified its inclusion of local students and legacies. The 10 entering Build Albion Fellows raise that program to 38 participants, while nearly eight percent of the new class can count at least one parent, grandparent or sibling as an alum.

The Class of 2023 also matches the 3.5 high school GPA earned by the Class of 2022. “We’re building a student body of bright, motivated students and the Class of 2023 adds to that,” Dubiel says.

New international degree-seekers come from Brazil, Canada, Spain, Vietnam, Russia, and Mongolia, the latter of which currently has seven students on campus.

“Mongolian students hear about Albion College from their friends and families, and word is out that Albion is a good place for international students,” says Cristen Casey, director of Albion’s Center for International Education. “Albion’s international students enrich our campus by providing their unique perspectives in and outside the classroom. We are looking forward to welcoming this vibrant class into our diverse and inclusive community.”