The class of 2012 settles in
Each year, Grinnell welcomes an incoming class of students who will help shape campus life for the next four years. The new students bring an array of personal opinions, various cultural backgrounds, and their own unique passions to campus.
With more than 450 new students, the class of '12 is one of the largest incoming classes in Grinnell history, and bound to change our community in subtle and unpredictable ways.
Who are they?
Due to increased selectivity, Grinnell was expecting a small incoming class. Instead, admission received stacks of acceptance letters from students who shared the College's belief that Grinnell is the right place for them--because of their passions, their beliefs, their sense of community, they belong here.
Over the summer, College faculty and staff met the challenge of accommodating the unexpected number of students--finding space in residence halls, adding an extra tutorial section, and giving incoming students even more course choices than the previous year's first-years enjoyed.
Compared to last year, this year's incoming class features a closer balance of male and female students, international students from more countries, and a 24 percent increase in the number of new domestic students of color.
They also bring a startling array of talents. Alongside the perennial favorites--varsity athletics, student government, fine arts, student publications, and, of course, massive amounts of community service--you'll also find junior ROTC, contact juggling, kendo, sheep farming, and EMT training.
Among the students Grinnell welcomes this year are interns from England's House of Parliament and the U.S. Congress, a Midwest Hunt Seat Champion, a Denver Post columnist, and a licensed pilot, as well as strong advocates for human and animal rights.
Their welcome started with New Student Orientation (NSO), which kicked off on Saturday, August 23.
Saturday began with the details of campus life: picking up keys, getting pictures taken for Pioneer One-Cards, and the smiles and strong shoulders of the football and soccer teams as they helped first-years and their families haul furniture, clothes, and all the other accoutrements of college life.
NSO activities, which continue through Wednesday, include: a discussion of the responsibilities of self-governance, chances to meet with tutorial professors, an ice cream social, a bakery run, movies, parties, and an observatory open house.
First-years will see an influx of students on Tuesday, as the residence halls open to returning students. The academic year kicks off again with the first day of class on Thursday, August 28.
The College welcomes the class of 2012 to the Grinnell family as they embark on what promises to be a rich and unforgettable four-year journey.
See also:
NSO Parent Schedule
NSO Student Schedule
Photo courtesy of Heather Benning '96: Gabi Maldonado Bell '09, women's soccer, helps new students settle in.
