Get to know the Class of 2020
Muhlenberg's newest students bring a wealth of experiences to campus
Friday, September 2, 2016 04:34 PM
The heat of pre-season is over for student-athletes. Pre-Orientation experiences left new students with great connections. The lines of cars loaded with belongings are long gone. First-Year Orientation Weekend is now just a happy memory.
For the Class of 2020, Muhlenberg is beginning to feel like home.
At the opening of the fall semester, the Muhlenberg community grew by 593 first-year students. Just like classes before them, the Class of 2020 brings with them diverse backgrounds and experiences that will continue to enhance the richness of the Muhlenberg experience.
This is the second most ethnically and internationally diverse class in the history of the College, with 18.2% of students ethnically and internationally diverse.
The class also boasts an all-time record for geographical diversity, with 30% from New Jersey; 22% from Pennsylvania; 18% from New York; 9% from New England; 7% from Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and Delaware; 5% from the western part of the U.S.; 4% from outside the U.S.; 3% from the Midwest; and 2% from the southern part of the U.S.
The Class of 2020 has already excelled in the classroom, with 36% of them graduating in the top tenth of their high school classes. They will undoubtedly continue to excel academically during their time on campus.
While a large part of the Class of 2020 has yet to determine a potential major, the top degrees they are interested in include theatre, biology, business, psychology and neuroscience.
Members of the Class of 2020 have already joined their peers in making their marks outside the wall of a classroom.
In the arts sphere, one first-year co-wrote and acted in two short films that both received “Best of Boston” awards at the Boston 48-Hour Film Festival, while a classmate is a member of “Surge,” a hip-hop dance team that has performed with the Harlem Globetrotters, the Philadelphia Wings and others.
When it comes to the sciences, a member of the Class of 2020 has served as president of the Model World Health Organization, which has received thanks from the Ambassador from Kenya for their initiatives in Africa.
The incoming class has also excelled in media-related endeavors. One student is director and producer of a hometown television talk show with a focus on local, national and international political issues. Another has written and edited pieces for Ireland’s largest online newspaper.
Unsurprisingly, a number of first-year students have been heavily involved in social justice-related projects, a tradition that will surely continue and grow at Muhlenberg. One student is the founder of The Validation Project—now a worldwide organization dedicated to stopping bullying and building self-esteem among young people. Another co-founded the iTold4 Project, which has now educated over 2,300 students on how to prevent hearing loss.
In J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter books, a series this class grew up reading, wand maker Mr. Ollivander tells the titular character “I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you.” The same can be said of the Class of 2020—we look forward to seeing all that you accomplish. Welcome to Muhlenberg.
