9-05-2023 4:04am

LARGEST CLASSES EVER

Loyola welcomes record-breaking Class of 2027 during New Student Convocation

Loyola University Maryland is welcoming its third largest and most diverse class in history to the University’s Evergreen Campus this fall. The Class of 2027 formally became members of the Loyola community and took the student honor pledge at the University’s New Student Convocation on Friday, Sept. 1.

The 1,128 students in the Class of 2027 have already broken several University records. Forty percent of the incoming class identify as students of color, making it the most diverse class in University history. Additionally, the new class has the highest average grade point average in Loyola history at 3.69. Finally, 26% of students are entering as first-generation and 22% are eligible for federal Pell grants—both the highest on record.

“The students in the Class of 2027 have already impressed us by being such accomplished, high-achieving individuals who are eager to make their mark,” said Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., president. “We are looking forward to getting to know them better as we welcome them into our Loyola family and help them learn and thrive through our world-class Jesuit, liberal arts education.”

This year’s historic class builds on the ongoing success of recent years. Since the pandemic, undergraduate enrollment at Loyola has seen an increase, as two of the three largest classes in University history were enrolled in the last two years.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome all our incoming students to Loyola this year,” said Eric Nichols, vice president of enrollment management. “It’s exciting to see the momentum building these last few years with our record-breaking incoming classes and is continued evidence that the Loyola experience is resonating more than ever with prospective families.”

The students in the Class of 2027 hail from 32 states and 15 countries. Twenty-three international students in the class make up the largest cohort of incoming international students in a decade.

Six percent of incoming students are from Baltimore City, and 36% are from Maryland, with New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia trailing close behind. In addition, Loyola welcomed 56 transfer students, the largest number of transfer students in eight years.

Theresa Nguyen, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, spoke at the New Student Convocation. Nguyen specializes in biochemistry and molecular biology.

“We are so proud to learn from you, learn about you, to teach you, to walk alongside you,” Nguyen said. “And we will celebrate you, your stories, and pick you up when you fall, because as marvelous as we all are, we all make mistakes. Mistakes, errors, mutations–that’s the only way we evolve.”

In total, undergraduate enrollment is projected to be approximately 3,950 students in fall 2023, which would account for the fourth-highest undergraduate enrollment in school history.

TU welcomes its largest incoming first-year class

This fall, Towson University welcomes nearly 5,000 new students to campus

Towson University will welcome 5,289 new students to campus. This includes 3,047 first-year students—the largest first-year class in TU history—exceeding the fall 2018 class of 2,996. This year’s incoming first-time students are also among the university’s most accomplished, coming to TU with a weighted grade point average of 3.83.

“We are excited to welcome more than 3,000 students, who join us as the largest first-year class in university history,” Interim President Melanie Perreault said. “From experiential learning and research alongside our world-class faculty, to Tiger athletics and arts performances, to our hundreds of student clubs and intramural sports, I encourage each of them to engage in all the opportunities TU has to offer. This is a very special university, made brighter by each of the new Tigers joining us this fall.”

With more than 63% of first-year students identifying as an underrepresented racial or ethnic minority, TU enrolls the second-largest population of minority students in Maryland. This class also represents Maryland well, with 89% of the incoming first-year students being Maryland residents. TU will also have first-year students from 28 other states and 25 other countries.

The 1,404 transfer students come from 24 states and 21 countries, with 53% identifying as underrepresented racial or ethnic minorities. And TU’s 838 graduate students this fall hail from 25 states and 26 countries.

Welcome To TU

With the start of the fall semester at Towson University, Student Affairs, and the Office of Student Activities make sure that the newest Tigers have plenty to do in their first weekend on campus.

Welcome to TU is an annual event on campus that offers dozens of events on or around campus that gives incoming students a chance to get familiar with their new on-campus home, as well as a chance to meet fellow students.

“Our team has been working hard all summer to provide an amazing welcome to campus for our new and returning students,” says Vice President for Student Affairs Vernon Hurte. "The educational and engagement programming through Welcome to TU is designed to provide our new Tigers with important information that will help them have a great start to the academic year.

“Equally important, students will have many opportunities to make meaningful connections with their peers and with a variety of support resources available across campus. We know connections are key to student success.”