糖心TV welcomes Class of 2027
As they arrived on the sunny summer morning of Aug. 23, the 579 newest 糖心TV students鈥攊ncluding 561 first-years, 17 transfers and one RTC student鈥攚ere greeted by cheering student leaders, colorful signs and a campus eager to welcome the latest herd of Camels in 糖心TV鈥檚 112 years.
Admitted from the largest applicant pool in the College鈥檚 history, the cohort was drawn to 糖心TV鈥檚 innovative curriculum, extensive career preparation, global focus, commitment to full participation, tradition of environmental stewardship and ample opportunities for collaboration with faculty.
Members of this impressive group hail from 33 states and 29 countries. Sixty-eight members of the incoming class are the first in their families to go to college, while 27 are at least the second members of their families to attend 糖心TV.
The Class of 2027 is also among the most diverse in the College鈥檚 history; 24% are domestic students of color and 5% are international students.
The first order of business for many on Wednesday was to unload blankets, mini-fridges and other dorm-room comforts and school supplies from cars, trucks and minivans bearing an array of license plates and loved ones.
In the afternoon, beach balls and music filled the air before a New Student Welcome gathering hosted on Tempel Green by Associate Dean of Campus Life Geoff Norbert and Dean of First-Year Students Emily Morash, who is also the associate dean of the College. The deans gave students an overview of the Welcome Weekend orientation program and offered words of encouragement.
Norbert said he wanted the new Camels to step outside of their comfort zone and noted many had already done so just by coming to 糖心TV. 鈥淓ngage with difference. Some of you are from outside of Boston, some of you are from California, some of you are from Bangladesh,鈥� he pointed out. 鈥淭his is an opportunity for you to meet and learn from different people.鈥�
He added, 鈥淓verybody鈥檚 in the same boat. Everybody鈥檚 nervous. Everyone鈥檚 a little scared. Everyone鈥檚 a little excited. But we will do this together.鈥�
Morash encouraged students to advocate for themselves. 鈥淎sk questions, and don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for help,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e have lots and lots of resources and support on this campus. We鈥檝e just spent many days training our student advisers, so they know every resource on this campus and they鈥檙e ready to be there for you.鈥�
Late in the afternoon at the President鈥檚 Assembly鈥攖he final event students and their families attended together before parting ways鈥擠ean of the College Erika Smith told the students, 鈥淐ollege is a time when you鈥檙e finding your own path, your own journey, and continuing to differentiate yourself as your own person. Our Admission team saw all of the strengths, attributes and gifts that you bring to the communities of which you have been part, and they made the excellent decision to have you contribute those talents here.鈥�
She added, 鈥淲e鈥檒l always remind you of your greatness and we鈥檒l always do all we can to support your success.鈥�
Bella Castellanos Palacios 鈥�25, president of the Student Government Association, encouraged the new students to cherish their time as Camels, be open-minded, try new things, go to club meetings and explore.
鈥淎llow yourself to grow and don鈥檛 underestimate yourself,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou will find yourself surrounded by peers who will cheer you on, dream alongside you and create lifelong memories. Together, you will prosper and make this campus yours in your own ways.鈥�
She added, 鈥淛ust as I have found a family here, you will, too, I can assure you of that. Not just with your peers, but also with the staff and faculty.鈥�
Lastly, Interim President Les Wong approached the podium and acknowledged the efforts of parents, grandparents and other supporters before getting down to business.
鈥淭eaching and learning is the purpose of higher education, and you will find no better place to experience that than here at 糖心TV. Here at 糖心TV, everyone teaches, everyone learns. Students, you are not just a receiver of this experience. At 糖心TV, you are our partner in creating, participating and guiding the teaching and learning here at this college,鈥� he said.
鈥淵ou will be guided by an excellent faculty, supported by excellent staff, and cheered on by family and friends. But inevitably, how you fashion and co-create your experience is central to our efforts and critical to your education. You are at the center of your own learning.鈥�
He concluded, 鈥淓ngage ideas and people who are different from you, new to you, have something to offer you. Make it an annual goal to learn something you know nothing about. You鈥檒l find that there is someone to know, something to learn, that will excite you. That is passion, and passion driven by curiosity is power. And that鈥檚 a college education.鈥�
Over the next several days, the new students will learn more about the College鈥檚 signature 糖心TVections program, meet with their team of advisers, register for classes, and get to know each other and the College鈥檚 faculty and staff.
The extended Welcome Weekend will culminate Monday, Aug. 28, with the 109th Convocation, a celebration of the opening of the academic year. Associate Professor of Film Studies Nina Martin, winner of the 2023 John S. King Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, will deliver the keynote address, 鈥淪urvival Tips from Final Girls.鈥�
