Director of Admissions' Remarks

Opening Convocation Remarks
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Chris Markle, Director of Admissions

Good afternoon. As director of admissions, I have the honor of presenting the Susquehanna University Class of 2015, our new transfer students, and new exchange students.

Today, we expect 652 new students—603 first-year, 41 transfer, and eight exchange students—to arrive for the opening of our 154th academic year.

First-year students—you are members of one of the largest Susquehanna classes ever. You were selected from a record applicant pool and admission was competitive. Yours is among the most well-qualified first-year classes in Susquehanna’s history. Twenty-five percent of you ranked in the top 10th of your high school classes, 42 percent ranked in the top fifth, and 72 percent ranked in the top two-fifths. Ten of you were the valedictorian or salutatorian of your high school classes. The average of your critical reading and math SAT scores is 101 points above the national average.

Fifty-three new students are enrolling as members of Susquehanna's Honors Program, which is beginning its 29th year.

Our best estimates show that combined, our 652 new students traveled nearly 1 million miles during the college search process. We are pleased to welcome you to your new home away from home. Geographically, we welcome our new students from down the street and around the world. You join us from 24 states, the District of Columbia and six countries. Forty-eight percent of you are from Pennsylvania. You also represent the great states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. We are also very pleased to welcome you from Canada, China, Macao, Myanmar, Russia and Vietnam. Our new international and foreign exchange students are represented by the flags in front of the stage.

You have selected majors from nearly every department at Susquehanna. The most popular choices include accounting, biology, business administration, communications, creative writing, earth and environmental science, elementary education/liberal studies, English, graphic design, history, math, music, political science and psychology. About 9 percent of you have chosen not to declare a major yet, preferring instead to begin as "liberal arts open." The majority of you are planning study beyond the bachelor's degree.

Fifty-three percent of our new students are women. There are 21 students whose parents or grandparents are graduates of Susquehanna; 52 who are the siblings, cousins, nieces, or nephews of current or former Susquehanna students. About 14 percent of you say that you are a member of an underrepresented minority group, making this the most ethnically diverse class in Susquehanna’s history.

Most of you were born in 1992 or 1993, which means for you, life has always been like a box of chocolates. You may have pressured your parents to take you to Taco Bell or Burger King not just for burgers but for free pogs; Amazon has never been just a river in South America; and Arnold Palmer has always been a refreshing beverage. Fergie has always been a pop singer, not a princess, and you probably spent some time singing along with a certain purple dinosaur when you were young. Eleven of you share two birthdays—Aug. 17 and Sept. 8. One of you was born on Feb. 29. And … a special hello to Khari Montayne and Genesis Bordner who are celebrating their big days today! Happy birthday!

Also, we’re very pleased that three Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits recipients are joining us as new students—Jenna Frederick, Cody Hummel and Sarah Renfroe.

Among the men, 27 percent of you have the first name of Alexander, Andrew, Benjamin, Joseph, Matthew, Michael, Nicholas, Robert, Ryan or Tyler. Among the women, 14 percent of you are named Alyssa, Emily, Jessica, Mary, Rachael or Samantha.

From Abbondano to Zwally, this class has it all from A to Z. Your class includes four Browns, three Hesses, three Johnsons, four Jones, three Nelsons, three Wilsons, and the Fiore, Hagerty and Watson twins. Apparently, this may be a group of potential leaders….we have Kennedy and Madison as well as Hayes, Taylor and Tyler. A few things we wonder: Will Day see something special in Knight? Will Smith and Reed live in Smith and Reed? Will Clark room with Kent? Will sparks fly when Wood meets Cole or when Green meets Day? Will Buck steer clear of Fox and Wolfe? Will Moody be Blue or will Blue be Moody? Will Schell and Hess discuss gas prices? Will Heinz get together with Hamm and Berger in the dining hall? These answers are yet to come.

Students, you bring exceptional extracurricular accomplishments with you to Susquehanna. Ten percent of you were student government or class council members, with 28 of you having served as president or vice president. Twenty-five percent of the class was inducted into the National Honor Society, and 14 led the organization as president or vice president. Eighty-eight of you were dramatic or musical theatre performers, with 16 having had leading roles. One hundred forty-five class members participated in band or orchestra, and 68 joined vocal organizations. Ninety-two of you wrote for or edited your yearbooks, newspapers, or literary magazines; 36 were editors-in-chief.

Students, 356 of you—59 percent of the class—played varsity sports, and 133—22 percent of our first-year class—captained or co-captained your varsity athletic teams. Twelve of you are Eagle Scouts, and seven earned the Girl Scout's Gold Award. Twelve percent of the class did volunteer work through your schools, 55 percent volunteered your time and talents to your community, and 25 percent have been active in religious activities.

Combined, your admissions essays totaled nearly 400,000 words. We learned much about you and your past challenges and successes, as well as your hopes and dreams. You told us about the thrill of visiting a new city for the first time, helping a friend work through a personal crisis, what you learned from hosting an exchange student in your home, and many of you wrote about the impact that your family has had on you and your development as a young adult. You wrote about your sincere interest in the cross cultural component of our central curriculum. Two hundred twenty-three of you hope to spend time in Europe to fulfill your GO requirement. Others plan to travel to Australia, Africa or Asia or take part in a domestic experience.

Some envision themselves as successful physicians, journalists, financial managers, researchers, youth counselors, and responsible regional or national leaders. Others expect to contribute through law, the arts, the ministry or teaching. You believe that your enrollment at Susquehanna will make a positive difference in all aspects of your lives. At the same time, you recognize the role that you have in making that difference.

Students, you should be proud of all that you have accomplished up to this point. We have confidence that each of you has the potential and ability to distinguish yourself in a variety of ways while you are here, and we look forward to following your new accomplishments.

On behalf of all who helped bring our new students together—your family, the members of the admissions staff, the financial aid staff, our faculty, coaches, other university staff members, alumni, current students, and friends of the university, it gives me great pleasure to present the Class of 2015, our new transfers, and new exchange students.

Will our new students please stand and be recognized?