August 22, 2017

Susquehanna University opened its 160th academic year with 669 new students, one of the largest and most academically successful incoming classes in the university’s history.

Opening Convocation officially marked the beginning of the academic year. Susquehanna President Jonathan D. Green offered opening remarks at what was his first official academic ceremony as the university’s 15th president.

“The goal of a liberal arts education is to prepare citizen leaders,” Green said. “Susquehanna University educates students for productive, creative and reflective lives of achievement, leadership and service in a diverse, dynamic and interdependent world. That is our mission.”

The Class of 2021 represents just 11 percent of a very strong applicant pool, according to Madeleine Rhyneer, vice president for enrollment and marketing.

The incoming undergraduates include 645 first-year students, 22 who are transferring from other colleges and two international exchange students. Susquehanna received over 6,000 applications for the fall. Those who were accepted represent the most highly qualified incoming class in Susquehanna’s history, as reflected in both SAT scores and high school grades.

The median grade point average of the Class of 2021 is 3.6, and the average SAT scores are up 40 points over the Class of 2020. Additionally, 26 percent of the incoming class ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class.

The Class of 2021 hails from 22 states and 19 percent of the incoming class come from historically underrepresented groups. Thirty-six percent are the first members of their families to go to college.

“You are about to embark on a journey of great change. As an educator, I know that Susquehanna is a place where students who take full advantage of the opportunities they find here are truly transformed,” Green said. “I am so excited to begin this journey with you, and I look forward to seeing how you become leaders for positive change in our … world.”