{"id":89640,"date":"2019-08-22T16:31:41","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T20:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/?p=89640"},"modified":"2019-08-22T16:58:13","modified_gmt":"2019-08-22T20:58:13","slug":"umw-welcomes-class-of-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2019\/08\/22\/umw-welcomes-class-of-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"University of Mary Washington Welcomes Class of 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

For eagles, building a nest is a bonding activity. The same could be said for the 900-plus first-year students who on Wednesday made the University of Mary Washington their home.<\/p>\n

Move-In Day 2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Residence halls opened their doors to the Class of 2023, who arrived with parents, siblings, pets and armloads of bedding and clothes, as well as furniture, mini-fridges, laptops and shower caddies. They immediately began making connections with fellow students, and with President Troy Paino and wife Kelly, who \u2013 along with UMW staff \u2013 were on hand to help with the hauling. The freshmen strategically placed personal mementos and Mary Washington gear around their rooms, to remind them of the people who gave them their wings and those who\u2019ll help them take flight.<\/p>\n

\"Despite <\/a>
Despite the heat, everything moved smoothly thanks to the hard work of the Residence Life and Housing staff and other offices around UMW. Photo by Suzanne Rossi. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"President <\/a>
President Paino and wife Kelly joined in the fun, helping students unpack and get their rooms set up. Photo by Suzanne Rossi. <\/div> <\/div>
\"President <\/a>
President Troy Paino helps a freshman and her family move her personal belongings into her residence hall. Photo by Suzanne Rossi. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"First-years <\/a>
First-years had the option of participating in NEST, New Experiences for Students Transitioning, a four-day program of activities to help them get to know their peers and the UMW and Fredericksburg communities. Photo by Suzanne Rossi. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Freshmen <\/a>
Freshmen forged connections with new roommates and friends on Move-In Day 2019. Photo by Suzanne Rossi. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

The incoming students have a lot in common, especially their brains. Their average GPA is 3.63 and average SAT score is 1179. Nearly a quarter are the first in their families to attend college, and 102 have enrolled in UMW\u2019s Honors Program.<\/p>\n

But there are differences, too. Two-thirds are female and over a quarter identify as ethnically diverse. While nine of 10 are Virginians, this freshman class represents 20 states plus Washington, D.C., and several foreign countries, including Colombia, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, Peru and the United Kingdom. Mary Washington also welcomes 308 transfer students this year.<\/p>\n

This week, we asked new students to share their thoughts on social media about becoming an Eagle. Here are some responses.<\/p>\n

Which Mary Wash tradition are you most excited about? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n