Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) leadership, faculty and staff welcomed the Class of 2028 with 240 new students to campus, one of the largest classes in history. The incoming class brings an average GPA of 3.27.
A beloved tradition, President Brennan J. Randolph, MBA, along with a crowd of students, faculty and staff, welcomed incoming students and families as they pulled through the front gates with loud applause and cheers. Randolph greeted the students and their parents with words of encouragement.
“We always tout the fact that the institution is a family-friendly community, and The Avenue Welcome on Move-In Day really kicks that off. I think it can be a difficult moment for parents to send their child on to college, so hopefully, this welcome and energy that we provide helps them see that their student will have the support and wrap-around services that they no doubt are looking for in a college,” said Randolph.
The campus enrollment for the fall is projected to be 627, becoming the second largest in the College’s 184-year history. This year’s campus population represents 24 states, 10 foreign countries and one United States Territory, with 60% being student-athletes.
For freshman Gabrielle Flath, a supply chain management and business double major from Linton, Indiana, move-in day brought a lot of enthusiasm for the academic year. “I’m really excited to get all moved in and settled. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and just making friends. The Avenue welcome was sweet, and it really made me feel at home,” she said.
Brandon Flath, father of Gabrielle, shared how bittersweet the day was. “Today brings a lot of mixed emotions. Obviously, as a parent, you hate to see your kid go, but I’m so excited for her. She’s the first of three of my children to go to college, so it’s a big step, and I’m so excited for her and this next chapter,” Brandon said.
As a parent, Flath shared what a positive experience it was to see SMWC students, faculty and staff cheering on all the new students that drove down The Avenue. “It was really neat, seeing the Pomeroys through the gates cheering – I got into it. I really loved seeing the small community that this College has come together.”
For freshman sport management major, Nick Cherry of Terre Haute, Indiana, he’s thrilled to be on campus and is looking forward to the year. “I’m excited for this golf season and to be rooming with one of my teammates. I love the atmosphere and the buildings. I love how historic the campus is, and I just love being here.”
Cherry’s roommate, Grant Schlue, a sophomore sport management major from Akron, Ohio, shared that he’s looking forward to getting this year started. “Freshman year was a lot to take in, but everything seems easy now. It’s going to be fun to get to know Nick more and to meet the rest of the guys,” Schlue said.
In addition to the campus program, the Woods Online program enrollment has reached 338 students, with graduate programs having a total enrollment of 205. The College’s overall enrollment for fall totals 1,166.
“It’s always exciting to have success and that’s what we’re feeling here. The College has been growing over the last several years, and we continue on that path. We have had many new programs that have really shown early success like our online Paramedic Science to BSN with a new cohort starting their boot camp today and our Music Therapy Equivalency Distance program with new students arriving today as well,” Randolph said.
Student-athletes began moving in on July 30, and returning campus students will move in on Saturday, August 17, and Sunday, August 18. Classes will begin on Tuesday, August 20.