For St. Lawrence University’s newest students, the journey to a new academic adventure in the North Country has been especially remarkable. Though a global pandemic may have disrupted their high school careers, they have already demonstrated a steadfast commitment to their academics and their communities.
St. Lawrence’s new student enrollment is expected to exceed that of last year and 2019. Faculty, staff, returning students, and Laurentians everywhere plan to welcome 642 new students—including 625 first-years and 17 transfers—to campus and the community on Sunday, August 22.
“The achievements of this class speak to their incredible resilience under really difficult conditions,” says Vice President of Enrollment Management and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Florence Hines. “Their experiences over the past couple of years have given them unique perspectives on the kind of college experience they wish to have. Their compassion, determination, and drive to affect positive change is something every Laurentian will learn a lot from over the next four years.”
The Class of 2025 reflects a continued tradition of scholastic achievement, an ongoing commitment to co-curricular passions, and a unifying desire to affect positive change both on and off campus. Thirty percent ranked in the top tenth percentile of their class. Over half of the class explored arts, music, and theater, and a similar percentage participated in outdoor clubs and activities. Seventy-five percent made a difference through leadership activities and 77 percent did so through community service. Eighty-five percent represented their schools on the field, the rink, the court, or the track as scholar-athletes. Many, like Vivian Johnson ’25 of San Rafael, Calif., will continue their athletic careers as Saints.
“I chose St. Lawrence because I’m able to play softball and receive a liberal arts education. The University also has a great environmental studies major and sustainability program which is something I wish to study more.” -Vivian Johnson '25
“I chose St. Lawrence because I’m able to play softball and receive a liberal arts education,” says Vivian. “The University also has a great environmental studies major and sustainability program which is something I wish to study more.”
Members of the Class of 2025 hail from 438 high schools worldwide. First-year students will journey to the North Country from 29 states, Washington, D.C., and 33 countries, while transfer students represent 21 colleges, 12 states, Washington D.C., and Jamaica. Similar to recent incoming classes, international students represent 10 percent of the class and self-identified students of color represent 13 percent of first-year students. Nearly 17 percent of the class are considered first-generation students—students whose parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree—and 15 percent have an immediate family member or relative who attends or attended St. Lawrence.
Tenzin Yarphel ’25, a graduate of United World College India, arrived on campus earlier than many new students in order to attend International Student Orientation. Originally from the mountainous northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Tenzin will trade the Himalayas for the Adirondacks as he immerses himself in his new home.
“I chose St. Lawrence for its beautiful campus away from the city, good academic record, and really good alumni network, but diversity and inclusion are what really got me interested in St. Lawrence,” he says. “I am looking forward to meeting as many people as possible and also interacting with my professors.”
“I chose St. Lawrence for its beautiful campus away from the city, good academic record, and really good alumni network, but diversity and inclusion are what really got me interested in St. Lawrence. I am looking forward to meeting as many people as possible and also interacting with my professors.” -Tenzin Yarphel ’25
In addition to students from across the country and around the globe, about 12 percent of the class already call the North Country home, an increase from last year. Historically, local students make excellent ambassadors to the region for their out-of-town friends while carving out new adventures of their own.
“This class has incredible opportunities to look forward to,” says Hines. “They’ll be some of the first to take advantage of the Center for Career Excellence’s new and re-invented career success initiatives, academic offerings, and co-curricular opportunities. Over the next four years, their professors, alumni mentors, and career coaches will help them leverage their liberal arts experiences to meet the demands of companies and communities around the world.”
