Welcome Class of 2020!

On orientation weekend, the most geographically diverse and the second most ethnically diverse class of freshmen began their career at Muhlenberg. It is safe to say the face of Muhlenberg is changing, slowly but surely. With each new and unique class, it is getting harder and harder to describe the “typical Muhlenberg student.”

Historically speaking, the class of 2020 is the most geographically diverse, with 30 percent of students coming from outside the Pennsylvania-New Jersey- New York area. This is up slightly from last year’s freshman class, in which 27 percent hailed from outside the Tri-State Area. Twenty-one percent of this year’s freshmen live outside of the Northeast region whereas in the class of 2019 non-Northeast students made up only 17 percent of the class.

The most ethnically diverse class at Muhlenberg was the class of 2019 with 23.4 percent of students coming from an ethnic/international background. The class of 2020 comes in second with 18.2 percent. Although there are less international students this year (25 compared to 34 in the class of 2019), that number is still up from 15 international students in the Class of 2018.

While many people around campus are saying that this class is the largest class of students at Muhlenberg ever, that is not actually true. There are 593 students in the class of 2020, only up 11 students from last year’s class. The largest class to enter Muhlenberg was the class of 2010, who, upon entering the school in the fall of 2006, was made up of 615 students.

The class of 2020 definitely stands out from the other classes at Muhlenberg as truly accomplished. One member has directed and produced a local talk show in their hometown; another has been a contributor for Ireland’s largest online newspaper; another is the founder of The Validation Project, a worldwide organization that is dedicated to stopping bullying and building self-esteem.

“All of us in the Admissions Office are always excited to see the new class arrive on campus,” says Chris Hooker-Haring, Vice President for enrollment. “We have been working with many of these students for a year or more, so it is great to see them finally on campus and making this place their new home. We know their energy and various talents and abilities will contribute a lot to the Muhlenberg community, and we are excited to watch all the ways they will grow over the coming four years.”

The freshman class is one of the most diverse groups of students to study at Muhlenberg. Hailing from New York, California, Illinois, or China, and majoring in chemistry, theatre, business, or English, each member truly brings something unique to our community. With each new class, it seems, Muhlenberg is becoming a more inclusive place. Welcome to Muhlenberg, Class of 2020!

Infographic by Jack Pennington