MEADVILLE, Pa. — Aug. 28, 2007 — Allegheny College welcomed the incoming class of 2011 at its matriculation ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 26. The ceremony was the centerpiece of Allegheny's orientation activities, which began with student move-in on Aug. 25 and will run through Aug. 29. Classes begin on Aug. 30.
President Richard J. Cook urged the students to challenge themselves while at Allegheny. “Seek out and seize the opportunities,” he advised them. “Don't stay in cruise control during your quick four years with us. We want to hear you say, like so many students before you, �Allegheny changed my life.'”
In addition to Cook's remarks, the ceremony included the new students' pledge to adhere to the Allegheny honor code, a code that was initiated and developed by students more than 40 years ago, and an international flag ceremony.
The incoming class, one of the most selective in the college's history, is representative of trends the college's enrollment process has seen over the past few years. The class, approximately 589 first-year and 20 transfer students, draws students from 378 high schools in 32 states and a dozen countries.
Close to 50 percent of them ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school classes. Seventy-six percent reported service to their community and/or church, and more than 80 percent had paying jobs in high school.
Allegheny received 4,356 applications from 49 states for the Class of 2011—another record for the college.
Editor’s note: A copy of Dr. Cook’s remarks at matriculation can be found here.
