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Five days of YJ4L pride were on full display as BW welcomed 650 first-year students to campus and capped the festivities with an all-campus "University Welcome" celebration.
It was a fun-filled Week of Welcome for both residential and commuter first-year students. Also joining the BW community for today's first day of classes are 90 transfer students, whose talents and accomplishments bring an impressive addition to campus.
From
the
classrooms
to
the
athletic
fields
and
facilities
to
the
stages
for
performing
arts,
the
Class
of
2026
is
ready
to
make
its
mark.
They
come
from
34
states
and
have
remarkable
academic
achievements,
as
well
as
leadership,
service
and
co-curricular
involvement.
Among
notable
statistics,
21%
represent
students
of
color,
and
approximately
115
are
members
of
the
BW
Honors
Program.
One-fourth
of
the
individuals
are
first-generation
students.
Their
academic
areas
of
interest
include
business
(23%),
science
and
technology
(18%),
performing
arts
(17%),
social
sciences
and
humanities
(16%),
health
(12%),
interdisciplinary
(9%)
and
education
(5%).
On Sunday, Aug. 21, BW held its second annual all-campus "University Welcome" at Strosacker Hall. BW students, faculty and staff gathered for a three-hour celebration that kicked off the excitement of a new school year. The combination cookout and student welcome included greetings by student body president Lizzy Cole and vice president Matt Perry.
"Yesterday's welcome event was an opportunity for our campus community to unite and celebrate the start of the new academic year," said BW Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Timeka L. Rashid. "For new students, it is a time to engage in what it means to be a YJ4L - the joy, pride and feeling of meaningful belonging that makes BW an exceptional university. For our returning students, we welcome their return and recognize the energy, enthusiasm and diligence they bring to their studies and their co-curricular experiences.
"Our theme for this year's event is 'Go the Distance,' which reflects the motivational message of perseverance we want to share with students that encourages them to pursue new opportunities and connections to create their sense of belonging. It's going to be a fantastic year, and I look forward to celebrating our phenomenal BW experience together," she added.
