Many of the college’s international students, student-athletes and students taking part in Augustana’s PACE Multicultural Mentorship Program moved into campus earlier in August to begin orientation and activities. The majority of first-year students arrive Sept. 1, with faculty, staff and returning students prepared to lend a hand.
Ready to welcome the Class of 2027
Augustana College will welcome new students to campus on move-in day Friday, Sept. 1. The Class of 2027 is among the largest and most diverse in the college’s 163-year history, with 800 first-year, transfer and exchange students from 30 states and 35 countries.
The college received an unprecedented 8,200 applications from first-year and transfer students across the globe for the 2023-2024 school year. The enrolled first-year class includes 584 domestic (U.S.) and 192 international students. The first day of classes for all students is Sept. 5.
Many of the college’s international students, student-athletes and students taking part in Augustana’s PACE Multicultural Mentorship Program moved into campus earlier in the month to begin activities.
More than 240 faculty, staff and returning students will roll up their sleeves to assist with move-in day, including Augustana President Andrea Talentino.
"Welcoming students to the new school year and watching their Augustana story begin is an incredible opportunity,” President Talentino said. “Move-in day gets the campus buzzing with activity, and it really is the start of Augustana students, faculty and staff coming together to create a great experience,”
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services organizes Target runs in the first days of students arriving on campus to ensure they have what they need to start the school year. This year, OISSS welcomed 192 first-year and transfer international students.
Immediately after move-in, first-year and transfer students will begin Welcome Week — a schedule packed with activities for students to get to know each other and Augustana’s campus.
The first-year class includes 316 student-athletes and 116 students who received art or music scholarships. Top intended majors for the Class of 2027 include computer science, business administration and psychology.
All Augustana students receive financial aid, and the Class of 2027 is the first to benefit from Augustana Possible, an innovative financial aid program for high-achieving students from families with lower incomes. Fueled by the Gerber Grand Challenge in Philanthropy matching opportunity, 183 first-year students received Augustana Possible grants.
This also marks the first year of Augustana’s Brenda Barnes Leadership Academy, with 29 first-year students selected for the program designed to uplift future female leaders.
Executive Vice President Kent Barnds said programs like Augustana Possible and the Brenda Barnes Leadership Academy open doors to even more students to find their purpose and path at Augustana.
“Augustana’s ability to offer transformative experiences for high-achieving and deserving students lays the foundation for the students of today to continue the great tradition of Augustana students becoming great leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
Contact:
Nicole Lauer, 309-794-7645; nicolelauer@augustana.edu