Aerial view of campus with Williamsport, the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain as a backdrop

Class of 2025 walks through Sykes gate to begin Lycoming journey

Class of 2025 walks through Sykes gate to begin Lycoming journey

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Lycoming College welcomed another strong academic and very diverse class during New Student Convocation, Aug. 26. The Class of 2025 entered through the David B Sykes gate not only as a robust, intelligent cohort, but also as a resilient one. Despite the interruptions and unusual challenges in their college search brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year and a half, the Lycoming College Class of 2025 is poised to make history.

The College experienced another spike in applications this year, garnering nearly 3,000 — one of the highest numbers of overall applicants in the past three years. Deposits remained steady during the summer and 342 new students were welcomed into the community during the Convocation ceremony. On average, the Class boasts a 3.57 high school GPA, with 23 percent of first-year students ranking in the top decile of their high school class. Among those choosing to submit, the average SAT and ACT scores were 1160 and 25, respectively. Lycoming College broadened its long-standing test optional policy in 2020 in light of the pandemic.

For the sixth consecutive year at least one-third of the entering class identify as domestic students of color. Geographically, 43 percent of the incoming class hails from outside Pennsylvania, including 16 states and eight countries, including Egypt, Japan, and Nigeria.

Multiple speakers addressed new students at the event. “I remember what this day felt like … I had no idea what awaited me. Nor did I grasp just how important those four years at college would be for the rest of my life,” said Christopher Pearl, associate professor of history. “My world was delightfully transformed by my experience in college. The professors I met, the courses I took, the books I read made a profound impact on my life, and I am continually blessed because of it. That’s what college is about.”

Dan Miller, vice president for student life, provided the welcome at this year’s annual event, reminding first year students of their responsibility to uphold protocols that keep the campus community safe, adding, “New Student Convocation has two very significant meanings. First, it is an acknowledgement of past achievement that led to your acceptance and ultimately your decision to enroll at Lycoming College. The second, it is your formal induction into this community of scholars, artists, community servants, student athletes and a community that seeks to be inclusive — acknowledging and celebrating — diversity of race, culture, identity, faith and much more. Congratulations! “

Fayla Guerin ’22, corporate communications major, film and video arts minor, and president of the student senate, addressed first year students by urging them to “Think Deeply. Act Boldly.” by getting involved and pushing themselves to be their very best.

Provost and Dean of the College Phil Sprunger had these inspiring words for new students, reminding them they are now and forever will be part of the Lycoming College family: “All of you are starting your Lycoming College experience as unique individuals with differing talents, differing hopes and differing dreams. Yet collectively you also make up an entering class, and in 2025 you will exit with bonds of friendship and common experiences to hold you together far into the future.”

Kent Trachte, president of Lycoming College, told first year students that those who succeed best at the College learn to think deeply and act boldly. “It happens by being open to the mentoring of our nationally recognized faculty. It occurs when you become an active learner. It takes place when you are open to exploring new ideas and studying the pressing issues that shape our world. It happens when you evidence intellectual curiosity and seek to expand your world view. It takes place when you are hungry to learn.”

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