Wofford’s new president, Dr. John Paul “Jay” Dowd III, and his wife, Kim, were among the eager faculty, staff and students to greet — and do the heavy lifting — for the Class of 2030 on Friday, Aug. 28. As has been the college’s tradition, student orientation staff and campus leaders swarm the cars of new students to help unload and carry belongings into new homes on campus.

This fall, 516 first-year students joined the college community, the largest class in the college’s 172-year history. Classes begin on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

“No one does first-year move in like Wofford College, and I have so much gratitude for our amazing orientation staff; student, faculty and staff volunteers; and the team in Campus Life and Student Development,” Dowd said during opening session remarks to the Class of 2030 and their families. He talked with the class about this being his first year as well and encouraged the college’s newest students to get engaged and participate in all that Wofford has to offer.

“A college is not defined only by its buildings, its programs or its traditions. It is defined by the people who choose, every day, to make it a better place. We are those people,” he said to the Class of 2030. “And I’m glad we’re in this together. Go Terriers!”

Megan Tyler ’14, vice president for enrollment, also addressed the class, sharing a bit about what makes the college’s newest Terriers distinctive.

“One student started South Carolina’s first nonprofit dedicated to donating books to in-state prisons. Another started her own cookie business and generated more than $6,000 in sales in just six months. One, and I quote, ‘literally fought a shark.’ I don’t know the gory details, but I’m assuming they won because … well … they’re here,” said Tyler.

According to Tyler, the average financial aid package this year is $55,000, which includes all merit scholarships as well as state and federal aid need and achievement-based aid. Every member of the class is getting some sort of financial assistance.

Below are some other fast — and fun — facts about the Class of 2030 and what they’re bringing with them to Wofford College.

  • 110 are student-athletes.
  • 73 are the first in their families to attend college.
  • Just over half are from South Carolina.
  • Students hail from 26 states and 8 countries.
  • 190 were team captains.
  • 82 were club presidents.
  • 20 were editors of high school publications.
  • 13 received Gold or Eagle Scout awards.
  • 12 were valedictorians or salutatorians.
  • 9 were student body presidents.

Among the class are:

  • AP Scholars with Distinction and National Merit finalists.
  • An award-winning photographer.
  • A writer who wrote his own column for middle Georgia’s largest newspaper.
  • The Virginia 6A State Player of the Year for basketball.
  • A young man who has a 17-year tradition of eating breakfast at the same diner every Tuesday with his grandfather.
  • A student-athlete who played on the No. 1-ranked club volleyball team in the nation and won a national championship.
  • A set of triplets.

“This class is full of entrepreneurs, creators and innovators,” said Tyler. “One student won first place in a business pitch competition and earned seed money to launch a company. One designed a T-shirt that finished in the top 10 of the Cheerwine Festival design competition, and one wrote and performed an original song for a 50th birthday party.”

The class also has adventurers, including students who are cliff jumpers and sky divers. One trekked up the Inca Trail. Another drove a Porsche race car. There are actors, animal lovers, gamers, foodies and artists, and all of them were welcomed on Aug. 28 and will have access to the many people, programs and facilities at Wofford College designed to foster student success and belonging.