Baruch College Welcomes Class of 2026
August 25, 2022
Baruch College welcomed the Class of 2026 to a campus buzzing with excitement for a week marked by the start of classes, club events, and the last weeks of summer weather on the College’s recently dedicated Clivner=Field Plaza.
At Convocation on August 23, approximately 2,600 first-year students and more than 1,700 transfer students—representing one of the College’s largest enrollment classes—were formally inducted into Baruch.
President S. David Wu, PhD, congratulated the students on their acceptance to the College, noting: “To be accepted here, you excelled in your high school or community college despite unprecedented disruptions to your educational experience in the past two years. In this way, you have already proven that you are smart, resilient, and determined.
“In short, you have what it takes to excel as Bearcats!”
President Wu added, “Ultimately, our goal here at Baruch is to nurture your talents—your intellect, curiosity, drive, and compassion—and give you the knowledge, tools, and experiences you need to be successful, and make a difference in your chosen career and in your communities.”
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Linda Essig, PhD, and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Art King also addressed the students.
Meet the Class of 2026
Baruch is widely recognized for its diverse student body and – given its home in New York City – a vibrant campus environment that celebrates diversity and champions inclusion. The Class of 2026 is no exception, with students in the incoming class including students from:
- 696 different high schools.
- New York’s five boroughs, as well as Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland County.
- 26 states, Including New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- 66 countries from around the world, such as Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Georgia, Guyana, Haiti, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Keynote Speaker and First-Year Text
Baruch College alumna Daphne Palasi Andreades (’15) was Convocation’s keynote speaker and her acclaimed debut book, Brown Girls, is the students’ first-year text for their seminar class.
“You are beginning your undergraduate career at a top public university in one of the most vibrant cities in the world, said Andreades, who majored in English and psychology at Baruch’s Weissman School of Arts and Sciences. “I am a proud graduate of Baruch…my journey as a writer would not be possible without the nurturing support I received here.”
Brown Girls is about a group of friends and their immigrant families from Queens. The novel illustrates a collective portrait of childhood, adulthood, and beyond, depicting women of color attempting to forge their place in the world today.
Weeks of Welcome Events
Following Convocation, a full calendar of programs and events kick off the semester so students can meet the student government leaders, learn about more than 100 clubs, discover resources to help them succeed, and meet new friends.
See the complete list of Week of Welcome events here.
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